Fluid device and method

Abstract

A microfluidic system for fluid transport is provided. The microfluidic system includes a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device includes an inlet body including an inlet. The microfluidic device includes a base supporting the inlet body. The base includes a channel in fluid communication with the inlet. The base includes one or more sensors formed on a surface of the channel or one or more sensors formed in one or more wells formed on a surface of the channel. The channel is configured to facilitate fluid flow. The fluid includes a plurality of beads. The fluid includes a plurality of suspended cells. The inlet is configured to receive the fluid at the inlet port. The inlet is configured to discharge the fluid through an opening in fluid communication with the channel. The inlet is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid across a substantial portion of the horizontal dimension of the channel. The device is configured to compensate for edge effects that would otherwise be present therein. Related methods, apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 046,500, filed Jun. 30, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] This disclosure relates to devices and methods for fluid transport. Specifically, this disclosure relates to ultra - high throughput microfluidic devices and related methods.

Background Art

[0003] Developed microfluidic devices and methods include ports for multiple channels or ports for a single channel. In either design, the velocity profile across the fluid flow path through each device varies in the main direction of flow, generating a non - uniform velocity profile. The non - uniform velocity profile unnecessarily reduces the accuracy of sensors connected to the device and inhibits throughput. Further, in some developed microfluidic devices, the active sensor region of the device may be separated from the inlet structure and the outlet structure by a distance of about a few millimeters (about 12 mm in one exemplary device) in the direction of the flow path length. Additionally, in some developed microfluidic devices, the area of the substrate available for the sensor region is significantly reduced, partly due to the relatively large footprint of the inlet structure, the outlet structure, or the branched - flow channel network.

[0004] The inventors have developed improvements to microfluidic devices and methods that overcome at least the above - mentioned problems associated with devices of the related art.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] One or more of the following functions can be included in any executable combination.

[0006] A device for fluid transportation is provided. The device includes an inlet body including an inlet. The device includes a base supporting the inlet body, and the base includes a flow path in fluid communication with the inlet. The device includes an outlet body including an outlet, a base supporting the outlet body, and an outlet in fluid communication with the flow path. The inlet is configured to receive fluid at an inlet port. The inlet is configured to discharge fluid from an opening in fluid communication with the flow path. The inlet is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of fluid over a substantial portion of at least one dimension of the flow path.

[0007] The at least one dimension may be either a vertical plane or a horizontal plane.

[0008] The inlet, the flow path, and the outlet may be configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of fluid over a substantial portion of the horizontal plane of the flow path.

[0009] The inlet, the flow path, and the outlet may be configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of fluid through a substantial portion of a cubic region within the flow path.

[0010] The device may be a microfluidic device. The flow path may be a microfluidic flow path.

[0011] The inlet body, the base, and the outlet body may form a unitary body.

[0012] The inlet may be the single inlet of the device. The flow path may be the single flow path of the device. The outlet may be the single outlet of the device.

[0013] The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the inlet port to the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the flow path may be about 1 to about 7.5.

[0014] The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the inlet port to the cross-sectional area of the opening may be about 1 to about 50.

[0015] The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the opening to the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the flow path may be about 6.67 to about 1.

[0016] The ratio of the depth of the injection port to the depth of the edge of the injection port may be about 1 to about 2.

[0017] The ratio of the depth of the injection port to the depth of the edge of the injection port to the height of the injection port or in its vicinity may be about 1 to about 2 to about 3.

[0018] The ratio of the height of the flow path to the depth of the injection port to the depth of the edge of the injection port to the height of the injection port or in its vicinity may be about 1 to about 4 to about 8 to about 12.

[0019] The ratio of the width to the depth of the opening in the horizontal plane may be about 25 to about 1.

[0020] The ratio of the width to the height of the flow path in the vertical plane may be about 180 to about 1.

[0021] The cross-sectional shape of at least one side of the injection port and / or the discharge port in the horizontal plane may be a bowtie shape or a Venturi shape, and at least one side may face the opposite side of the flow path.

[0022] Both sides of the injection port and / or the discharge port in the horizontal plane may have a bowtie shape or a Venturi shape.

[0023] The cross-sectional shape of the injection port and / or the discharge port in the vertical plane may be a bow shape or a bracket shape.

[0024] The cross-sectional shape of the injection port in the horizontal plane may be a rectangular shape.

[0025] The base may include a parallel plate structure.

[0026] The device may be configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of fluid at a volumetric flow rate between about 1 μL / sec and about 500 μL / sec.

[0027] Furthermore, a microfluidic system for fluid transport is provided. The microfluidic system includes a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device includes an inlet body that includes an inlet. The microfluidic device includes a base that supports the inlet body. The base includes a flow path that is in fluid communication with the inlet. The microfluidic device includes one or more sensors formed on the surface of the flow path, or one or more sensors formed in one or more wells formed on the surface of the flow path. The microfluidic device includes an outlet body that includes an outlet, a base that supports the outlet body, and an outlet that is in fluid communication with the flow path.

