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WO2006061025A2 - Dispositif microfluidique et son procede de production - Google Patents

Dispositif microfluidique et son procede de production Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006061025A2
WO2006061025A2 PCT/DK2005/050008 DK2005050008W WO2006061025A2 WO 2006061025 A2 WO2006061025 A2 WO 2006061025A2 DK 2005050008 W DK2005050008 W DK 2005050008W WO 2006061025 A2 WO2006061025 A2 WO 2006061025A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ridge
flow channel
groove
lid
cartridge base
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/DK2005/050008
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2006061025A3 (fr
Inventor
Claus Barholm-Hansen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alere Switzerland GmbH
Zoetis Denmark ApS
Original Assignee
Inverness Medical Switzerland GmbH
Scandinavian Micro Biodevices ApS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Inverness Medical Switzerland GmbH, Scandinavian Micro Biodevices ApS filed Critical Inverness Medical Switzerland GmbH
Publication of WO2006061025A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006061025A2/fr
Publication of WO2006061025A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006061025A3/fr
Priority to US11/760,734 priority Critical patent/US20070286774A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
    • B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
    • B81B1/00—Devices without movable or flexible elements, e.g. microcapillary devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
    • B01L3/502707—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
    • B01L3/502746—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/32—Measures for keeping the burr form under control; Avoiding burr formation; Shaping the burr
    • B29C66/322—Providing cavities in the joined article to collect the burr
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/534—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/534—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
    • B29C66/5346—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially flat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/534—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
    • B29C66/5346—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially flat
    • B29C66/53461—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially flat joining substantially flat covers and/or substantially flat bottoms to open ends of container bodies
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/536—Joining substantially flat single elements to hollow articles to form tubular articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
    • B01L2400/0403—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces
    • B01L2400/0406—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces capillary forces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/06—Valves, specific forms thereof
    • B01L2400/0688—Valves, specific forms thereof surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/08—Regulating or influencing the flow resistance
    • B01L2400/084—Passive control of flow resistance
    • B01L2400/086—Passive control of flow resistance using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1696—Laser beams making use of masks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/38—Impulse heating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/756—Microarticles, nanoarticles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
    • B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
    • B81B2201/00—Specific applications of microelectromechanical systems
    • B81B2201/05—Microfluidics
    • B81B2201/058—Microfluidics not provided for in B81B2201/051 - B81B2201/054

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method of producing a micro fluidic device as well as a micro fluidic device comprising at least one flow channel.
  • Micro fluidic devices comprising one or more flow channels are well known in the art. Such devices normally depend totally or partly on capillary forces to fill the channels and to control the flow through the channel.
  • the geometry of the channels is therefore very important as it is the detailed shape of the liquid front at the liquid/air/solid interface that determines the magnitude of the capillary forces. Smaller geometries generally exhibit greater capillary pull than larger geometries. Therefore any small slit or gap such as a possible gap arising at the interface between lid and channel becomes of interest.
  • US 5443890 discloses leakage-proof sealing means for a micro fluidic channel assembly of the type having a first and a second flat surface members which when pressed against each other define a microfluidic channel system between them.
  • the assembly has aligned channels which are separated by a resilient seal between the channels to prevent leakage.
  • US 2003/0178075 discloses a method of etching an ultra-shallow channel in silicon material.
  • the channel may be shapes as a stepped channel with segments of different depth, the segments being between 10 and 1000 nm in dept.
  • the objective of the invention is to provide a method of producing a micro fluidic device by which method the channel interface may be relieved from governing the capillary filling action from the sealing method of choice.
  • the objective of the invention is thus to provide a method of producing a micro fluidic device by which method it is possible to produce a micro fluidic device with less sensitivity to the variations of the interface between cartridge base and lid.
  • a further objective of the invention is to provide a method of producing a micro fluidic device with a channel, which method is simple and fast and may be improved with respect to reproducibility in relating to the capillary filling effects within the flow channel.
  • a further objective of the invention is to provide a method of producing a micro fluidic device with a channel, whereby channel properties relating to filling of the channel and control thereof may be improved.
  • the method of the invention for production of a micro fluidic device comprises the steps of providing a cartridge base with a channel or a ditch, which forms the precursor for a channel, and a lid for said channel or ditch.
  • the method may be carried out in two main ways and combinations of these two ways which will be immediately apparent to the skilled person based on the following teaching.
  • the cartridge base comprises an upper face and a channel
  • the method comprises the step of fixing the lid to said upper face of said cartridge base to form a flow channel through the micro fluidic device.
  • the cartridge base comprises a first and a second borderline edge between the upper face of the cartridge base and the channel, and the cartridge base comprises at least one groove in said upper face extending along at least one of the first and the second borderline edges, thereby forming an outer groove edge defined as the edge between the groove farthest away from the channel, and the outer face area of said cartridge base.
  • the outer face area of said cartridge base is defined as the upper face area on the side of the outer groove edge away from the channel.
  • the method of the invention comprises fixing said lid to said cartridge base along its outer face area.
  • the groove and the channel is not completely sealed from each other. It is thus desired that at least gas (such as air) can pass from the channel and into the groove.
  • the groove or grooves are thus a part of the channel system and influences a flow through the channel.
  • the groove or grooves are not adapted for a liquid flow or for feeding liquid into the channel. Liquid may escape from the channel and into the groove(s). In one embodiment it is desired that the groove(s) except for openings into the channel are completely closed to the environments.
  • the outer face area of the cartridge base is essentially plane. Also it is preferred in this first way of the method of the invention that the lid has an essentially plane surface facing the cartridge base.
  • the lid comprises a fixing area adapted to being fixed to the outer face area of the cartridge base, and it is preferred that this fixing area is complementary to the outer face area of the cartridge base. In one embodiment at least a fixing area of the lid is essentially plane. It should however be understood that the outer face area of the cartridge base and the surface of the lid adapted to face the cartridge may have any shape as long as they correspond sufficiently to each other to provide a secure sealing.
