Microfluidic system including a virtual wall fluid interface port for interfacing fluids with the microfluidic system

1. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a microchannel having an interior bounded by a side wall; and

a fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel to provide access to the interior of the microchannel, the fluid interface port having a depth and a diameter, wherein the depth is equal to a thickness of an associated side wall and the diameter is significantly larger than the depth so as to minimize a total volume of the fluid interface port, the diameter is substantially equal to the diameter of the microchannel and between about 25 μm and about 100 μm, such that when a fluid is disposed in the interior of the microchannel, the fluid forms a virtual wall at the fluid interface port, wherein the virtual wall has a meniscus surface that is substantially co-planar with the side wall in which the virtual wall is formed.

2. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid interface port has an inner wall comprising a material that is repellent to the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

3. The microfluidic device of claim 2 , wherein the material comprises a hydrophobic material.

4. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of the side wall of the microchannel is attractive to the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

5. The microfluidic device of claim 4 , wherein the interior surface of the side wall is formed of a hydrophilic material.

6. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising a covering layer disposed over the fluid interface port for covering the fluid interface port.

7. The microfluidic device of claim 6 , wherein the covering layer comprises a covering fluid that is immiscible with the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

8. The microfluidic device of claim 6 , wherein the covering layer comprises a non-evaporating liquid.

9. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising a second fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel, such that when a fluid in the interior of the microchannel, the fluid forms a virtual wall in the second fluid interface port.

10. The microfluidic device of claim 9 , wherein the fluid interface port forms an injection port for receiving a sample and passing the sample into the interior of the microchannel, and the second fluid interface port forms an ejection port for ejecting a sample from the microchannel.

11. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising a droplet generating system for forming a droplet of the fluid and for introducing the droplet to the channel through the fluid interface port.

12. The microfluidic device of claim 11 , wherein the droplet generating system comprises a droplet carrying element for carrying the droplet.

13. The microfluidic device of claim 11 , wherein the droplet carrying element comprises a pin for introducing the droplet to the fluid interface port by contacting the virtual wall.

14. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising an optical detector disposed relative to the fluid interface port for optically detecting the fluid through the virtual wall formed in the fluid interface port.

15. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising an array of fluid interface ports forming a plurality of virtual walls, wherein the array of fluid interface ports wicks an externally applied second liquid into the microchannel.

16. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid interface port has a cylindrical or conical shape.

17. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising a first fluid disposed in the interior of the channel and forming a virtual wall in the fluid interface port.

18. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid interface port is adapted to allow the bi-directional exchange of fluid with the microchannel through the fluid interface port.

19. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannel is non-linear in shape.

20. The microfluidic device of claim 19 , wherein the microchannel is substantially U-shaped.

21. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising a hydrophobic patch disposed in the microchannel.

22. The microfluidic device of claim 21 , wherein the hydrophobic patch is arranged substantially co-axially with the fluid interface port.

23. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannel comprises a semi-open channel structure formed in a substrate.

24. The microfluidic device of claim 23 , further comprising a cover for covering the semi-open channel structure to form an enclosed microchannel, the enclosed microchannel forming the interior bounded by the side wall, the side wall being formed by the substrate and the cover.

25. The microfluidic device of claim 24 , wherein the fluid interface port is formed in the cover.

26. The microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising an ejector coupled to the microchannel for ejecting a droplet of a fluid disposed in the microchannel through the virtual wall in the interface port.

27. The microfluidic device of claim 26 , wherein the ejector comprises at least one of a pressure pulse generator for applying a pressure pulse to the fluid to eject the droplet thereof through the virtual wall formed in the fluid interface port, a gas pressurizer, a voltage generator, and a heater located opposite the virtual wall for heating a fluid to produce a gas bubble, wherein the gas bubble ejects a droplet of the fluid through the virtual wall.

28. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a microchannel defining an interior bounded by a side wall; and

a fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel to provide access to the interior of the microchannel, the fluid interface port having a depth equal to a thickness of an associated side wall and a diameter that is significantly larger than the depth so as to minimize a total volume of the fluid interface port, such that when a fluid is disposed in the interior of the microchannel, the fluid forms a virtual wall in the fluid interface port, wherein the virtual wall has a meniscus surface that is substantially co-planar with the side wall in which the virtual wall is formed and wherein the fluid interface port has a dead volume that is less than one picoliter.

29. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , wherein the microchannel is free of a second coaxially arranged fluid interface port formed in the side wall at a location opposite to the first fluid interface port.

30. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , wherein the microchannel has a diameter, wherein the diameter of the fluid interface port is substantially equal to the diameter of the microchannel.

31. The microfluidic device of claim 30 , wherein the diameter of the fluid interface port is between about 25 μm and about 150 μm.

