US 12,440,842 B2
Integrated microfluidic system for generation of droplets
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. 25, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/926,656.
Application 18/926,656 is a continuation of application No. 18/678,112, filed on May 30, 2024, granted, now 12,128,410.
Application 18/678,112 is a continuation of application No. 18/378,921, filed on Oct. 11, 2023, granted, now 11,999,934, issued on Jun. 4, 2024.
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 2025/0050341 A1, Feb. 13, 2025
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/12 (2006.01); C12M 1/34 (2006.01); C12M 3/06 (2006.01); G01N 15/14 (2006.01); G01N 15/1433 (2024.01); G01N 15/1434 (2024.01)
CPC B01L 3/502784 (2013.01) [B01L 3/50273 (2013.01); B01L 3/502746 (2013.01); C12M 23/16 (2013.01); C12M 23/40 (2013.01); C12M 25/16 (2013.01); C12M 41/12 (2013.01); C12M 41/36 (2013.01); C12M 41/40 (2013.01); G01N 15/1433 (2024.01); G01N 15/1434 (2013.01); G01N 15/1459 (2013.01); B01L 2200/061 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0673 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0654 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0883 (2013.01); B01L 2300/14 (2013.01); B01L 2300/161 (2013.01); B01L 2300/1805 (2013.01); B01L 2400/082 (2013.01); G01N 2015/1493 (2013.01)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A microfluidic apparatus comprising:
a microfluidic chip, 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,
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, at least a portion of the polymerization portion having a non-linear configuration; and
a collection cartridge having an interior space, the collection cartridge comprising:
a top wall defining a boundary of the interior space, in which a second microfluidic channel is defined in an outer surface of the top wall, and in which the second microfluidic channel is fluidically connected to an output of the polymerization portion of the first microfluidic channel; and
a membrane disposed on an inner surface of the top wall facing the interior space,
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.