[0028] The flow path may be configured to facilitate the flow of fluid. The fluid may include, for example, a plurality of solid beads suspended therein. The fluid may include a plurality of floating cells. The inlet may be configured to receive fluid at an inlet port. The inlet may be configured to discharge fluid through an opening that is in fluid communication with the flow path. The inlet may be configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of fluid over a substantial portion of the horizontal dimension of the flow path. The device may be configured to compensate for edge effects that would otherwise be present there.

[0029] Each of the plurality of beads may have a maximum dimension, for example, a width or diameter of from about 10 μm to about 160 μm.

[0030] Each of the plurality of floating cells may have a maximum dimension, for example, a width or diameter of from about 10 μm to about 50 μm.

[0031] Approximately 150,000 sensors may be formed on the surface of the flow channel, or approximately 150,000 sensors may be formed in approximately 150,000 wells, and the wells may each be formed on the surface of the flow channel.

[0032] The base may include a parallel plate structure.

[0033] Also, the microfluidic device may be configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of fluid at a volumetric flow rate between about 1 μL / sec and about 500 μL / sec.

[0034] A method of fluid transport is provided. The method includes providing an inlet body that includes an inlet. The method includes providing a base that supports the inlet body, the base including a flow channel that is in fluid communication with the inlet. The method includes providing an outlet body that includes an outlet, the base supporting the outlet body, the outlet being in fluid communication with the flow channel. The method includes receiving a liquid at the inlet port of the inlet. The method includes discharging the fluid through an opening of the inlet that is in fluid communication with the flow channel. The method includes providing, with the inlet, a substantially uniform flow of fluid over a substantial portion of the horizontal dimension of the flow channel.

[0035] The method may include providing, with the inlet, the flow channel, and the outlet, a substantially uniform flow of fluid over a substantial portion of the horizontal plane of the flow channel.

[0036] The base may include a parallel plate structure.

[0037] The method may include providing, with the inlet, the flow channel, and the outlet, a substantially uniform flow of fluid at a volumetric flow rate between about 1 μL / sec and about 500 μL / sec.

[0038] A device for fluid transportation is provided. The device includes an inlet body including an inlet. The device includes a base supporting the inlet body, and the base includes a flow path in fluid communication with the inlet. The inlet is configured to receive fluid at an inlet port. The inlet is configured to discharge fluid through an opening in fluid communication with the flow path. The inlet is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of fluid over a substantial portion of at least one dimension of the flow path.

[0039] A microfluidic system for fluid transportation is provided. The microfluidic system includes a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device includes an inlet body including an inlet. The microfluidic device includes a base supporting the inlet body. The base includes a flow path in fluid communication with the inlet. The base includes one or more sensors formed on a surface of the flow path, or one or more sensors formed in one or more wells formed on a surface of the flow path. The flow path is configured to facilitate the flow of fluid. The fluid includes a plurality of beads. The fluid includes a plurality of floating cells. The inlet is configured to receive fluid at an inlet port. The inlet is configured to discharge fluid through an opening in fluid communication with the flow path. The inlet is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of fluid over a substantial portion of a horizontal dimension of the flow path. The device is configured to compensate for edge effects that would otherwise be present there.

[0040] These and other features of the disclosed subject matter will be more fully understood after consideration of the following figures, detailed description, and claims.

[0041] These and other features will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when interpreted in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0042]

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[0043] Note that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to show only typical aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and should not, therefore, be regarded as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the structures, systems, devices, and methods specifically described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims.

[0044] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a multi-channel microfluidic device 700. The multi-channel microfluidic device 700 includes an inlet body 705, a base 750, an outlet body 795, a plurality of inlets, namely 800a, 800b, 800... 800n, a plurality of outlets, namely 800a', 800b', 800'... 800n', and a plurality of flow channels 890 in the base 750, each flow channel corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of inlets 800 and outlets 800'. The implementation of the plurality of inlets 800 and outlets 800' (or branched channels) can pose challenges in applications where the flow channels are not defined by a monolith (e.g., a silicone elastomer mold adhered to glass), which is common in a laboratory setting. Further, the plurality of inlets 800 and the plurality of outlets 800 can require a significant portion of the total area of the device available for an assay. Division between flow channels can result in loss of surface space and different flow velocities from the center to the edge of each flow channel.

[0045] FIG. 21 is a contour plot top - view highlighting the velocity of a fluid (e.g., water) flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 1000 μL / sec (about 1 mL / sec) in the XZ plane of the flow channel 1090 of a wide single - channel microfluidic device 900. The single - channel microfluidic device 900 includes an inlet body 905, a base 950, an outlet body 995, a single inlet 1000 within the inlet body 905, a single outlet 1000' within the outlet body 995, and a flow channel 1090 within the base 950. The single inlet 1000 is connected to the flow channel 1090, and the flow channel 1090 is connected to the single outlet 1000'. The single inlet 1000, the flow channel 1090, and the single outlet 1000' enable fluid to flow through the single - channel microfluidic device 900. As used throughout this specification, unless otherwise specified, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, at the approximate center 1095 of the flow channel 1090, the X - direction corresponds to the width of the device (up and down the page), the Y - direction corresponds to the height of the device (in and out of the page), and the Z - direction corresponds to the main direction of flow (left to right across the page). The approximate center 1095 occurs within the XZ plane of the flow channel 1090.

