Microfluidic droplet generators
US11602722B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 2020 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01L2400/084
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a novel method of producing monodisperse aqueous droplets, as well as a novel microfluidic droplet generator. In some examples, the method comprises flowing an aqueous solution through a microchannel and into a sample reservoir of the microfluidic droplet generator, wherein monodisperse droplets of the aqueous solution form by step-emulsification at a step change in height at an intersection of a reservoir end of the microchannel and a sidewall of the sample reservoir. In some examples, the aqueous solution is a hydrogel precursor solution and monodisperse droplets of the hydrogel precursor solution form by step-emulsification at the step change in height at the intersection of the reservoir end of the microchannel and the sidewall of the sample reservoir. In some examples, the monodisperse droplets of the hydrogel precursor solution are incubated under conditions suitable for gelation to form hydrogel beads.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.