Patent ID: 9249443
Filing Date: 2016-02-02
CPC Classification: B01F,B01L,C12M,C12Q,G01N

Claim Text:
1. A digital microfluidic device for conducting cell assays and cell culture, comprising: a first substrate; a first array of discrete electrodes formed on said first substrate; at least one first coating covering each discrete electrode, such that said discrete electrodes are electrically insulated from one another, and wherein an outer surface of said at least one first coating forms a first hydrophobic working surface; a second substrate; at least one second coating covering the second substrate, wherein an outer surface of the at least one second coating forms a second hydrophobic working surface; at least one reference electrode provided on said first substrate or said second substrate; wherein said second substrate is provided in a spaced relationship relative to said first substrate, thus defining a space between said first substrate and said second substrate capable of contacting a cell-containing liquid droplet between said first hydrophobic working surface and said second hydrophobic working surfaces; wherein said discrete electrodes and said reference electrode are connectable to an electrode controller, such that said discrete electrodes and said reference electrode may be activated to translate the cell-containing liquid droplet; and wherein one or both of said first hydrophobic working surface and said second second hydrophobic working surface includes at least one locally modified hydrophilic hydrophilic region, such that within said locally modified hydrophilic region, said one or both of said first hydrophobic working surface and said second hydrophobic working surface is configured for cell attachment and cell culture, and wherein said discrete electrodes and said reference electrode may be activated to selectively contact the cell-containing liquid droplet with said locally modified hydrophilic region for attachment of cells from the cell-containing liquid droplet to said locally modified hydrophilic region for subsequent cell culture.