Method and apparatus for the discretization and manipulation of sample volumes

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for the discretization and manipulation of sample volumes that is simple, robust, and versatile. It is a fluidic device that partitions a sample by exploiting the interplay between fluidic forces, interfacial tension, channel geometry, and the final stability of the formed droplet and/or discretized volume. These compartmentalized volumes allow for isolation of samples and partitioning into a localized array that can subsequently be manipulated and analyzed. The isolation of the discretized volumes along with the device's inherent portability render our invention versatile for use in many areas, including but not limited to PCR, digital PCR, biological assays for diagnostics and prognostics, cancer diagnosis and prognosis, high throughput screening, single molecule and single cell reactions or assays, the study crystallization and other statistical processes, protein crystallization, drug screening, environmental testing, and the coupling to a wide range of analytical detection techniques for biomedical assays and measurements. The minimal fluid interconnects and simple flow geometry makes the device easy to use and implement, economical to fabricate and operate, and robust in its operations.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing a fluidic lattice comprising,
a flow channel having a flow axis, anda plurality of fluidic harbors in fluidic communication with the flow channel and offset from the flow axis; flowing a primer continuous liquid through the fluidic lattice and into the flow channel and into the fluidic harbors; flowing a first continuous liquid through the fluidic lattice to provide the first continuous liquid within the plurality of fluidic harbors, wherein the primer continuous liquid is immiscible with the first continuous liquid such that flowing the first continuous liquid through the fluidic lattice displaces at least a portion of the primer continuous liquid from the flow channel and from the plurality of fluidic harbors; and flowing a second continuous liquid through the fluidic lattice, the second continuous liquid immiscible with the first continuous liquid such that the second continuous liquid displaces the first continuous liquid from the flow channel while allowing the first continuous liquid to remain in the plurality of fluidic harbors.