Microfluidic chips including a gutter having a trough and a ridge to facilitate loading thereof and related methods
US12415182B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 2021 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01L2400/086
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A microfluidic chip can comprise a body defining a microfluidic network having one or more inlet ports, a test volume, and one or more flow paths extending between the inlet port(s) and the test volume. Along each of the flow path(s), fluid can flow from one of the inlet port(s), through at least one droplet-generating region in which a minimum cross-sectional area of the flow path increases along the flow path, and to the test volume. The network can include a gutter disposed along at least a portion of the test volume's periphery. The gutter can have a depth along a trough that is at least 10% larger than the depth of the test volume at the periphery and a depth along a ridge disposed between the trough and the test volume that is less than the depth of the test volume at the periphery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.