US 11,919,002 B2
Devices and methods for generating and recovering droplets
Mohammad Rahimi Lenji, 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 Aug. 20, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/998,648.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/889,273, filed on Aug. 20, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0053063 A1, Feb. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01F 23/411 (2022.01); B01L 3/02 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/502784 (2013.01) [B01L 3/021 (2013.01); B01F 23/411 (2022.01); B01L 2200/0673 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0867 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of producing droplets, the method comprising steps (a) to (d) in the following order:
a) providing a device for producing droplets of a first liquid in a second liquid, the device comprising:
i) a first channel having a first depth, a first width, a first proximal end, and a first distal end;
ii) a droplet formation region in fluid communication with the first channel; and
iii) a collection reservoir in fluid communication with the droplet formation region and configured to collect droplets formed in the droplet formation region, wherein the collection reservoir comprises a lumen configured to accept a collection device, and wherein a boundary of the lumen has an angle of between ±45 degrees from surface normal to the horizontal surface;
wherein the first channel and droplet formation region are configured to produce droplets of the first liquid in the second liquid;
b) inserting a collection device into the lumen;
c) producing the droplets; and
d) passively collecting the droplets in the collection device.