US 11,931,736 B2
Systems and methods for serial flow emulsion processes
Christopher Michael Perkins, Boulder, CO (US); Matthew Ryan Dunn, Melrose, MA (US); Andrew Carl Larsen, Superior, CO (US); Donna Kelley, Louisville, CO (US); Michael Barich, Longmont, CO (US); Kristopher Holub, Boulder, CO (US); and Pin Kao, Fremont, CA (US)
Assigned to DROPWORKS, INC., Boulder, CO (US)
Filed by Dropworks, Inc., Boulder, CO (US)
Filed on Oct. 2, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/062,040.
Application 17/062,040 is a continuation of application No. 16/372,290, filed on Apr. 1, 2019, granted, now 11,471,884.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/651,619, filed on Apr. 2, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0023557 A1, Jan. 28, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01F 23/41 (2022.01); B01F 25/314 (2022.01); C12Q 1/686 (2018.01); G01N 15/14 (2006.01); G01N 21/62 (2006.01); B01F 33/302 (2022.01); B01F 101/16 (2022.01); G01N 35/08 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/502715 (2013.01) [B01F 23/41 (2022.01); B01F 25/314 (2022.01); B01L 3/502784 (2013.01); C12Q 1/686 (2013.01); G01N 15/1459 (2013.01); G01N 21/62 (2013.01); B01F 33/3021 (2022.01); B01F 2101/16 (2022.01); B01L 2200/0673 (2013.01); B01L 2300/041 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0654 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0829 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0867 (2013.01); G01N 35/08 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising a detector for detecting one or more characteristics of single partitions in a plurality of partitions, wherein the partitions comprise a first fluid and are dispersed in a second fluid, and flow through an interrogation region of a conduit, wherein the detector comprises:
(i) a conduit configured to flow the partitions within the conduit in single file, comprising the interrogation region wherein the one or more characteristics of the partitions is detected, wherein the interrogation region has a cross-sectional area in a plane substantially normal to the direction of flow of the partitions within the conduit that is less than 80% of an average spherical cross-sectional area of the partitions; and
(ii) a detection element for detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least one component of the partitions in the interrogation region, if present; and
wherein the system further comprises a partitioner fluidly connected to the detector, wherein the partitioner is configured to generate the plurality of partitions of the first fluid in the second fluid, wherein the first fluid is substantially immiscible with the second fluid, and wherein the partitioner is electrically grounded.