MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES FOR FLUID MANIPULATION AND ANALYSIS
The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.
1 - 32 . (canceled)
33 . A microfluidic device, comprising:
first, second and third microfluidic channels, each of the first, second and third microfluidic channels having a first end and a second end;
a sample inlet fluidly connected to the first end of each of the first, second and third microfluidic channels;
a bellows pump fluidly connected to the second end of each of the first, second and third microfluidic channels; and
the first, second and third microfluidic channels each comprising first, second and third dried reagent zones, respectively.
34 . The microfluidic device of claim 33 , wherein the bellows pump comprises a vent hole.
35 . The microfluidic device of claim 33 , further comprising a check valve fluidly connected to the bellows pump, wherein the check valve permits fluid flow away from the bellows pump.
36 . The microfluidic device of claim 33 , wherein the first microfluidic channel further comprises one or more optical viewing areas.
37 . The microfluidic device of claim 33 , wherein the second microfluidic channel further comprises one or more optical viewing areas.
38 . The microfluidic device of claim 33 , wherein the third microfluidic channel further comprises one or more optical viewing areas.
39 . The microfluidic device of claim 33 , wherein the microfluidic device is configured for analyzing a blood sample.
40 . The microfluidic device of claim 33 , wherein the first, second and third dried reagent zones comprise first, second and third reagents, respectively, therein.
41 . The microfluidic device of claim 40 , wherein, the first reagent comprises antibody-A, the second reagent comprises antibody-B, and the third reagent comprises antibody-D.
42 . The microfluidic device of claim 33 , wherein the first, second and third microfluidic channels further comprise first, second and third optical viewing areas, respectively.
43 . The microfluidic device of claim 42 , wherein the first, second and third dried reagent zones are between the sample inlet and the first, second and third optical viewing areas, respectively.
44 . The microfluidic device of claim 33 , further comprising first, second and third liquid barriers interposed between the bellows pump and the second end of each of the first, second and third microfluidic channels, respectively.
45 . The microfluidic device of claim 44 , wherein the first, second and third liquid barriers are gas permeable and liquid impermeable barriers.