Liquid distribution and metering

摘要

Devices for handling liquid, for example microfluidic devices, are described, which are rotatable about an axis of rotation to drive liquid flow within the device. The 5 devices provide one or more of an aliquoting structure (6) having a plurality of daisy chained aliquoting chambers (100, 200, 300) for providing a plurality of aliquots, arrangements for sequencing the dispensing of the aliquots by controlling the rotation of the device and arrangements for ensuring that a fault condition can be detected when insufficient liquid is present in the device to fill 10 all aliquots. Further disclosed are arrangements for ensuring a detection chamber (12) of the device remains filled with liquid, arrangements for reducing the risk of air ingress to the detection chamber (12) on repeated emptying and filling of a supply structure (10) and arrangements for reducing the risk of bubble formation when filling the detection chamber (12). A corresponding system for operating the 15 device and method for processing of a sample using the device is also disclosed.

主权项

1. A device for handling liquid, the device being rotatable about an axis of rotation to drive liquid flow within the device and comprising
a plurality of chambers each adjacent to at least one other of the plurality of chambers and each chamber of the plurality of chambers having an inlet, an outlet connected to a respective outlet conduit, and an overflow conduit which defines a fill level to which the respective chamber is fillable with liquid from the inlet before overflowing, the inlet of a second chamber of each pair of adjacent chambers being connected to the overflow conduit of a first chamber of each pair of adjacent chambers to fill the second chamber of each pair with liquid overflowing from the first chamber of each pair, and each outlet conduit defining an upstream portion, a downstream portion and a crest disposed radially inward of the respective fill level, the upstream portion and the downstream portion extending radially outward from the crest, and being configured to urge liquid to flow from the respective outlet port to the downstream portion by capillary action.