H-type filter device for analysing a component
A flow apparatus for measuring at least one biophysical property of one or more components is provided. The apparatus comprises one or more microfluidic devices. Each microfluidic device comprises: a sample channel having a sample inlet port for introducing a sample fluid flow comprising one or more components at a first flow rate into an elongate distribution channel, an auxiliary channel having an auxiliary inlet port for introducing an auxiliary fluid flow at a second flow rate into the elongate distribution channel. The distribution channel is configured to enable a lateral distribution of the components from the sample fluid flow into the auxiliary fluid flow. Each microfluidic device further comprises two or more capillary channels provided downstream and in fluid communication with the distribution channel, at least one outlet port provided downstream of each of the capillary channels. The sample inlet port and/or the outlet port further comprises an expansion feature between the channel and the corresponding port, whereby the expansion feature comprises a tapered section adjacent to the channel and a curved section adjacent to the port. The apparatus further comprises a switchable pressure source configured to control the flow of the fluids through the channels; and a detector configured to detect and measure at least one biophysical property of the or each component sequentially or simultaneously in each of the capillary channels and/or outlet ports on the microfluidic device.
1 . A flow apparatus for measuring at least one biophysical property of one or more components, the apparatus comprising:
one or more microfluidic devices, each device comprising:
a sample fluid channel having a sample inlet port for introducing a sample fluid flow comprising the one or more components at a first flow rate into an elongate distribution channel,
a system fluid channel having a system inlet port for introducing a system fluid flow at a second flow rate into the elongate distribution channel,
wherein the distribution channel is configured to enable a lateral distribution of the components from the sample fluid flow into the system fluid flow;
wherein the sample fluid channel and the system fluid channel are provided with a hydrophilic coating to ensure that the surfaces of the sample and system fluid channels are wetted, such that no bubbles are entrained during the loading of the sample fluid into the sample fluid channel and during the loading of the system fluid into the system fluid channel;
two or more capillary channels provided downstream and in fluid communication with the distribution channel,
at least one outlet port provided downstream of each of the capillary channels;
wherein each device further comprises an expansion feature, wherein the expansion feature is positioned between the sample fluid channel and the sample inlet port or between one of the two or more capillary channels and one outlet port of the at least one outlet port provided downstream thereof, whereby the expansion feature comprises a tapered section adjacent to the corresponding channel and a curved section adjacent to the corresponding port, and
wherein the curved section of the expansion feature has a radius of between 0.05 mm and 0.4 mm;
a switchable pressure source configured to control the flow of the fluids through the channels; and
a detector configured to detect and measure the at least one biophysical property of the one or more components sequentially or simultaneously in each of the capillary channels and/or the at least one outlet port on the microfluidic device.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of each of the capillary channels are arranged in a serpentine or tortuous configuration.
3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of each of the sample fluid and/or system fluid channels are arranged in a serpentine or tortuous configuration.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a second detector provided upstream of the distribution channel, the second detector is configured to detect and measure the at least one biophysical property of the one or more components in the sample fluid channel.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the channels has a maximum width or height no greater than 100 μm.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a flow guide that extends around at least part of the perimeter of the sample inlet port and/or the at least one outlet port.
7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the system inlet port further comprises an expansion feature between the system fluid channel and the system inlet port.
8 . The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the system inlet port includes a flow guide that extends around at least part of the perimeter of the system inlet port.
9 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each microfluidic device further comprises an active position-finding guide configured to locate a detection position within the one outlet port of the at least one outlet port and/or within a tortuous portion of the one of the two or more capillary channels.
10 . The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the active position-finding guide is configured to locate a detection position within the one outlet port of the at least one outlet port.
11 . The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the active position-finding guide is a fiducial point.
12 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sample fluid channel and the system fluid channel are provided with an anti-adhesion coating configured to both prevent sample adhesion and enable efficient filling of the one or more microfluidic devices.
13 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sample fluid channel, the system fluid channel, the distribution channel, and the two or more capillary channels have a width of 40 μm.
14 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sample fluid channel, the system fluid channel, the distribution channel, and the two or more capillary channels have a height of up to 25 μm perpendicular to their maximum dimension.
15 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one outlet port is an open port.
16 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the detector is a confocal detector, the confocal detector is configured to detect and measure the at least one biophysical property of the one or more components within the one outlet port of the at least one outlet port and/or within a tortuous portion of the one of the two or more capillary channels.
17 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the expansion feature is positioned between the sample fluid channel and the sample inlet port.
18 . The apparatus according to claim 17 , further comprising a second expansion feature, and wherein the second expansion feature is positioned between the one of the two or more capillary channels and the one outlet port of the at least one outlet port.
19 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the expansion feature is positioned between the one of the two or more capillary channels and the one outlet port of the at least one outlet port.