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Assignees
MemberWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia University is a public R1 research institution offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs across science, engineering, business, creative arts, and media. The university emphasizes experiential learning, research, and innovation, with notable strengths in academic program development, research excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to affordability, career readiness, and student success. WVU supports a vibrant campus environment, industry partnerships, and impactful scholarship, preparing students for careers through hands-on education, research, and applied learning.
West Virginia University is a public R1 research institution offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs across science, engineering, business, creative arts, and media. The university emphasizes experiential learning, research, and innovation, with notable strengths in academic program development, research excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to affordability, career readiness, and student success. WVU supports a vibrant campus environment, industry partnerships, and impactful scholarship, preparing students for careers through hands-on education, research, and applied learning.
Publication Number
US-12263476-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Described herein are embodiments of a microfluidic device configured to facilitate conceptualization of scientific principles and uses thereof.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a microfluidic device that demonstrates stoichiometry, limiting reagent concepts, and the Ideal Gas Law using microfluidic gas collection and displacement. The device includes a first microcapillary having an end region with a J-hook shape comprising a semicircular curved portion extending from a straight section. The first microcapillary has an inlet opposite the J-hook end region and an outlet opposite the inlet, and the outlet of the first microcapillary is at a lower height than the inlet in the microfluidic device.
A reaction chamber is coupled to the first microcapillary, where the reaction chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the reaction chamber is positioned at a height lower than the outlet of the reaction chamber in the microfluidic device, and the reaction chamber has a greater width than the first microcapillary. A second microcapillary is coupled to the reaction chamber, where the second microcapillary comprises an inlet and an outlet and is serpentine shaped with a path that reverses direction in at least one region between the inlet and the outlet.
The second microcapillary provides gas collection and visualization/measurement by connecting the reaction chamber to a serpentine region. The inlet of the second microcapillary is at a lower height than the outlet of the second microcapillary in the microfluidic device. The described teachings include preventing bubbles and using continuous gas for improved accuracy, along with configurable device volumes and illustrative multi-reagent delivery using sealing/plugging and dyed reagents for visual tracking tied to gas displacement measurement concepts.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines the overall microfluidic device architecture with specific J-hook and serpentine geometry plus relative height relationships between inlets and outlets. Dependent claims in the provided set further refine device operation and measurement by adding multi-reagent delivery and quantifying gas based on displacement, and by specifying optional reagent and material details, including GRAS dye, PDMS, and a constrained total volume range.
Microfluidic device with J-hook first microcapillary and relative inlet/outlet heights
A microfluidic device having a first microcapillary with an end region having a J-hook shape including a semicircular curved portion, with a first inlet opposite the J-hook end region and a first outlet opposite the inlet, where the outlet is at a lower height than the inlet in the microfluidic device.
Reaction chamber coupled to first microcapillary with inlet below outlet and wider chamber
A reaction chamber having an inlet coupled to the outlet of the end region of the first microcapillary, where the inlet is positioned at a height lower than the outlet of the reaction chamber in the microfluidic device, and where the reaction chamber has a greater width than the first microcapillary.
Serpentine second microcapillary coupled to reaction chamber with relative inlet/outlet heights
A second microcapillary having an inlet coupled to the outlet of the reaction chamber, where the second microcapillary is serpentine shaped with a path that reverses direction in at least one region between the inlet and the outlet, and where the inlet of the second microcapillary is at a lower height than the outlet of the second microcapillary in the microfluidic device.
Multi-reagent delivery and sealing/plugging of the first microcapillary
Deliver first, second, and third reagents through the inlet of the first microcapillary, and plug or seal the first microcapillary to move the reagents into at least the reaction chamber.
Gas quantification by displacement in the second microcapillary
Quantify an amount of gas formed by measuring a displacement of the first reagent in the second microcapillary.
Dyed reagent using a generally recognized as safe dye
The first reagent is dyed with a generally recognized as safe dye.
Total device volume range for the microcapillary and reaction chamber
A total volume of the first microcapillary, second microcapillary, and the reaction chamber ranges from about 0.25 mL to about 10 mL.
Device comprises poly(dimethyl siloxane)
The microfluidic device comprises poly(dimethyl siloxane).
Overall, the claims coverage centers on a coupled microfluidic architecture using a J-hook first microcapillary, a reaction chamber with a wider cross-section and lower inlet relative to outlet, and a serpentine second microcapillary with an inlet lower than the outlet. The dependent claims provided add operational refinements for multi-reagent handling via plugging/sealing, a measurement concept that quantifies gas via displacement in the serpentine microcapillary, and optional details including GRAS dye for a reagent, PDMS material, and a total volume range.
Stated Advantages
Improved accuracy when using continuous gas for gas collection and visualization/measurement.
Enables preventing bubbles in the microfluidic teaching demonstrations.
Allows quantification of an amount of gas by measuring displacement in the second microcapillary.
Documented Applications
Demonstrations of stoichiometry, limiting reagent concepts, and the Ideal Gas Law using microfluidic gas collection and displacement visualization/measurement.
Teaching demonstrations that involve multi-reagent delivery with dyed reagents for visual tracking.
Example reaction demonstrations that generate gas for displacement-based gas visualization/measurement.
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