Droplet-Generating Microfluidic Chips and Related Methods

    公开(公告)号:US20210031189A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-02-04

    申请号:US17063637

    申请日:2020-10-05

    Inventor: Ross JOHNSON

    Abstract: Disclosed are microfluidic chips and methods of loading the same. Some microfluidic chips include a microfluidic network that has an inlet port, a channel configured to receive liquid from the inlet port, and a droplet-generating region that includes an end of the channel having a transverse dimension, a constant portion extending from the end of the channel and having a constant transverse dimension that is larger than the traverse dimension of the end of the channel, and an expanding portion extending from the constant portion, wherein the transverse dimension of the end of the channel, the transverse dimension of the constant portion, and a length of the constant portion are configured such that, when an aqueous liquid is flowed through the droplet-generating region in the presence of a non-aqueous liquid, droplets of the aqueous liquid are completely formed in the constant portion.

    METHODS FOR PREVENTING INTER-DROPLET TRANSFER OF A FLUORESCENT PRODUCT IN AQUEOUS DROPLETS BY FORMING A SOLUBLE COMPLEX WITH CYCLODEXTRIN

    公开(公告)号:US20240401020A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-12-05

    申请号:US18699193

    申请日:2022-10-06

    Inventor: Ross JOHNSON

    Abstract: A method for retaining fluorescent molecules within aqueous droplets suspended in an emulsion includes combining a plurality of living cells, a plurality of fluorescent molecules, and a plurality of cyclodextrin molecules in an aqueous solution. The method also includes emulsifying the aqueous solution with a hydrophobic fluid to form the aqueous droplets. At least one of the aqueous droplets includes (i) a single living cell or a single cell species in a homogenous aggregate of the plurality of living cells, (ii) at least one fluorescent molecule of the plurality of fluorescent molecules, and (iii) at least one cyclodextrin molecule of the plurality of cyclodextrin molecules.

    SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOADING REAGENT-CONTAINING MICROFLUIDIC CHIPS

    公开(公告)号:US20230033708A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-02-02

    申请号:US17815957

    申请日:2022-07-29

    Abstract: A microfluidic device can include a microfluidic circuit that comprises an inlet port, a reagent-containing chamber configured to receive fluid from the inlet port, a non-aqueous-liquid-containing reservoir configured to receive liquid from the chamber, and a droplet-generating region configured to receive and produce droplets of liquid from the reservoir. The circuit can also include first and second valves or frangible members. The first valve or frangible member can have closed position in which fluid is prevented from entering or exiting the chamber therethrough and an open position in which fluid is permitted to enter or exit the chamber therethrough. The second valve or frangible member can have a closed position in which fluid is prevented from flowing between the chamber and the reservoir therethrough and an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow between the chamber and the reservoir therethrough.

    Vacuum-Loaded, Droplet-Generating Microfluidic Chips and Related Methods

    公开(公告)号:US20200298229A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-09-24

    申请号:US16661829

    申请日:2019-10-23

    Abstract: A microfluidic chip that can have a body defining a microfluidic network including a test volume, one or more ports, and one or more channels in fluid communication between the port(s) and the test volume. Gas can be removed from the test volume before a sample liquid is introduced therein by reducing pressure at a first one of the port(s), optionally while the liquid is disposed in the port. Liquid in the first port can be introduced into the test volume by increasing pressure at the first port. The microfluidic network can define one or more droplet-generating regions in which at least one of the channel(s) defines a constriction and/or two or more of the channels connect at a junction. Liquid flowing from the first port can pass through at least one of the droplet-generating region(s) and to the test volume.

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