Microfluidic device with DEP arrays
Inventors
MURTON, Heather • Schmid, Lothar • Boada, Eduardo
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12179200-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
Microfluidic device having a plurality of microfluidic channels and corresponding dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrode arrays, each channel arranged to direct fluid over a DEP electrode array such that in use target particles are manipulated by the DEP electrode array. The device also has a first connection point and second connection point for connecting the device to an alternating current source, a first input of each DEP electrode array connected to the first connection point via the first conductor and second input of each DEP electrode array connected to the second connection point via the second conductor. A resistance of the first conductor between the first input of each electrode and the first connection point, and a resistance of the second conductor between the second input of each electrode and the second connection point is substantially at least an order of magnitude less than a total resistance of the connected electrode arrays.
Core Innovation
The microfluidic device includes a plurality of microfluidic channels and a plurality of corresponding dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrode arrays, where each microfluidic channel is configured to direct fluid over a DEP electrode array. The device is connected to an alternating current source through at least one first connection point and at least one second connection point, and each DEP electrode array has a first input connected to the first connection point via a first conductor and a second input connected to the second connection point via a second conductor.
To maintain consistent DEP operation across multiple DEP electrode arrays connected in parallel, the electrical resistance of the first conductor and the electrical resistance of the second conductor are each substantially at least an order of magnitude less than a total electrical resistance of the plurality of DEP electrode arrays. The first and second conductors comprise conducting leads comprising a conducting material deposited on a substrate, and each conducting lead includes one or more internal gaps absent the conducting material to increase an edge-length of the conducting leads.
The conductors with deposited conducting layers and internal gaps are described as reducing lead resistance and preventing delamination. The DEP electrode arrays are described as interdigitated electrode (IDE) arrays that can be powered via the single pair of AC connection points, enabling DEP-based manipulation such as capturing target cells.
The described use includes target cells such as M. tuberculosis cells from sputum samples, with optical visualization and potential downstream release for lysis and PCR/nucleic acid detection.
Claims Coverage
The document explicitly provides one independent claim (clm-00001), which defines the microfluidic device architecture and the key electrical-resistance and conductor-structure requirements.
Multiple DEP channels with parallel-connected electrode arrays to an AC source
A microfluidic device comprising a plurality of microfluidic channels directing fluid over corresponding dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrode arrays, connected to an alternating current source using at least one first connection point and at least one second connection point, where each DEP electrode array has first and second inputs connected to the respective connection points via first and second conductors.
Lead resistance at least an order of magnitude below total electrode-array resistance
The electrical resistance of the first conductor between the first input of each DEP electrode array and the first connection point, and the electrical resistance of the second conductor between the second input of each DEP electrode array and the second connection point, is each substantially at least an order of magnitude less than a total electrical resistance of the plurality of DEP electrode arrays.
Deposited conducting leads with internal gaps increasing edge-length
The first and second conductors comprise conducting leads comprising a conducting material deposited on a substrate, and each conducting lead comprises one or more internal gaps absent the conducting material to increase an edge-length of the conducting leads.
Across the independent claim, the inventive concept is a multi-channel microfluidic device with multiple DEP electrode arrays powered from a single AC source while ensuring conductor lead resistances are substantially at least an order of magnitude less than the total electrode-array resistance, implemented using deposited conducting leads that include internal gaps to increase edge-length.
Stated Advantages
Maintains consistent DEP operation across multiple DEP electrode arrays by ensuring conductor electrical resistance is substantially at least an order of magnitude less than the total electrode-array resistance.
Reduces lead resistance.
Prevents delamination.
Documented Applications
Capturing target cells (including M. tuberculosis cells) from sputum samples using DEP in a microfluidic cassette, with optical visualization.
Potential downstream release for lysis and PCR for nucleic acid detection.
Interested in licensing this patent?