Control of emulsions, including multiple emulsions
    1.
    发明授权
    Control of emulsions, including multiple emulsions 有权
    控制乳液,包括多重乳液

    公开(公告)号:US09238206B2

    公开(公告)日:2016-01-19

    申请号:US13477636

    申请日:2012-05-22

    IPC分类号: B01F13/00 B01F3/08

    摘要: The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to double and other multiple emulsions. Certain aspects of the present invention are generally directed to the creation of double emulsions and other multiple emulsions at a common junction of microfluidic channels. In some cases, the microfluidic channels at the common junction may have substantially the same hydrophobicity. In one set of embodiments, a device may include a common junction of six or more channels, where a first fluid flows through one channel, a second fluid flows through two channels, and a third or carrying fluid flows through two more channels, such that a double emulsion of a first droplet of the first fluid, contained in a second droplet of the second fluid, contained by the carrying fluid, flows away from the common junction through a sixth channel.

    摘要翻译: 本发明一般涉及乳液,更具体地说涉及双重和其它多重乳液。 本发明的某些方面通常涉及在微流体通道的共同连接处产生双重乳液和其它多重乳液。 在一些情况下,共同连接处的微流体通道可具有基本上相同的疏水性。 在一组实施例中,装置可以包括六个或更多个通道的公共接头,其中第一流体流过一个通道,第二流体流过两个通道,并且第三或承载流体流过两个以上通道,使得 包含在第二流体的第二液滴中的第一流体的第一液滴的双重乳液由携带流体包含,通过第六通道从公共接头流出。

    Surfaces, including microfluidic channels, with controlled wetting properties
    2.
    发明授权
    Surfaces, including microfluidic channels, with controlled wetting properties 有权
    表面,包括微流体通道,具有受控的润湿性能

    公开(公告)号:US08802027B2

    公开(公告)日:2014-08-12

    申请号:US12935203

    申请日:2009-02-11

    IPC分类号: B01L99/00

    摘要: The present invention generally relates to coating materials, including photoactive coating materials. In some aspects of the invention, a sol-gel is provided that can be formed as a coating on a microfluidic channel. One or more portions of the sol-gel can be reacted to alter its hydrophobicity, in some cases. For instance, in one set of embodiments, a portion of the sol-gel may be exposed to light, such as ultraviolet light, which can be used to induce a chemical reaction in the sol-gel that alters its hydrophobicity. In one set of embodiments, the sol-gel can include a photoinitiator, that upon exposure to light, produces radicals. Optionally, the photoinitiator may be conjugated to a silane or other material within the sol-gel. The radicals so produced may be used to cause a polymerization reaction to occur on the surface of the sol-gel, thus altering the hydrophobicity of the surface. In some cases, various portions may be reacted or left unreacted, e.g., by controlling exposure to light (for instance, using a mask). Such treated surfaces within a microfluidic channel may be useful in a wide variety of applications, for instance, in the creation of emulsions such as multiple emulsions.

    摘要翻译: 本发明一般涉及涂料,包括光活性涂料。 在本发明的一些方面,提供可以形成为微流体通道上的涂层的溶胶 - 凝胶。 在一些情况下,溶胶 - 凝胶的一个或多个部分可以反应以改变其疏水性。 例如,在一组实施例中,溶胶 - 凝胶的一部分可以暴露于光,例如紫外光,其可以用于在溶胶 - 凝胶中诱导改变其疏水性的化学反应。 在一组实施方案中,溶胶 - 凝胶可以包括光引发剂,其在暴露于光时产生自由基。 任选地,光引发剂可以与溶胶 - 凝胶内的硅烷或其它材料缀合。 这样生成的基团可以用于在溶胶 - 凝胶的表面上发生聚合反应,从而改变表面的疏水性。 在一些情况下,例如通过控制曝光(例如,使用掩模),各种部分可能反应或未反应。 微流体通道内的这样处理的表面可用于多种应用中,例如在产生诸如多重乳液的乳液中。