  • the length of the groove or grooves may vary.
  • the cartridge base comprises two grooves, a first groove extending along the first borderline edges, and a second extending along the second borderline edges.
  • the length of these two grooves may preferably be in at least 50 %, such as 60 %, such as 70 %, such as 80 %, such as 90 %, such as 95 %, such as 99 % of the length of the respective borderline edges.
  • the length of the grooves is as the length of the channel.
  • the cartridge base comprises at least one ridge upper face area
  • the method comprises the step of fixing the lid to the cartridge base along its outer face area, without simultaneously fixing the ridge upper face area to the lid. Thereby a ridge-lid gap is formed between the lid and the ridge upper face area.
  • the cartridge base comprises at least one ridge upper face area
  • the method comprises the step of fixing the lid to the cartridge base along its outer face area, without simultaneously providing a seal between the ridge upper face area and the lid along the total length of the ridge upper face area.
  • sealing means a seal provided without simultaneously fixing parts to each other. A sealing could thus be provided e.g. by using a resilient material placed between the upper surface and the lid without fixing it to one or both parts.
  • fixing includes both a fixing by adhesive, joining, gluing welding and similar means but also mechanical fixing, which includes a sealing provided e.g. by a applying a resilient material and pressing the surfaces together. "Fixing” thus includes “sealing”.
  • the ridge upper face area is defined as the upper face area of the cartridge base between the borderline edges and the inner groove edge.
  • the inner groove edge is defined as the edge closest to the channel between the face and the groove.
  • the ridge-lid gap has a smaller dimension than the flow channel, and thus the capillary forces in this gap will be higher than in the flow channel.
  • this effect can be used to control the flow of a liquid in the flow channel, e.g. to avoid entrapment of air pockets in the flow channel around bandings of the flow channel and with change of dimensions of the flow channel.
  • the method comprises applying said ridge upper face area and said lid to face each other to thereby form a ridge-lid gap between the lid and the ridge upper face area.
  • the method comprises avoiding fixing the ridge upper face area to the lid. Even though in many situations it may be desired not to fix the ridge upper face area to the lid, it may in some situations be desired to fix the ridge upper face area to the lid in some area e.g. with regularly distances along the length of the gap.
  • a partial seal may thus be provided between the ridge upper face area and the lid, this partial sealing should preferably allow at least 50 % of the length of the ridge upper face area along the groove to be unsealed.
  • the sealed/unsealed sections should preferably be in sections so that a sealed length section of the ridge upper face area along the groove should preferably not exceed 20 mm, more preferably a sealed length section of the ridge upper face area along the groove should not exceed 10 mm.
  • the cartridge base comprises two grooves in the upper face extending along the respective borderline edges.
  • the cartridge base thereby comprises two ridge upper face areas defined as the upper face areas of the cartridge base between the respective borderline edges and the respective inner groove edges.
  • the distance between the lid and the ridge upper face area is defined as the gap distance.
  • the gap distance may be essentially equidistant along the length of the gap distance or it may vary e.g. along the length or in a direction perpendicular to the sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel.
  • the centre direction is determined as the direction following a line through the flow channel which is placed as centrally in the flow channel as possible i.e. with the largest distance to any points of the flow channel wall as possible.
  • the sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel means that the centre direction has a tangent where it crosses the sectional cut, which tangent is normal to the sectional cut.
  • the gap distance varies.
  • the gap distance varies in a direction perpendicular to a borderline edge.
  • the gap distance varies in a direction perpendicular to the borderline edge which is closest to the ridge upper surface which forms one side of the gap distance.
  • the borderline edges will be essentially parallel. In other situations the two borderline edges may have an angle to each other, which means that the flow channel is either increasing or decreasing along its length.
  • the gap distance is smallest closest to the inner groove edge to thereby form a sharp gap-groove edge.
  • sharp edge may provide a capillary barrier which may delay or stop a liquid from passing this edge.
  • a liquid in the flow channel may be delayed or prevented from entering into the groove via the gap distance.
  • the gap-groove edge is sufficiently sharp to prevent entrance of a liquid, such as water by capillary forces alone into the groove from the flow channel via the ridge-lid gap.
  • the gap distance varies in a direction parallel to the centre direction of the flow channel.
  • the gap distance variations may preferably be systematically.
  • the one or more ridge upper face areas are not flush with the outer face area of the cartridge base. In this embodiment it is preferred that the one or more ridge upper face areas have a distance to a plane in flush with the outer face area of the cartridge base. This distance should preferably be equal to or less than the gap distance.
  • the one or more ridge facing areas of the lid are not flush with the fixing area(s) of the lid.
  • the fixing area(s) of the lid is defined as the area(s) of the lid adapted to being fixed to the outer face area(s) of the cartridge base.
  • the ridge facing areas of the lid have a distance to a plane in flush with the fixing area(s) of the lid, and this distance is equal to or less than the gap distance.
  • the gap distance should preferably be between 0.1 ⁇ m and 400 ⁇ m, such as between 4 and 80 ⁇ m, such as between 6 and 40 ⁇ m. If the gap distance is too small, the relative distance variation will increase and there may be a risk of irregular filling. If the gap distance is too large, the gap distance will have capillary forces which are on same level as the capillary forces of the flow channel. In one embodiment the gap distance is so small that no liquid will enter into the gap distance. Since this embodiment may be difficult to produce without irregularities wherein the liquid will flow, it is however preferred that the gap distance is at least 0.1 ⁇ m.
  • the gap distance is at least 2.0 ⁇ m.
  • the gap distance in a cross sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel is between 0.01 % and 80%, such as between 0.1 and 10 % of the maximal dimension of the sectional cross area of the flow channel in said cross sectional cut. Very good flow control can be achieved when the gap distance along its length is 10 % or less of the maximal dimension of the sectional cross area of the flow channel.