[0046] Generally, fluid enters the single - channel microfluidic device 900 via the single inlet 1000, descends mainly in the negative Y - direction in the flow channel 1090, flows generally across the flow channel 1090 in the Z - direction, flows to the single outlet 1000', and rises mainly in the Y - direction out of the single - channel microfluidic device 900. However, due to the single inlet 1000 and the single outlet 1000', a significant portion of the fluid propagates in the positive and negative X - directions, especially near the single inlet 1000 and the single outlet 1000'. Using the single inlet 1000 and the single outlet 1000' results in a non - uniform velocity profile of the fluid flowing through the flow channel 1090.

[0047] In this example, when the volumetric flow rate is set to approximately 1 mL / second (the approximate volume occupied by the assay flow path, i.e., approximately 0.675 mL per second), the velocity in the Z - direction of the fluid below or near the single inlet 1000 and the single outlet 1000' is relatively high, i.e., on the order of approximately 0.4444 mm / second (displayed as "4.444444e - 01") to approximately 0.5000 mm / second (displayed as "5.000000e - 01"). On the other hand, the velocity in the Z - direction of the fluid along the edge of the flow path 1090 is relatively low, i.e., on the order of approximately 0.0000 mm / second to approximately 0.05556 mm / second. The velocity in the Z - direction of the fluid within the single inlet 1000 and the single outlet 1000' in the flow path 1090 varies, as shown, from an order of approximately 0.0000 mm / second to approximately 0.5000 mm / second, with various increments in between, i.e., approximately 0.05556 mm / second, approximately 0.1111 mm / second, approximately 0.1667 mm / second, approximately 0.2222 mm / second, approximately 0.2778 mm / second, approximately 0.3333 mm / second, approximately 0.3889 mm / second, and approximately 0.4444 mm / second. The velocity in the Z - direction of the fluid near the center 1095 of the flow path 1090 is on the order of approximately 0.05556 mm / second to approximately 0.1111 mm / second. Although a device with such a design can be used for fluid analysis, especially when the analysis is sensitive to flow rate, shear, or media exchange, the effectively usable area of the flow path 1090 significantly decreases. Also, if sensors are provided near the periphery of the flow path 1090 or near the single inlet 1000 or the single outlet 1000', the accuracy of the sensors of the single - flow - path microfluidic device 900 decreases due to the non - uniform velocity in the Z - direction. Further, even if sensors are provided only in the region of the flow path 1090 where the velocity in the Z - direction is on the order of approximately 0.05556 mm / second to approximately 0.1111 mm / second, the velocity in the Z - direction may be relatively non - uniform within the region, resulting in a decrease in the accuracy of the sensors of the single - flow - path microfluidic device 900. The relatively high velocity (and shear stress) at the inlet may, when used in an assay, destroy living cells.

[0048] A microfluidic device is provided that includes an inlet and an outlet. The microfluidic device may be configured to minimize an unused potential active sensor area, maximize a uniform flow area in the active sensor area, cancel out frictional effects at the periphery of the flow path in the active sensor area, and / or modify the flow through the inlet and outlet structures to promote a uniform flow in the flow path of the active sensor area.

[0049] Each of the inlet and the outlet may form an opening for a fluid flow that is mainly vertical in the Y direction. Each of the inlet and the outlet may be connected to respective ends of the flow path for a fluid flow that is mainly horizontal in the Z direction. The flow path may be constituted by sensors and / or wells for analysis. The device according to the present disclosure can be applied to a flow path having one or more sensors below one or more wells and / or having one or more sensors on a relatively flat surface below and / or above the flow path. The conduits of the inlet and the outlet may have varying lengths in the Y direction (vertical direction in the YZ plane) and depths in the Z direction (horizontal direction in the XZ plane). The shape of the conduit of the inlet may be configured to impart a varying resistance (viscous resistance) to the fluid along the XY plane before entering the flow path. Similarly, the shape of the conduit of the outlet may be configured to vary the resistance to receive the fluid exiting the flow path at the lower part of the outlet along the width in the X direction. Each of the shapes of the inlet and the outlet may be configured to minimize the change in the planar (Z direction) velocity profile when entering the flow path of the device. The shape of the inlet may be configured to smooth the planar velocity profile of the fluid. The shape of the inlet may be configured to produce a substantially uniform shear stress on the planar walls and surfaces of the flow path under laminar flow conditions. Various exemplary embodiments of the microfluidic device can avoid the need for bifurcating channels provided to make the fluid flow uniform across the width of the flow path, together with the developed microfluidic device.

