Micromixer apparatus and methods of using same

Abstract

Microfluidics mixing apparatus and methods of using same are disclosed for mixing fluids using increasing centrifugal force as the fluids being mixed traverse a mixing channel. One inventive apparatus comprises a generally planar substrate having a top major surface and a bottom major surface generally parallel to the top major surface, and a cover plate over the top major surface. The substrate has at least one inlet port that routes fluid to the top major surface, and at least one outlet port for mixed fluid. The substrate comprises a mixing channel having a depth measured from the top surface and a width, the mixing channel adapted to route fluids to be mixed therein in laminar flow and in a substantially spiral flow pattern that is parallel to the top surface. Apparatus of the invention can mix fluids flowing serially, or two or more fluids entering the device from different feed channels.

Description

BACKGROUND INFORMATION [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] The present invention relates generally to fluid dynamics. More specifically, the invention relates to apparatus for mixing fluids, and methods of making and using such apparatus. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] A micromixer is a device used to mix small volumes of fluids flowing in very narrow channels. A micromixer is essential in many of the microfluidics systems targeted for use in biochemical analysis, drug delivery, and sequencing or synthesis of nucleic acids. Biological processes such as cell activation, enzyme reactions, and protein folding often involve reactions that require mixing of reactants for initiation. Mixing is also necessary in many microfabricated chemical systems that carry out complex chemical synthesis. See “Passive Mixing in a Three-Dimensional Serpentine Microchannel,” R. H. Liu, M. A. Stremler, K. V. Sharp, M. G. Olsen, J. G. Santiago, R. J. Adrain, H. Aref, and D. J. Beebe, Journal of Microelectrome...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The apparatus and methods of the present invention reduce or overcome many of the noted problems of previous microfluidics apparatus and methods.

Problems solved by technology

This is troublesome for biologic samples, whose constituent molecules are frequently complex oligomeric or polymeric structures.

Lamination mixers typically require multi-layer microfabrication techniques, which make them less attractive to bioanalysis system designers where targets are simple fabrication, planar designs, and ease of integation into microfluidic systems.

Unfortunately, the devices described in this patent, which refer to curved bridge channels used in “mixing mode,” do not describe centrifugal mixing in these channels, and in fact appear to be devoted to keeping the laminar flow streams separated in the bridge channels.

These converging sections may lead to difficulties in cleaning the device for repeated use.

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