Air cooling systems and methods for microfluidic devices

摘要

Systems and methods for air cooling a microfluidic device using confinement channels to isolate cooling air from exposed liquids are disclosed. The systems and methods may also thermally condition the cooling airflow for improved robustness of the microfluidic device. In one embodiment, the air cooling system includes a split-level cooling manifold including an inlet duct that directs cooling air to a microfluidic device and an outlet duct that directs air heated by the microfluidic device away from the microfluidic device. The temperature of cooling air may be measured. The cooling air may be preheated to a temperature that is higher than an expected ambient temperature. The temperature of the cooling air after being heated by a microfluidic device may be measured.

主权项

1. An instrument comprising:
a microfluidic device including:
one or more microfluidic channels, one or more inlet ports configured to introduce biological material into the one or more microfluidic channels, one or more outlet ports, and one or more heat sinks positioned above the one or more microfluidic channels, wherein the one or more heat sinks and the one or more inlet and outlet ports are located on a first side of the microfluidic device;a cooling manifold configured to direct an airflow to the one or more heat sinks of the microfluidic device while the cooling manifold is attached to the first side of the microfluidic device, wherein said cooling manifold is configured to isolate the airflow from the one or more inlet ports, the cooling manifold including:an air inlet configured to receive the airflow;an air outlet; andan inlet duct configured to direct the airflow from the air inlet to the one or more heat sinks of the microfluidic device.