Droplet forming devices and system with differential surface properties

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11565263-B2
Application number	US-202016840619-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 6, 2020
Priority date	Aug 22, 2017
Publication date	Jan 31, 2023
Grant date	Jan 31, 2023

Abstract

Devices, systems, and their methods of use, for generating droplets are provided. One or more geometric parameters of a microfluidic channel can be selected to generate droplets of a desired and predictable droplet size.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for producing droplets, the device comprising:
a) a plurality of first channels each having a first depth, a first width, a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first surface comprising a material;
b) a plurality of second channels each having a second depth, a second width, a second proximal end, and a second distal end;
b) a plurality of shelf regions each having a second depth and a second width, wherein each of the first distal ends of the plurality of first channels is in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of shelf regions, wherein each of the second widths is greater than the corresponding first width of the plurality of first channels, wherein each of the plurality of shelf regions comprises a hydrophobic coating different from the material of the first surfaces of the plurality of first channels; and
c) a collection reservoir configured to collect the droplets and comprising at least one wall that forms a plurality of steps each fluidically connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of shelf regions;

wherein each of the plurality of second channels intersects a corresponding one of the plurality of first channels between the first proximal and first distal ends of the corresponding one of the plurality of first channels.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a first reservoir in fluid communication with at least one of the first proximal ends of the plurality of first channels.

3. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a second reservoir in fluid communication with at least one of the second proximal ends of the plurality of second channels.

4. A system for producing droplets, the system comprising:
a) a device for producing droplets, the device comprising:
i) a plurality of first channels each having a first depth, a first width, a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first surface comprising a material;
ii) a plurality of second channels each having a second depth, a second width, a second proximal end, and a second distal end;
iii) a plurality of shelf regions each having a second depth and a second width, wherein each of the first distal ends of the plurality of first channels is in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of shelf regions, wherein each of the second widths is greater than the corresponding first width the plurality of first channels, wherein each of the plurality of shelf regions comprises hydrophobic coating different from the material of the first surfaces of the plurality of first channels;
iv) a first reservoir in fluid communication with at least one of the first proximal ends of the plurality of first channels; and
v) a collection reservoir configured to collect the droplets and comprising at least one wall that forms a plurality of steps each fluidically connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of shelf regions;
wherein each of the plurality of second channels intersects a corresponding one of the plurality of first channels between the first proximal and first distal ends of the corresponding one of the plurality of first channels, and

b) a first liquid;
c) a second liquid; and
d) a third liquid;

wherein the first liquid and the third liquid are not miscible with the second liquid;
wherein each of the plurality of first channels comprises the first liquid, each of the plurality of second channels comprises the third liquid, and the plurality of shelf regions and the collection reservoir comprise the second liquid; and
wherein the droplets are produced by liquid expansion from the first distal ends of the plurality of first channels at the plurality of shelf regions and plurality of steps.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the first reservoir further comprises particles.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the device further comprises a second reservoir in fluid communication with at least one of the second proximal ends of the plurality of second channels and comprises the third liquid.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a controller operatively coupled to transport the first liquid in the first reservoir and the third liquid in the second reservoir to one of the intersections of the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels.

8. The system of claim 4 , wherein the third liquid combines with the first liquid at one of the intersections of the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels to form a combined liquid that, upon expansion from the first distal ends at the shelf regions and step, produces the droplets.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the third liquid is aqueous or miscible with water.

Assignees

• 10X Genomics Inc

Inventors

• Bharadwaj Rajiv
• Makarewicz Anthony
• Lin Bill Kengli

Classifications

• C40B40/06

  Libraries containing nucleotides or polynucleotides, or derivatives thereof · CPC title

• B01L2400/086

  using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions · CPC title

• B01L2200/0673

  Handling of plugs of fluid surrounded by immiscible fluid · CPC title

• B01L2200/0652

  Sorting or classification of particles or molecules · CPC title

• B01F33/3011

  using a sheathing stream of a fluid surrounding a central stream of a different fluid, e.g. for reducing the cross-section of the central stream or to produce droplets from the central stream · CPC title