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EP2240600A1 - Microfluidic apparatus for wide area microarrays - Google Patents

Microfluidic apparatus for wide area microarrays

Info

Publication number
EP2240600A1
EP2240600A1 EP08798995A EP08798995A EP2240600A1 EP 2240600 A1 EP2240600 A1 EP 2240600A1 EP 08798995 A EP08798995 A EP 08798995A EP 08798995 A EP08798995 A EP 08798995A EP 2240600 A1 EP2240600 A1 EP 2240600A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flow chamber
fluid
microns
radius
flow
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP08798995A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2240600B1 (en
EP2240600A4 (en
Inventor
Gibum Kim
R. Todd Schwoerer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Plexera Bioscience LLC
Original Assignee
Plexera Bioscience LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/846,908 external-priority patent/US7695976B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/846,883 external-priority patent/US20090060786A1/en
Application filed by Plexera Bioscience LLC filed Critical Plexera Bioscience LLC
Publication of EP2240600A1 publication Critical patent/EP2240600A1/en
Publication of EP2240600A4 publication Critical patent/EP2240600A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2240600B1 publication Critical patent/EP2240600B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B01L3/502746—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 the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles
    • 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
    • B01L3/502715—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 interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
    • 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
    • B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
    • B01L2200/026—Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
    • B01L2200/027—Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details for microfluidic devices
    • 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
    • B01L2300/0816—Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
    • 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
    • B01L2300/0825—Test strips
    • 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
    • B01L2400/08—Regulating or influencing the flow resistance
    • B01L2400/084—Passive control of flow resistance
    • 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
    • B01L3/50273—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 the means or forces applied to move the fluids
    • 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

