US 11,999,934 B2
Integrated microfluidic system for generation of MicroOrganoSpheres (MOS)
Bradley Scott Thomas, Cary, NC (US); Timothy A. Miller, Durham, NC (US); Daniel Nelson, Durham, NC (US); Raheel Samuel, Durham, NC (US); George Robinson, Durham, NC (US); and Tyler Welder, Durham, NC (US)
Assigned to Xilis, Inc., Durham, NC (US)
Filed by Xilis, Inc., Durham, NC (US)
Filed on Oct. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/378,921.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/415,235, filed on Oct. 11, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/415,232, filed on Oct. 11, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/415,240, filed on Oct. 11, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/415,228, filed on Oct. 11, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0124820 A1, Apr. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. C12M 1/12 (2006.01); C12M 1/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/34 (2006.01); C12M 3/06 (2006.01)
CPC C12M 25/16 (2013.01) [C12M 23/16 (2013.01); C12M 23/40 (2013.01); C12M 41/12 (2013.01); C12M 41/36 (2013.01); C12M 41/40 (2013.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A microfluidic apparatus comprising:
a microfluidic chip for generation of droplets from sample material, in which a first microfluidic channel is defined in a surface of the microfluidic chip, the first microfluidic channel comprising:
a droplet generation portion comprising:
an inlet portion configured to be connected to a source of the sample material,
a junction between the inlet portion and an emulsifying fluid channel, and
a chamber downstream of the junction, in which a cross-sectional area of the chamber is larger than a cross-sectional area of the inlet portion, and
a polymerization portion downstream of the droplet generation portion, the polymerization portion having a serpentine configuration; and
a cartridge for droplet demulsification, the cartridge comprising:
a collection container defining a cavity;
a substrate disposed on the collection container, in which a second microfluidic channel is defined in a surface of the substrate that faces the cavity of the collection container, and in which the second microfluidic channel is fluidically connected to an output of the polymerization portion of the first microfluidic channel and configured to be connected to an output vial; and
a hydrophobic, oleophilic membrane disposed between the cavity of the collection container and the surface of the substrate,
in which the second microfluidic channel comprises:
an upstream section that has a simple serpentine configuration, and
a downstream section that has a double serpentine configuration.