[0050] Furthermore, the relatively short length of the inlets (in the Y direction) with respect to the flow channels may be configured to minimize sedimentation of particles (e.g., beads and cells) at the inlets under a sufficiently fast laminar flow velocity. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the beads may have a maximum dimension of from about 25 μm to about 50 μm, and the floating cells may have a maximum dimension of from about 10 μm to about 30 μm.

[0051] Furthermore, the shapes of the inlets and outlets of the present microfluidic device may be configured to facilitate efficient manufacturability. The shapes of the inlets and outlets may be configured to generate a positive draft in cavities that provide a varying resistance along the XY plane. The shapes of the conduits of the inlets and outlets may be configured to facilitate large-scale manufacturing by injection molding. The inlets and outlets may be formed by injection molding. The inlets and outlets may be formed as a separate top piece or piece from the flow channels. Alternatively, the inlets and outlets may be formed together with a base or substrate surrounding the flow channels. The inlets, outlets, and flow channels therebetween may be integrally formed by injection molding.

[0052] In one exemplary embodiment, a single-channel microfluidic device may include a relatively large sensor area within the channel, a single inlet and a single outlet (as opposed to multiple inlets and outlets), a relatively small footprint with respect to the sensor area, and a single inlet and a single outlet each having a relatively uniform flow along the width (X direction) of the channel. As described above, in some previously developed designs, a branched channel network was used to make the planar velocity profile uniform, which occupies a relatively large portion of the entire plane and is essentially difficult to manufacture. In addition, the height of the developed inlets and outlets is almost fixed to the height of the channel and relatively short, so that in regions where the flow velocity is relatively slow, heavy particles (such as beads or cells) may undesirably settle at the inlets and outlets of the developed devices. On the other hand, the length of the inlets and outlets (in the Y direction) according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be approximately one order of magnitude longer than the height of the channel, and the length of the inlets and outlets (in the Y direction) corresponds to the moving direction of the precipitate in the liquid. Further, the shape of the conduits of the inlets and outlets of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is configured to generate sufficient flow throughout the inlets and outlets, so that the particles remain in suspension and reach a channel with a sufficiently high surface shear to promote the flow of the particles through the device.

[0053] As described above, in a certain developed microfluidic device, the distance in the Z direction between the inlet structure and the outlet structure and the sensor area is on the order of about 12 mm, and only about 50,000 wells are provided in the sensor area. On the other hand, the relatively small footprint of the inlets and outlets of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure allows substantially more wells, for example, about 150,000 wells and / or about 150,000 sensors, to be provided in a sensor area of equivalent size.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, it may be a parallel plate microfluidic flow path. In order to quantify the attributes of the flow passing through the flow path, the following flow equation can be used. The volumetric flow rate of the parallel plate microfluidic flow path can be expressed as in Equation (1) below.

[0055]

Number

[0056] In this equation, h = height (Y direction), w = width (X direction), L = length (Z direction), μ = viscosity, ΔP = pressure difference, R = resistance, and Q = volumetric flow rate. Note that in the parallel plate structure, the lateral width (in the X direction) is significantly larger than the longitudinal width (in the Y direction), that is, w >> h.

[0057] The flow principle of the parallel plate microfluidic flow path can be expressed as in Equation (2) below.

[0058]

Number

[0059] The relationship of the flow resistance (or viscous resistance) of the parallel microfluidic plate flow path can be expressed as in Equation (3) below.

[0060]

Number

[0061] That is, the resistance strongly depends on the length (in the Y direction). Specifically, the resistance is inversely proportional to the cube of the length (in the Y direction).

[0062] Any structure that meets the functions and objectives disclosed in this specification is included within the scope of the present disclosure. Exemplary embodiments that meet the functions and objectives disclosed herein are described in detail below, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The exemplary embodiments of this specification are directed to microfluidic applications, but the disclosed configurations can be scaled up or down to any appropriate size. Further, the exemplary embodiments of this specification can provide a uniform flow of fluid through and / or over the bed structure or horizontal structure of any device. For example, the exemplary embodiments of this specification can provide a uniform flow of fluid through and / or over a region for causing a catalytic reaction. In one exemplary embodiment, the device may be configured to facilitate a uniform fluid flow through and / or over a catalyst bed.

[0063] <Type α microfluidic device> FIG. 1 is a perspective wireframe view of a type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Note the rules used in this document. Reference numerals starting with an odd number (e.g., 100, 150, etc.) indicate structures, and reference numerals starting with an even number (e.g., 200, 290, etc.) indicate openings or apertures of the structures (this rule does not apply to process 1100). The type α microfluidic device 100 may include an inlet body 105, a base 150, and an outlet body 195. An inlet 200 may be formed in the inlet body 105. The inlet body 105 may be substantially similar to the outlet body 195. Alternatively, the inlet body 105 may have variations compared to the outlet body 195. The inlet body 105, the base 150, and the outlet body 195 may be integral or separate components. In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195 are compatible. In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet 200 and the outlet 200' are substantially identical and compatible, except that their orientations are reversed. The term "inlet" is not intended to be limiting, and in an exemplary embodiment, it may indicate the direction of fluid flow, and when the direction of fluid flow is reversed, the terms "inlet" and "outlet" may be reversed.

