US 12,461,011 B2
Apparatus for holding a microfluidic chip
Sean Hart, Charlottesville, VA (US); Colin Hebert, Charlottesville, VA (US); Christopher Field, Charlottesville, VA (US); and Shweta Krishnan, Charlottesville, VA (US)
Assigned to LumaCyte, Inc., Charlottesville, VA (US)
Filed by LUMACYTE, INC., Charlottesville, VA (US)
Filed on Jan. 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/158,346.
Application 18/158,346 is a division of application No. 17/237,142, filed on Apr. 22, 2021, granted, now 11,561,164, issued on Jan. 24, 2023.
Application 17/237,142 is a division of application No. 15/853,763, filed on Dec. 23, 2017, granted, now 11,041,797, issued on Jun. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0160808 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 15/1434 (2024.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 15/14 (2006.01); G01N 15/10 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 15/1434 (2013.01) [B01L 3/5027 (2013.01); B01L 3/502715 (2013.01); B01L 3/502761 (2013.01); G01N 15/147 (2013.01); G01N 15/1484 (2013.01); B01L 2200/027 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0652 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0654 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0861 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0874 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0418 (2013.01); B01L 2400/043 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0433 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0487 (2013.01); G01N 2015/1006 (2013.01); G01N 2015/1445 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for analyzing and imaging particles or cells in fluids, comprising:
a microfluidic chip, comprising:
a substrate comprising a plurality of channels configured to transport one or more substances, wherein the plurality of channels comprises:
a first channel oriented vertically upwards with respect to gravity within the substrate,
a second channel in operable communication with the first channel and disposed horizontally within the substrate,
a third channel in operable communication with the second channel and oriented vertically upwards with respect to gravity within the substrate, and
a fourth channel in operable communication with the third channel and disposed horizontally within the substrate;
a light source configured to illuminate at least one channel of the plurality of channels; and
an apparatus for holding the microfluidic chip, comprising:
a cavity configured to hold the microfluidic chip vertically with respect to gravity;
an integrated light source holder configured to allow the light source to focus illumination into the at least one channel of the plurality of channels;
an integrated prism holder disposed between the integrated light source holder and the cavity to position a prism to reflect light from the light source in the integrated light source holder to a desired location in or on the microfluidic chip;
threaded screw holes for screws to hold and allow for adjustment of the microfluidic chip; and
threaded or non-threaded pass through holes positioned at the bottom of the apparatus for tubing and connector(s).