Fluidic apparatus for use in separation electrophoresis, capillary chromatography, micro reaction monitoring and miniaturized liquid communication bioassays; biosensor flow cells
Inventors
Ohman, Ove • Mendel-Hartvig, Ib
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8025854-B2
Publication Date
2011-09-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to a micro fluidic system comprising a substrate, and, provided on said substrate, at least one flow path interconnecting with functional means in which liquid samples can be treated by desired procedures. The flow paths are laid out to form a pattern for the transport of liquid samples to and from said functional means. These flow paths comprise a plurality of micro posts protruding upwards from said substrate, the spacing between the micro posts being small enough to induce a capillary action in a liquid sample applied anywhere within any of said flow paths, so as to force said liquid to move from where said liquid sample was applied.
Core Innovation
The invention describes an open micro fluidic system that uses a substrate with a non-porous surface. The substrate includes a first plurality of microposts protruding from the non-porous surface, thereby defining at least one lateral open flow path transverse to the protruding microposts. Cross sections of the microposts and center to center spacing between microposts are arranged to spontaneously induce passive capillary action in a liquid sample applied to the flow path, forcing the liquid to move laterally away from where it was applied.
The flow path is coupled with a sample receiving area disposed prior to the flow path and fluidly connected with the flow path. A sample collecting sink is disposed after the flow path on the substrate and fluidly connected with the flow path, where the sink has an area larger than the area of the flow path extending from the sample receiving area. The sample collecting sink includes a second plurality of microposts protruding from the substrate surface, and the second plurality of microposts further induces capillary flow from the flow path to the sample collecting sink; the micropost cross sections and center to center spacing of the second plurality are different from those of the first plurality.
The first plurality of microposts further includes at least one biological binder having an affinity to at least one component of a liquid sample introduced along the flow path. The open micro fluidic system is described as employing passive capillary-driven lateral transport without lids contributing to capillary flow. Functional means usable in or with the flow path include chemical reactors, separation including electrophoresis or chromatography, heating or irradiation, magnets, electrodes, optics and detectors, and temperature control.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim. It contains main inventive features comprising an open, capillary-driven lateral microfluidic flow path defined by micropost arrays on a non-porous substrate, a sample receiving area and a larger-area collecting sink with a second micropost array having different geometry, and incorporation of at least one biological binder on the first micropost array.
Open micropost-defined capillary lateral transport on a non-porous substrate
An open micro fluidic system comprising a substrate having a non-porous surface and a first plurality of microposts protruding from the non-porous surface, defining at least one flow path for transport of liquid samples laterally transverse to the protruding microposts, wherein micropost cross sections and center to center spacing spontaneously induce passive capillary action to force liquid to move laterally away from where the sample was applied.
Two-stage lateral capillary path into a larger-area collecting sink with a different micropost array
A sample receiving area disposed prior to the at least one flow path and fluidly connected therewith, and a sample collecting sink disposed after the at least one flow path on the substrate and fluidly connected with the at least one flow path, where the sink area is larger than the flow path area, and the sink includes a second plurality of microposts having cross sections and center to center spacing that further induce capillary flow from the flow path to the sample collecting sink, wherein the second plurality micropost cross sections and center to center spacing are different than those of the first plurality microposts.
Biological binder functionalization of the first micropost array
The first plurality of microposts further including at least one biological binder having an affinity to at least one component of a liquid sample introduced along the at least one flow path.
Across the independent claim, the coverage centers on an open micro fluidic architecture where non-porous substrate micropost arrays spontaneously induce passive capillary action for lateral transport along an open flow path into a larger-area collecting sink. The claim further requires a biological binder on the first microposts and specifies that the second micropost array in the sink has different cross sections and center to center spacing to induce capillary flow toward the sink.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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