Apparatus and methods for sample analysis with multi-gradient microfluidics
| DWPI Title: Apparatus for facilitating analysis of biological and biochemical samples, has comprises first layer that comprises sample chamber that adapted to retain biological sample, where first channel including first fluid therein, where first channel positioned directly above first side of sample chamber |
| Abstract: A device for analyzing biological samples comprises first, second, third, and fourth layers. The first layer comprises a sample chamber in which a sample is positioned. The second layer comprises first, second, and third channels. A third, porous layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer. A fourth layer composed of a substantially liquid-impermeable material is positioned between the second layer and the third layer. The fourth layer includes first and second pass-through channels that are aligned with the first and second channel, respectively. Fluids that flow in the first and second channels pass through the pass-through channels and diffuse into the sample chamber, establishing a chemical concentration gradient therein. A gas in the sample chamber can diffuse through the third and fourth layers and interact with a fluid flowing in the third channel, establishing a gas concentration gradient in the sample chamber. |
| Use: Apparatus for facilitating analysis of biological and biochemical samples. Uses include but are not limited to soil, plants, and mammalian systems including human body. |
| Advantage: A biological sample to a chemical gradient under non-flow fluid conditions, and can further be configured to subject the sample to multiple simultaneous chemical gradients. The third layer can be a porous layer that is configured to prevent bulk flow of fluids through the third layer, but that allows diffusion of a fluid and species contained in the fluid across the third layer. The third layer can be positioned between the first layer and the second layer such that the first and second layers are separated by the third layer. The ports can be connected to a pump system that is controllable to deliver a fluid containing a biological sample to the sample chamber by way of the ports. The casting holes extend from the casting chamber to the exterior of the mold to allow a casting material to be cast in the casting chamber while a cover is in place over the casting chamber. |
| Novelty: The apparatus comprises a first layer that comprises a sample chamber that is adapted to retain a biological sample. A second layer comprising a first channel positioned directly above a first side of the sample chamber, and a second channel in parallel with the first channel. A third porous layer positioned between the first layer and the second layer, where the first and second fluids diffuse through the third layer and into the chamber to mimic transport of fluid in a rhizosphere environment relative to the sample retained in the chamber. The second layer comprises polydimethylsiloxane. The oxygen-absorbing species is pyrogallol. The third channel comprises a serpentine portion. |
| Filed: 2/18/2021 |
| Application Number: US17178709A |
| Tech ID: SD 15399.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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