  • the ridge-lid gap has a ridge length defined as the length along the closest borderline edge.
  • the ridge-lid gap has a top ridge width perpendicular to the ridge length. This top ridge width may in principle be as large as desired, however, a too large width may require to much liquid sample to fill it up.
  • the width is at least 5 ⁇ m.
  • a desired width is e.g. between 10 ⁇ m and 5 mm, such as between 20 ⁇ m and 500 ⁇ m.
  • the top ridge width may in one embodiment be equidistant along the ridge length. In another embodiment the top ridge width varies along the ridge length.
  • the ridge upper face area constitutes the top surface of a ridge which provides the separation between the flow channel and the groove.
  • the cartridge base comprises two grooves, and thus it is also desired that the cartridge base comprises two ridges, the sides of the ridges facing each other forms walls of the flow channel.
  • the ridge or ridges each have a sectional height defined as the maximal protruding height from the cartridge base in a sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel.
  • the maximal protruding height is determined as the maximal distance perpendicular to and extending from a straight line comprising the line between the two borderline edges, and the wall of the channel.
  • this sectional height of the ridge(s) is at least 0.5 ⁇ m, such as between 1 ⁇ m and 1 mm, such as between 5 ⁇ m and 400 ⁇ m, such as 25 ⁇ m and 200 ⁇ m.
  • the sectional height of the ridge(s) is as the sectional depth of the flow channel or less, such as 5, 10, 20 or 60 % less.
  • the ridge or ridges each have an average height defined as the average sectional height along the length of the respective ridges.
  • the ridge upper face area has a ridge length defined as its length along the closest borderline edge.
  • the ridge has a ridge width perpendicular to the ridge length.
  • the ridge width may vary or it may be essentially constant along the ridge length and/or with the distance from the ridge upper face area.
  • the ridge width is increasing with the distance from the ridge upper face area. In a sectional cut perpendicular to the closest borderline edge.
  • the cartridge base comprises a ditch which is broader than the final flow channel.
  • the lid comprises one or two ridges which protrude into the ditch to form the channel.
  • the method comprises the step of fixing the lid to the upper face of the cartridge base so that the ridge(s) are protruding into the ditch to thereby separate the ditch in a flow channel and at least one, preferably two grooves extending along the length of the flow channel.
  • the lid comprises a first and a second borderline edge in form of the edges of the protruding ridges between the upper face of the ridges, defined as the face towards the cartridge base and the respective faces of the respective ridges facing each other. If the lid has no second ridge, the second borderline edge is the line along the lid which is adapted to face towards the edge of the ditch farthest from the first borderline edge when the lid is fixed to the cartridge base.
  • the faces to be fixed to each other may be more or less plane as long as they are fitting to each other. Also here it is desired that the fixing area of the lid is essentially plane.
  • the ridge may have dimensions as disclosed above.
  • the length of the groove(S) may be as disclosed above.
  • the cartridge comprises at least one ridge upper face area defined as an upper face area of the cartridge base between a borderline edge and an inner groove edge defined as the edge between the face and the groove closest to the channel.
  • the ridge upper face area may or may not be fixed, such as sealed to the cartridge for the same reason and with similar effects as the ridge upper face area may or may not be fixed to the lid.
  • the ridge upper face area may have dimensions as disclosed above.
  • the method comprises applying said ridge upper face area and said cartridge base to face each other to thereby form a ridge-cartridge base gap between said cartridge base and said ridge upper face area.
  • the ridge-cartridge base gap may have size and dimension as disclosed above for the ridge-lid gap.
  • any type of fixing method for fixing the cartridge base to the lid may be used.
  • the fixing method may e.g., include, fixing using adhesives, mechanical sealing, solvent assisted joining, gluing and welding, such as ultrasonic welding, impulse welding, laser mask welding, heat welding and other methods well known in the art.
  • the fixing method may depend on which kind of material the cartridge base and the lid is made of.
  • the cartridge base and the lid may be made of any type of materials e.g. such as it is well known in the art. It is preferred that at least the lid is of a transparent material.
  • Preferred materials include glass and polymers, such a polycarbonates, polyolefins, polystyrenes, nylon, styrene-acryl copolymers and mixtures. Most preferred are polymers which can be shaped using injection molding.
  • the materials are chosen with hydrophilic properties, or treated so as to obtain a hydrophilic surface for the purpose of providing the flow channel with properties which make it possible to fill the channel with a liquid via capillary forces.
  • Treatments for increasing the hydrophilic properties are well known in the art, and include plasma treatment and plasma deposition of polymers.
  • the method of the invention may be fully acceptable to have a gap of uncontrolled and e.g. varying size between the lid and the cartridge along the groove on the side of the groove farthest away from the flow channel, because the liquid sample in the flow channel is not likely to flow into this gap before the groove is filled with the sample, which may be avoided or be delayed. Furthermore the gap between the lid and the cartridge along the groove on the side of the groove farthest away from the flow channel will most often be blocked to form a pocket of air, whereby it will be highly unlikely that a liquid sample will enter into this gap. Due to this effect the method according to the invention is much simpler to handle and requires much less precision in the production than prior art methods.
  • the methods also provide the possibility of providing the micro fluidic device with new features as will be disclosed in the following, with the description of a micro fluidic device.
  • the invention thus also relates to a micro fluidic device.
  • the micro fluidic device of the invention comprises a cartridge base with a flow channel and a lid for the flow channel.
  • the micro fluidic device further comprises at least one groove formed along the flow channel and a ridge separating said flow channel from the groove.
  • the ridge is protruding from a first one of the cartridge base and the lid towards the second one of the cartridge base and the lid, wherein the ridge in at least a part of its length, preferably in at least 50 % of its length, such as at least 60 % of its length, such as at least 70 % of its length, such as at least 80 % of its length, such as at least 90 % of its length, such as at essentially all of its length along the flow channel, is not fixed to the second one of the cartridge base and the lid.
