Optimized high throughput analytical systems

Abstract

The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods for controlling/manipulating fluidic materials in microfluidic devices. In particular, the devices and methods of the invention create and utilize differences between dispersion rates and/or average velocity of fluidic materials in order to manipulate fluidic materials.

1 . A microfluidic device comprising a body structure having a microchannel disposed therein, wherein the microchannel includes a region having a cross-sectional geometry that comprises a center segment and two side segments, each of the two side segments having a first maximum depth, the center segment having a second maximum depth different from the first maximum depth.  
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second maximum depth is greater than the first maximum depth.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the body structure comprises a first substrate and a second substrate, and wherein the microchannel region is formed into a surface of at least one of the two substrates, the first substrate and the second substrate being joined such that the microchannel region is defined by the interface of the two substrates.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein a first portion of the microchannel region is formed into a surface of the first substrate and a second portion of the microchannel region is formed into a surface of the second substrate.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the first portion is narrower than the second portion, and wherein the substrates are joined such that the first portion is substantially centered laterally over the second portion.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the width of the first portion is substantially the same as the width of the second portion, and wherein the substrates are joined such that the first portion is offset laterally from the second portion, the first portion partially overlapping the second portion, the overlap of the two portions forming the center segment of the microchannel region cross-sectional geometry.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the cross-sectional geometry of the first portion is substantially the same as the cross-sectional geometry of the second portion, each portion comprising a center section and two side sections, the center section having a maximum depth greater than that of the side sections, and wherein the substrates are joined such that the first portion is substantially centered laterally over the second portion.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second maximum depth is less than the first maximum depth.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the body structure comprises a first substrate and a second substrate, and wherein the microchannel region is formed into a surface of at least one of the two substrates, the first substrate and the second substrate being joined such that the microchannel region is defined by the interface of the two substrates.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the body structure comprises a first substrate and a second substrate, and wherein a first portion of the microchannel region is formed into a surface of the first substrate and a second portion of the microchannel region is formed into a surface of the second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate being joined such that the microchannel region is defined by the interface of the two substrates.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the cross-sectional geometry of the first portion is substantially the same as the cross-sectional geometry of the second portion, each portion comprising a center section and two side sections, the center section of each portion having a maximum depth less than that of the side sections, and wherein the substrates are joined such that the first portion is substantially centered laterally over the second portion.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the microchannel region is formed by one or more of photolithographic etching, plasma etching, wet chemical etching, laser drilling, micromilling, injection molding, stamp molding, embossing, and ablation.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the microchannel region is formed using a double etching technique.  
     
     
         14 . A microfluidic system, comprising: 
 a body structure having a microchannel disposed therein, wherein the microchannel includes a region having a cross-sectional geometry that comprises a center segment and two side segments, each of the two side segments having a first maximum depth, the center segment having a second maximum depth different from the first maximum depth;    a source of a first fluidic material, fluidly coupled to the at least one microchannel;    a source of a second fluidic material, fluidly coupled to the at least one microchannel; and    a fluidic direction system for controllably moving the first fluidic material and the second fluidic material into and through the microchannel region, which fluid direction system does not comprise electrokinetic flow.    
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid direction system comprises one or more of positive pressure, negative pressure, hydrostatic pressure, and wicking forces.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the body structure includes a detection region, the system further comprising: 
 a detection system positioned proximal to the detection region.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 a computer operably coupled to the detection system, wherein the computer comprises an instruction set for acquiring data from the detection system and for tracking one or both of the average velocity and dispersion rate of the first fluidic material and one or both of the average velocity and dispersion rate of the second fluidic material.    
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the source of the first fluidic material and the source of the second fluidic material comprise the same source.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first fluidic material comprises cells or beads.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second fluidic material comprises a test compound.