Microfluidic distributing device
A microfluidic distributing device having a plurality of microchannels for the analysis of a fluid sample (such as blood). The microfluidic distributing device has a fluid sample entry port from which subsamples of the fluid sample are distributed to the plurality of microchannels in which fluid subsamples are treated for analysis by test devices.
1. A microfluidic analysis system, comprising:
a microfluidic distributing device, the microfluidic distributing device containing a base portion having a fluid sample entry port for receiving a fluid sample, a plurality of fluid flow microchannels in fluid communication with the fluid sample entry port such that the fluid sample received in the fluid sample entry port is separated into a plurality of fluid subsamples, and a plurality of fluid subsample exit ports, each of the fluid subsample exit ports in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the microchannels,
wherein each of the microchannels has a valve disposed therein for controlling flow of the fluid subsample through the microchannel, and a reagent area with a reagent for reacting on or with the fluid subsample passing through the microchannel; and
a plurality of test devices, each of which is in fluid communication with a separate exit port of the microfluidic distributing device to receive and analyze a fluid subsample received from the corresponding exit port,
wherein the plurality of test devices are arranged so that the microfluidic distributing device is movable to sequentially engage each of the test devices.
2. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid sample entry port is a single fluid sample entry port.
3. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the microchannels comprises a metering area positioned between the reagent area and the fluid subsample exit port in the microchannel.
4. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microchannels are in fluid communication with each other only at the fluid sample entry port.
5. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 1 , wherein each reagent area comprises a different reagent.
6. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 1 , wherein each microchannel valve is operable independently of each other microchannel valve.
7. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 1 , wherein each microchannel comprises a closure valve positioned downstream of the reagent area.
8. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the microchannels has a main microchannel extending from the fluid sample entry port and a plurality of the submicrochannels extending from the main microchannel.
9. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 8 , wherein a valve is interposed between the main microchannel and the plurality of submicrochannels.
10. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the microchannels has a separation area for separating cells from the fluid subsample.
11. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 10 , wherein the separation area is able to separate blood cells from the fluid subsample.
12. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 10 , wherein the separation area comprises a differentially-permeable membrane.
13. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 10 , wherein the separation area is located downstream of the reagent area.
14. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 10 , wherein the separation area is located upstream of the reagent area.
15. The microfluidic distributing device of claim 1 , having a transparent top cover disposed upon and attached to the base portion.
16. The microfluidic analysis system of claim 1 , having a test device corresponding to each exit port of the microfluidic distributing device.
17. The microfluidic analysis system of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic distributing device is movable vertically.
18. The microfluidic analysis system of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic distributing device is movable horizontally.
19. The microfluidic analysis system of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic distributing device is movable radially.
20. The microfluidic analysis system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of test devices are combined into a single unit to which the microfluidic distributing device is attached such that the test devices can receive fluid subsamples simultaneously.