Patent ID: 11911763
Assignee: THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC B  F  C  G | IPC B

Claim 12:
13. A method for encapsulating a single cell in a droplet comprising:
providing a first solution comprising at least one cell to a microfluidic device, the microfluidic device comprising:
a first region comprising:
a first microfluidic channel, wherein said first microfluidic channel comprises at least one displacement element on a first inner sidewall surface of said first microfluidic channel, wherein said at least one displacement element extends into said first microfluidic channel toward a second inner sidewall surface of said microfluidic channel that is opposite said first inner sidewall surface, wherein said at least one displacement element comprises between three and nine tapered displacement elements, wherein each of said tapered displacement elements are aligned in series on said first inner sidewall surface of said first microfluidic channel, and
at least one trapping chamber coupled to said first microfluidic channel downstream of said at least one displacement element, wherein said at least one trapping chamber comprises a first opening in said second inner sidewall surface of said first microfluidic channel that allows flow of fluid into said at least one trapping chamber, wherein said at least one trapping chamber comprises at least two parallel sidewalls, wherein said at least one trapping chamber comprises a second opening opposite said first opening, and wherein said second opening is connected to a trapping channel, wherein said trapping channel connects said first microfluidic channel and a second microfluidic channel, and wherein said first microfluidic channel and said second microfluidic channel are in fluid communication;
a second region downstream of said first region and comprising said second microfluidic channel; and
a third region comprising a bypass channel, wherein said bypass channel adjoins said first region and said second region, wherein said bypass channel is a U-shaped channel in fluid communication with said first region and said second region,
wherein said first solution is injected into said first microfluidic channel through a port located upstream of said tapered displacement elements, wherein said first solution flows downstream over said tapered displacement elements;
directing said at least one cell into said at least one trapping chamber by flowing said first solution through said first microfluidic channel at a flow rate of between 6 μl/hr and 22 μl/hr;
trapping a single cell in said at least one trapping chamber, wherein said single cell flows through said at least one trapping chamber to said second opening in said at least one trapping chamber, wherein said single cell plugs in said second opening;
providing a second solution to said microfluidic device, wherein said second solution flows in the same direction as said first solution toward said at least one trapping chamber and forms a first interface with said first solution in said first microfluidic channel;
directing said second solution into said at least one trapping chamber by flowing said second solution at a flow rate of less than 6 μl/hr; and
forming a droplet of said first solution comprising said single cell in said at least one trapping chamber by flowing said second solution along inner sidewalls of the at least one trapping chamber into the trapping channel, wherein said second solution surrounds said first solution containing said trapped single cell.