Definitions

  • Microfluidic flow cells that are used in, for example, microarray chemical analysis typically have small holes for fluid inlet and outlet.
  • the flow becomes localized between the fluid inlet and outlet, which results in high non-uniformity of the analyte across the surface of the microarray.
  • a higher flow rate for the analyte fluid may be used to exchange the fluid in the flow cell; however, such high flow rates are undesirable because the analyte is often precious and may be present at low concentration.
  • One embodiment is a microfluidic device that comprises: a) a fluid inlet having a semi-circular groove and b) a flow chamber having an inlet end, wherein the fluid inlet and flow chamber are in communication and wherein the inner wall at the inlet end is curved with a radius similar to the radius of the semi-circular groove.
  • An analyte fluid introduced through the groove flows across the surface of a microarray with high uniformity and does not require high analyte fluid volumes to exchange the fluid in the flow cell.
  • the flow chamber may be in communication with a sample chip.
  • fluid flows through the flow chamber and is contained between a) the bottom surface adjacent to the fluid inlet and b) the surface of the sample chip.
  • the surface of the sample chip may have an analysis area to which is immobilized, for example, probe molecules such as peptides, proteins, DNA, RNA, etc.
  • the microfluidic device further comprises a fluid outlet end having a fluid outlet, wherein the inner wall of the flow chamber at the outlet end tapers toward the fluid outlet.
  • Another embodiment is an assembly for chemical analysis comprising any of the microfluidic devices as described above and the sample chip having a surface comprising an analysis area, wherein the surface is in communication with the flow chamber.
  • Another embodiment is a method of chemical analysis comprising: a) introducing an analyte fluid having a flow to the surface of a sample chip through a microfluidic device comprising i) a fluid inlet having a semi-circular groove and ii) a flow chamber having an inlet end, wherein the fluid inlet is in communication with the flow chamber and wherein the inner wall at the inlet end is curved with a radius similar to the radius of the semi-circular groove.; b) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid such that the analyte fluid forms a pattern on the surface of the sample chip, the pattern approximating the semi-circular groove; c) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid so that a linear fluid front forms on the surface of the sample chip at the inlet end; and d) maintaining the flow so that the linear fluid front moves along the surface of the sample chip.
  • FIG 1 illustrates one view of the microfluidic device.
  • FIG 2a illustrates a top down view relative to FIG 1 of the microfluidic device.
  • FIG 2b illustrated a cross section of the microfluidic device
  • FIG 3 illustrates the fluid flow through the microfluidic device
  • FIG 4 illustrates one embodiment of the microfluidic device.
  • a microfluidic device that comprises: a) a fluid inlet 10 having a semi-circular groove and b) a flow chamber 20 comprising an inner wall 25 having an inlet end 30, wherein fluid inlet 10 is in communication with flow chamber 20 and wherein inner wall 25 at inlet end 30 is curved with a radius similar to the radius of the semi-circular groove.
  • Flow chamber 20 may be in communication with a sample chip 35.
  • fluid flows through flow chamber 20 and is contained between bottom surface 40 and surface 45 of sample chip 35.
  • Surface 45 of sample chip 35 may have analysis area 50 to which is immobilized, for example, probe molecules, peptides, proteins, DNA, RNA, etc.
  • FIG 2a illustrates the microfluidic device from a "top down" view relative to FIG 1.
  • FIG 2a shows fluid inlet 10 having a semicircular groove, the outline of analysis area 50, the outline of inner wall 25, the radius 55 of the fluid inlet 10 having a semi-circular groove, and radius 60 of inner wall 25 at inlet end 30.
  • FIG 2b illustrates a cross section view of the micro fluidic device along plane 65 (FIG 2a).
  • FIG 2b shows the cross section of the fluid inlet 10 having a semi-circular groove, flow chamber 20, inner wall 25, sample chip 35, and space 70 where the a fluid in contained between bottom surface 40 and surface 45 of sample chip 35.
  • FIG 3 illustrates a method of operating the micro fluidic device by introducing a fluid flow 75 at roughly the middle 80 of fluid inlet 10 having a semi-circular groove.
  • the fluid flow passes through flow chamber 20 at inlet end 30 and contacts surface 45 of sample chip 35. From the point of contact 85 with surface 45 of sample chip 35, the fluid flows outward 90a, 90b in a pattern that approximates semi-circular groove.
  • a linear front begins forming 95a at point of contact 85 and then flows 100 along surface 45 of sample chip 35 with the linear front 95b maintained.