  • the groove and the channel is not completely sealed from each other.
  • the groove(s) except for openings into the channel are completely closed to the environments.
  • the micro fluidic device comprises one groove on each side of the flow channel.
  • the groove extends along at least 50 %, such as 60 %, such as 70 %, such as 80 %, such as 90 %, such as 95 %, such as 99 % of the length of the flow channel
  • the flow channel may in principle be as long as desired e.g. up to several meters. In most situations, however, the flow channel is less than 1 m, such as between 20 mm and 1 m. In order to have a capillary flow the flow channel should preferably be at least 5 mm, such as at least 10 mm long. Most typical the flow channel will have a length between 25 and 200 mm.
  • the micro fluidic devices may comprise one or more openings for inlets and outlets. This or these openings may face any directions, such as upwards, sideways or downwards, such as it is generally known in the art.
  • the openings may be equipped with a removable closure, so that the one or more openings can be opened and closed as desired.
  • At least one ridge has a ridge upper face area, defined as the area facing towards the second one of the cartridge base and the lid, to thereby form a ridge-lid gap between said lid and said ridge upper face area or a ridge-cartridge base gap between said lid and said cartridge base.
  • the ridge-lid gap is not sealed along its length.
  • a partial seal may thus be provided between the ridge upper face area and the lid, this partial sealing should preferably allow at least 50 % of the length of the ridge upper face area along the groove to be unsealed.
  • the sealed/unsealed sections should preferably be in sections so that a sealed length section of the ridge upper face area along the groove should preferably not exceed 20 mm, more preferably a sealed length section of the ridge upper face area along the groove should not exceed 10 mm.
  • the ridge-lid gap and the gap distance provided may be as disclosed above. In one embodiment it is particularly preferred that the gap distance is smallest closest to the groove to thereby form a sharp edge gap-groove edge. The effect of this is as disclosed above.
  • the ridge may have a height and a width as disclosed above.
  • the ridge upper face area has a ridge and a ridge width defined as disclosed above.
  • the ridge width may preferably be essentially constant along the ridge length and/or with the distance from the ridge upper face area.
  • the flow channel comprises two or more flow channel sections which differ from each other in width and/or height and/or cross sectional area in a sectional plan perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel sections.
  • the micro fluidic device comprises one or more chambers, in the form of channel sections having more than 50 % larger cross sectional area in a sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel, said chambers may e.g. be arranged to be used as reservoir chambers, mixing chambers, reaction chambers, incubation chambers, and termination chambers.
  • Such chambers may have any size and shape as it is well known in the art e.g. as disclosed in US 5300779 and US 5144139.
  • the micro fluidic device has 2, 3, 4 or even further chambers of equal or different size.
  • the chambers may e.g. be provided with another surface characteristic than the flow channel sections connecting them.
  • the lid comprises an opening at the border between a chamber and a flow section to provide a capillary stop. When the opening is closed, the capillary force with the entrance to the flow channel section is reestablished.
  • the chambers are in the form of channel sections comprising more than 60 % larger, such as 100 % larger, such as 200 % larger cross sectional area in a sectional plan perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel.
  • the flow channel may in principle have any dimensions as long as at least one dimension is sufficiently small to provide the capillary forces within the flow channel.
  • the flow channel has a sectional width defined as the maximal width parallel to a line between the first and second borderline edges in a sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel, the sectional width preferably being at least 5 ⁇ m, such as between 10 ⁇ m, and 20 mm, such as between 20 ⁇ m and 10 mm.
  • the sectional width is in one embodiment essentially constant along the length of the flow channel. In another embodiment the sectional width varies along the length of the flow channel.
  • the flow channel has a sectional depth defined as the maximal depth perpendicular to the sectional width in a sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel, the sectional depth preferably being at least 0.5 ⁇ m, such as between 1 ⁇ m and 1 mm, such as between 5 ⁇ m and 400 ⁇ m, such as 25 ⁇ m and 200 ⁇ m.
  • the sectional depth in one embodiment is essentially constant along the length of the flow channel. In another embodiment the sectional depth varies along the length of the flow channel.
  • At least one of the dimensions cross sectional width and cross sectional depth of the flow channel in at least one sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel has a size of less than 500 ⁇ m, such as less than 400 ⁇ m, such as less than 200 ⁇ m.
  • the flow channel has a sectional cross area perpendicular to a sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel. This sectional cross area may preferably be between 2 ⁇ m 2 and 20 mm 2 , such as between 5 ⁇ m 2 and 10 mm 2 , such as between 100 ⁇ m 2 and 1 mm 2 , such as between 1000 ⁇ m 2 and 0.1 mm 2 .
  • At least one groove has a sectional groove width defined as the maximal width parallel to a line between the first and second borderline edges in a sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel.
  • the sectional groove width may preferably be up to 5 mm, such as at between 5 ⁇ m and 5 mm, such as between 10 ⁇ m and 500 ⁇ m.
  • the one or more grooves each have a sectional groove depth defined as the maximal depth of the groove perpendicular to the groove width and in sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel between the lid and the cartridge base.
  • the sectional groove depth may preferably be at least 5 ⁇ m, such as between 10 ⁇ m and 20 mm, such as between 20 ⁇ m and 5 mm such as at between 0.01 and 2 mm.
  • the width and height may be essentially constant along the length of the groove or it may vary along the length of the groove.
  • the one or more grooves each have a sectional groove depth and the flow channel has a sectional depth, in a sectional cut perpendicular to the centre direction of the flow channel, the sectional groove depth may preferably be between 0.1 and 2 times, such as between 1 and 1.5 times sectional depth of the flow channel in this sectional cut. In one embodiment the sectional groove depth is larger than the sectional depth of the flow channel in the sectional cut. In one embodiment of the micro fluidic device, the device comprises a plurality of groove ribs in the form of walls dividing the groove or grooves into sections.
