Systems, devices and methods for microfluidic analysis
Described herein are various inventions and embodiments thereof, directed to systems, devices, and methods for analysis of a biofluid, as well as controlling a biofluid analysis system using a microfluidic device. Embodiments of biofluid analysis systems disclosed herein may provide analysis of a biofluid to identify and characterize one or more analytes. An apparatus may include a first layer defining a first opening and a second opening. The first layer may be substantially transparent. A second layer may be coupled to the first layer and define a microfluidic channel that establishes a fluid communication path between the first opening and the second opening. At least a portion of the second layer may be substantially opaque.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a first layer defining a first opening, a second opening, and a microfluidic channel that establishes a fluid communication path between the first opening and the second opening, the first layer being substantially transparent;
a second layer coupled to the first layer, and the second layer being partially opaque,
wherein the first layer is a top portion of the apparatus and the second layer is a bottom portion of the apparatus;
wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening and is configured to receive a fluid, and the second opening is configured to vent air out of the apparatus as the microfluidic channel is filled with the fluid;
wherein a height of the microfluidic channel decreases continuously from the first opening to the second opening, or a side of the microfluidic channel formed in the first layer defines a set of steps such that a height of the microfluidic channel decreases in a step-wise manner from the first opening to the second opening; and
wherein reagents including at least one of lysing agents and contrast agents are disposed throughout a length of the microfluidic channel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first layer is substantially transparent to at least one of ultraviolet light, visible light, and near-infrared light.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic channel is linear relative to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic channel is curved relative to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic channel is parallel and offset from a central longitudinal plane of the apparatus.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic channel is defined along a central longitudinal plane of the apparatus.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a height of each step of the set of steps of the microfluidic channel is from about 0.1 mm to about 0.9 mm.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein at least one step of the set of steps of the microfluidic channel is configured to separate one or more components from the fluid.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein each step of the set of steps of the microfluidic channel is configured to separate one or more components from the fluid.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a reagent coupled to a side of the microfluidic channel.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic channel is composed of a hydrophilic material.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic channel comprises a hydrophilic coating.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic channel includes a filter configured to separate one or more components from a fluid received in the microfluidic channel.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic channel is a first channel of a set of channels.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second opening is one opening of a set of openings.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first opening is at a proximal end of the first layer and the second opening is at a distal end of the first layer.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second layer includes 0.5% by weight of at least one of carbon black and a laser absorbing dye.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes one or more fiducials configured to indicate a position of the microfluidic channel.