[0064] An outlet 200' may be formed in the outlet body 195. The inlet 200 may be substantially similar to the outlet 200'. Alternatively, the inlet 200 may have variations compared to the outlet 200'. A flow path 290 may be provided for fluid connection between the inlet 200 and the outlet 200. An inlet transition 285 may be provided between the lower opening of the inlet 200 and the inlet side of the flow path 290. An outlet transition 295 may be provided between the outlet side of the flow path 290 and the lower opening of the outlet 200'.

[0065] In one exemplary embodiment, for microfluidic applications, the flow channel has a parallel plate structure, and the height of the flow channel 290 in the Y direction may be uniform and may be on the order of about 0.05 mm to about 0.50 mm. The flow channel 290 may have a rectangular prism shape. Specifically, the height of the flow channel 290 in the Y direction may be on the order of about 0.25 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, the height of the flow channel 290 in the Y direction is reduced to minimize the volume consumption of the transport fluid passing through the device 100. In one exemplary embodiment, the height of the flow channel 290 in the Y direction is optimized in consideration of the shear stress on the surface of the flow channel 290. The shear stress on the surface of the flow channel 290 is a direct linear function of the height of the flow channel 290 at a constant pressure difference. For example, for beads having a maximum dimension of about 25 to 50 μm and floating cells having a maximum dimension of about 10 to 20 μm, when a fluid such as oil is introduced into a fluid (e.g., water) to separate well arrays, a flow channel height 290 of about 0.25 mm is observed to provide sufficient and desirable shear stress. In one exemplary embodiment, the width of the flow channel 290 in the X direction may be on the order of about 45.0 mm. In other exemplary embodiments, the width of the flow channel 290 in the X direction may be on the order of about 200 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, the ratio of the height of the flow channel 290 in the Y direction to the width of the flow channel 290 in the X direction may be about 1 to about 180. In one exemplary embodiment, the length of the flow channel 290 in the Z direction may be on the order of about 70 mm.

[0066] The inlet body 105, the base 150, the outlet body 195, the inlet 200, the inlet transition 285, the flow channel 290, the outlet transition 295, and the outlet 200' can be formed by injection molding or other suitable methods.

[0067] FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective wireframe view of the inlet body 105 and the inlet 200 of the type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Further, alternatively, the outlet body 195 and the outlet 200' can be implemented substantially similarly or identically to the inlet body 105 and the inlet 200, respectively. The inlet 200 may be configured to convert the flow of fluid through the inlet 200 from the inlet of the inlet 200 (e.g., port 205, an example described below) to the outlet of the inlet 200 (e.g., opening 240, an example described below). Specifically, the inlet 200 may be configured to convert the flow of fluid at the inlet of the inlet 200 (e.g., port 205) to a substantially uniform flow at the outlet of the inlet 200 (e.g., opening 240). As used herein, the term "substantially uniform" flow can be used to refer to a fluid flow within a range defined, for example, as about 10% of the maximum observed value in a given region of the device in a given test. Non-limiting examples of substantially uniform flow are described below. For clarity, the simulation represents the velocity on a 10-step scale and suppresses the resolution of uniformity within 10%.

[0068] Conversely, the outlet 200' may be configured to convert the flow of fluid through the outlet 200' from the inlet of the outlet 200' (e.g., opening 240) to the outlet of the outlet 200' (e.g., port 205). Specifically, the outlet 200' may be configured to convert a substantially uniform flow of fluid at the inlet of the outlet 200' (e.g., opening 240) to a flow suitable for the fluid exiting the outlet 200' (e.g., port 205).

[0069] Thus, the inlet 200 is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of fluid when the fluid enters the flow path 290. The substantially uniform flow into the flow path 290 improves the accuracy of the sensors connected to the device 100 and / or the throughput of the fluid passing through the device 100.

[0070] For example, as demonstrated on the left side of FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5-9 (especially FIGS. 5-9) described later, as represented by the dashed arrows in FIG. 2, the fluid velocity is indicated by the dashed line, and the fluid velocity at the end of each vector at the inlet 200 is substantially the same at substantially all points along the inlet 200 in the X direction. As the depth in the Z direction of each of the conduits of the inlet and outlet gradually increases towards the edge along the X direction from the upper inlet port, the inlet and outlet open up to the respective edges of the inlet and outlet, resulting in a significant reduction in cross-sectional resistance. At this time, the inversely proportional resistance contributed by the depth is made to balance the linear resistance contributed by any path length from the inlet port to the lower part of the inlet (see Equation 3). For example, in the case of the structure being the inlet 200, the cumulative resistance of the flow path from the port 205 (e.g., as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2) is equal to or close to the cumulative resistance of the flow paths at the opening 240 at the lower part of the inlet 200. The velocities of these flow paths at the lower part of the inlet are also equally uniform.

