US 12,290,811 B2
Microfluidic serial dilution platform based well-plate using an oil-free immiscible phase driven by manual or electronic pipettors
Deepak Solomon, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to Unchained Labs, Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed by Unchained Labs, Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 28, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/134,737.
Application 17/134,737 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/005,341, filed on Jan. 25, 2016, granted, now 10,875,017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/107,132, filed on Jan. 23, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2021/0114022 A1, Apr. 22, 2021
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 33/543 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/50273 (2013.01) [B01L 2200/06 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0647 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0829 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0867 (2013.01); B01L 2300/087 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0877 (2013.01); B01L 2300/088 (2013.01); B01L 2300/161 (2013.01); G01N 33/54366 (2013.01); G01N 35/10 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A microfluidic device, comprising:
a plurality of fluidic traps;
a plurality of capillary constriction channels, wherein each of the plurality of capillary constriction channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps;
a plurality of bypass channels, wherein each of the plurality of bypass channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps, and wherein each fluidic trap and the associated bypass channel are connected in parallel and each fluidic trap and the associated capillary constriction channel are connected in series;
a plurality of inlets connected to the fluidic traps and bypass channels, wherein the inlets are configured to simultaneously supply multiple fluid streams towards the fluidic traps and the associated bypass channels;
an outlet; and
a main channel with a plurality of portions that connects the inlet to the plurality of fluidic traps, associated capillary constriction channels and associated bypass channels, and the outlet.
 
10. A microfluidic device, comprising:
a plurality of fluidic traps connected in parallel;
a plurality of capillary constriction channels, wherein each of the plurality of capillary constriction channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps;
a plurality of bypass channels, wherein each of the plurality of bypass channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps, and wherein each fluidic trap and the associated bypass channel are connected in parallel and each fluidic trap and the associated capillary constriction channel are connected in series;
one or more inlets connected to the fluidic traps; and
a plurality of outlets wherein each of the outlets is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps.
 
16. A method of operating a microfluidic serial dilution platform based well-plate, comprising:
introducing simultaneously a first fluid into a first inlet and a second fluid into a second inlet;
causing the first and second fluids to enter into a bypass channel associated with a fluidic trap, wherein the bypass channel and the associated fluidic trap are connected in parallel;
causing the first and second fluids to enter into the fluidic trap until the fluidic trap is filled with the first and second fluids; and
causing the first and second fluids to be mixed in the fluidic trap.
 
21. A method of operating a microfluidic serial dilution platform based well-plate, comprising:
introducing cells in fluidic traps connected in series;
loading cells in the fluidic traps while capillary constriction channels associated with the fluid traps are closed;
performing cell culture for the cells loaded in the fluidic traps;
introducing dissolved beads containing drugs into the fluidic traps;
loading the dissolved beads in the fluidic traps; and
isolating the fluidic traps.