Biomicro Systems, Inc.

Sarcos Lc

Michael R McNeely

Mark K Spute

Arnold R Oliphant

Stephen C Jacobsen

David L Wells

Nils B Adey

Thomas Moyer

Stephen C Coffin

John Jensen

Edward Ayliffe

Ming Lei

Michael Howard

Darin Beutel

A method and system for providing a fluidic interface to slides bearing microarrays of biomolecules or other samples immobilized thereon to perform a variety of chemical reactions or processing steps on the slide. An interface device seals against the slide to form a chamber or chambers containing all or a portion of the microarray, providing selective access to portions of the slide. The interface device includes inlet and outlet ports permitting liquid sample and reagents to be introduced to and removed from the chamber accessing the slide surface. Pre- and post-array microfluidic circuitry may be included in the interface device or in attachable modules. The system may include one or more compartments for collecting and storing waste fluids.

Method and system for microfluidic interfacing to arrays

Methods and apparatus are presented for controlling fluid flow through flow paths with pressure gradient fluid control. Passive fluid flow barriers may be used to act as valves, thereby allowing the flow of fluids through flow paths to be regulated so as to allow fluids to be introduced via a single channel and subsequently split into multiple channels. Flow through the flow paths can be regulated to allow a series of sister wells or chambers to all fill prior to the fluid flowing beyond any one of the sister wells or chambers. Each flow path may have multiple segments, at least one of which is designed to balance the pressure drops of the flow paths to provide uniform flow of fluids through the flow paths. The configurations of the wells may also be modified by adding vents or flow dividers to enhance fluid flushing and gas removal capability.

Multi-channel microfluidic system design with balanced fluid flow distribution

A method of controlling fluid flow within a microfluidic circuit using external valves and pumps connected to the circuit is disclosed. The external valves and pumps, which are not a part of the microfluidic substrate, control fluid pumping pressure and the displacement of air out of the fluid circuit as fluid enters into the circuit. If a valve is closed, air cannot be displaced out of circuit, which creates a pneumatic barrier that prevents fluid from advancing within the circuit (under normal operating pressures). Applications of this method of fluid control are explained.

Remote valving for microfluidic flow control

A method and system are disclosed for manipulating the flow of gases into and out of a microfluidic circuit to regulate pressure within the circuit or to provide for the delivery of gases to or removal of gases from the circuit. Pressure within the microfluidic circuit may be increased or decreased to modify physical or chemical properties of fluid within the circuit, or to modify reaction kinetics. Gaseous reactants may be added to the circuit, and reaction products or excess reactant gases may be removed the circuit according to the invention. Warm or cool air or other gas may be flowed over liquid reactants within the circuit to perform a warming or cooling function. Various biochemical reactions or processes, including for example polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligand-receptor binding, may be performed with the use of the inventive method and system.

Air flow regulation in microfluidic circuits for pressure control and gaseous exchange

Methods of controlling fluid flow through microchannels by use of passive valves or stopping means in the microchannels is presented. The passive valves act as pressure barriers impeding flow of solution past the stopping means until enough force is built up to overcome the force of the pressure barrier. Well planned use of such stopping means acting as passive valves allows the flow of fluids through microchannels to be regulated so as to allow fluids to be mixed or diluted after being introduced via a single channel, or to be split into multiple channels without the need for individual pipetting. Flow through the multiple channels can be regulated to allow a series of sister wells or chambers to all fill prior to the fluid flowing beyond any one of the sister wells or chambers. The filling of sister wells or chambers in this manner allows all wells or chambers to undergo reactions in unison. The use of air ducts to prevent trapping of air in the microchannels is also presented.

Fluid circuit components based upon passive fluid dynamics

Methods and apparatus for controlling fluid flow through microchannels by use of passive valves or stopping means comprised of abrupt microchannel widenings in the microchannels are presented. Such passive fluid flow barriers create pressure barriers impeding flow of solution past the passive fluid flow barriers until enough force is built up to overcome the force of the pressure barrier. Use of such stopping means acting as passive barriers or valves allows the flow of fluids through microchannels to be regulated so as to allow fluids to be mixed or diluted after being introduced via a single channel, or to be split into multiple channels without the need for individual pipetting. Flow through the multiple channels can be regulated to allow a series of sister wells or chambers to all fill prior to the fluid flowing beyond any one of the sister wells or chambers. The filling of sister wells or chambers in this manner allows all wells or chambers to undergo reactions in unison. The use of air ducts in microchannels to prevent trapping of air in the microchannels is also presented.

A method of coating a surface of a filament. In particular, the invention rotates a member (13) about a first axis (54), which will rotate a tubular member (16), which is rotatably coupled to the rotating member at an angle to the first axis, through a plane and about a longitudinal axis (56) of the tubular member that is co-planer to the plane. This is done to assist in the depositing of a uniform material onto the filament that extends through the tubular member and through a deposition area (40). It is important for the method to maintain the deposition area at an intersection of the first axis, longitudinal axis and plane, while the filament is being rotated in step. The method provides for adjusting the deposition area to expose a different length of the filament to the deposition of material thereon. Additionally, the method further comprises the steps of: un-winding a length of the filament that is in a feed basket coupled to one end of the tubular member; feeding the filament length through the tubular member; and collecting the filament length in a receiving basket that is coupled to another end of the tubular member. It is noted that there is a step of rotating a traction wheel, which is fixedly coupled about the tubular member at an end opposite to where the tubular member is rotatably coupled to the rotating member, about the longitudinal axis to cause the tubular member to rotate through the plane and about the co-planer longitudinal axis. Wherein the traction wheel runs along a top surface of a circular wall that is located equal distant about the first axis.

Method for coating a filament

A fixture apparatus for material deposition or processing on a long, flexible, nonplanar, filamentary substrate has a tubular member for holding the filamentary substrate rotatably disposed on a base. An opening is formed in the tubular member through which material is deposited on the surface of the filamentary substrate. Moveable tubes are each slidingly disposed in the tubular member on either side of the opening. The tubes and/or the tubular member hold the filamentary substrate on both sides of a deposition area on the substrate to maintain the straight configuration of the long, flexible, filamentary substrate. The tubes and/or tubular member also physically masks the filamentary substrate to prevent material deposition outside the deposition area on the substrate. The base has a circular path and a rotating member. A wheel is coupled to one side of the tubular member and is rotatably disposed on the circular path of the base. The other side of the tubular member is rotatable coupled to the rotating member of the base by a bearing. The rotating member causes the wheel to turn about a vertical axis in a circular path. The wheel is fixed to the tubular member causing the tubular member to rotate about a horizontal axis or longitudinal axis of the tubular member. As the rotating member turns and the wheel rolls, the tubular member the filamentary substrate is rotated about the two different axes to uniformly deposit material on the filament.

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Michael R McNeely