System and method for droplet detection

US12239987B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David Stumbo · Belmont, US
• George Carman · Corvallis, US
• Steve Hobbs · Pleasanton, US
• Anthony Makarewicz · Livermore, US
• Dmitri Simonian · Mountain View, US
• David Glade · San Ramon, US
• Joshua T. Oen · Fremont, US
• Denis Pristinski · Dublin, US
• John M. Dzenitis · Danville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 14, 2022
• Grant date: Mar 4, 2025
• Expiry date: Nov 14, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2015/1481
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Systems and methods for detection of a signal from droplets of an emulsion. An exemplary system may comprise a fluid transporter having a tube with an open end for aspirating droplets, a singulator to arrange the droplets in single file and to space the single-file droplets from one another, and a detection channel in optical communication with a detector configured to detect a signal from droplets. In some embodiments, the singulator may have a channel junction at which a stream of droplets in single file is combined with a stream of spacing fluid, and a tapered spacing channel extending downstream from the channel junction toward the detection channel. In some embodiments, the fluid transporter may suck droplet-containing fluid and spacing fluid through the detection channel from respective sources. In some embodiments, droplets may be subjected to a disaggregation routine before they are passed through the detection channel.