    MULTIPLE EMULSIONS CREATED USING JETTING AND OTHER TECHNIQUES

    公开(公告)号:US20120211084A1

    公开(公告)日:2012-08-23

    申请号:US13388596

    申请日:2010-09-01

    IPC分类号: F17D1/00

    摘要: The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to multiple emulsions. In one aspect, multiple emulsions are formed by urging a fluid into a channel, e.g., by causing the fluid to enter the channel as a “jet.” Side channels can be used to encapsulate the fluid with a surrounding fluid. In some cases, multiple fluids may flow through a channel collinearly before multiple emulsion droplets are formed. The fluidic channels may also, in certain embodiments, include varying degrees of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. As examples, the fluidic channel may be relatively hydrophilic upstream of an intersection (or other region within the channel) and relatively hydrophobic downstream of the intersection, or vice versa. In some cases, the average cross-sectional dimension may change, e.g., at an intersection. For instance, the average cross-sectional dimension may increase at the intersection. Surprisingly, a relatively small increase in dimension, in combination with a change in hydrophilicity of the fluidic channel, may delay droplet formation of a stream of collinearly-flowing multiple fluids under certain flow conditions; accordingly, the point at which multiple emulsion droplets are formed can be readily controlled within the fluidic channel. In some cases, the multiple droplet may be formed from the collinear flow of fluids at (or near) a single location within the fluidic channel. In addition, unexpectedly, systems such as those described herein may be used to encapsulate fluids in single or multiple emulsions that are difficult or impossible to encapsulate using other techniques, such as fluids with low surface tension, viscous fluids, or viscoelastic fluids. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to methods of making and using such systems, kits involving such systems, emulsions created using such systems, or the like.

    SPRAY DRYING TECHNIQUES
    4.
    发明申请
    SPRAY DRYING TECHNIQUES 审中-公开
    喷雾干燥技术

    公开(公告)号:US20120167410A1

    公开(公告)日:2012-07-05

    申请号:US13330793

    申请日:2011-12-20

    IPC分类号: F26B21/00 F26B3/02

    CPC分类号: B01D1/18 A61K31/58 F26B3/12

    摘要: The present invention generally relates to microfluidics, and to spray drying and other drying techniques. In some aspects, an article containing one or more channels or microfluidic channels is used to mix one or more fluids prior to spray drying. The mixing may occur immediately before the fluids are expelled through a nozzle or other opening into a drying region of the spray dryer. In one set of embodiments, for example, a first fluid is exposed to a second fluid, then the fluids are exposed to air or other gases before being expelled through a nozzle. In certain instances, the first fluid may contain a dissolved species that may precipitate upon exposure to the second fluid; such precipitation may occur immediately before expulsion through a nozzle or other opening, thereby resulting in controlled precipitation as part of the spray drying process.

    摘要翻译: 本发明一般涉及微流体,以及喷雾干燥和其它干燥技术。 在一些方面,使用含有一种或多种通道或微流体通道的制品在喷雾干燥之前混合一种或多种流体。 在流体通过喷嘴或其它开口排出到喷雾干燥器的干燥区域之前,混合可能发生。 在一组实施例中,例如,第一流体暴露于第二流体,然后在通过喷嘴排出之前将流体暴露于空气或其它气体。 在某些情况下,第一流体可以含有在暴露于第二流体时可能沉淀的溶解物质; 这样的沉淀可以在通过喷嘴或其他开口排出之前立即发生,从而导致作为喷雾干燥过程的一部分的受控沉淀。

    FLUID INJECTION
    5.
    发明申请
    FLUID INJECTION 有权
    流体注射

    公开(公告)号:US20120132288A1

    公开(公告)日:2012-05-31

    申请号:US13379782

    申请日:2010-06-25

    IPC分类号: F15C1/00

    摘要: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc. of a first fluid being urged into and/or out of a second fluid can be controlled by controlling various properties of the fluid and/or a fluidic droplet, for example curvature of the fluidic droplet, and/or controlling the applied electric field.

