Manipulation of objects in microfluidic devices using external electrodes
Inventors
Molho, Joshua I. • Stearns, Daniel G. • Chen, I-Jane • Tran, Danh • Rice, Bradley W. • Wheeler, Tobias Daniel
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10717081-B2
Publication Date
2020-07-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention provides microfluidic devices, systems, and methods for manipulating an object within a channel of a microfluidic device using an external electrode. The device has a channel disposed within the device, the channel having no included electrodes. The channel has a wall, at least a portion of which is penetrable by an electric field generated external to the device, the wall being penetrable such that the electric field extends through the wall portion and into a region within the channel. The system includes the microfluidic device and an electrode external to and not bonded to the device. In the method, the external electrode is placed adjacent to the device and energized to generate an electric field that extends through the wall of the device and into the channel, thereby manipulating an object within the channel.
Core Innovation
The microfluidic device includes a channel disposed therein, and the channel comprises a wall that is penetrable by an electric field generated external to the microfluidic device. The wall is penetrable such that the electric field extends through a wall portion and into a region within the channel, enabling manipulation of an object within the channel.
An electrode is provided external to the microfluidic device, with the electrode adjacent to and not bonded to the microfluidic device. The electrode is configured to generate the electric field external to the microfluidic device, and the electrode is translatable across an external surface of the microfluidic device.
In further forms, the microfluidic device comprises a channel layer and a cover layer immediately adjacent to the channel layer, with the cover layer and the channel layer defining a channel between them. The entirety of the cover layer is penetrable by an electric field extending into the channel, and at least one electrode is adjacent to and not bonded to the cover layer at a side opposite the channel, with no electrodes provided within or adjacent to the channel layer.
In related configurations, an array of electrodes arranged in a two-dimensional grid is positioned external to the microfluidic device, adjacent to and not bonded to the microfluidic device. The array of electrodes generates the electric field external to the microfluidic device, and at least one electrode in the array is translatable across an external surface of the device to manipulate an object within the channel.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three core configurations of electric-field-based microfluidic manipulation using externally generated fields that penetrate a penetrable wall, with external electrodes that are adjacent to but not bonded to the microfluidic device and can be translatable across the device surface; together, the claims specify multiple inventive features across 3 independent claims.
Penetrable channel wall for externally generated electric-field extension into the channel
The microfluidic device comprises a channel with a wall, wherein the entirety of the wall is penetrable by an electric field generated external to the microfluidic device, the wall being penetrable such that the electric field extends through a wall portion and into a region within the channel.
External electrode adjacent to and not bonded to the microfluidic device generating the field
An electrode external to the microfluidic device, the electrode being adjacent to and not bonded to the microfluidic device, wherein the electrode is configured to generate the electric field external to the microfluidic device.
Translatable external electrode across an external surface
The electrode is translatable across an external surface of the microfluidic device.
Channel layer and cover layer defining the channel with a penetrable cover layer
A microfluidic device comprising a channel layer; a cover layer immediately adjacent to the channel layer, the cover layer and the channel layer defining a channel between the cover layer and the channel layer, the entirety of the cover layer being penetrable by an electric field extending into the channel.
External electrode on the side opposite the channel with no electrodes within or adjacent to the channel layer
At least one electrode adjacent to and not bonded to the cover layer, at a side of the cover layer opposite the channel, the electrode being translatable across the external surface of the device, and the electrode being operable to generate the electric field external to the cover layer and channel layer, wherein no electrodes are provided within or adjacent to the channel layer.
Two-dimensional grid electrode array external to the microfluidic device
An array of electrodes arranged in a two-dimensional grid external to the microfluidic device, the array of electrodes being adjacent to and not bonded to the microfluidic device.
Translatable electrode within a two-dimensional grid array
The array of electrodes generates the electric field external to the microfluidic device, and wherein at least one electrode in the array of electrodes is translatable across an external surface of the device.
Across the independent claims, the inventive subject matter focuses on manipulating an object in a microfluidic channel by using an electric field generated outside the microfluidic device that penetrates a penetrable wall or cover layer into the channel region, while using electrodes that are adjacent to and not bonded to the device and that can be translatable; one configuration requires a channel layer/cover layer stack with no internal electrodes, and another requires an external two-dimensional grid electrode array.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?