Patent ID: 11912970
Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Field: Biotechnology (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC C  F | IPC C

Claim 0:
1. A microfluidic device comprising:
a body defining a plurality of chamber units, each chamber unit comprising:
an inlet;
an outlet;
a recess defining a chamber with a length in an x direction, a width in a y direction that is perpendicular to the x direction, the chamber having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first depth in a z direction which is perpendicular to each of the x direction and the y direction, and the second portion having a second depth in the z direction that is greater than the first dept;
a first port in the first portion of the chamber;
a first channel extending between the inlet and the first port;
a first valve (Valve 1) in fluid communication with the first port and configured to be selectively opened to permit fluid communication between the first port and the first channel;
a second port in the first portion of the chamber;
a second valve (Valve 2) in fluid communication with the second port and configured to be selectively opened to permit fluid communication with the second port;
a third port in the first portion of the chamber;
a third valve (Valve 3) in fluid communication with the third port and configured to be selectively opened to permit fluid communication with the third port;
a fourth port in the second portion of the chamber;
a fourth valve (Valve 4) in fluid communication with the fourth port and configured to be selectively opened to permit fluid communication with the fourth port;
a second channel sequentially connecting:
the first channel between inlet and the first valve,
the second valve such that the second channel fluidly communicates with the second port when the second valve is open,
the outlet at a point farther from the fourth port than is the fourth valve, and
the third valve such that the second channel fluidly communicates with the third port when the second valve is open;

a fifth valve (Valve 5) disposed in the second channel and configured to be selectively closed to prevent fluid communication between the second valve and the outlet;
a third channel connecting:
the first channel at the first valve such that the third channel fluidly communicates with the first port when the first valve is open, and
the second valve such that the third channel fluidly communicates with the second port when the second valve is open;

a fourth channel connecting:
the second valve such that the fourth channel fluidly communicates with the second port and the third channel when the second valve is open, and
the fourth valve such that the fourth channel fluidly communicates with the fourth port and the outlet when the fourth valve is open;

a fifth channel connecting:
the third valve such that the fifth channel fluidly communicates with the third port when the third valve is open, and
the fourth valve such that the fifth channel fluidly communicates with the outlet when the fourth valve is open;

a sixth channel connecting:
the first valve such that the sixth channel fluidly communicates with the first port when the first valve is open, and
the third valve such that the sixth channel fluidly communicates with the third port when the third valve is open;

feed channels connecting at least two reservoirs to the respective inlets of at least two of the plurality of chamber units; and
a multiplexer between the feed channels and the respective inlets and configured to vary the ratio of at least two substances flowing between the at least two reservoirs and each of the respective inlets;
a valve control system capable of independently controlling flow through each of the valves.