  • the length of the groove is determined as total length of the groove sections formed when the groove has been sectioned.
  • the groove ribs each have an upper surface which is not bonded to the cartridge or the lid. This surface may e.g. be essentially plane.
  • one or more of the groove ribs are bonded to the cartridge or the lid, the method of the invention thus includes -fixing at least a part of at least one, preferably the major part, more preferably all of said groove rib upper surfaces to the lid, or fixing at least a part of at least one, preferably the major part, more preferably all of said groove rib upper surfaces to the cartridge base.
  • the groove ribs may in principle have any angle to the ridge. In one embodiment the groove ribs are essentially perpendicular to the ridge. In another embodiment the groove ribs have an angle of between 5 and 89 degree, such as between 45 and 85 to the ridge.
  • the groove ribs divide the groove or grooves into sections, to thereby provide a vent stop for gas to be vented from one groove section to another groove section.
  • the ridge or said ridges comprise one or more ridge capillary breaks in the form of a direct opening between the flow channel and the groove.
  • the capillary break provides a reduced capillary effect in a capillary break length section of the flow channel.
  • the width, the length and the sectional cross area of the flow channel are determined as if the ridge did not have any capillary breaks, provided that the breaks are 10 mm or less in length parallel to the centre direction of the flow channel.
  • the flow front can be controlled as it will be described in further detail below.
  • the capillary forces are higher closer to the flow channel wall than longer from the flow channel wall.
  • the flow front will be uneven, and even give rise to air pockets where the dimension of the flow channel is changing e.g. due to chambers, where the flow channel is bent or with flow channel section connections.
  • the one or more ridge capillary breaks each have a cross sectional area, defined as the maximal cross sectional area of the opening in the ridges, which is equal to or less than the maximal cross sectional area of the flow channel.
  • the cross sectional area of the flow channel is determined as if the ridge did not have any capillary breaks.
  • the one or more ridge capillary breaks each have a cross sectional area which is between 1 ⁇ m 2 and 1 mm 2 , such as between 2 ⁇ m 2 and 0.1 mm 2 , such as between 5 ⁇ m 2 and 0.01 mm 2 , such as between 10 ⁇ m 2 and 1000 ⁇ m 2 .
  • the ridge capillary breaks each have a width defined as the maximal width parallel to the centre direction of the flow channel.
  • the width may preferably be between 5 ⁇ m and 2 mm, such as between 10 ⁇ m and 1.5 mm, such as 100 and 1000 ⁇ m. If the channel is not straight, the width of the capillary break is determined as the maximal width parallel to the tangent to the centre direction of the flow channel in the middle of the capillary break.
  • the said one or more ridge capillary breaks may have a cross sectional area which is constant or decreasing through the ridge from the flow channel side to the groove side.
  • the one or more ridge capillary breaks each have a circumference with a shape selected from the group consisting of circular, oval, and angular such as square and rectangular, preferably at least one, preferably the major part, more preferably all of the ridge capillary breaks have an angular shape, such as an essentially rectangular shape.
  • the ridge along its length comprises at least one groove rib between each of said one or more ridge capillary breaks.
  • the ridge along its length comprises at least one groove rib, such as two groove ribs between each of said one or more ridge capillary breaks.
  • the ridge along its length comprises at least one ridge capillary break between each groove rib.
  • the groove ribs divide the groove or grooves into sections, to thereby provide a vent stop for gas to be vented from one groove section to another groove section, when optionally gaps such as a ridge-lid gap/ ridge- base gap, ridge capillary break and other optionally gaps between the groove ribs and the lid/cartridge base has been filled with liquid.
  • the groove ribs may be placed equidistantly along the length of the one or more groove, or the distance between the groove ribs may vary.
  • the ridge capillary breaks may be placed equidistantly along the length of the one or more groove, or the distance may vary.
  • the flow channel has at least one bending, which bends said ridges in an inner loop bending and an outer loop bending, said one or more ridge capillary breaks being placed along the length of at least the ridge bend in an inner loop bending or immediately prior to an inner loop bending to provide a flow through the bend flow channel wherein the liquid front of the liquid flow closer to the ridge bend in an inner loop bending will be delayed compared to the liquid front of the liquid flow closer to the ridge bend in an outer loop bending.
  • a micro fluidic device according to the invention such as a micro fluidic devices comprising one or more capillary breaks e.g. may comprise energy barriers such as ribs extending across a portion of the channel between two opposite walls of the channels such as described in US 4618476 which is hereby incorporated by reference, and wherein the walls of the channel is constituted by the ridges.
  • the energy barriers including is sizes, shape and configuration of the energy barriers, may be as described in US 4618476.
  • the flow channel may comprise a plurality of microstructures, such as described in US 6451264, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the microstructures may preferably be placed in a curved portion of the flow channel.
  • the microstructures including its sizes, shape and configuration may be as disclosed in US 6451264.
  • the combination of having both capillary breaks in the ridges and microstructures in the flow channel in a curved portion of the flow channel may result in a highly increased control of a flow through the micro fluidic device.
  • FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional cut through a flow channel of a first prior art micro fluidic device produced by a prior art method.
  • FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional cut through a flow channel of a second prior art micro fluidic device produced by a prior art method.
  • FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional cut through a flow channel of a third prior art micro fluidic device produced by a prior art method.
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a cartridge base which is used in the method of the invention to produce a micro fluidic device of the invention.
  • FIG. 5a shows a perspective view of a side cut through the flow channel of a micro fluidic device of the invention.
  • FIG. 5b shows a side cut through the flow channel of the micro fluidic device shown in FIG. 5a.
  • FIG. 6a is a sectional top view of a section of a micro fluidic device, which illustrates a first example of a ridge and groove rib configuration.
  • FIG. 6b is a sectional top view of a section of a micro fluidic device, which illustrates a second example of a ridge and groove rib configuration.