  • the flow of fluid through flow chamber 20 is highly uniform across the relatively large surface area of a sample chip.
  • fluid inlet 10 is shown in a separate layer 5 and flow chamber 20 is shown in a separate layer 15.
  • fluid inlet 10 and flow chamber 20 need not be in separate layers.
  • fluid inlet 10 and flow chamber 20 comprise separate layers (e.g., layer 5 and layer 15, respectively). These layers can be, for example, pressure sensitive adhesive tape, or other material such as telfon, having a variety of thicknesses.
  • fluid inlet 10 and flow chamber 20 comprise a single layer and may be, for example, fabricated as one solid piece.
  • Such embodiments may have fluid inlet 10 and flow chamber 20 fabricated sequentially or concurrently by, for example, techniques that include machining of a solid block material, embossing a material, molded UV curing, molded thermosetting, etc. and any combination thereof.
  • Materials that the layers can be made from include plastics such as, for example Lucite or Teflon, metals and alloys, and glass or silicon.
  • Bottom surface 40, the inner walls of fluid inlet 10, and/or inner wall 25 of flow chamber 20 may have additional structures protruding into or receding from the fluid path in order to, for example, enhance mixing or improve general flow dynamics.
  • the micro fluidic device may have one or more of the following features.
  • Radius 60 of inner wall 25 is from about 105% to about 107% larger than radius 55 of the semi-circular groove.
  • the width of the groove is from about 350 micron to about 500 micron and radius 55 of the semi-circular groove is from about 3.5 cm to about 4 cm.
  • the depth 71 of fluid inlet 10 is from about 25 microns to about 40 microns.
  • the depth 72 of flow chamber 20 is from about 13 microns to about 20 microns.
  • the microfluidic device further comprises a fluid outlet end 105 having a fluid outlet 110, wherein inner wall 25 of flow chamber 20 at outlet end 105 tapers (115) toward fluid outlet 110.
  • Apex 120 of the taper is allows fluid to flow through fluid outlet 110 and out of flow chamber 20.
  • the invention may include one or more of the following.
  • the length 125 of flow chamber 20 may be from about 3 cm to about 4.5 cm and the width 130 of flow chamber 20 may be about 1.4 cm to about 1.6 cm.
  • the volume of flow chamber 20 is from about 6 ā‡ L to about 10 ā‡ L.
  • the microfluidic device has a fluid exchange volume between about 80% and about 130% of the volume of flow chamber 20.
  • the depth 71 of fluid inlet 10 is about 13 microns to about 20 microns
  • semicircular groove has a width of about 350 micron to about 500 micron and radius 55 of about 3.5 cm to about 4 cm
  • the depth 72 of flow chamber 20 is about 13 microns to about 20 microns
  • flow chamber 20 has length 125 of about 3 cm to 4.5 cm and width 130 of about 1.4 cm to about 1.6 cm.
  • Analysis area 50 is at least 1.5 sq. cm.
  • Analysis area 50 includes a microarray comprising analysis spots. At least one analysis spot of the microarray may comprise a biomolecule.
  • the biomolecule may be a polypeptide or a polynucleotide.
  • the microarray may also comprise a plurality of polypeptides, polynucleotides, or both.
  • FIGs 1-4 Another embodiment, referring to FIGs 1-4, is a method of chemical analysis comprising: a) introducing an analyte fluid having a flow to surface 45 of sample chip 35 through a micro fluidic device comprising i) a fluid inlet 10 having a semi-circular groove for fluid inlet and ii) a flow chamber 20 comprising an inner wall 25 having an inlet end 30, wherein the fluid inlet 10 is in communication with flow chamber 20 and wherein inner wall 25 at inlet end 30 is curved with a radius similar to the radius of the semi- circular groove.; b) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid such that the analyte fluid forms a pattern on surface 45 of the sample chip 35, the pattern approximating the semicircular groove; c) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid so that linear fluid front 95a forms on surface 45 of sample chip 35 at inlet end 30; and d) maintaining the flow so that a linear fluid front 95b moves along surface 45 of sample chip 35.
  • the various features of the micro fluidic device may include those described above and illustrated in FIGs 1-4. Embodiments may have one or more of the following features.
  • the flow has a rate of about 180 ā‡ L/min to about 600 ā‡ L/min and a pressure of about 5 to about 30 PSI.
  • Surface 45 of sample chip 35 comprises analysis area 50 that is at least 1.5 sq. cm.
  • Analysis area 50 includes a microarray comprising analysis spots. At least one analysis spot comprises a biomolecule.
  • the biomolecule is a polypeptide or a polynucleotide.
  • the microarray comprises a plurality of polypeptides, polynucleotides, or both.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)