    摘要翻译: 本发明一般涉及用于控制流体的系统和方法,并且在一些情况下涉及将流体流入和/或流出其它流体的系统和方法。 作为示例,流体可以被注入到包含在流体通道内的液滴中,或者可以将流体注入到流体通道中以产生液滴。 在一些实施例中,可以使用电极将电场施加到一个或多个流体通道,例如至少两个流体通道的相交处。 例如,可以通过电场促进第一流体进入和/或流出第二流体。 在一些情况下,电场可能破坏第一流体和至少一种其它流体之间的界面。 可以通过控制流体和/或流体液滴的各种性质(例如流体液滴的曲率)来控制被推入和/或流出第二流体的第一流体的体积,流速等的性质 ,和/或控制所施加的电场。

    SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SPLITTING DROPLETS
    6.
    发明申请
    SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SPLITTING DROPLETS 审中-公开
    用于分割滴液的系统和方法

    公开(公告)号:US20140026968A1

    公开(公告)日:2014-01-30

    申请号:US13979984

    申请日:2012-02-06

    IPC分类号: B01L3/00

    摘要: The present invention generally relates to fluidics and microfluidics and, in particular, to creating droplets in a fluidic system. In some aspects, the present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for splitting a parent droplet into two or more droplets, e.g., by urging the parent droplet towards an obstacle to split the parent droplet. In some cases, the parent droplet is split into at least first and second droplets which each are directed to separate channels. In some cases, the channels may be constructed and arranged such that the droplet velocities of the first and second droplets are substantially the same as the velocity of the parent droplet. In some cases, such droplets may be repeatedly split, e.g., a parent droplet is divided into 2 daughter droplets, then each droplet split again, etc., for example, such that one parent droplet may eventually be split into 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, etc. daughter droplets. In some cases, the daughter droplets may be substantially monodisperse.

    摘要翻译: 本发明一般涉及流体和微流体,特别是涉及在流体系统中产生液滴。 在一些方面,本发明一般涉及用于将母液滴分解为两个或更多个液滴的系统和方法,例如通过将母液滴向障碍物推动以分离母液滴。 在一些情况下,母液滴被分成至少第一和第二液滴,每个液滴被引导到分离的通道。 在一些情况下,可以构造和布置通道,使得第一和第二液滴的液滴速度基本上与母液滴的速度相同。 在一些情况下,这样的液滴可以被重复地分开,例如,母液滴被分成2个子液滴,然后每个液滴再次分离等,例如使得一个亲液滴最终可以分成22,23,24 ,25,26等子液滴。 在一些情况下,子液滴可以是基本上单分散的。

    CONTROL OF EMULSIONS, INCLUDING MULTIPLE EMULSIONS
    7.
    发明申请
    CONTROL OF EMULSIONS, INCLUDING MULTIPLE EMULSIONS 有权
    乳液控制,包括多种乳液

    公开(公告)号:US20130046030A1

    公开(公告)日:2013-02-21

    申请号:US13477636

    申请日:2012-05-22

    IPC分类号: B01J13/00 B01F5/00

    摘要: The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to double and other multiple emulsions. Certain aspects of the present invention are generally directed to the creation of double emulsions and other multiple emulsions at a common junction of microfluidic channels. In some cases, the microfluidic channels at the common junction may have substantially the same hydrophobicity. In one set of embodiments, a device may include a common junction of six or more channels, where a first fluid flows through one channel, a second fluid flows through two channels, and a third or carrying fluid flows through two more channels, such that a double emulsion of a first droplet of the first fluid, contained in a second droplet of the second fluid, contained by the carrying fluid, flows away from the common junction through a sixth channel.

