Patent ID: 8597486

Claim:
A microfluidic device for droplet manipulation comprising: a droplet forming region; a microchannel; wherein the microchannel comprises: an inlet region having a first end and a second end and being fluidly connected to the droplet forming region via the first end of the inlet region; at least one microwell region having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the at least one microwell region is fluidly connected to the second end of the inlet region; and at least one connecting region having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the at least one connecting region is fluidly connected to the second end of the at least one microwell region; wherein the at least one microwell region comprises a segment of the microchannel which is connected to a microwell via a first opening of the microwell, and wherein the microwell comprises a second opening connecting the microwell with the at least one connecting region via a neck channel; wherein the maximal dimension of the second opening is adapted so that the flow resistance through the microwell is smaller than the flow resistance through the neck channel during operation; an outlet, wherein the outlet is fluidly connected to the second end of the at least one connecting region of the microchannel; a first electrode which is comprised in part or completely in the microwell; and a second electrode arranged in proximity to the microchannel segment of the at least one microwell region opposite the first electrode in the microwell, wherein the first opening of the microwell and the segment of the microchannel that is connected to the microwell are located between the first and second electrodes; a power source configured to apply a non-uniform dielectrophoretic force, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to generate a dielectrophoretic force on a droplet towards the microwell.