Systems and methods for improved performance of fluidic and microfluidic systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022364030-A1
Application number	US-202217876283-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 28, 2022
Priority date	Jul 14, 2014
Publication date	Nov 17, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of flow, comprising:
a) providing: a microfluidic device comprising a fluid-resistance element and a fluid reservoir connected to a microchannel, wherein the fluid-resistance element has a first fluidic resistance that is at least about 100 times greater than a second fluidic resistance associated with the microchannel; b) introducing cells in said microchannel; and c) forcing the fluid through the fluid-resistance element such that said fluid flows through said microchannel at a flow rate.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is forced in step c) with pressurized gas.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid-resistance element comprises a fluid path channeled into a substrate.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the substrate of said fluid-resistance element comprises an elongated fluid path, the first fluidic resistance being created by the elongated fluid path.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the elongated fluid path undergoes multiple windings so as to create said elongated fluid path.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a cartridge interfaced with said microfluidic device. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gas is substantially insoluble in the fluid.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the gas is a mixture of gases, the mixture including a gas that is substantially insoluble in the fluid.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid-resistance element is removably connected to the microchannel between the microfluidic device and the fluid reservoir.

10 . A method, comprising:
a) providing
i) a microfluidic device having a first microchannel,
ii) a fluid reservoir comprising a working fluid and being disposed outside of the microfluidic device,
iii) a fluid line coupled to the fluid reservoir for delivering the working fluid to or from the microfluidic device; and
iv) a fluid-resistance element coupled to the microfluidic device, the fluid-resistance element having a first fluidic resistance that is about 10-50,000 times greater than a second fluidic resistance associated with the microfluidic device; and
b) forcing the working fluid through the fluid-resistance element such that said working fluid flows through said microchannel at a flow rate.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the working fluid comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of media, suspensions of cells, particulates, proteins, chemicals, contaminant, pollutant, pharmaceutical and combinations thereof.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said fluid-resistance element comprises a substrate having an elongated fluid path.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the working fluid is forced in step d) with pressurized gas.

Assignees

• Harvard College

Inventors

• Hinojosa Christopher David
• Sliz Josiah
• Levner Daniel
• Thompson Guy
• Geisler Hubert
• Fernandez-Alcon Jose
• Ingber Donald E

Classifications

• B01L3/502746

  characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles or throttle valves · CPC title

• B01L3/5027 Primary

  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 · CPC title

• C12M41/46

  of cellular or enzymatic activity or functionality, e.g. cell viability · CPC title

• B01L2300/0681

  Filter · CPC title

• B01L2300/0867

  Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution · CPC title