Microfluidic connection and a connecting interface for fluidically interconnecting microfluidic channels
Inventors
Jones, Benjamin • Peumans, Peter • Marquordt, Claus • Haupt, Remus Brix Anders
Assignees
Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum vzw IMEC • MiDiagnostics NV
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Publication Number
US-11583852-B2
Publication Date
2023-02-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
There is provided a connecting interface for fluidically interconnecting microfluidic channels. The connecting interface comprises one or more substrates which collectively define a first microfluidic channel which includes a connecting region for fluidically connecting the first microfluidic channel to a second microfluidic channel. The connecting interface further comprises at least one slit in an outer surface of one of the one or more substrates, wherein the at least one slit provides a fluid passage from the outer surface to the connecting region of the first microfluidic channel, and the at least one slit has at least one dimension extending beyond the connecting region along a direction parallel to the outer surface.
Core Innovation
A capillary driven connecting interface for fluidically interconnecting microfluidic channels is provided. The connecting interface includes one or more substrates collectively defining a first microfluidic channel with a connecting region configured to fluidically connect the first microfluidic channel to a second microfluidic channel. The connecting region is defined as an intersection between the first microfluidic channel and at least one slit.
At least one slit is formed in an outer surface of one of the one or more substrates. The at least one slit has an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction parallel to the outer surface. The slit provides a fluid passage from the outer surface to the connecting region of the first microfluidic channel, and at least one dimension of the slit extends beyond the connecting region along a direction parallel to the outer surface.
The first microfluidic channel has a longitudinal direction parallel to the outer surface, and the connecting region is positioned as the intersection between the first microfluidic channel and the slit. Implementation options include slit arrangements in same or different substrates, multiple slits with longitudinal layouts parallel or angular to the outer surface, and microfluidic connection variants using adhesive layer openings and channel branching structures.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers 4 inventive features in a capillary driven microfluidic interconnection using a connecting region defined as the intersection of a first microfluidic channel with an elongated slit in an outer surface.
Capillary driven connecting interface defining a first-channel connecting region
One or more substrates collectively define a first microfluidic channel including a connecting region for fluidically connecting the first microfluidic channel to a second microfluidic channel.
Elongated outer-surface slit forming a fluid passage to the connecting region
At least one slit in an outer surface of one of the one or more substrates has an elongated shape and a longitudinal direction parallel to the outer surface, wherein the slit provides a fluid passage from the outer surface to the connecting region of the first microfluidic channel and has at least one dimension extending beyond the connecting region along a direction parallel to the outer surface.
Connecting region as intersection between the first microfluidic channel and the slit
The connecting region is an intersection between the first microfluidic channel and the at least one slit.
Longitudinal alignment parallel to the outer surface
The first microfluidic channel has a longitudinal direction parallel to the outer surface.
Overall, the independent claim defines a capillary driven microfluidic interconnection where fluid passage to a channel connecting region is provided through an elongated slit in an outer surface, with the connecting region formed at the intersection between the first channel and the slit, and with longitudinal directions of both the slit and the first channel parallel to the outer surface.
Stated Advantages
Reduced misalignment sensitivity.
Reduced accumulated fluid volume.
Documented Applications
Diagnostic devices for analyzing cells, proteins, small molecules, and genetic material.
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