US 11,833,515 B2
Microfluidic channel networks for partitioning
Tobias Daniel Wheeler, Pleasanton, CA (US); Bill Kengli Lin, Pleasanton, CA (US); Mohammad Rahimi Lenji, Livermore, CA (US); Anthony Makarewicz, Livermore, CA (US); and Rajiv Bharadwaj, Pleasanton, CA (US)
Assigned to 10x Genomics, Inc., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed by 10x Genomics, Inc., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 27, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/859,060.
Application 16/859,060 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/056766, filed on Oct. 19, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/577,402, filed on Oct. 26, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0391211 A1, Dec. 17, 2020
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); C12Q 1/6869 (2018.01)
CPC B01L 3/502784 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502761 (2013.01); C12Q 1/6869 (2013.01); B01L 2200/06 (2013.01); B01L 2200/16 (2013.01); B01L 2300/021 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0861 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
 
1. A system for generating a plurality of droplets, comprising:
a fluid flow path comprising a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, a fourth channel fluidically connecting an output reservoir and a drainage reservoir, and an intersection of said first channel and said second channel;
at least one fluid flow unit that is configured to (i) subject a first fluid to flow along said first channel and a second fluid to flow along said second channel to said intersection, and (ii) subject a plurality of droplets to flow along said third channel to said output reservoir; and
a controller operatively coupled to said fluid flow unit, wherein said controller is configured to direct said at least one fluid flow unit to (i) subject said first fluid to flow along said first channel towards said intersection and (ii) said second fluid to flow along said second channel towards said intersection, to generate said plurality of droplets upon said first fluid coming in contact with said second fluid, which plurality of droplets is subjected to flow along said third channel to said output reservoir,
wherein said fourth channel is configured to permit an excess of said second fluid to be drained from said output reservoir to said drainage reservoir using at least a hydrostatic pressure differential between said output reservoir and said drainage reservoir.