Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/40—Static mixers
  • B01F25/42—Static mixers in which the mixing is affected by moving the components jointly in changing directions, e.g. in tubes provided with baffles or obstructions
  • B01F25/43—Mixing tubes, e.g. wherein the material is moved in a radial or partly reversed direction
  • B01F25/433—Mixing tubes wherein the shape of the tube influences the mixing, e.g. mixing tubes with varying cross-section or provided with inwardly extending profiles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
  • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
  • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
  • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
  • B01L3/502738—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by integrated valves
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/40—Static mixers
  • B01F25/42—Static mixers in which the mixing is affected by moving the components jointly in changing directions, e.g. in tubes provided with baffles or obstructions
  • B01F25/43—Mixing tubes, e.g. wherein the material is moved in a radial or partly reversed direction
  • B01F25/433—Mixing tubes wherein the shape of the tube influences the mixing, e.g. mixing tubes with varying cross-section or provided with inwardly extending profiles
  • B01F25/4331—Mixers with bended, curved, coiled, wounded mixing tubes or comprising elements for bending the flow
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
  • B01F33/30—Micromixers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
  • B01F33/30—Micromixers
  • B01F33/3039—Micromixers with mixing achieved by diffusion between layers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
  • B01F33/45—Magnetic mixers; Mixers with magnetically driven stirrers
  • B01F33/451—Magnetic mixers; Mixers with magnetically driven stirrers wherein the mixture is directly exposed to an electromagnetic field without use of a stirrer, e.g. for material comprising ferromagnetic particles or for molten metal
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
  • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
  • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
  • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
  • B01L3/502769—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by multiphase flow arrangements
  • B01L3/502776—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by multiphase flow arrangements specially adapted for focusing or laminating flows
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
  • F15C—FLUID-CIRCUIT ELEMENTS PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR COMPUTING OR CONTROL PURPOSES
  • F15C3/00—Circuit elements having moving parts
  • F15C3/04—Circuit elements having moving parts using diaphragms
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
  • F15C—FLUID-CIRCUIT ELEMENTS PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR COMPUTING OR CONTROL PURPOSES
  • F15C3/00—Circuit elements having moving parts
  • F15C3/06—Circuit elements having moving parts using balls or pill-shaped disks
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • F16K99/0001—Microvalves
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • F16K99/0001—Microvalves
  • F16K99/0003—Constructional types of microvalves; Details of the cutting-off member
  • F16K99/0017—Capillary or surface tension valves, e.g. using electro-wetting or electro-capillarity effects
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • F16K99/0001—Microvalves
  • F16K99/0003—Constructional types of microvalves; Details of the cutting-off member
  • F16K99/0028—Valves having multiple inlets or outlets
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
  • G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
  • G01N27/04—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
  • G01N27/06—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a liquid
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
  • B01F31/44—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms with stirrers performing an oscillatory, vibratory or shaking movement
  • B01F31/441—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms with stirrers performing an oscillatory, vibratory or shaking movement performing a rectilinear reciprocating movement
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
  • B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
  • B01L2200/0636—Focussing flows, e.g. to laminate flows
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
  • B01L2200/10—Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
  • B01L2300/06—Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
  • B01L2300/0627—Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
  • B01L2300/0636—Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
  • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
  • B01L2300/0809—Geometry, shape and general structure rectangular shaped
  • B01L2300/0822—Slides
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
  • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
  • B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
  • B01L2300/0867—Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
  • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
  • B01L2300/0887—Laminated structure
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
  • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
  • B01L2400/0403—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
  • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
  • B01L2400/0403—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces
  • B01L2400/0406—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces capillary forces
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
  • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
  • B01L2400/0403—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces
  • B01L2400/0409—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces centrifugal forces
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
  • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
  • B01L2400/0403—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces
  • B01L2400/0415—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces electrical forces, e.g. electrokinetic
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
  • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
  • B01L2400/0403—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces
  • B01L2400/043—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces magnetic forces
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
  • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
  • B01L2400/0403—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces
  • B01L2400/0457—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces passive flow or gravitation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
  • B01L2400/06—Valves, specific forms thereof
  • B01L2400/0633—Valves, specific forms thereof with moving parts
  • B01L2400/0655—Valves, specific forms thereof with moving parts pinch valves
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
  • B01L2400/06—Valves, specific forms thereof
  • B01L2400/0688—Valves, specific forms thereof surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break

