Microfluidic Size-Exclusion Devices, Systems, and Methods

Abstract

Microfluidic devices, assemblies, and systems are provided, as are methods of manipulating micro-sized samples of fluids. Microfluidic devices having a plurality of specialized processing features are also provided.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A microfluidic device comprising:
 a substrate having a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a thickness;   a plurality of parallel pathways formed in the substrate, each of the pathways comprising
 an input opening, 
 an output opening, 
 at least one processing chamber located between the input opening and the output opening, wherein the input opening, the at least one processing chamber, and the output opening are arranged linearly; 
 a first fluid communication between the input opening and the at least one processing chamber, and 
 a second fluid communication between the at least one processing chamber and the output opening; 
   wherein each of the plurality of pathways includes at least one valve that is capable of being opened to form a fluid communication.   
     
     
         2 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid communications includes a channel formed in the first surface; and
 the other of the first and second fluid communications includes a channel formed in the second surface.   
     
     
         3 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one valve comprises a first deformable material having a first elasticity, and a second deformable material having a second elasticity that differs from the first elasticity. 
     
     
         4 . The microfluidic device of  claim 3 , further comprising a first cover in contact with the first surface of the substrate, and wherein the first cover is the second deformable material. 
     
     
         5 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a size exclusion filtration material disposed in the at least one processing chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , further comprising components for enabling polymerase chain reaction of a nucleic acid sequence, disposed in the at least one processing chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing chamber is shaped as a channel in the first surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         8 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is rectangular. 
     
     
         9 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first channel and the first chamber are part of a first pathway at least partially formed in the substrate, and wherein the substrate includes a plurality of pathways, the respective pathway having a respective channel and a respective chamber, and each respective chamber has a respective depth and a teardrop-shaped cross-sectional area when cross-sectioned perpendicular to the depth, and the respective chambers each having a substantially circular first end and a narrower and opposite second end, and the second ends at the respective chambers are in fluid communication with the respective channels. 
     
     
         10 . The microfluidic device of  claim 9 , wherein the pathways of the plurality of pathways are parallel to one another. 
     
     
         11 . A microfluidic device comprising:
 a substrate having a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a thickness; and   a plurality of parallel pathways formed in the substrate, each of the pathways comprising an input opening, an output opening, at least one processing chamber between the input opening and the output opening, and at least one valve for interrupting or providing fluid communication between the at least one processing chamber and at least one of the input opening and the output opening.   
     
     
         12 . The microfluidic device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one valve comprises:
 a first recess formed in the substrate;   a second recess formed in the substrate;   an intermediate wall interposed between the first recess and the second recess, wherein the intermediate wall portion is formed from a deformable material having a first elasticity; and   an elastically deformable cover layer covering the first recess and having a second elasticity that is greater than the first elasticity, wherein the elastically deformable covered layer contacts the intermediate wall when the intermediate wall is in a non-deformed state, and wherein the elastically deformable cover layer does not contact the intermediate wall when the intermediate wall is in a deformed state thereby forming a fluid communication between the first and second recesses.   
     
     
         13 . The microfluidic device of  claim 11 , wherein each valve comprises:
 a first recess formed in the substrate, a first recess including a first recess portion and a second recess portion, the first recess being at least partially defined by opposing wall surface portions, at least one of the opposing wall surface portions comprising   a first deformable material having a first of elasticity, wherein the first recess portion and the second recess portion are in fluid communication with each other when the first deformable material is in a non-deformed state; and   an elastically deformable covered layer having a second elasticity, that is greater than the first elasticity, covering at least the first recess portion, wherein the opposing wall surface portion that comprises the first deformable material is deformable to form a barrier wall interposed between the first recess portion and the second recess portion to prevent fluid communication between the first recess portion and the second recess portion when the barrier wall is in a deformed state.   
     
     
         14 . A sample processing assembly comprising: a sample processing device comprising:
 a body that comprises a first side attached to a second side; a plurality of process arrays formed between the first and second sides, wherein each process array of the plurality of process arrays comprises a loading structure, a main conduit comprising a length, a plurality of process chambers distributed along the main conduit, and a deformable seal located between the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers, wherein the main conduit is in fluid communication with the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers; a carrier attached to the sample processing device, the carrier comprising: a first surface facing the sample processing device and a second surface facing away from the sample processing device; a plurality of main conduit support rails proximate the first surface of the carrier, wherein each main conduit of the plurality of process arrays is aligned with one main conduit support rail of the plurality of main conduit support rails; and a plurality of openings formed through the first and second surfaces of the carrier, wherein each opening of the plurality of openings is aligned with one process chamber of the plurality of process chambers.   
     
     
         15 . An assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the carrier further comprises a plurality of compression structures proximate the first surface of the carrier, each compression structure of the plurality of compression structures proximate one process chamber of the plurality of process chambers. 
     
     
         16 . An assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the carrier further comprises: a plurality of compression structures proximate the first surface of the carrier, each compression structure of the plurality of compression structures proximate one process chamber of the plurality of process chambers; and a plurality of force transmission structures, each force transmission structure of the plurality of force transmission structures comprising a discrete landing area proximate the second surface of the carrier, and each force transmission structure of the plurality of force transmission structures being operatively connected to a plurality of the plurality of compression structures, wherein a force applied to the landing surface of each force transmission structure is transmitted to the plurality of compression structures operatively connected to the force transmission structure. 
     
     
         17 . An assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the carrier further comprises a plurality of collars proximate the first surface of the carrier, each collar of the plurality of collars aligned with and proximate to one process chamber of the plurality of process chambers. 
     
     
         18 . An assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of collars proximate the first surface of the carrier, wherein each opening of the plurality of openings is aligned with one collar of the plurality of collars, and further wherein each collar of the plurality of collars is aligned with one process chamber of the plurality of process chambers.