  • FIG. 6c is a sectional top view of a section of a micro fluidic device, which illustrates a third example of a ridge and groove rib configuration.
  • FIG. 6d is a sectional top view of a section of a micro fluidic device, which illustrates a fourth example of a ridge and groove rib configuration.
  • FIGs. 7 to 1 1 show consecutive top views of the flow of a liquid through a flow channel of a micro fluidic device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a sectional top view of a micro fluidic device of the invention with a bent flow channel.
  • FIG. 13 is a sectional top view of a micro fluidic device of the invention with a flow channel with a chamber section.
  • FIG. 14 is a sectional top view of a micro fluidic device of the invention with flow channel sections in a Y connection.
  • FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional cut through a flow channel 3 of a first prior art micro fluidic device produced by a prior art method.
  • the micro fluidic device comprises a cartridge base 1 with a channel 3 and a lid 2 for the channel 3. Only a part of the channel can be seen on the drawing.
  • the lid 2 is fixed to the cartridge base 1 , by a welding 4 such as ultrasonic welding.
  • the welding 4 continues along the channel 3 at a distance from the channel 3, Thereby a small gap is created between the lid 2 and the cartridge base 1 along the length of the channel 3. Due to product tolerances when welding along a line the distance from the channel 3 to the welding 4 will most often vary which in many situation is unacceptable.
  • the surface of the material of the cartridge base 1 and the lid 2 will normally be activated to increase the surface energy and thereby increase its hydrophilic character. When these materials are welded together, some of the material will melt to form the welding 4.
  • the gap 5 will exhibit strong capillary forces due to the small geometry and the high surface energy initially imparted on it and thus the gap filling will proceed ahead of the flow front in the channel in an uncontrollable fashion.
  • FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional cut through a flow channel 13 of a second prior art micro fluidic device produced by a similar prior art method.
  • This micro fluidic device comprises a cartridge base 1 1 with a channel 13 and a lid 12 for the channel 13. Also here only a part of the channel 13 can be seen on the drawing.
  • the lid 12 is fixed to the cartridge base 1 1 , by a welding 14 such as laser mask welding.
  • the welding 14 continues along the channel 13 and extends partly into the channel 13. During the welding process some of the material 14a melts and flows into the channel 13. Some of the melted material 14a may even flow further into the channel 13 to be placed on the bottom of the channel.
  • the amount of material 14a that flows into the channel 13 varies along the length of the channel 13. Since the surface of the cartridge base 1 1 and the lid 12 will normally be activated to increase the surface energy and thereby its hydrophilic character.
  • the melted material 14a in the channel 13 will have a surface that is less hydrophilic, which is highly unacceptable as it may create undesired flow stops or flow delays in the channel 13. In any case the flow through the channel will be uncontrolled.
  • FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional cut through a flow channel 23 of a third prior art micro fluidic device produced by a gluing a prior art method.
  • This micro fluidic device comprises a cartridge base 21 with a channel 23 and a lid 22 for the channel 23. Also here only a part of the channel 23 can be seen on the drawing.
  • the lid 22 is fixed to the cartridge base 21 , by glue 24.
  • the glue 24 continues along the channel 13 and extends partly into the channel 23.
  • glue is applied to one or both of the lids 22 and cartridge base 21 is pressed together whereby some of the glue 24a is pressed to flow into the channel 23.
  • the amount of glue 24a that flows into the channel 23 varies along the length of the channel 23. Normally glue has a relatively low surface energy compared to the surface energy desired in a flow channel. Therefore such glue surface will be less hydrophilic than the walls of the channel 23 which may result in undesired flow stops or flow delays in the channel 23. In any case the flow through the channel will be uncontrolled.
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a cartridge base 31 which is used in the method of the invention to produce a micro fluidic device of the invention.
  • the cartridge base 31 comprises a channel 33 and two grooves 36, one along each of the sides of the channel 33.
  • the cartridge base 31 comprises a first and a second borderline edge 38b between the upper face of the cartridge base 31 and the channel 33.
  • the edges between the upper face of the cartridge base 31 and the respective grooves 36, are designated the outer groove edges 30a.
  • the cartridge base 31 comprises an outer face area 30 adapted to be fixed to a not shown lid.
  • the wall section between the groove 36 and the channel 33 is designated a ridge 38.
  • the ridge 38 has a ridge upper face area 38a, which preferably is arranged to face the not shown lid, but not being fixed to said lid.
  • a ridge-lid gap should be formed between the ridge upper face area 38a and the lid when the lid and the cartridge base 33 are fixed to each other.
  • the cartridge base 31 furthermore comprises a number of groove ribs 39 which is dividing the groove 36 into sections.
  • the length is the sum of the length of the groove sections divided by the groove ribs 39.
  • the groove ribs 39 have an upper surface 39a, which may or may not be bonded to the lid when the lid ix fixed. In a preferred embodiment part of the upper surface 39a of the groove ribs 39 will be fixed to the lid when the lid is fixed to the cartridge base 33, but only such a part thereof that it is possible to ensure that the a ridge upper face area 38a is not simultaneously bonded to the lid.
  • the ridges 38 comprise a number of capillary breaks 37 in the form of openings in the ridges 38 which provide an opening between the groove 36 and the channel 33.
  • the capillary breaks are wider in the direction along the channel than they will usually be.
  • Such capillary breaks provide a flow stop or delay.
  • the edges 37a along the capillary break towards the groove 36 are as sharp as possible. Therefore in one embodiment it may be preferred that the grooves 36 are deeper than the channel 33 as in FIG. 4.
  • FIG's. 5a and 5 b show a side cut through the flow channel of a micro fluidic device of the invention, seen in perspective and in a cross-sectional side view.
  • the micro fluidic device comprises a cartridge base 41 , a lid 42, a flow channel 43 and two grooves 46, one along each of the sides of the flow channel 43.
  • the cartridge base 41 comprises a first and a second borderline edge 48b, and outer groove edges 40a.
