University of Utah Research Foundation

Raheel Samuel

Bruce Kent Gale

Alex Jafek

Douglas T Carrell

James Trauba

Kenneth I Aston

Jim Hotaling

Jiyoung Son

Timothy Jenkins

Christopher J Lambert

Joshua L Bonkowsky

Briana Freshner

Tak Chi Arlen Chung

A method for separating and enriching sperm from a tissue sample comprises: obtaining a microfluidic separating system having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a membrane filter (e.g., hollow fiber membrane filter) fluidly connected to the outlet end; separating the tissue sample via the microfluidic separating system into a debris fluid volume and a sperm fluid volume; and enriching the sperm fluid volume by removing excess media via the membrane filter. A two-stage tissue sample separation system comprising: a microchannel structure defining a separation fluid channel to form a separation stage; an inlet end of the microchannel structure; an outlet end of the microchannel structure; and a membrane filter fluidly connected to the outlet end for removal of at least a portion of excess media in the tissue sample.

Microfluidic system for sperm separation and enrichment from various types of sperm samples

A device for rapid non-destructive genetic material collection can include a multi-reservoir array () and a movement mechanism. The multi-reservoir array () can include multiple reservoirs (). A plurality of the multiple reservoirs () can include an abrasive surface () capable of retaining a source of genetic material in a liquid carrier. The abrasive surface () has a roughness. The movement mechanism can be operable to move the multi-reservoir array () in an oscillating motion sufficient to create relative movement between the abrasive surface () and the source of the genetic material in order to remove a portion of genetic material from the source of the genetic material without destroying the source of the genetic material or the portion of the genetic material that is removed.

Rapid non-destructive genetic material collection

A microfluidic device can include a temperature regulator positioned to generate a temperature gradient across a thermally controlled portion of the microfluidic device from a high temperature region to a low temperature region. Additionally, the microfluidic device can include a bi-directional microfluidic serpentine pathway having a first terminus and a second terminus. The bi-directional microfluidic serpentine pathway can be oriented along a longitudinal direction transverse to the temperature gradient. Further, the bi-directional microfluidic serpentine pathway can include a plurality of oscillation segments fluidly coupling the first terminus to the second terminus and forming a flow path adapted to oscillate a fluid between the high temperature region and the low temperature region. The bi-directional microfluidic serpentine pathway can have a uniform cross section to facilitate bi-directional flow.

Thermal gradient plug flow microfluidic devices for extreme PCR

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Raheel Samuel