Vertical microfluidic probe head with large scale surface processing apertures

Abstract

One or more embodiments of the present invention are directed to a vertical microfluidic probe head, which comprises a middle layer of material and two outer layers. The middle layer comprises two opposite, main surfaces, which are, each, grooved up to a same edge surface that adjoins each of the main surfaces, so as to form two sets of n microchannel cavities, n >= 1, on each of the opposite mainsurfaces. The middle layer is furthermore arranged between the two outer layers, which (at least partly) close the microchannel cavities grooved on the two main surfaces. This way, two sets of n microchannels are formed, which are, each, open on the edge surface, such that two opposite sets of n orifices are formed on the edge surface. Thus, the length of the apertures is not limited by the thickness of the middle layer.

Description

Background technique [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of microfluidics, and more particularly to vertical microfluidic probe heads. [0002] Microfluidics deals with the precise control and manipulation of the behavior of small volumes of fluids that are typically confined to micrometer-length-scale channels and volumes typically in the submilliliter range. The outstanding features of microfluidics stem from the special behavior that liquids exhibit on the micrometer length scale. By fabricating structures with lateral dimensions in the micrometer range, volumes well below 1 nanoliter can be processed and analyzed. Mass-limited reactions can be accelerated (by diffusion of reactants). Finally, parallel liquid flow can be precisely and reproducibly controlled, allowing chemical reactions and gradients at liquid / liquid and liquid / solid interfaces. [0003] More specifically, typical fluid volumes in microfluidics range from 10 -15 L to 10 -5 L, an...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0010] Current vertical MFPs cannot sustain HFC on the centimeter-long scale

More generally, current vertical MFPs are not well suited to handle large areas

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