Harvard College

Other

Insung S Choi

George M Whitesides

Daniel T Chiu

Noo Li Jeon

Janelle R Anderson

Donald Elliot Ingber

Howard A Stone

Sui Huang

Steven J Metallo

Christopher J Wargo

Hongkai Wu

Stephan K W Dertinger

Justin Cooper McDonald

Ravi Kane

Noo-Li Jeon

J Cooper McDonald

Ravindra Kane

J Cooper Mcdonald

The present invention relates to microfluidic systems, including valves and pumps for microfluidic systems. The valves of the invention include check valves such as diaphragm valves and flap valves. Other valves of the invention include one-use valves. The pumps of the present invention include a reservoir and at least two check valves. The reservoir may be of variable volume. The present invention also relates to a flexible microfluidic system. The present invention additionally relates to a method of making microfluidic systems including those of the present invention. The method includes forming a microfluidic system on a master, connecting a support to the microfluidic system and removing the microfluidic system from the master. The support may remain connected to the microfluidic system or the microfluidic system may be transferred to another substrate. The present invention further relates to a method of manipulating a flow of a fluid in a microfluidic system. This method includes initiating fluid flow in a first direction and inhibiting fluid flow in a second direction and may be practiced with the valves of the present invention.

Valves and pumps for microfluidic systems and method for making microfluidic systems

The present invention describes improved microfluidic systems and procedures for fabricating improved microfluidic systems, which contain one or more levels of microfluidic channels. The methods for fabrication the systems disclosed can provide a convenient route to topologically complex and improved microfluidic systems. The microfluidic systems can include three-dimensionally arrayed networks of fluid flow paths therein including channels that cross over or under other channels of the network without physical intersection at the points of cross over. The microfluidic networks can be fabricated via replica molding processes utilizing mold masters including surfaces having topological features formed by photolithography. The present invention also involves microfluidic systems and methods for fabricating complex patterns of materials, such as biological materials and cells, on surfaces utilizing the microfluidic systems. Specifically, the invention provides microfluidic surface patterning systems and methods for fabricating complex, discontinuous patterns on surfaces that can incorporate or deposit multiple materials onto the surfaces. The present invention also provides improved microfluidic stamps or applicators for microcontact surface patterning, which are able to pattern onto a surface arbitrary two-dimensional patterns, and which are able to pattern multiple substances onto a surface without the need for multiple steps of registration or stamping during patterning and without the need to selectively 'ink' different regions of the stamp with different materials.

Patterning of surfaces utilizing microfluidic stamps including three-dimensionally arrayed channel networks

A method and apparatus for treating a fluid. A method for treating a fluid may include combining two or more separate streams into a common stream and then splitting the common stream into a new set of separate streams wherein the separate streams may possess different properties. The separate streams may be combined to produce a gradient, such as a concentration gradient or shear gradient. The apparatus of the invention may provide a network of fluidic channels that may be used to manipulate a fluid to produce, for example, a gradient or a series of solutions containing a substance at varying concentrations.

Method and apparatus for gradient generation

Microfluidic systems and methods are provided for fabricating complex patterns of materials, such as proteins, inorganic materials or cells, on surfaces. Complex, discontinuous patterns on surfaces can be formed incorporating or depositing multiple materials. A stamp structure has a flow path containing a series of interconnected channels. The channels include a first channel within an interior of the stamp structure, a second channel within a stamping surface of the structure defining a pattern, and a channel fluidically interconnecting the first and second channels. After contacting the stamp with a surface, a fluid is introduced into the flow path so that the fluid contacts the surface to form a pattern. In another embodiment, the stamp structure has two non-fluidically interconnected first and second flow paths defining first and second patterns of channels to produce non-continuous first and second patterns on a surface.

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Insung S Choi