[0071] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, one side of the inlet 200 may be substantially flat (substantially in the same plane as the XY plane), facing the flow path 290 and corresponding to the XY plane of the side of the inlet 200 facing the outlet 200'. Conversely, the outlet 200' may be substantially flat (substantially in the same plane as the XY plane), facing the flow path 290 and corresponding to the XY plane of the side of the outlet 200' facing the inlet 200.

[0072] Conversely, the outlet 200' is configured to receive a substantially uniform flow of fluid when the fluid exits from the flow path 290. The substantially uniform flow from the flow path 290 ensures the accuracy of the sensor connected to the device 100 and / or the throughput of the fluid passing through the device 100. For example, as shown on the right side of FIGS. 4-9 described later, the velocity of the fluid in the Z direction exiting the flow path 290 is substantially the same at substantially all points along the outlet 200' in the X direction.

[0073] The inlet 200 and / or the outlet 200' may include a port 205. The port 205 may have a depth 210 in the Z direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the depth 210 of the port 205 in the Z direction may range from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, and in some embodiments, may range between about 0.9 mm and about 1.0 mm. The port 205 may have a substantially linear edge (as shown in FIG. 1) or a non-linear edge (not shown). The port 205 may be composed of an open upper part (in the XZ plane), an open lower part (in the XZ plane), and four closed side surfaces (two each in the XY plane and the YZ plane).

[0074] As shown in FIG. 2, the port 205 may have a rectangular (including square) cross-section in one or more of the XY plane, YZ plane, and XZ plane. Other cross-sectional shapes in the XZ plane, such as circular or elliptical, are within the scope of the present disclosure (see, for example, FIG. 18).

[0075] The inlet 200 and / or the outlet 200' may include a tapered region 220. The tapered region 220 may be tapered in the Z direction. That is, when viewed from above (from the XZ plane), it is conceivable that the tapered region 220 has a relatively short depth in the Z direction near the port 205 and a relatively large depth in the Z direction near the inflection point 225. As shown in FIG. 2, when viewed from above (from the XZ plane), the tapered region 220 may be provided only on one side of the inlet 200, that is, the side facing away from the flow path 290. Conversely, when viewed from above (from the XZ plane), the tapered region 220 may be provided only on one side of the outlet 200', that is, the side facing away from the flow path 290. That is, the side of the inlet 200 or the outlet 200' facing the flow path 290 may not have a taper and may be relatively flat (substantially in the same plane as the XY plane). (See: The exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 11 to 15, FIG. 16A, and FIG. 16B have tapered sides for both the inlet 400 and the outlet 400'.)

[0076] The tapered region 220 may have a height 215 in the Y direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the height 215 in the Y direction is about 3.0 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the height 215 in the Y direction may be equal to about one-eighth of the distance from the center of the inlet 200 and / or the outlet 200' to the edge (235) such that the taper of the depth 235 in the Z direction gradually doubles. The inlet may be an essentially vertical flow path (or conduit).

[0077] The inflection point 225 may be provided between the tapered region 220 and the curved tapered region 230. The curved tapered region 230 may be curved in the Y direction and tapered in the Z direction. That is, when viewed from the side (from the XY plane), the curved tapered region 230 may start curving in the Y direction at the inflection point 225, and the curving in the Y direction may end at the end of the curved tapered region 230. Also, when viewed from above (from the XZ plane), the curved tapered region 230 may have a relatively short depth in the Z direction at the inflection point 225, and a relatively large depth 235 in the Z direction at the end of the curved tapered region 230. In an exemplary embodiment, the depth 235 in the Z direction at the end of the curved tapered region 230 may be in the range of about 1.0 mm to about 3.0 mm, and in an embodiment, may be in the range of about 1.8 mm to about 2.0 mm.

[0078] The total volume of the microfluidic device 100 of type α may be about 1,168 μL, the volume of the flow path 290 may be about 742.5 μL, the volume of the inlet 200 or the outlet 200' may be about 212.75 μL, and the volume of the inlet 200 and the outlet 200' may be about 425.5 μL. Thus, the ratio of the volume of the inlet 200 and the outlet 200' to the total volume of the microfluidic device 100 of type α may be about 36.43%.

[0079] The curved taper region 230 may be a dead volume region (or vortex formation region) having a relatively slow flow rate and may be minimized for complete medium exchanges. In certain exemplary embodiments, relatively sharp 90° intersections of adjacent surfaces can be avoided with chamfers and / or curved intersections (not shown).

[0080] In certain exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the depth in the Z direction may vary linearly, for example, from about 0.75 mm near port 205 to about 1.5 mm at the end, from about 0.9 mm near port 205 to about 1.8 mm at the end, from about 1.0 mm near port 205 to about 2.0 mm at the end, or from about 1.5 mm near port 205 to about 3.0 mm at the end. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, for example, by varying the depth at a ratio of 1:2, the inverse resistance contributed by the depth changes by 8 (i.e., 2 3 ) only, thereby balancing the linear resistance contributed by the change in length (~8), for example, from about 3.0 mm to about 24.0 mm, from the center of the inlet port to the bottom of the inlet edge (see, e.g., Equation 3). The inlet port 200 and the outlet port 200' may have one or more substantially straight edges, for example, as shown in FIG. 2. In certain exemplary embodiments, the depth in the Z direction may increase from port 205 to the end (depth 235). The inlet port 200 and the outlet port 200' may have one or more curved edges (not shown). Alternatively, in certain exemplary embodiments, the depth in the Z direction is substantially constant from the port to the end (e.g., not tapered) and may have substantially straight edges (see, FIG. 17).

