High throughput microfluidic device
Inventors
Eberwine, James • Sul, Jai-Yoon • Arratia, Paulo • Gagnon, David • Gona, Ram
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12661648-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides microfluidic devices capable of generating a flow of fluids within a chamber. The flow of fluids mix within the chamber to form a gradient of concentrations. The chamber is capable of accepting a cell culture and is accessible to retrieve the cell culture. The microfluidic devices are compatible with standard laboratory microscopes for optical analyses of the chamber.
Core Innovation
A microfluidic device is provided that includes a first layer and a second layer configured so fluidic wells and a test chamber are embedded in the top surface and fluidly connected by at least one microchannel. The device further includes a vacuum port embedded in the top surface that is fluidly connected to a vacuum channel extending to a position near the test chamber. The second layer includes well openings, a vacuum port opening, and a test chamber opening that align with corresponding structures of the first layer so the layers can be releasably attached and interfaced.
The first and second layers are structured with an indentation and an aperture that extends through the second layer, where the indentation forms a perimeter around the test chamber opening. The aperture aligns with the vacuum channel so that, when the second layer is attached to the first layer, the vacuum port opening aligns with the vacuum port and the aperture aligns with the vacuum channel. This arrangement enables a recessed, perimeter-defined test chamber opening that is configured for releasable interfacing between layers.
A related microfluidic device implementation includes a microchannel layer with a recessed test chamber having a perimeter with inlets and at least one outlet, and recessed inlet wells and an outlet well. Microchannels fluidly connect the inlet wells to corresponding test chamber inlets and connect the outlet well to the test chamber outlet, while at least one vacuum microchannel is fluidly isolated from the test chamber and fluidly connected to the vacuum port. A cover layer bonds to the microchannel layer, includes well openings and a test chamber opening aligned with the microchannel layer structures, includes an indentation with an aperture fluidly connected to the vacuum microchannel, and uses a coverslip sized so a perimeter edge rests on the indentation while covering the test chamber opening and the indentation aperture.
Claims Coverage
The partial claims include two independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive features focus on a multilayer microfluidic architecture with an embedded test chamber and wells, microchannels that connect well and chamber inlets/outlets, and a vacuum system that uses a vacuum port/vacuum channel or vacuum microchannel that is isolated from the test chamber and interfaces through an indentation/aperture to a coverslip-receiving region.
Layered microfluidic device with aligned wells, test chamber, and vacuum port
A microfluidic device comprising a first layer with embedded wells and an embedded test chamber in the top surface, each well fluidly connected to the test chamber by at least one microchannel, and a vacuum port embedded in the top surface fluidly connected to a vacuum channel extending near the test chamber, together with a second layer having aligned well openings, a vacuum port opening, and a test chamber opening and including an indentation with an aperture extending through the second layer.
Releasably interfaced first and second layers with vacuum-channel aperture alignment
The second layer is attachable to the top surface of the first layer such that well openings align with wells, the vacuum port opening aligns with the vacuum port, and the aperture aligns with the vacuum channel, where the first and second layers are releasably interfaced.
Microchannel-layer test chamber with isolated vacuum microchannel and coverslip interface
A microfluidic device including a microchannel layer with a recessed test chamber having inlets and at least one outlet about the perimeter, recessed inlet wells and an outlet well, microchannels that connect inlet wells to corresponding test chamber inlets and connect the outlet well to the test chamber outlet, and at least one vacuum microchannel fluidly isolated from the test chamber and fluidly connected to a recessed vacuum port, together with a cover layer and an indentation/aperture connected to the vacuum microchannel and a coverslip sized such that its perimeter edge rests on the indentation and covers the test chamber opening and the indentation aperture.
The independent claim set defines a multilayer microfluidic device in which a recessed test chamber and wells are aligned across layers, microchannels connect wells to chamber inlets/outlets, and a vacuum port/vacuum channel or vacuum microchannel is configured to be isolated from the test chamber while being connected through a perimeter indentation/aperture region covered by a coverslip.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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