Patent ID: 8293524
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: B01L,C12M,G01N

Abstract:
1. A system comprising: a microfluidic device having a plurality of trapping areas configured to trap a cell, wherein each trapping area includes a first channel and a plurality of second channels intersecting the first channel, wherein the first channel and the plurality of second channels are horizontal channels defined in part by a common surface, and wherein the first channel has a first height and the plurality of second channels have a second height, less than the first height, wherein at least one of the plurality of second channels is a horizontal channel configured to connect the first channel to a reservoir; a well plate bonded to the microfluidic device, wherein the well plate defines a plurality of wells, wherein a respective grouping of the plurality of wells is associated with each of the trapping areas, and wherein each respective grouping includes a first well in fluid communication with the first channel and a plurality of second wells each in communication with a respective one of the plurality of second channels; and an interface coupled to the well plate, wherein the interface is configured for individually addressing the first well and the plurality of second wells within at least one of the respective groupings, and wherein the interface is configured to apply pneumatic pressures to the first well and at least one of the second wells sufficient to move a fluid within the microfluidic device.