DEVICE FOR CREATING A MICROFLUIDIC JET AND USES THEREOF

摘要

A device for creating at least one microfluidic jet, includes at least one conduit section (4a-c;14;22;27), open to an environment of the device at one end thereof. It further includes at least one arrangement (18) for forming in at least one of the conduit sections (4a-c;14;22;27) a meniscus (24;35;38) forming an interface between liquid (23;36) in the conduit section (4a-c;14;22;27) and the environment, at a position within the conduit section (4a- c;14;22;27). The meniscus (24;35;38) is at least partially concave, seen looking into the conduit section ( 4a-c;14;22;27) through the end open to the environment. The device includes at least one holder (13) for holding liquid (23;36), in fluid communication with at least one of the conduit sections (4a- c;14;22;27). It also includes at least one device (8;11;28) for delivering an energy pulse to liquid (23; 36) in at least one of the holders (13), configured to create a shock front propagating to the meniscus (24; 35; 38) and causing at least a first stage (25;33;37) of a jet to emerge from only a central part of the meniscus (24;35;38).