[0081] In one exemplary embodiment, the taper from a depth 210 of about 1.0 mm to a depth 235 of about 2.0 mm (or from about 0.75 mm to about 1.5 mm, or from about 0.9 mm to about 1.8 mm, or from about 1.5 mm to about 3.0 mm) may be linear. The linear taper is sufficient to balance the flow resistance between the center of port 205 and any point along the opening 240. The length of the fluid flow path (the dashed line in FIG. 2) generally varies from about 3.0 mm of port 205 to about 24.0 mm between port 205 and the end (depth 235) (e.g., eight times the length from the center to the end), and the resistance contributed by each length increases eightfold. To balance the resistance, a taper with a depth twice that from the center of port 205 to depth 235 is applied to effectively reduce the resistance contributed by the depth by eight times (2 3 ). In other exemplary embodiments, in the case of a linear taper, since the resistance at the center is slightly lower than that at both ends (reaching the maximum velocity in the Z direction relatively quickly), the taper may be non-linear or curved. The linear taper can generate a sufficiently uniform velocity at the inlet of the assay flow path 290. In one exemplary embodiment, the opening 240 has a depth in the range of between about 1.5 mm and about 3.0 mm, about 2.0 mm, greater than about 2.0 mm, or less than about 2.0 mm in the Z direction.

[0082] The opening 240 may be formed on the bottom surface of the inlet body 105 or on the bottom surface of the outlet body 195. That is, the opening 240 may be formed to provide fluid communication between the inside of the inlet 200 and the inlet transition 285, or on the opposite side of the device, to provide fluid communication between the outlet transition 295 and the inside of the outlet 200'. The inlet transition 285 and / or the outlet transition may have a substantially linear shape or other suitable shape. The inlet transition 285 and / or the outlet transition 295 may have a substantially linear edge (as shown in FIG. 1) or a non-linear edge (not shown).

[0083] The inlet transition 285 may function to change the main direction of the fluid flow from a substantially vertical direction in the Y - direction and a substantially horizontal direction in the X - direction after exiting the inlet 200 to a substantially horizontal direction in the Z - direction before entering the flow path 290. Conversely, the outlet transition 295 may function to change the main direction of the fluid flow from a substantially horizontal direction in the Z - direction of the flow path 290 to a substantially vertical direction in the Y - direction and a substantially horizontal direction in the X - direction before entering the outlet 200'.

[0084] FIG. 3 is a perspective wire - frame view highlighting the fluid flow regions at the inlet 200, inlet transition 285, flow path 290, and outlet transition 295 of the type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The solid - line shape in FIG. 3 starts on the left side of FIG. 3, enters through port 205 of the inlet 200, flows down (Y - direction) through port 205, flows down (Y - direction) and outward or laterally (both in the X - direction) within the inlet 200, exits through the opening 240 at the lower part of the inlet 200, enters the inlet transition 285, changes direction to flow right (Z - direction) before entering the inlet transition 285, enters the flow path 290, flows from left to right (Z - direction) through the flow path 290, exits the outlet transition 295, changes direction to flow upward toward the opening 240 at the lower part of the outlet 200', flows upward (Y - direction) and inward (both in the X - direction) toward port 205, flows upward through port 205, and exits from the upper part of port 205, representing the fluid flow region. It should be understood that although the main direction of the fluid flow described herein is from left to right, the inlet and outlet may be reversed so that the fluid flows from right to left.

[0085] Table 1 summarizes the velocity investigation results of various exemplary embodiments of the microfluidic device of the present disclosure.

[0086]

Table 1

[0087] Figure 4A is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of a fluid (e.g., water) flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 0.1 μL / second in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 285, flow channel 290, and outlet transition 295 of a type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. In one exemplary embodiment, the velocity of the fluid can be measured at a point approximately midway between the upper and lower inner surfaces of the flow channel 290. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5 - 10, 14, 15, 16A, 16B, 17, 24 - 30, the height of the flow channel 290 in the Y direction is approximately 0.25 mm, and the velocity of the fluid is measured approximately 0.125 mm below the upper inner surface of the flow channel 290 or approximately 0.125 mm above the lower inner surface of the flow channel 290. At relatively low flow rates as shown in FIG. 4A, the viscous effects of water may become more prominent, and minor edge effects are observed. The upper limit of this exemplary design may be constrained by laminar flow limitations. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4A, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow channel 290 varies from approximately 0.0000 mm / second to approximately 0.009893 mm / second in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow channel 290 that is directly below the inlet body 105, and the region where the velocity changes is substantially contained within the region below the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow channel 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from approximately 0.009893 mm / second to approximately 0.0000 mm / second in the region of the flow channel 290 and the outlet transition 295 that is directly below the outlet body 195, and the region where the velocity changes is substantially contained within the region below the outlet body 195. Conversely, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of substantially all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow channel 290, when measured at a height in the Y direction approximately midway between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow channel 290, is within a relatively narrow range, i.e., from approximately 0.008793 mm / second to approximately 0.009893 mm / second. However, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4A, in the regions 291 of the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located at the four corners of the flow channel 290 and between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity in the Z direction is from approximately 0.007694 mm / second to approximately 0.008793 mm / second.That is, the velocity of substantially all the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 is substantially uniform. The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above exemplary configuration of the inlet 200 and the above configuration of the outlet 200'.

