Managing fluidic connections to microfluidic devices

Abstract

A system (e.g., a chromatography system) includes a rotor, a microfluidic device, a rotor driver, a clamping mechanism, and control electronics. The rotor defines a plurality of first fluid-conveying features. The micro fluidic device defines one or more channels and a plurality of second fluid-conveying features, in fluid communication with the one or more channels. The rotor driver is coupled to the rotor and is configured to rotate the rotor, relative to the microfluidic device, between a first position and a second position such that, in each of the positions, at least one of the first fluid-conveying features cooperates with at least one of the one or more channels to provide for fluid communication therebetween. The clamping mechanism is operable to provide a sealing force to establish a fluid-tight seal between the rotor and the microfluidic device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a rotor defining a plurality of first fluid-conveying features;   a microfluidic device defining one or more channels and a plurality of second fluid-conveying features, in fluid communication with the one or more channels;   a rotor driver coupled to the rotor and configured to rotate the rotor, relative to the microfluidic device, between a first position and a second position such that, in each of the positions, at least one of the first fluid-conveying features cooperates with at least one of the one or more channels to provide for fluid communication therebetween;   a clamping mechanism operable to provide a sealing force to establish a fluid-tight seal between the rotor and the microfluidic device; and   control electronics operatively associated with the clamping mechanism and configured to control operation of the clamping mechanism such that the sealing force is reduced during rotation of the rotor relative to the microfluidic device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid-conveying features are grooves. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor comprises a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material defines a surface facing the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the polymeric material comprises polyetheretherketone, polyimide, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the surface is an unpolished surface. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic device is a microfluidic separation device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the microfluidic separation device comprises a separation column. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second fluid-conveying features are fluidic ports associated with the one or more channels. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more channels comprise one or more chromatography columns. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more channels have an inner diameter of no greater than about 300 μm. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a linear actuator, wherein the linear actuator is coupled with the rotor. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the linear actuator is a mechanical, electric, magnetic, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuator, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the electric actuator is a piezoelectric actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a fluidic manifold for establishing fluidic connection with the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the fluidic manifold defines one or more passageways to permit tubing connections to one or more external fluidic components. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-tight seal is fluid tight up to about 30,000 psi or higher and reduced to 0 psi to 5000 psi prior to and during rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control electronics comprises electrical circuitry operative to control the magnitude and direction of the sealing force between the rotor and the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control electronics is configured to control operation of the clamping mechanism such that the sealing force is reduced prior to rotation of the rotor and is reestablished after the rotor is rotated. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control electronics is configured to control operation of the rotor driver, thereby to control rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more fluid sources for supplying fluid;   one or more pumps, in fluid communication with the one or more fluid sources, for pumping the fluid to the microfluidic device; and   one or more flow sensors operatively coupled to the one or more pumps, for sensing the flow rate of the fluid from the one or more pumps;   wherein the control electronics in signal communication with the one or more flow sensors, for controlling the operation of the one or more pumps.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a mixer disposed between the one or more pumps and the microfluidic device, wherein the fluid from the one or more pumps are mixed before sent to the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         22 . A method comprising:
 reducing fluid flow between a rotor and a microfluidic device;   reducing a sealing force between the rotor and the microfluidic device;   rotating the rotor relative to the microfluidic device, at the reduced sealing force, to change a fluid pathway therebetween;   reestablishing the sealing force to produce a fluid tight seal between the rotor and the microfluidic device; and   reestablishing the fluid flow between the rotor and the microfluidic device.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising coordinating the steps of reducing the fluid flow and reducing the sealing force between the rotor and the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein reducing fluid flow comprises reducing the flow to zero flow.