Microfluidic valve and method of making same
Inventors
Handique, Kalyan • Parunak, Gene • Haley, Cecelia
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12128405-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present technology provides for a microfluidic substrate configured to carry out PCR on a number of polynucleotide-containing samples in parallel. The substrate can be a single-layer substrate in a microfluidic cartridge. Also provided are a method of making a microfluidic cartridge comprising such a substrate. Still further disclosed are a microfluidic valve suitable for use in isolating a PCR chamber in a microfluidic substrate, and a method of making such a valve.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes a microfluidic cartridge and associated microfluidic valve structures in which a thermally responsive substance is used to form a microfluidic valve inside a microfluidic channel in communication with an inlet hole. In the cartridge, the inlet hole is covered after the thermally responsive substance stops or is propelled into the microfluidic channel, so that the thermally responsive substance functions as the valve within the microfluidic channel.
A cartridge configuration is provided in which the microfluidic channel includes a junction and, in some configurations, one or more bends along the length of the microfluidic channel from the inlet hole to the junction. The channel geometry can include a first section and a second section, and the thermally responsive substance is maintained in a molten state so that it flows entirely into a designated section of the loading structure.
The disclosed valve-making approaches are integrated with heating via one or more heating elements and heater positioning relative to the microfluidic cartridge. After the thermally responsive substance is propelled or flows into the microfluidic channel section by capillary action, the inlet hole is covered by a label on the side of the substrate opposite the first side of the substrate.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three inventive features: air-propelled thermally responsive substance with capillary stop valve formation, molten thermally responsive substance flowing entirely into a second loading-channel section, and heated capillary flow into a bent microfluidic channel to a junction.
Air-propelling thermally responsive substance and capillary stop valve formation
Propelling via air a quantity of thermally responsive substance into an inlet hole of a microfluidic cartridge; maintaining a temperature with a heater so that the thermally responsive substance flows by capillary action into a microfluidic channel in communication with the inlet hole; and covering the inlet hole with a label on the second side of the substrate after the thermally responsive substance stops within the microfluidic channel to form the microfluidic valve.
Molten thermally responsive substance flows entirely into second loading-channel section
Positioning the microfluidic cartridge relative to a heater with an inlet hole, a loading channel in communication with the inlet hole, a flow channel along which a fluid passes, and a junction between the loading channel and the flow channel; propelling via air a quantity of thermally responsive substance to the bottom of the inlet hole; applying heat from the heater when the thermally responsive substance is in the microfluidic cartridge so that the thermally responsive substance stays in a molten state immediately after the thermally responsive substance is dispensed, wherein the thermally responsive substance flows entirely into the second section and wherein the quantity of the thermally responsive substance is equal to or is less than the volume of the second section; and covering the inlet hole after the thermally responsive substance is dispensed.
Heated capillary flow into bent microfluidic channel to a junction
Propelling via air a quantity of thermally responsive substance into the inlet hole of a microfluidic cartridge with a microfluidic channel in communication with the inlet hole, a flow channel along which a fluid passes, and a junction between the microfluidic channel and the flow channel; heating the microfluidic cartridge with one or more heating elements; maintaining a temperature so that the thermally responsive substance flows by capillary action into the microfluidic channel, wherein the microfluidic channel comprises one or more bends along the length of the microfluidic channel from the inlet hole to the junction; and covering the inlet hole after the thermally responsive substance is propelled.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on making a microfluidic valve using a thermally responsive substance that is air-propelled into an inlet hole, then routed in a microfluidic channel by capillary action under heater-controlled temperature conditions, followed by covering the inlet hole with a label after the thermally responsive substance has stopped or flowed into a designated microfluidic channel section or junction.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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