  • the cartridge base 41 is fixed to the lid along its outer face areas by a welding or glue 44.
  • the cartridge comprises further two ridges 48.
  • a ridge-lid gap 48a is formed between each ridge and the lid.
  • the ridge-lid gaps 48a extend along the flow channel 43. When a flow of liquid is passing into the flow channel, the flow will flow faster in the ridge-lid gaps 48a than in the channel 43, because the capillary forces will be stronger in the ridge-lid gaps 48a than in the channel 43 due to the size differences.
  • the ridges have sharp gap-groove edges 48c, which prevent or delay the liquid from entering into the groove.
  • Figs 6a-6d show different examples of ridge and groove rib configurations illustrated in the form of top views of sections of micro fluidic devices.
  • the micro fluidic devices each comprise a cartridge base 51 , a channel 53 and a groove 56 on each side of the channel 53.
  • the channel 53 is only partly visible.
  • the cartridge base comprises a ridge 58 and a plurality of groove ribs 59.
  • the ridges 58 comprise a number of capillary breaks 57 separating the ridge into sections.
  • the groove ribs 59 may be perpendicular to the ridge 58 or form an angle to the ridge 58, the number of groove ribs 59 and capillary breaks 57 may be identical or there may be more of one of the of groove ribs 59 and capillary breaks 57 than the other, and the of groove ribs 59 and capillary breaks 57 may be placed with various relations to each other.
  • the section of the groove 56 between the two groove ribs 59 may relatively easily be kept free of fluid from the channel 53, because as the fluid is flowing into the flow channel 53, it flows faster in the ridge-lid gap formed between the ridge 58 and the not shown lid than in the flow channel 53, which means that the ridge-lid gap formed between the ridge 58 and the not shown lid and any gaps between the two groove ribs 59 and the not shown lid will be filled almost immediately after the fluid front reaches the ridge 58 where it is connected to the first of the two groove ribs 59.
  • the air within this groove section will thus be encapsulated and it will require a high force to compress this air to make the fluid enter into the groove section.
  • FIGs. 7 to 1 1 show consecutive top views of the flow of a liquid through a flow channel 63 of a micro fluidic device according to the invention.
  • a cartridge base 61 having a flow channel 63, two grooves, one on each side of the flow channel 63 and two ridges 68 forming the respective walls between the grooves 66 and the flow channel 63.
  • the cartridge base 61 comprises a plurality of groove ribs 69, separating the grooves into sections.
  • the ridges 68 comprise a number of capillary breaks 67 separating the ridge into sections.
  • a liquid 72 is flowing in the flow channel 63 in the flow direction indicated by an arrow.
  • the liquid 72 has a flow front 71 which may vary in shape as it passes along the flow channel 63.
  • FIG. 7 it can be seen that the liquid is flowing faster along the walls of the flow channel 63 than in the central part of the flow channel 63. This is a well known phenomenon and is caused by the fact that the capillary forces are stronger closer to the walls than further from the walls in particular where the walls have a bending, and furthermore the liquid may be pulled ahead on top of the ridge (in the ridge-lid gap/ridge-cartridge gap).
  • the liquid has further filled up the ridge-lid gap formed between the ridge 58 and the not shown lid, and the gaps between the two groove ribs 59 and the not shown lid forward to the first coming capillary break 67.
  • some of the groove along the flow line which has been filled with the liquid comprises liquid as well, whereas other is partly or totally filled with air.
  • FIG. 8 the flow front 71 in the flow channel 63 has reached the next capillary break 67. At this capillary break the flow 71 front along the wall of the flow channel 63 is temporarily stopped.
  • FIG. 9 the flow front 71 along the wall of the flow channel 63 has been temporarily stopped so long the flow front in the central part of the flow channel 63 has reached same flow level as the flow front 71 along the wall of the flow channel 63. It can be seen that the flow front 71 in the flow channel is almost a straight line.
  • FIG. 10 the flow front 71 in the central part of the flow channel 63 overtakes flow front 71 along the wall of the flow channel 63.
  • the reason for this is that the flow front 71 in the central part of the flow channel 63 proceeds to advance through the flow channel 63 with almost unchanged velocity, whereas the flow front 71 along the wall of the flow channel 63 has been temporarily stopped and therefore has no or almost no velocity.
  • FIG. 10 the flow front 71 in the central part of the flow channel 63 proceeds to advance through the flow channel 63 with almost unchanged velocity, whereas the flow front 71 along the wall of the flow channel 63 has been temporarily stopped and therefore has no or almost no velocity.
  • FIG. 12 is a sectional top view of a micro fluidic device of the invention, with a bent flow channel.
  • the micro fluidic device has a flow channel 83, two grooves 86, one on each side of the flow channel 83 and two ridges 88a and 88b forming the respective walls between the grooves 86 and the flow channel 83.
  • the micro fluidic device comprises a plurality of groove ribs 89 separating the grooves into sections.
  • the ridges 88a and 88b comprise a number of capillary breaks 87.
  • the flow channel 83 has a bend, which bends said ridges 88a and 88b in an inner loop bending 90 and an outer loop bending 91.
  • the ridge 88a comprises two capillary breaks at either side of the bend.
  • the ridge 88b also comprises two capillary breaks at either side of the bend.
  • the length of the outer loop ridge 88b in the bend is much longer than the length of the inner loop ridge 88a.
  • capillary breaks 87 along the respective ridges 88a and 88b are placed in pairs so that one capillary break 87 in one ridge 88a is placed opposite one capillary break 87 of the other ridge 88b.
  • FIG. 13 is a sectional top view of a micro fluidic device of the invention, with a flow channel 93 with a chamber section 93a.
  • the micro fluidic device has a flow channel 93 with a chamber section 93a which is wider than the parts of the flow channel 93 leading to and from the chamber section 93.
  • the flow direction is illustrated by an arrow.