Abstract

A microfluidic device includes a fluid inlet having a semi-circular groove and a flow chamber including an inner wall having an inlet end. The fluid inlet is in communication with the flow chamber. The inner wall at the inlet end is curved and has a radius similar to the radius of the semi-circular groove. A method of analysis includes introducing an analyte fluid to the surface of a sample chip through the microfluidic device.

Description

MICROFLUIDIC APPARATUS FOR WIDE AREA MICROARRAYS
Background
Microfluidic flow cells that are used in, for example, microarray chemical analysis typically have small holes for fluid inlet and outlet. When the microarray area covers a large area, such as in high throughput analysis, the flow becomes localized between the fluid inlet and outlet, which results in high non-uniformity of the analyte across the surface of the microarray. To help alleviate this problem, a higher flow rate for the analyte fluid may be used to exchange the fluid in the flow cell; however, such high flow rates are undesirable because the analyte is often precious and may be present at low concentration.
Summary
One embodiment is a microfluidic device that comprises: a) a fluid inlet having a semi-circular groove and b) a flow chamber having an inlet end, wherein the fluid inlet and flow chamber are in communication and wherein the inner wall at the inlet end is curved with a radius similar to the radius of the semi-circular groove. An analyte fluid introduced through the groove flows across the surface of a microarray with high uniformity and does not require high analyte fluid volumes to exchange the fluid in the flow cell. The flow chamber may be in communication with a sample chip. In some embodiments, fluid flows through the flow chamber and is contained between a) the bottom surface adjacent to the fluid inlet and b) the surface of the sample chip. The surface of the sample chip may have an analysis area to which is immobilized, for example, probe molecules such as peptides, proteins, DNA, RNA, etc. In another embodiment the microfluidic device further comprises a fluid outlet end having a fluid outlet, wherein the inner wall of the flow chamber at the outlet end tapers toward the fluid outlet. Another embodiment is an assembly for chemical analysis comprising any of the microfluidic devices as described above and the sample chip having a surface comprising an analysis area, wherein the surface is in communication with the flow chamber. Another embodiment is a method of chemical analysis comprising: a) introducing an analyte fluid having a flow to the surface of a sample chip through a microfluidic device comprising i) a fluid inlet having a semi-circular groove and ii) a flow chamber having an inlet end, wherein the fluid inlet is in communication with the flow chamber and wherein the inner wall at the inlet end is curved with a radius similar to the radius of the semi-circular groove.; b) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid such that the analyte fluid forms a pattern on the surface of the sample chip, the pattern approximating the semi-circular groove; c) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid so that a linear fluid front forms on the surface of the sample chip at the inlet end; and d) maintaining the flow so that the linear fluid front moves along the surface of the sample chip.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG 1 illustrates one view of the microfluidic device.
FIG 2a illustrates a top down view relative to FIG 1 of the microfluidic device. FIG 2b illustrated a cross section of the microfluidic device FIG 3 illustrates the fluid flow through the microfluidic device FIG 4 illustrates one embodiment of the microfluidic device.
Detailed Description
One embodiment, referring to FIG 1, is a microfluidic device that comprises: a) a fluid inlet 10 having a semi-circular groove and b) a flow chamber 20 comprising an inner wall 25 having an inlet end 30, wherein fluid inlet 10 is in communication with flow chamber 20 and wherein inner wall 25 at inlet end 30 is curved with a radius similar to the radius of the semi-circular groove. Flow chamber 20 may be in communication with a sample chip 35. In some embodiments, fluid flows through flow chamber 20 and is contained between bottom surface 40 and surface 45 of sample chip 35. Surface 45 of sample chip 35 may have analysis area 50 to which is immobilized, for example, probe molecules, peptides, proteins, DNA, RNA, etc. FIG 2a illustrates the microfluidic device from a "top down" view relative to FIG 1. FIG 2a shows fluid inlet 10 having a semicircular groove, the outline of analysis area 50, the outline of inner wall 25, the radius 55 of the fluid inlet 10 having a semi-circular groove, and radius 60 of inner wall 25 at inlet end 30. FIG 2b illustrates a cross section view of the micro fluidic device along plane 65 (FIG 2a). FIG 2b shows the cross section of the fluid inlet 10 having a semi-circular groove, flow chamber 20, inner wall 25, sample chip 35, and space 70 where the a fluid in contained between bottom surface 40 and surface 45 of sample chip 35. FIG 3 illustrates a method of operating the micro fluidic device by introducing a fluid flow 75 at roughly the middle 80 of fluid inlet 10 having a semi-circular groove. The fluid flow passes through flow chamber 20 at inlet end 30 and contacts surface 45 of sample chip 35. From the point of contact 85 with surface 45 of sample chip 35, the fluid flows outward 90a, 90b in a pattern that approximates semi-circular groove. When the fluid fills up the semi-circular groove, a linear front begins forming 95a at point of contact 85 and then flows 100 along surface 45 of sample chip 35 with the linear front 95b maintained. The flow of fluid through flow chamber 20 is highly uniform across the relatively large surface area of a sample chip.
