IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,465,915
Granted Patent B2
US 12,465,915 · App. 16/989,415 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Microfluidic array for sample digitization

Inventors: Robert Lin (Palo Alto, CA); Ju-Sung Hung (Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee: COMBINATI INCORPORATED
B01L3/502784B01L3/502723B01L2200/027B01L2200/0605B01L2200/0684
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,465,915
App. No.
16/989,415
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for processing a biological sample. The device may be a microfluidic device comprising a fluid flow path and a chamber. The fluid flow path may comprise a channel and an inlet port and no outlet port. The inlet port may be configured to direct a biological sample to the channel. The channel may be in fluid communication with the chamber. The chamber may be configured to receive a portion of the biological sample from the channel and retain the biological sample during processing.

Claims (27)

1 . A microfluidic device for processing a biological sample, comprising:

a substrate, including:

a single inlet port configured to direct a solution including said biological sample;

a channel connected to said single inlet port, wherein said channel is configured to receive said solution comprising said biological sample via said single inlet port;

a plurality of chambers in fluid communication with said channel, wherein each chamber of said plurality of chambers comprises a chamber port connected directly to said channel,

wherein the single inlet port, the channel and the plurality of chambers collectively define a fluid flow path,

wherein said chamber is configured to (i) receive, via said single chamber port, at least a portion of said solution from said channel and (ii) retain said at least said portion of said solution during said processing; and

a thermoplastic film over said channel and said plurality of chambers, wherein said thermoplastic film is made from a material that is configured to prevent gas fouling of said microfluidic device via pressurized off-gassing of gas from said channel and said plurality of chambers whereby pressure is applied at said single inlet port.

2 . The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein a volume of said channel is less than or equal to a total volume of said plurality of chambers.

3 . The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic film covers said chamber, and wherein said thermoplastic film comprises a thickness of less than about 500 micrometers (μm).

4 . The microfluidic device of claim 3 , wherein said thermoplastic film seals said chamber.

5 . The microfluidic device of claim 3 , wherein said thickness of said thermoplastic film is less than about 100 micrometers (μm).

6 . The microfluidic device of claim 5 , wherein said thickness is less than about 50 μm.

7 . The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein said fluid flow path or said chamber does not include a valve.

8 . The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein a volume of said chamber is less than or equal to about 500 picoliters.

9 . The microfluidic device of claim 8 , wherein a volume of said chamber is less than or equal to about 250 picoliters.

10 . The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein said chamber has a cross-sectional dimension of less than or equal to about 250 μm.

11 . The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein said chamber has a depth of less than or equal to about 250 μm.

12 . The microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising a siphon aperture disposed between said channel and said chamber, wherein said siphon aperture is configured to provide said fluid communication between said channel and said chamber.

13 . The microfluidic device of claim 12 , wherein said siphon aperture has a depth of less than or equal to 50 micrometers.

14 . The microfluidic device of claim 12 , wherein a cross-sectional area of said siphon aperture is less than or equal to about 250 square micrometers (μm 2 ).

15 . The microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising a sacrificial chamber that is in fluid communication with said channel.

16 . The microfluidic device of claim 15 , wherein said sacrificial chamber is configured to retain an excess portion of said solution.

17 . The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein said microfluidic device is substantially optically transparent.

18 . The microfluidic device of claim 17 , wherein said film is substantially optically transparent.

19 . The microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein said microfluidic device is among a plurality of microfluidic devices supported by a substrate.

20 . The microfluidic device of claim 19 , wherein said microfluidic device is fluidically isolated from another microfluidic device of said plurality of microfluidic devices.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 17, 2020
From: LIN, ROBERT; HUNG, JU-SUNG
To: COMBINATI INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 053802/0508 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation PCTUS2019065287 · Dec 9, 2019
Provisional Application 62777616 · Dec 10, 2018
Related Publication 20200384471A1 · Dec 10, 2020
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