  • the micro fluidic device comprises two grooves 96, one on each side of the flow channel 93 and chamber section 93a and two ridges 98 forming the respective walls between the grooves 96 and the flow channel 93 and chamber section 93a.
  • the ridges 98 comprise a pair of capillary breaks 97, one in each ridge 98 placed opposite each other at the exit from the chamber section 93.
  • FIG. 14 is a sectional top view of a micro fluidic device of the invention, with flow channel sections in a Y connection.
  • the micro fluidic device has a flow channel with 3 flow channel sections 103a, 103b, 103c, connected to each other in a Y connection.
  • the flow direction is indicated by an arrow.
  • the 3 flow channel sections 103a, 103b, 103c each comprise two grooves 106, one on either side of the respective flow channel sections 103a, 103b, 103c.
  • the 3 flow channel sections 103a, 103b, 103c each also comprise two ridges 108a, 108b forming the respective walls between the grooves 106 and the respective flow channel sections 103a, 103b, 103c.
  • the ridges 108a, 108b comprise a plurality of groove ribs 109 and a number of capillary breaks 107.
  • the capillary breaks 107 are placed in pairs on the two ridges 108a, 108b opposite each other in the respective flow channel sections 103a, 103b, 103c. Thereby the flow front can be controlled and formation of air pockets can be avoided.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé permettant de produire un dispositif microfluidique ainsi qu'un dispositif microfluidique. Ce procédé consiste à produire un culot de cartouche présentant un côté supérieur, un canal et un couvercle pour le canal et à fixer le couvercle sur le côté supérieur du culot de cartouche afin de former un canal d'écoulement à travers le dispositif microfluidique. Le culot de cartouche comprend une première et une seconde limites entre le côté supérieur du culot de cartouche et le canal et, sur le côté supérieur, au moins une rainure qui s'étend le long d'au moins une des deux limites, formant ainsi un bord de rainure extérieur, défini comme la limite entre la rainure la plus éloignée du canal et une surface du côté extérieur du culot de cartouche définie comme la surface du côté supérieur du côté du bord de rainure extérieur éloigné du canal. Le procédé selon l'invention consiste également à fixer le couvercle sur le culot de cartouche le long de sa surface du côté extérieur, de préférence de façon que la rainure et le canal ne soient pas complètement isolés l'un de l'autre. Dans un mode de réalisation, le culot de cartouche comprend au moins une surface du côté supérieur définie comme une surface du côté supérieur du culot de cartouche entre une limite et un bord de rainure intérieur et le procédé consiste à fixer le couvercle sur le culot de cartouche le long de sa surface du côté extérieur sans fixer simultanément, par exemple par scellement, la surface du côté supérieur d'arête sur le couvercle, ce qui permet de former un espace entre le couvercle et la surface du côté supérieur d'arête.
PCT/DK2005/050008 2004-12-09 2005-12-06 Dispositif microfluidique et son procede de production Ceased WO2006061025A2 (fr)

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US63428904P 2004-12-09 2004-12-09
DKPA200401913 2004-12-09
US60/634,289 2004-12-09
DKPA200401913 2004-12-09

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Cited By (5)

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WO2008089969A3 (fr) * 2007-01-24 2008-12-31 St Microelectronics Srl Dispositif électronique comprenant des dispositifs mems à capteur différentiel et des substrats percés
US8877484B2 (en) 2007-01-10 2014-11-04 Scandinavian Micro Biodevices Aps Microfluidic device and a microfluidic system and a method of performing a test
US9429249B2 (en) 2013-08-08 2016-08-30 Universiteit Leiden Fluid triggerable valves
US11344877B2 (en) 2012-09-10 2022-05-31 Universiteit Leiden Capillary pressure barriers
US12220701B2 (en) 2018-06-11 2025-02-11 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Microfluidic valves

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE9100392D0 (sv) * 1991-02-08 1991-02-08 Pharmacia Biosensor Ab A method of producing a sealing means in a microfluidic structure and a microfluidic structure comprising such sealing means
US6770434B2 (en) * 2000-12-29 2004-08-03 The Provost, Fellows And Scholars Of The College Of The Holy & Undivided Trinity Of Queen Elizabeth Near Dublin Biological assay method
US20040043506A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-04 Horst Haussecker Cascaded hydrodynamic focusing in microfluidic channels
FR2846906B1 (fr) * 2002-11-08 2005-08-05 Commissariat Energie Atomique Procede de realisation d'un composant comportant un micro-joint et composant realise par ce procede

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8877484B2 (en) 2007-01-10 2014-11-04 Scandinavian Micro Biodevices Aps Microfluidic device and a microfluidic system and a method of performing a test
WO2008089969A3 (fr) * 2007-01-24 2008-12-31 St Microelectronics Srl Dispositif électronique comprenant des dispositifs mems à capteur différentiel et des substrats percés
US8134214B2 (en) 2007-01-24 2012-03-13 Stmicroelectronics S.R.L. Electronic device, system, and method comprising differential sensor MEMS devices and drilled substrates
EP2644563A3 (fr) * 2007-01-24 2013-12-04 STMicroelectronics Srl Dispositif électronique comprenant un capteur différentiel MEMS et un substrat ayant un orifice de passage
US8796059B2 (en) 2007-01-24 2014-08-05 Stmicroelectronics S.R.L. Method of forming electronic device that includes forming protective package to house substrate and die attached thereto while leaving first and second active surface portions of the die exposed
US8847340B2 (en) 2007-01-24 2014-09-30 Stmicroelectronics S.R.L. Packaged sensor structure having sensor opening and package opening aligned with sensor element
US11344877B2 (en) 2012-09-10 2022-05-31 Universiteit Leiden Capillary pressure barriers
US9429249B2 (en) 2013-08-08 2016-08-30 Universiteit Leiden Fluid triggerable valves
US12220701B2 (en) 2018-06-11 2025-02-11 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Microfluidic valves

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