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, comprising:
 first, second and third microfluidic channels, each of the first, second and third microfluidic channels having a first end and a second end;   a sample inlet fluidly connected to the first end of each of the first, second and third microfluidic channels;   a bellows pump fluidly connected to the second end of each of the first, second and third microfluidic channels; and   the first, second and third microfluidic channels each comprising first, second and third dried reagent zones, respectively.   
     
     
         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 third microfluidic channel further comprises one or more optical viewing areas. 
     
     
         39 . The microfluidic device of  claim 33 , wherein the microfluidic device is configured for analyzing a blood sample. 
     
     
         40 . The microfluidic device of  claim 33 , wherein the first, second and third dried reagent zones comprise first, second and third reagents, respectively, therein. 
     
     
         41 . The microfluidic device of  claim 40 , wherein, the first reagent comprises antibody-A, the second reagent comprises antibody-B, and the third reagent comprises antibody-D. 
     
     
         42 . The microfluidic device of  claim 33 , wherein the first, second and third microfluidic channels further comprise first, second and third optical viewing areas, respectively. 
     
     
         43 . The microfluidic device of  claim 42 , wherein the first, second and third dried reagent zones are between the sample inlet and the first, second and third optical viewing areas, respectively. 
     
     
         44 . The microfluidic device of  claim 33 , further comprising first, second and third liquid barriers interposed between the bellows pump and the second end of each of the first, second and third microfluidic channels, respectively. 
     
     
         45 . The microfluidic device of  claim 44 , wherein the first, second and third liquid barriers are gas permeable and liquid impermeable barriers.