MICROFLUIDIC APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
Apparatuses and methods process polynucleotides in a sealed path environment. The apparatuses include optical sensors to monitor operations and to track material usage for good manufacturing practice.
1 - 97 . (canceled)
98 . A microfluidic path device comprising:
(a) a first rigid layer;
(b) a second rigid layer;
(c) an elastic layer interposed between the first rigid layer and the second rigid layer;
(d) a plurality of chambers formed between the first surface and the second surface, a portion of the elastic layer dividing each chamber into a fluid-contacting side in the first rigid layer and a pressure-receiving side in the second rigid layer;
(e) a plurality of fluid channels; and
(f) a bubble removal chamber, the bubble removal chamber being in fluid communication with the fluid-contacting side of one or more other chambers of the plurality of chambers, the bubble removal chamber being configured to provide removal of air from fluid communicated from the fluid-contacting side of one or more other chambers in fluid communication with the bubble removal chamber.
99 . The microfluidic path device of claim 98 , further comprising a plurality of fluid ports configured to provide paths for communication of fluid through the plurality of fluid channels.
100 . The microfluidic path device of claim 99 , the plurality of fluid ports being positioned in the first rigid layer.
101 . The microfluidic path device of claim 99 , the elastic layer including a plurality of fluid openings, each fluid opening being positioned adjacent to a respective fluid port of the plurality of fluid ports, each fluid opening being configured to provide a path for communication of fluid from an adjacent fluid port to a corresponding fluid channel of the plurality of fluid channels.
102 . The microfluidic path device of claim 98 , further comprising a plurality of pressure ports providing paths for communication of pneumatic pressure to each pressure receiving side of the plurality of chambers.
103 . The microfluidic path device of claim 102 , the plurality of pressure ports being positioned in the first rigid layer.
104 . The microfluidic path device of claim 102 , further comprising a plurality of pressure channels providing paths for communication of pneumatic pressure from the plurality of pressure ports to the pressure receiving sides of the plurality of chambers.
105 . The microfluidic path device of claim 104 , the elastic layer including a plurality of pressure openings, each pressure opening being positioned adjacent to a respective pressure port of the plurality of pressure ports, each pressure opening being configured to provide a path for communication of pneumatic pressure from an adjacent pressure port to a corresponding pressure channel of the plurality of pressure channels.
106 . The microfluidic path device of claim 98 , the elastic layer being operable to vary a volume of each fluid-contacting side of the plurality of chambers.
107 . The microfluidic path device of claim 98 , the plurality of chambers including a first chamber and a second chamber, a first fluid channel of the plurality of fluid channels providing a path for communication of fluid from the fluid-contacting side of the first chamber to the fluid-contacting side of the second chamber, the elastic layer being operable to form a closed valve in the first chamber to thereby prevent communication of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber via the first fluid channel.
108 . The microfluidic path device of claim 98 , the plurality of chambers including a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber, a first fluid channel of the plurality of fluid channels providing a path for communication of fluid from the fluid-contacting side of the first chamber to the fluid-contacting side of the second chamber, a second fluid channel of the plurality of fluid channels providing a path for communication of fluid from the fluid-contacting side of the second chamber to the fluid-contacting side of the third chamber, the elastic layer being operable to peristaltically drive fluid from the second chamber to the third chamber via the second fluid channel.
109 . The microfluidic path device of claim 98 , one or both of the first rigid layer or the second rigid layer comprising a material that is at least substantially translucent to visible or ultraviolet light.
110 . The microfluidic path device of claim 98 , the elastic layer comprising a gas-permeable elastic portion positioned within the bubble removal chamber.
111 . The microfluidic path device of claim 110 , the gas-permeable elastic portion dividing the bubble removal chamber into a fluid-contacting side and a vacuum receiving side, the fluid-contacting side of the bubble removal chamber being in fluid communication with the fluid-contacting side of the one or more other chambers of the plurality of chambers.
112 . The microfluidic path device of claim 98 , the bubble removal chamber including a vacuum cap.
113 . The microfluidic path device of claim 98 , the bubble removal chamber including at least one projection configured to prevent the elastic layer from sealing against at least one side of the bubble removal chamber.
114 . The microfluidic path device of claim 113 , the at least one projection being generally centered relative to a width of the bubble removal chamber.
115 . A process chip comprising:
(a) a first rigid layer;
(b) a second rigid layer;
(c) an elastic layer interposed between the first rigid layer and the second rigid layer;
(d) a plurality of chambers formed between the first rigid layer and the second rigid layer, a portion of the elastic layer dividing each chamber into a fluid-contacting side in the first rigid layer and a pressure-receiving side in the second rigid layer;
(e) at least one fluid channel; and
(f) a vacuum cap, the vacuum cap being in fluid communication with the fluid-contacting side of one or more other chambers of the plurality of chambers, the vacuum cap being configured to provide removal of air from fluid communicated from the fluid-contacting side of one or more other chambers in fluid communication with the vacuum cap, the vacuum cap including at least one projection configured to prevent the elastic layer from sealing against at least one side of the vacuum cap.
116 . A microfluidic path device comprising:
(a) a first layer;
(b) a second layer;
(c) a third layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer including an elastic membrane;
(d) a plurality of chambers formed between the first layer and the second layer, a portion of the elastic membrane dividing each chamber into a fluid-contacting side in the first layer and a pressure-receiving side in the second layer, the fluid-contacting side of each chamber including a concave surface;
(e) a plurality of fluid channels providing paths for communication of fluid among the fluid-contacting sides of the plurality of chambers; and
(f) a plurality of pressure ports providing paths for communication of pneumatic pressure to the pressure receiving sides of the plurality of chambers, the elastic membrane being configured to seat against the concave surface of one or more fluid-contacting sides of the plurality of chambers in response to pneumatic pressure communicated via one or more pressure ports of the plurality of pressure ports.
117 . The microfluidic path device of claim 113 , the plurality of chambers including a first chamber and a second chamber, the elastic membrane being configured to prevent communication of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber when the elastic membrane is seated against the concave surface of the fluid-contacting side of the first chamber or the second chamber.