32. The microfluidic device of claim 31 , wherein the diameter of the fluid interface port is between about 50 μm and about 100 μm.

33. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , wherein the fluid interface port has an inner wall comprising a material that is repellent to the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

34. The microfluidic device of claim 33 , wherein the material comprises a hydrophobic material.

35. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , wherein an interior surface of the side wall of the microchannel is attractive to the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

36. The microfluidic device of claim 35 , wherein the interior surface of the side wall is formed of a hydrophilic material.

37. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , further comprising a covering layer disposed over the fluid interface port for covering the fluid interface port.

38. The microfluidic device of claim 37 , wherein the covering layer comprises a covering fluid that is immiscible with the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

39. The microfluidic device of claim 37 , wherein the covering layer comprises a non-evaporating liquid.

40. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , further comprising a selected other fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel, such that when a fluid is disposed in the interior of the microchannel, the fluid forms a virtual wall in the selected other fluid interface port.

41. The microfluidic device of claim 40 , wherein the fluid interface port forms an injection port for receiving a sample and passing the sample into the interior of the microchannel, and the selected other fluid interface port forms an ejection port for ejecting a sample from the microchannel.

42. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , further comprising a droplet generating system for forming a droplet of the fluid and for introducing the droplet to the channel through the fluid interface port.

43. The microfluidic device of claim 42 , wherein the droplet generating system comprises a droplet carrying element for carrying the droplet.

44. The microfluidic device of claim 43 , wherein the droplet carrying element comprises a pin for introducing the droplet to the fluid interface port by contacting the virtual wall.

45. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , further comprising an optical detector disposed relative to the fluid interfacing port for optically detecting the fluid through the virtual wall formed in the fluid interface port.

46. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , further comprising an array of fluid interface ports forming a plurality of virtual walls, wherein the array of fluid interface ports wicks an externally applied second liquid into the microchannel.

47. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , wherein the fluid interface port has a cylindrical or conical shape.

48. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , further comprising a first fluid disposed in the interior of the channel and forming a virtual wall in the fluid interface port.

49. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , wherein the fluid interface port is adapted to allow the bi-directional exchange of fluid with the microchannel through the fluid interface port.

50. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , wherein the microchannel is non-linear in shape.

51. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , wherein the microchannel is substantially U-shaped.

52. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , further comprising a hydrophobic patch disposed in the microchannel.

53. The microfluidic device of claim 52 , wherein the hydrophobic patch is arranged substantially co-axially with the fluid interface port.

54. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , wherein the microchannel comprises a semi-open channel structure formed in a substrate.

55. The microfluidic device of claim 54 , further comprising a cover for covering the semi-open channel structure to form an enclosed microchannel, the enclosed microchannel forming the interior bounded by the side wall, the side wall being formed by the substrate and the cover.

56. The microfluidic device of claim 55 , wherein the fluid interface port is formed in the cover.

57. The microfluidic device of claim 28 , further comprising an ejector coupled to the microchannel for ejecting a droplet of a fluid disposed in the microchannel through the virtual wall in the interface port.

58. The microfluidic device of claim 57 , wherein the ejector comprises at least one of a pressure pulse generator for applying a pressure pulse to the fluid to eject the droplet thereof through the virtual wall formed in the fluid interface port, a gas pressurizer, a voltage generator, and a heater located opposite the virtual wall for heating a fluid to produce a gas bubble, wherein the gas bubble ejects a droplet of the fluid through the virtual wall.

59. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a microchannel defining an interior bounded by a side wall;

a fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel to provide access to the interior of the microchannel, such that when a fluid is disposed in the interior of the microchannel, the fluid forms a virtual wall in the fluid interface port, wherein the fluid interface port has a dead volume that is less than about a picoliter, and

a covering layer comprising a non-evaporating liquid disposed over the fluid interface port for covering the fluid interface port.

60. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein the microchannel is free of a second coaxially arranged fluid interface port formed in the side wall at a location opposite to the first fluid interface port.

61. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein the microchannel and the fluid interface port each have a diameter, wherein the diameter of the fluid interface port is substantially equal to the diameter of the microchannel.

62. The microfluidic device of claim 61 , wherein the diameter of the fluid interface port is between about 25 μm and about 100 μm.

63. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein the fluid interface port has an inner wall comprising a material that is repellent to the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

64. The microfluidic device of claim 63 , wherein the material comprises a hydrophobic material.

65. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein an interior surface of the side wall of the microchannel is attractive to the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

66. The microfluidic device of claim 65 , wherein the interior surface of the side wall is formed of a hydrophilic material.

67. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein the covering layer comprises a covering fluid that is immiscible with the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

68. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , further comprising a selected other fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel, such that when a fluid is disposed in the interior of the microchannel, the fluid forms a virtual wall in the selected other fluid interface port.

