Microfluidic devices for fluid manipulation and analysis

Abstract

The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A microfluidic device for analyzing a liquid sample, comprising:
 a first microfluidic channel having a first end and a second end;   a sample inlet fluidly connected to the first end of the first microfluidic channel for receiving the liquid sample;   a bellows pump fluidly connected to the second end of the first microfluidic channel;   a second microfluidic channel having a first end, fluidly connected to the sample inlet, and a second end, fluidly connected to the bellows pump; and   a third microfluidic channel having a first end, fluidly connected to the sample inlet, and a second end, fluidly connected to the bellows pump,   wherein the first microfluidic channel comprises a first dried reagent zone wherein a first reagent is printed, the second microfluidic channel comprises a second dried reagent zone wherein a second reagent is printed, and the third microfluidic channel comprises a third dried reagent zone wherein a third reagent is printed.   
     
     
         34 . The microfluidic device of  claim 33  wherein the bellows pump comprises a vent hole. 
     
     
         35 . The microfluidic device of  claim 33 , further comprising a check valve fluidly connected to the bellows pump, wherein the check valve permits fluid flow away from the bellows pump. 
     
     
         36 . The microfluidic device of  claim 33  wherein the first microfluidic channel further comprises one or more optical viewing areas. 
     
     
         37 . The microfluidic device of  claim 33  wherein the second microfluidic channel further comprises one or more optical viewing areas. 
     
     
         38 . The microfluidic device of  claim 33  wherein the liquid sample comprises a blood sample, the first reagent comprises antibody-A, the second reagent comprises antibody-B, and the third reagent comprises antibody-D. 
     
     
         39 . The microfluidic device of  claim 33  wherein the third microfluidic channel further comprises one or more optical viewing areas.