US 12,280,376 B2
Devices and systems for droplet generation and methods for generating droplets
Daniel Chiu, Seattle, WA (US); Li Wu, Seattle, WA (US); and Yuling Qin, Seattle, WA (US)
Assigned to University of Washington, Seattle, WA (US)
Appl. No. 17/424,397
Filed by University of Washington, Seattle, WA (US)
PCT Filed Feb. 4, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/016521
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 20, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/163283, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 13, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/802,579, filed on Feb. 7, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0118454 A1, Apr. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/502784 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502715 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0645 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0663 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0829 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0838 (2013.01)] 86 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for producing a droplet, the device comprising:
a capillary defining a lumen, the capillary comprising:
a first end coupleable to a fluid source; and
a second end opposite the first end;
an electrode in conductive communication with the second end of the capillary and a power source, wherein the electrode further comprises a capillary holder configured to carry the capillary and defining an illumination window shaped to expose an illumination portion of the capillary to light, and wherein the capillary holder comprises an outer tube; an inner tube coaxially carried by the outer tube; and a conductive spacer conductively coupling the inner tube and the outer tube;
a light source positioned to illuminate the illumination portion of the lumen of the capillary through the illumination window;
a photodetector positioned to absorb light from within the lumen and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to the light from within the lumen; and
a controller operatively coupled to the power source and the photodetector, the controller including logic that when executed by the controller, causes the device to perform operations including:
detecting the light from within the lumen based on the electrical signal from the photodetector; and
applying, with the power source, a voltage to the electrode sufficient to eject a droplet from the second end of the capillary, wherein timing of applying the voltage is based on timing of the electrical signal and whether the electrical signal is above or below a threshold.
 
69. A method of producing a droplet:
flowing a fluid through a capillary;
emitting light from a light source into a lumen of the capillary; and
applying, with a power source, a voltage to an electrode conductively coupled to a distal end of the capillary to eject a droplet from the distal end, wherein the electrode further comprises a capillary holder configured to carry the capillary and defining an illumination window shaped to expose an illumination portion of the capillary to light, and wherein the capillary holder comprises an outer tube; an inner tube coaxially carried by the outer tube; and a conductive spacer conductively coupling the inner tube and the outer tube,
wherein timing of applying the voltage is based on timing of the electrical signal and whether the electrical signal is above a threshold.