It should be noted that in the FIGs 1-4 fluid inlet 10 is shown in a separate layer 5 and flow chamber 20 is shown in a separate layer 15. However, fluid inlet 10 and flow chamber 20 need not be in separate layers. In some embodiments, fluid inlet 10 and flow chamber 20 comprise separate layers (e.g., layer 5 and layer 15, respectively). These layers can be, for example, pressure sensitive adhesive tape, or other material such as telfon, having a variety of thicknesses. In other embodiments, fluid inlet 10 and flow chamber 20 comprise a single layer and may be, for example, fabricated as one solid piece. Such embodiments may have fluid inlet 10 and flow chamber 20 fabricated sequentially or concurrently by, for example, techniques that include machining of a solid block material, embossing a material, molded UV curing, molded thermosetting, etc. and any combination thereof. Materials that the layers can be made from include plastics such as, for example Lucite or Teflon, metals and alloys, and glass or silicon. Bottom surface 40, the inner walls of fluid inlet 10, and/or inner wall 25 of flow chamber 20 may have additional structures protruding into or receding from the fluid path in order to, for example, enhance mixing or improve general flow dynamics. In various embodiments, the micro fluidic device may have one or more of the following features. Radius 60 of inner wall 25 is from about 105% to about 107% larger than radius 55 of the semi-circular groove. The width of the groove is from about 350 micron to about 500 micron and radius 55 of the semi-circular groove is from about 3.5 cm to about 4 cm. The depth 71 of fluid inlet 10 is from about 25 microns to about 40 microns. The depth 72 of flow chamber 20 is from about 13 microns to about 20 microns.
In another embodiment, referring to FIG 4, the microfluidic device further comprises a fluid outlet end 105 having a fluid outlet 110, wherein inner wall 25 of flow chamber 20 at outlet end 105 tapers (115) toward fluid outlet 110. Apex 120 of the taper is allows fluid to flow through fluid outlet 110 and out of flow chamber 20. In various embodiments, the invention may include one or more of the following. The length 125 of flow chamber 20 may be from about 3 cm to about 4.5 cm and the width 130 of flow chamber 20 may be about 1.4 cm to about 1.6 cm. The volume of flow chamber 20 is from about 6 Ī¼L to about 10 Ī¼L. The microfluidic device has a fluid exchange volume between about 80% and about 130% of the volume of flow chamber 20. In one embodiment, the depth 71 of fluid inlet 10 is about 13 microns to about 20 microns, semicircular groove has a width of about 350 micron to about 500 micron and radius 55 of about 3.5 cm to about 4 cm, the depth 72 of flow chamber 20 is about 13 microns to about 20 microns, and flow chamber 20 has length 125 of about 3 cm to 4.5 cm and width 130 of about 1.4 cm to about 1.6 cm.
Another embodiment is an assembly for chemical analysis comprising any of the microfluidic devices as described above and sample chip 35 having surface 45 comprising analysis area 50, wherein surface 45 is in communication with flow chamber 20. Various embodiments may have one or more of the following features. Analysis area 50 is at least 1.5 sq. cm. Analysis area 50 includes a microarray comprising analysis spots. At least one analysis spot of the microarray may comprise a biomolecule. The biomolecule may be a polypeptide or a polynucleotide. The microarray may also comprise a plurality of polypeptides, polynucleotides, or both. Another embodiment, referring to FIGs 1-4, is a method of chemical analysis comprising: a) introducing an analyte fluid having a flow to surface 45 of sample chip 35 through a micro fluidic device comprising i) a fluid inlet 10 having a semi-circular groove for fluid inlet and ii) a flow chamber 20 comprising an inner wall 25 having an inlet end 30, wherein the fluid inlet 10 is in communication with flow chamber 20 and wherein inner wall 25 at inlet end 30 is curved with a radius similar to the radius of the semi- circular groove.; b) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid such that the analyte fluid forms a pattern on surface 45 of the sample chip 35, the pattern approximating the semicircular groove; c) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid so that linear fluid front 95a forms on surface 45 of sample chip 35 at inlet end 30; and d) maintaining the flow so that a linear fluid front 95b moves along surface 45 of sample chip 35. The various features of the micro fluidic device may include those described above and illustrated in FIGs 1-4. Embodiments may have one or more of the following features. The flow has a rate of about 180 Ī¼L/min to about 600 Ī¼L/min and a pressure of about 5 to about 30 PSI. Surface 45 of sample chip 35 comprises analysis area 50 that is at least 1.5 sq. cm. Analysis area 50 includes a microarray comprising analysis spots. At least one analysis spot comprises a biomolecule. The biomolecule is a polypeptide or a polynucleotide. The microarray comprises a plurality of polypeptides, polynucleotides, or both.
Other embodiments are within the following claims.