Definitions

• This invention generally relates to microfluidics, and more particularly to controlling a flow of a fluid in a microfluidic circuit.
• Microfluidics relates to systems that exploit physical properties and flow characteristics of fluids within micro-sized channels of capillary dimensions.
• fluids having different viscosities that flow next to each other take up different amounts of space within a channel, either by having a different cross-sectional area or different relative volumes within the channel.
• pressure-controlled microfluidic circuits including, for example, gravity- fed circuits
• fluids having different viscosities and flowing next to each other take up the same amount of space, but flow at different volume flow rates.
• this phenomenon presents a problem for cases in which a constant or accurate flow rate is required, or in which the position ofthe interface between two fluids next to each other must be known.
• fluids having non-dissolved particles dispersed within them show a flow behavior that is different from that of a particle-free fluid, even if the viscosities ofthe fluids are similar.
• particle-laden fluids may also take up different amounts of space in volume-controlled circuits, or have different flow rates in pressure-controlled circuits.
• the particles themselves may be uncontrollably forced to different areas ofthe channel by any of these forces, whereas the fluids in which they are contained would remain in place.
• Figure 1 is a graph illustrating a parabolic flow rate distribution in a microchannel having two side walls each defining an internal surface.
• Figure 2 depicts one embodiment of an injection structure suitable for the invention.
• Figures 3-5 illustrate various alternative cross-sections of inlets to a microfluidic channel.
• Flow rate is a function of cross-sectional area of a fluid within a channel, and the rate of speed with which the fluid travels through the channel.
• Several other factors affecting a fluid's flow rate include the fluid's viscosity, or property of resistance to flow, the composition and configuration ofthe channel, and the presence of other adjacently flowing fluids. In general, the effect of a fluid's viscosity on flow rate is more pronounced closer to internal surfaces ofthe channel, usually defined by the channel walls.
• Figure 1 illustrates this property, in which a flow speed of a fluid with a l ⁇ iown viscosity has a parabolic distribution 100 within a microchannel, the flow being slower at and near the walls 103 ofthe channel and faster toward the center ofthe channel.
• a center region 101 ofthe parabolic distribution 100 is substantially flat, representing a constant or near- constant flow rate across the region.
• a fluid sample 102 that requires a constant or accurate flow rate is sheathed in a second fluid 104.
• the fluid sample 102, or first fluid is injected as a flow into the channel, preferably within a small, center portion ofthe entire stream in the area 101 in which flow rate is constant.
• the first fluid can have an unknown or variable viscosity that would otherwise inhibit a constant or accurate flow rate.
• the second fluid 104 sheaths the first fluid 102 and has a known viscosity, such that the second fluid has a constant or accurately known flow rate at the interface with the first fluid 102. Accordingly, the first fluid 102 will maintain substantially the same constant or accurate flow rate as the second fluid at the interface.
• the first fluid 102 if containing non-dissolved particles, is also protected against forces which can affect the flow rate and direction ofthe first fluid, or any non-dissolved particles dispersed therein. These forces are substantially perpendicular to the direction ofthe flow ofthe first fluid 102. Being susceptible to these forces, the non-dissolved particles can be moved, altering the flow ofthe first fluid 102. These forces include, but not limited to, hydrodynamic shear stress, hydrodynamic shear lift, and elastic collision of particles.
• Figure 2 is a two-dimensional cross-sectional view of an injection structure 200 consistent with a device known as a "T"-Sensor, which includes a microfluidic channel 201 having side walls 203 that define an internal surface.
• the microfluidic channel 201 has a primary inlet 202 for receiving a first fluid flow, and secondary inlets 204 for receiving one or more second fluid flows.
• secondary inlets 204 are depicted as separate, but could form different parts of one inlet in a three-dimensional configuration.
• the second fluid sheaths the first fluid, to isolate the first fluid from the side walls 203 ofthe channel 201.
• the first fluid has an unknown or variable viscosity, which has minimal effect on the flow rate ofthe first fluid since the first fluid will flow at substantially the same rate as the second fluid where the two fluids interface, at 205.
• the second fluid has a known viscosity selected for achieving a particular flow rate at the interface 205.
• Figure 2 The structure 200 shown in Figure 2 is shown as two-dimensional for example only, and not limitation. In a third-dimensional, many different cross- sectional profiles can be used.
• Figures 3-5 show several embodiments of inlets or injectors to a microfluidic channel. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope ofthe invention.
• Figure 3 is a cross-section of a circular arrangement 300 of inlets. The arrangement includes a first inlet 302 for providing a first fluid, and a second inlet 304 for providing a second fluid that sheaths the first fluid. In the arrangement shown, the second inlet 304 circumscribes the first inlet 302, at least in close proximity to the channel.
• Figure 4 shows a similar arrangement 400 in which the first inlet 402 and the second inlet 404 are rectangular. It should be understood that, in any embodiment, the second inlet need not necessarily conform to the exact shape ofthe first inlet. Thus, with reference to Figure 4, the second inlet 404 could be a different shape, i.e. rounded, than the first inlet 402.
• the second fluid is preferably provided by the second inlet 404 to sheath, or surround, the first fluid, or at least isolate the first fluid from contact with an internal surface ofthe channel.
• Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of an arrangement 500 in which a second inlet 504 only partially surrounds the first inlet 502. In such an arrangement, effects ofthe viscosity ofthe first fluid can be mitigated at the channel wall 503 not completely interceded with the second fluid, by a a coating 505 on the wall 503.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
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• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
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• 2001
  • 2001-06-25 US US09/888,727 patent/US20010055546A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2002
  • 2002-06-20 WO PCT/US2002/019482 patent/WO2003000392A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2002-06-20 JP JP2003507029A patent/JP2004536699A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-06-20 EP EP02753344A patent/EP1419004A2/en not_active Withdrawn

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