Microfluidic Droplet Generators

Abstract

A microfluidic droplet generator that includes a body, an inlet arranged adjacent an upper surface of the body, and a sample reservoir adapted to contain a reservoir fluid that is immiscible in water. The sample reservoir includes a floor and a sidewall coupled to the floor. The floor extends along a horizontal axis and the sidewall extends along a vertical axis substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis. The microfluidic droplet generator also includes one or more microchannels fluidly connecting the inlet to the sample reservoir. Each of the microchannels includes an inlet end and a reservoir end, and the reservoir end of each of the microchannels intersects the sidewall of the sample reservoir at a location beneath the upper surface of the body.

1 . A microfluidic droplet generator, comprising:
 a body;   an inlet arranged adjacent an upper surface of the body;   a sample reservoir adapted to contain a reservoir fluid that is immiscible in water, the sample reservoir comprising a floor and a sidewall coupled to the floor, the floor extending along a horizontal axis and the sidewall extending along a vertical axis substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis; and   one or more microchannels fluidly connecting the inlet to the sample reservoir, wherein each of the microchannels comprises an inlet end and a reservoir end,   wherein the reservoir end of each of the microchannels intersects the sidewall of the sample reservoir at a location beneath the upper surface of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 1 , wherein the sample reservoir is open to the upper surface of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet is defined by a recess arranged in the upper surface of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet is raised relative to the upper surface of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pipette tip inserted into the inlet for loading an aqueous solution into the inlet, through the microchannel, and into the sample reservoir; and   a manual or electric air-displacement micropipette connected to the pipette tip and configured to apply a pressure to induce flow of the aqueous solution into the inlet, through the microchannel, and into the sample reservoir.   
     
     
         6 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 1 , wherein the location beneath the upper surface of the body is spaced from the floor of the sample reservoir so as to define a step change in height at the intersection of the reservoir end of each of the microchannels and the sidewall of the sample reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir end of each of the microchannels intersects the sidewall of the sample reservoir adjacent to the floor of the sample reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . A microfluidic droplet generator, comprising:
 a body;   an inlet arranged adjacent an upper surface of the body;   a sample reservoir adapted to contain a reservoir fluid that is immiscible in water, the sample reservoir comprising a floor and a sidewall coupled to the floor; and   a plurality of microchannels fluidly connecting the inlet to the sample reservoir, wherein each of the microchannels comprises an inlet end and a reservoir end;   wherein the reservoir end of each of the microchannels intersects the sidewall of the sample reservoir at a location beneath the upper surface of the body.   
     
     
         9 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 8 , further comprising a chamber fluidly connecting the sample reservoir to the inlet end of each of the microchannels. 
     
     
         10 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 8 , wherein the sample reservoir is open to the upper surface of the body. 
     
     
         11 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 8 , wherein the inlet is defined by a recess arranged in the upper surface of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 8 , wherein the inlet is raised relative to the upper surface of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a pipette tip inserted into the inlet for loading an aqueous solution into the inlet, through the microchannel, and into the sample reservoir; and   a manual or electric air-displacement micropipette connected to the pipette tip and configured to apply a pressure to induce flow of the aqueous solution into the inlet, through the microchannel, and into the sample reservoir.   
     
     
         14 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 8 , wherein the location beneath the upper surface of the body is spaced from the floor of the sample reservoir, thereby defining a step change in height at the intersection of the reservoir end of each of the microchannels and the sidewall of the sample reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 8 , wherein the reservoir end of each of the microchannels intersects the sidewall of the sample reservoir adjacent to the floor of the sample reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 8 , wherein the floor extends along a horizontal axis and the sidewall extends along a vertical axis substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis. 
     
     
         17 . A microfluidic droplet generator, comprising:
 a body having an upper surface;   an inlet raised relative to the upper surface;   a sample reservoir adapted to contain a reservoir fluid that is immiscible in water, the sample reservoir comprising a floor and a sidewall coupled to the floor; and   one or more microchannels fluidly connecting the inlet to the sample reservoir, wherein each of the microchannels comprises an inlet end and a reservoir end,   wherein the reservoir end of each of the microchannels intersects the sidewall of the sample reservoir at a location beneath the upper surface of the body.   
     
     
         18 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 17 , wherein the sample reservoir opens to the upper surface. 
     
     
         19 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 17 , wherein the floor extends along a horizontal axis and the sidewall extending along a vertical axis substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis. 
     
     
         20 . The microfluidic droplet generator of  claim 17 , wherein the location is spaced from the floor of the sample reservoir, thereby defining a step change in height at the intersection of the reservoir end of each of the microchannels and the sidewall of the sample reservoir.