Microfluidic chips including a gutter having a trough and a ridge to facilitate loading thereof and related methods
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12415182-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
A microfluidic chip can comprise a body defining a microfluidic network having one or more inlet ports, a test volume, and one or more flow paths extending between the inlet port(s) and the test volume. Along each of the flow path(s), fluid can flow from one of the inlet port(s), through at least one droplet-generating region in which a minimum cross-sectional area of the flow path increases along the flow path, and to the test volume. The network can include a gutter disposed along at least a portion of the test volume's periphery. The gutter can have a depth along a trough that is at least 10% larger than the depth of the test volume at the periphery and a depth along a ridge disposed between the trough and the test volume that is less than the depth of the test volume at the periphery.
Core Innovation
The disclosed microfluidic chip comprises a body defining a microfluidic network with inlet ports, a test volume, and flow paths. The flow paths pass through at least one droplet-generating region in which the minimum cross-sectional area increases along the flow path. A gutter extends along at least a portion of the test volume periphery, comprising a trough extending away from the first surface and an intervening ridge extending toward the first surface.
Fluid from the flow paths cannot enter the gutter without flowing through the test volume, where the trough depth is at least 10% larger and the ridge depth is less than the peripheral test-volume depth. The trough receives excess droplets to reduce droplet overlap, stacking, or compression, while the ridge restricts droplet migration during analysis. This configuration supports parallel loading and imaging-based analysis without precise independent flow control.
Claims Coverage
The relevant claims identify one independent claim, claim 1, with three inventive features concerning the flow paths, gutter geometry, and fluid routing.
Flow paths and droplet-generating regions
One or more flow paths extend between the inlet ports and the test volume, wherein fluid passes through at least one droplet-generating region in which a minimum cross-sectional area of the flow path increases along the flow path.
Gutter with a trough and ridge
A gutter is disposed between the first and second surfaces of the body along at least a portion of the test volume periphery, comprising a trough extending away from the first surface with a depth at least 10% larger than the test-volume depth at the periphery, and a ridge extending toward the first surface between the trough and test volume with a depth less than the test-volume depth at the periphery.
Fluid routing through the test volume
Fluid from the flow paths is not permitted to flow into the gutter without flowing through the test volume.
Claim 1 covers a microfluidic chip combining inlet-to-test-volume flow paths that pass through expanding droplet-generating regions with a peripheral gutter comprising a deeper trough and an intervening ridge, where fluid must traverse the test volume before reaching the gutter.
Stated Advantages
The trough receives excess droplets after the test volume reaches capacity, reducing droplet overlap, stacking, and compression.
The ridge restricts droplet migration during analysis, including when the chip is inclined.
The features support parallel loading and imaging-based analysis without precise independent flow control.
Documented Applications
Parallel loading of droplets into the microfluidic chip.
Imaging-based analysis of droplets in the test volume.
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