US 12,239,985 B2
System and apparatus for injecting droplets in a microfluidic system
Eric Carreel, Issy-les-Moulineaux (FR); Charlotte Leger, Issy-les-Moulineaux (FR); Pierre-Antoine Cuniasse, Issy-les-Moulineaux (FR); and Elian Martin, Issy-les-Moulineaux (FR)
Assigned to WITHINGS, Issy-les-Moulineaux (FR)
Appl. No. 17/441,344
Filed by WITHINGS, Issy-les-Moulineaux (FR)
PCT Filed Apr. 7, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/059917
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 21, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/208031, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 15, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 19305456 (EP), filed on Apr. 8, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0161262 A1, May 26, 2022
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01F 23/00 (2022.01); B01F 23/41 (2022.01); B01F 101/23 (2022.01); B23Q 17/24 (2006.01); C07K 14/705 (2006.01); C12M 1/34 (2006.01); C12Q 1/04 (2006.01); C12Q 1/18 (2006.01); C12Q 1/686 (2018.01); G01N 21/3577 (2014.01); G01N 21/359 (2014.01); G01N 21/39 (2006.01); G01N 21/45 (2006.01); G01N 21/64 (2006.01); G01N 21/77 (2006.01); G01N 21/78 (2006.01); G01N 27/414 (2006.01); G01N 30/12 (2006.01); G01N 30/68 (2006.01); G01N 30/70 (2006.01); G01N 30/72 (2006.01); G01N 30/88 (2006.01); G01N 33/00 (2006.01); G01N 33/18 (2006.01); G01N 33/50 (2006.01); G01N 33/53 (2006.01); G01N 33/543 (2006.01); G01N 33/68 (2006.01); G01N 33/74 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/08 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01); G06K 7/10 (2006.01); G06K 7/14 (2006.01); G06K 19/06 (2006.01); G06K 19/07 (2006.01); G06T 7/00 (2017.01); G06T 7/90 (2017.01); H10K 10/46 (2023.01); H10K 85/00 (2023.01); H10K 85/20 (2023.01)
CPC B01L 3/502784 (2013.01) [G01N 35/085 (2013.01); B01L 2200/027 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0605 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0663 (2013.01); B01L 2300/123 (2013.01); B01L 2300/14 (2013.01); B01L 2400/02 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0439 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1034 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
16. A method of releasing one or more droplets of a first fluid with one or more droplets of a second fluid within a microfluidic apparatus, the method comprising:
providing a main channel carrying one or more droplets of the second fluid immersed in the carrier fluid,
providing an auxiliary channel, formed as a reservoir having a predefined closed volume and comprising the first fluid, fluidly coupled to the main channel at two intersections, with a first intersection via a first orifice of the auxiliary channel configured to create a first fluid interface between the carrier fluid and the first fluid in the auxiliary channel, and with a second intersection downstream to the first intersection via a second orifice of the auxiliary channel configured to create a second fluid interface between the carrier fluid and the first fluid,
imparting a flow of the carrier fluid into the main channel, inducing therefrom a difference of pressure between the first and second orifice generating a balance condition such that a meniscus of the second fluid interface is maintained in the auxiliary channel, at the vicinity of the second orifice,
creating a balance deviation, with regard to the balance condition, greater than a predefined threshold, thereby triggering a release of a volume of the first fluid from the second interface into the main channel,
wherein the balance deviation with regard the balance condition at the second fluid interface is generated by:
at least one droplet of the second fluid passing in the main channel between the first intersection and the second intersection, thereby increasing the pressure drop and triggering a release of a volume of the first fluid from the second fluid interface, and/or an actuator allowing a release of a volume of the first fluid from the second fluid interface.