    摘要翻译: 本发明一般涉及乳液,更具体地说涉及双重和其它多重乳液。 本发明的某些方面通常涉及在微流体通道的共同连接处产生双重乳液和其它多重乳液。 在一些情况下,共同连接处的微流体通道可具有基本上相同的疏水性。 在一组实施例中,装置可以包括六个或更多个通道的公共接头,其中第一流体流过一个通道,第二流体流过两个通道,并且第三或承载流体流过两个以上通道,使得 包含在第二流体的第二液滴中的第一流体的第一液滴的双重乳液由携带流体包含,通过第六通道从公共接头流出。

    SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCING
    8.
    发明申请
    SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCING 有权
    核酸序列的系统和方法

    公开(公告)号:US20110267457A1

    公开(公告)日:2011-11-03

    申请号:US12809120

    申请日:2008-12-19

    摘要: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sequencing nucleic acids, including sequencing nucleic acids in fluidic droplets. In one set of embodiments, the method employs sequencing by hybridization using droplets such as microfluidic droplets. In some embodiments, droplets are formed which include a target nucleic acid, a nucleic acid probe, and at least one identification element, such as a fluorescent particle. The nucleic acid probes that hybridize to the target nucleic acid are determined, in some instances, by determining the at least one identification element. The nucleic acid probes that hybridize to the target nucleic acid may be used to determine the sequence of the target nucleic acid. In certain instances, the microfluidic droplets are provided with reagents that modify the nucleic acid probe. In some cases, a droplet, such as those described above, is deformed such that the components of the droplets individually pass a target area.

    摘要翻译: 本发明涉及用于测序核酸的系统和方法,包括以流体液滴测序核酸。 在一组实施方案中,该方法采用使用微滴(例如微流控液滴)的杂交进行测序。 在一些实施方案中,形成液滴,其包括靶核酸,核酸探针和至少一种识别元件,例如荧光颗粒。 在某些情况下,通过确定至少一个识别元件来确定与靶核酸杂交的核酸探针。 与靶核酸杂交的核酸探针可用于测定靶核酸的序列。 在某些情况下,向微流体液滴提供修饰核酸探针的试剂。 在一些情况下,诸如上述那些的液滴变形,使得液滴的组分分别通过目标区域。

    VALVES AND OTHER FLOW CONTROL IN FLUIDIC SYSTEMS INCLUDING MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS
    9.
    发明申请
    VALVES AND OTHER FLOW CONTROL IN FLUIDIC SYSTEMS INCLUDING MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS 有权
    流体系统中的阀门和其他流量控制,包括微流体系统

    公开(公告)号:US20110151578A1

    公开(公告)日:2011-06-23

    申请号:US12992376

    申请日:2009-05-15

    IPC分类号: G01N1/10 B01L3/00

    摘要: Articles and methods for controlling flow in fluidic Systems, especially in microfluidic Systems, are provided. A microfluidic System includes a configuration such that the actuation of a single valve can allow the switching of fluids from a first fluid path (e.g., a first channel section) to a second fluid path (e.g., a second channel section). This may be achieved by incorporating a valve (38) with a first channel section (24), which may have a lower hydrodynamic resistance than a second channel section (28) prior to actuation of the valve. Actuation of the valve (38) can cause only the hydrodynamic resistance of the first channel section (24) to increase, thereby redirecting fluid flow into the second channel section (28) (which now has a relatively lower hydrodynamic resistance). The valve comprises a control channel (40) for introducing a positive or reduced pressure, and is adapted to modulate fluid flow in an adjacent channel section by constricting or expanding the channel section (24).

    摘要翻译: 提供了用于控制流体系统流动的文章和方法,特别是在微流体系统中。 微流体系统包括使得单个阀的致动允许流体从第一流体路径(例如,第一通道部分)切换到第二流体路径(例如,第二通道部分)的构造。 这可以通过在阀致动之前并入具有第一通道部分(24)的阀(38)来实现,其可以具有比第二通道部分(28)更低的流体动力阻力。 阀(38)的致动可以仅使第一通道部分(24)的流体动力阻力增加,从而将流体流转向第二通道部分(28)(其现在具有相对较低的流体动力阻力)。 阀包括用于引入正压或减压的控制通道(40),并且适于通过收缩或扩大通道部分(24)来调制相邻通道部分中的流体流动。