US 12,128,410 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 May 30, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/678,112.
Application 18/678,112 is a continuation of application No. 18/378,921, filed on Oct. 11, 2023, granted, now 11,999,934.
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 2024/0316558 A1, Sep. 26, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. C12M 1/00 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (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)] 29 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 serpentine configuration; and
a cartridge comprising:
a collection container;
a substrate disposed on the collection container, in which a second microfluidic channel is defined in a surface of the substrate, 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 between 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.