Microfluidic Devices And Method For Their Use

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments provide microfluidic devices and methods for their use. The microfluidic device can include an array of M×N reaction sites formed by intersecting a first and second plurality of fluid channels of a flow layer. The flow layer can have a matrix design and/or a blind channel design to analyze a large number of samples under a limited number of conditions. The microfluidic device can also include a control layer including a valve system for regulating solution flow through fluid channels. In addition, by aligning the control layer with the fluid channels, the detection of the microfluidic devices, e.g., optical signal collection, can be improved by piping lights to/from the reaction sites. In an exemplary embodiment, guard channels can be included in the microfluidic device for thermal cycling and/or reducing evaporation from the reaction sites.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A system comprising:
 a flow layer comprising an array of reaction sites;   a control layer disposed over a plurality of the reaction sites, wherein the control layer comprises a medium having a first refractive index and a bulk material having a second refractive index that is greater than the first refractive index;   a plurality of bulk material sites disposed in the bulk material and over corresponding reaction sites of the plurality of reaction sites, the bulk sites configured to confine emission light from the reaction sites; and   a light path of the emission light from one of the reaction sites through one of bulk material sites and to an optical detector.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the bulk material has a greater refractive index than a media in the adjacent apertures of the bulk material. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 28 , further comprising a guard layer underlying the flow layer configured to perform thermal cycling for one or more of at least some of the fluid channels or at least some of the reactions sites. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the thermal cycling comprises pumping water or ethylene glycol. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of reaction sites are disposed along a first plane and the plurality of apertures are disposed along a second plane located adjacent the first plane.