Claims

Claims
1. A micro fluidic device comprising: a) a fluid inlet having a semi-circular groove and b) a flow chamber comprising an inner wall having an inlet end, wherein the fluid inlet is in communication with the flow chamber and wherein the inner wall at the inlet end is curved and has a radius similar to the radius of semi-circular groove.
2. The micro fluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid inlet and the flow chamber comprise separate layers.
3. The micro fluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid inlet and the flow chamber comprise a single layer.
4. The micro fluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the radius of the inner wall is from about 105% to about 107% larger than the radius of the groove.
5. The micro fluidic device of claim 1, wherein the width of the groove is from about 350 micron to about 500 micron and the radius of the groove is from about 1.75 cm to about 2 cm.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the depth of the fluid inlet is from about 25 microns to about 40 microns.
7. The micro fluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the depth of the flow chamber is from about 13 microns to about 20 microns.
8. The micro fluidic device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid outlet end having a fluid outlet, wherein the inner wall at the outlet end tapers toward the fluid outlet.
9. The micro fluidic device of claim 8, wherein the length of the flow chamber is from about 3.5 cm to about 4 cm and the width of the flow chamber is about 1.4 cm to about 1.6 cm.
10. The microfluidic device of claim 9, wherein the volume of the flow chamber is from about 6 Ī¼L to about 10 Ī¼L.
11. The microfluidic device of claim 10, wherein the microfluidic device has a fluid exchange volume between about 80% and about 130% of the flow chamber volume.
12. The micro fluidic device of claim 8, wherein the depth of the fluid inlet is about 25 microns to about 40 microns, the semi-circular groove has a width of about 350 micron to about 500 micron and a radius of about 1.8 cm to about 2 cm, the depth of the flow chamber is about 13 microns to about 20 microns, and the flow chamber has a length of about 3 cm to 4.5 cm and a width of about 1.4 cm to about 1.6 cm.
13. An assembly for chemical analysis comprising the micro fluidic device of claim 1 and a sample chip having a surface comprising an analysis area, wherein the surface and the flow chamber are in communication.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the analysis area at least 1.5 sq. cm.
15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein analysis area includes a microarray comprising analysis spots.
16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein at least one analysis spot comprises a biomolecule.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the biomolecule is a polypeptide or a polynucleotide.
18. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the microarray comprises a plurality of polypeptides, polynucleotides, or both.
19. A method of chemical analysis comprising: a) introducing an analyte fluid having a flow to a surface of a sample chip through a micro fluidic device comprising i) a fluid inlet having a semi-circular groove and ii) a flow chamber comprising an inner wall having an inlet end, wherein the fluid inlet is in communication with the flow chamber and wherein the inner wall at the inlet end is curved and has a radius similar to the radius of semi-circular groove; b) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid such that the analyte fluid forms a pattern on the surface of the sample chip, the pattern approximating the semi-circular groove; c) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid so that a linear fluid front forms on the surface of the sample chip at the inlet end; and d) maintaining the flow so that the linear fluid front moves along the surface of the sample chip.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the fluid inlet and the flow chamber comprise separate layers.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the fluid inlet and the flow chamber comprise a single layer.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the radius of the inner wall is from about 105% to about 107% larger than the radius of the groove.
23. The method of claim 19, wherein the width of the groove is from about 350 micron to about 500 micron and the radius of the groove is from about 1.8 cm to about 2 cm.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the depth of the fluid inlet is from about 20 microns to about 40 microns.
25. The method of claim 19, wherein the depth of the flow chamber is from about 13 microns to about 20 microns.
26. The method of claim 19, further comprising a fluid outlet end having a fluid outlet, wherein the inner wall at the outlet end tapers toward the fluid outlet.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the length of the flow chamber is from about 4 cm to about 4.5 cm and the width of the flow chamber is about 1.4 cm to about 1.6 cm.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the volume of the flow chamber is from about 6 Ī¼L to about 10 Ī¼L.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the flow chamber has a fluid exchange volume between about 80% and about 130% of the flow chamber volume.
30. The method of claim 26, wherein the depth of the fluid inlet is about 20 microns to about 40 microns, the semi-circular groove has a width of about 350 micron to about 500 micron and a radius of about 3.5 mm to about 4 mm, the depth of the flow chamber is about 13 microns to about 20 microns, and the flow chamber has a length of about 3.5 cm to 4 cm and a width of about 1.4 cm to about 1.6 cm.
31. The method of claim 26, wherein the flow has a rate of about 180 Ī¼L/min to about 600 Ī¼L/min and a pressure of about 5 to about 30 PSI.
32. The method of claim 19, wherein the surface of the sample chip comprises an analysis area that is at least 1.5 sq. cm.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein analysis area is a microarray comprising analysis spots.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one analysis spot comprises a biomolecule.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the biomolecule is a polypeptide or a polynucleotide.
36. The method claim 33, wherein the microarray comprises a plurality of polypeptides, polynucleotides, or both.
EP08798995A 2007-08-29 2008-08-29 Microfluidic apparatus for wide area microarrays Active EP2240600B1 (en)

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US11/846,908 US7695976B2 (en) 2007-08-29 2007-08-29 Method for uniform analyte fluid delivery to microarrays
US11/846,883 US20090060786A1 (en) 2007-08-29 2007-08-29 Microfluidic apparatus for wide area microarrays
PCT/US2008/074865 WO2009029845A1 (en) 2007-08-29 2008-08-29 Microfluidic apparatus for wide area microarrays

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