Microfluidic device and method of using same

摘要

A microfluidic device comprising a plurality of reaction chambers in fluid communication with a flow channel formed in an elastomeric substrate, a vapor barrier for preventing evaporation from the plurality of reaction chambers, and a continuous phase fluid for isolation of each of the plurality of reaction chambers.

主权项

1. A microfluidic device comprising:
a polymer substrate comprising a plurality of blind reaction chambers in coplanar array; a flow channel having an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end; and a vapor barrier substrate impermeable to water vapor and applied in a parallel plane to the plurality of blind reaction chambers and separated from the blind reaction chambers by a layer of polymer of the polymer substrate; wherein each blind reaction chamber is in fluid communication with the flow channel at a location in between the inlet and outlet, and wherein the polymer substrate is vapor permeable and the layer of polymer has a sufficient thickness to absorb gases displaced from the blind reaction chambers by a liquid that fills the blind reaction chambers and wherein the vapor barrier substrate and layer of polymer have a geometry that establishes a substantially two dimensional gradient of water vapor such that evaporation only occurs through one or more sides of the polymer substrate.