69. The microfluidic device of claim 68 , wherein the fluid interface port forms an injection port for receiving a sample and passing the sample into the interior of the microchannel, and the selected other fluid interface port forms an ejection port for ejecting a sample from the microchannel.

70. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , further comprising a droplet generating system for forming a droplet of the fluid and for introducing the droplet to the channel through the fluid interface port.

71. The microfluidic device of claim 70 , wherein the droplet generating system comprises a droplet carrying element for carrying the droplet.

72. The microfluidic device of claim 71 , wherein the droplet carrying element comprises a pin for introducing the droplet to the fluid interface port by contacting the virtual wall.

73. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , further comprising an optical detector disposed relative to the fluid interfacing port for optically detecting the fluid through the virtual wall formed in the fluid interface port.

74. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , further comprising an array of fluid interface ports forming a plurality of virtual walls, wherein the array of fluid interface ports wicks an externally applied second liquid into the microchannel.

75. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein the fluid interface port has a cylindrical or conical shape.

76. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , further comprising a first fluid disposed in the interior of the channel and forming a virtual wall in the fluid interface port.

77. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein the fluid interface port is adapted to allow the hi-directional exchange of fluid with the microchannel through the fluid interface port.

78. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein the microchannel is non-linear in shape.

79. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein the microchannel is substantially U-shaped.

80. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , further comprising a hydrophobic patch disposed in the microchannel.

81. The microfluidic device of claim 80 , wherein the hydrophobic patch is arranged substantially co-axially with the fluid interface port.

82. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein the microchannel comprises a semi-open channel structure formed in a substrate.

83. The microfluidic device of claim 82 , further comprising a cover for covering the semi-open channel structure to form an enclosed microchannel, the enclosed microchannel forming the interior bounded by the side wall, the side wall being formed by the substrate and the cover.

84. The microfluidic device of claim 83 , wherein the fluid interface port is formed in the cover.

85. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , further comprising an ejector coupled to the microchannel for ejecting a droplet of a fluid disposed in the microchannel through the virtual wall in the interface port.

86. The microfluidic device of claim 85 , wherein the ejector comprises at least one of a pressure pulse generator for applying a pressure pulse to the fluid to eject the droplet thereof through the virtual wall formed in the fluid interface port, a gas pressurizer, a voltage generator, and a heater located opposite the virtual wall for heating a fluid to produce a gas bubble, wherein the gas bubble ejects a droplet of the fluid through the virtual wall.

87. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a microchannel having an interior bounded by a side wall and having a diameter between about 25 μm and about 100 μm; and

a fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel to provide access to the interior of the microchannel, wherein the fluid interface port has a depth that is substantially equal to a thickness of an associated side wall and a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of the microchannel, the diameter of the fluid interface port being significantly larger than the depth of the fluid interface port so as to minimize a total volume of the fluid interface port, such that when a fluid is disposed in the interior of the microchannel, the fluid forms a virtual wall at the fluid interface port, said virtual wall being employed as an optical window for optically analyzing the fluid in the microchannel, wherein the virtual wall has a meniscus surface that is substantially co-planar with the side wall in which the virtual wall is formed.

88. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , further comprising an optical detector disposed relative to the fluid interface port for optically analyzing the fluid through the virtual wall formed in the fluid interface port.

89. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , further comprising

an optical element disposed relative to the optical window to allow an optical signal from the fluid to pass therethrough, and

an optical detector disposed relative to the optical element for measuring the optical signal from the fluid passing through the optical element.

90. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , wherein the fluid interface port has an inner wall comprising a material that is repellent to the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

91. The microfluidic device of claim 90 , wherein the material comprises a hydrophobic material.

92. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , wherein an interior surface of the side wall of the microchannel is attractive to the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

93. The microfluidic device of claim 92 , wherein the interior surface of the side wall is formed of a hydrophilic material.

94. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , further comprising a covering layer disposed over the fluid interface port for covering the fluid interface port.

95. The microfluidic device of claim 94 , wherein the covering layer comprises a covering fluid that is immiscible with the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

96. The microfluidic device of claim 94 , wherein the covering layer comprises a non-evaporating liquid.

97. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , further comprising a second fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel, such that the fluid in the interior of the microchannel forms a virtual wall in the second fluid interface port.

98. The microfluidic device of claim 97 , wherein the fluid interface port forms an injection port for receiving a sample and passing the sample into the interior of the microchannel, and the second fluid interface port forms an ejection port for ejecting a sample from the microchannel.

99. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , further comprising a droplet generating system for forming a droplet of the fluid and for introducing the droplet to the channel through the fluid interface port.

100. The microfluidic device of claim 99 , wherein the droplet generating system comprises a droplet carrying element for carrying the droplet.

101. The microfluidic device of claim 100 , wherein the droplet carrying element comprises a pin for introducing the droplet to the fluid interface port by contacting the virtual wall.

102. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , further comprising an array of fluid interface ports forming a plurality of virtual walls, wherein the array of fluid interface ports wicks an externally applied second liquid into the microchannel.

103. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , wherein the fluid interface port has a cylindrical or conical shape.

104. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , further comprising a first fluid disposed in the interior of the channel and forming a virtual wall in the fluid interface port.

105. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , wherein the fluid interface port is adapted to allow the bi-directional exchange of fluid with the microchannel through the fluid interface port.

106. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , wherein the microchannel is non-linear in shape.

107. The microfluidic device of claim 106 , wherein the microchannel is substantially U-shaped.

108. The microfluidic device of claim 106 , further comprising a hydrophobic patch disposed in the microchannel.

109. The microfluidic device of claim 108 , wherein the hydrophobic patch is arranged substantially co-axially with the fluid interface port.

110. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein the microchannel comprises a semi-open channel structure formed in a substrate.

111. The microfluidic device of claim 110 , further comprising a cover for covering the semi-open channel structure to form an enclosed microchannel, the enclosed microchannel forming the interior bounded by the side wall, the side wall being formed by the substrate and the cover.

112. The microfluidic device of claim 111 , wherein the fluid interface port is formed in the cover.

113. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , further comprising an ejector coupled to the microchannel for ejecting a droplet of a fluid in the microchannel though the virtual wall formed in the fluid interface port.

114. The microfluidic device of claim 113 , wherein the ejector comprises at least one of a pressure pulse generator for applying a pressure pulse to the fluid to eject the droplet thereof though the virtual wall formed in the fluid interface port, a gas pressurizer, a voltage generator, and a heater located opposite the virtual wall for heating a fluid to produce a gas bubble, wherein the gas bubble ejects a droplet of the fluid through the virtual wall.

115. The microfluidic device of claim 87 , further comprising a second fluid interface port disposed opposite to the fluid interface port and coaxially arranged therewith.

116. The microfluidic device of claim 115 , further comprising

a first optical element disposed relative to the optical window to allow optical energy to pass therethrough,

a second optical element disposed relative to the second interface port to allow optical energy to pass therethrough, and

an optical detector disposed relative to one of the first and second optical elements for optically detecting the optical energy from the fluid in the microchannel passing though the optical element.

117. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a microchannel having an interior bounded by a side wall; and

a fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel to provide access to the interior of the microchannel, wherein the fluid interface port has a diameter between about 25 μm and about 100 μm and a depth that is equal to a thickness of an associated side wall and substantially smaller than the diameter of the fluid interface port so as to minimize a total volume of the fluid interface port, such that when a fluid is disposed in the interior of the microchannel, the fluid forms a virtual wall at the fluid interface port, wherein the virtual wall has a meniscus surface that is substantially co-planar with the side wall in which the virtual wall is formed and wherein the fluid interface port has an inner wall comprising a material that is repellent to the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

118. The microfluidic device of claim 117 , wherein the material comprises a hydrophobic material.

119. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a microchannel having an interior bounded by a side wall; and

a fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel to provide access to the interior of the microchannel, wherein the fluid interface port has a diameter between about 25 μm and about 100 μm and a depth that is equal to a thickness of an associated side wall and substantially smaller than the diameter of the fluid interface port so as to minimize a total volume of the fluid interface port, such that when a fluid is disposed in the interior of the microchannel, the fluid forms a virtual wall at the fluid interface port, wherein the virtual wall has a meniscus surface that is substantially co-planar with the side wall in which the virtual wall is formed,

wherein an interior surface of the side wall of the microchannel is attractive to the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel.

120. The microfluidic device of claim 119 , wherein the interior surface of the side wall is formed of a hydrophilic material.

121. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a microchannel defining an interior bounded by a side wall filled with a fluid; and

a fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel to provide access to the interior of the microchannel, wherein the fluid interface port is sized and shaped such that the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel forms a virtual wall in the fluid interface port; and

a covering layer comprising covering fluid that is immiscible with the fluid disposed in the interior of the microchannel, the covering layer disposed over the fluid interface port for covering the fluid interface port.

122. The microfluidic device of claim 59 , wherein the virtual wall has a meniscus surface that is substantially co-planar with the side wall in which the virtual wall is formed.

123. The microfluidic device of claim 121 , wherein the virtual wall has a meniscus surface that is substantially co-planar with the side wall in which the virtual wall is formed.

124. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a microchannel having an interior bounded by a side wall; and

a fluid interface port formed in the side wall of the microchannel to provide access to the interior of the microchannel, the fluid interface port sized and dimensioned such that when a fluid is disposed in the interior of the microchannel, the fluid forms a virtual wall at the fluid interface port, wherein the virtual wall has a meniscus surface that is substantially co-planar with the side wall in which the virtual wall is formed.