US 12,246,319 B2
Active droplet generating apparatus capable of controlling droplet size, method of controlling droplet size using the same, and self-diagnosis apparatus for diagnosing generation of droplet
Ki Ho Han, Busan (KR); and Jun Hyeong Kim, Gimhae-si (KR)
Assigned to INJE UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, Gimhae-si (KR)
Appl. No. 17/612,822
Filed by INJE UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, Gimhae-si (KR)
PCT Filed Oct. 8, 2021, PCT No. PCT/KR2021/013847
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 19, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/215817, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 13, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2021-0043797 (KR), filed on Apr. 5, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0234060 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); A61L 27/16 (2006.01); A61L 27/56 (2006.01); B01F 23/00 (2022.01); B01F 23/41 (2022.01); B01F 101/23 (2022.01); B01L 7/00 (2006.01); B01L 9/00 (2006.01); B23Q 17/24 (2006.01); C07K 14/705 (2006.01); C08F 220/56 (2006.01); C08L 33/26 (2006.01); C12M 1/34 (2006.01); C12Q 1/04 (2006.01); C12Q 1/18 (2006.01); C12Q 1/6844 (2018.01); C12Q 1/686 (2018.01); G01N 1/31 (2006.01); G01N 15/00 (2024.01); G01N 15/02 (2024.01); G01N 21/17 (2006.01); 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 27/10 (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 35/10 (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 15/02 (2013.01); G01N 27/10 (2013.01); B01L 2200/06 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0645 (2013.01); G01N 2015/0003 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An active droplet generating apparatus capable of controlling a droplet size, the active droplet generating apparatus comprising:
a disposable microchannel upper plate having a sample inlet port into which a sample is introduced, an oil inlet port into which oil is introduced, a microchannel through which the sample and the oil introduced through the sample inlet port and the oil inlet port pass, and a discharge port from which the sample and the oil have passed through the microchannel are discharged;
a multifunctional lower plate separated from the disposable microchannel upper plate and configured to be permanently used separately from the disposable microchannel upper plate;
a functional polymeric film provided on a lower surface of the disposable microchannel upper plate and configured to remove, in real time, air bubbles in the microchannel while separating the disposable microchannel upper plate and the multifunctional lower plate;
a droplet measuring electrode patterned on an upper surface of the multifunctional lower plate and configured to measure a droplet size depending on a voltage value of the fluid passing through the microchannel;
a negative pressure forming means configured to apply a negative pressure between the disposable microchannel upper plate and the multifunctional lower plate so that the disposable microchannel upper plate and the multifunctional lower plate are coupled or separated by vacuum; and
a flow velocity control device configured to adjust the droplet size to a desired size by receiving, by feedback, the voltage value measured by the droplet measuring electrode and controlling flow velocities of the oil and the sample,
wherein the flow velocity control device comprises:
a microcontroller configured to receive the voltage value measured by the droplet measuring electrode by feedback and control the flow velocities of the oil and the sample; and
a pneumatic regulator configured to adjust the droplet size to the desired size by adjusting the flow velocities of the oil and the sample supplied to the microchannel under the control of the microcontroller.