[0088] In one exemplary embodiment, a first ratio of the cross-sectional area of port 205 (i.e., X dimension × Z dimension) to the cross-sectional area of the inlet of flow path 290 (i.e., X dimension × Y dimension) is from about 2.0 (e.g., 1.0 mm × 2.0 mm) to about 15.0 (e.g., 0.25 mm × 60.0 mm) or from about 1.0 to about 7.5. In one exemplary embodiment, a second ratio of the cross-sectional area of port 205 (i.e., X dimension × Z dimension) to the cross-sectional area of opening 240 (i.e., X dimension × Z dimension) is from about 2.0 (e.g., 1.0 mm × 2.0 mm) to about 100.0 (2.0 mm × 50.0 mm) or from about 1.0 to about 50.0. In one exemplary embodiment, a third ratio of the cross-sectional area of opening 240 (i.e., X dimension × Z dimension) to the cross-sectional area of the inlet of flow path 290 (i.e., X dimension × Y dimension) is from about 100.0 (2.0 mm × 50.0 mm) to about 15.0 (e.g., 0.25 mm × 60.0 mm) or from about 6.67 to about 1.00. In one exemplary embodiment, a fourth ratio of the depth 210 of port 205 to the depth 235 of the end of inlet 200 or outlet 200' is from about 1.0 to about 2.0. In one exemplary embodiment, a fifth ratio of the depth 210 of port 205 to the depth 235 of the end of inlet 200 or outlet 200' to the height 215 of port 205 or in the vicinity thereof is from about 1.0 to about 2.0 to about 3.0. In one exemplary embodiment, a sixth ratio of the height of flow path 290 to the depth 210 of port 205 to the depth 235 of the end of inlet 200 or outlet 200' to the height 215 of port 205 or in the vicinity thereof is from about 0.25 to about 1.0 to about 2.0 to about 3.0, or from about 1.0 to about 4.0 to about 8.0 to about 12.0. In one exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape on one or both sides of inlet 200 or outlet 200' in the XZ plane is a bowtie shape, i.e., similar to an article of clothing worn around the neck known as a bowtie, or a Venturi shape. In one exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of inlet 200 or outlet 200' in the XY plane is an arcuate shape, i.e., similar to the bow of an arrow, or a bracket shape, i.e., similar to an open parenthesis ("{") or a closed parenthesis ("}").

[0089] FIG. 4B is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of a fluid (e.g., water) flowing at a volumetric flow rate of about 1 μL / sec in the XZ plane of the inlet transition, flow channel, and outlet transition of a type α microfluidic device according to an exemplary embodiment. That is, the volumetric flow rate of the trial illustrated in FIG. 4B is about 10 times greater than the volumetric flow rate used in the trial illustrated in FIG. 4A.

[0090] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4B, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 varies from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 0.09886 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly below the inlet body 105, and this region where the velocity changes is substantially included in the region below the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 0.09886 mm / sec to about 0.0000 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly below the outlet body 195, and this region where the velocity changes is substantially included in the region below the outlet body 195. Conversely, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of substantially all or all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the Y direction approximately midway between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, is from about 0.08788 mm / sec to about 0.09886 mm / sec. Different from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4A, in FIG. 4B, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100, at a height in the Z direction about 0.125 mm above the bottom surface of the flow path 290, the velocity of all the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 is substantially uniform, that is, between about 0.08788 mm / sec and about 0.09886 mm / sec, including the region along the side edge of the flow path 290. That is, in the microfluidic device 100 of type α, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 is substantially uniform at 0.1 μL / sec (see the change along the side edge in the region 291 of FIG. 4A), while the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 is substantially uniform at 1 μL / sec (see FIGS. 4A and 4B), so the change in volumetric flow rate is significant from about 0.1 μL / sec (FIG. 4A) to about 1 μL / sec (FIG. 4B). The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above-described exemplary configurations of the inlet 200 and the outlet 200'.

[0091] FIG. 5 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of about 10 μL / sec in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 285, flow channel 290, and outlet transition 295 of the type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. That is, the volumetric flow rate of the trial illustrated in FIG. 5 is approximately 10 times greater than the volumetric flow rate used in the trial illustrated in FIG. 4B.

[0092] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow channel 290 varies from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 1.000 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow channel 290 that is directly disposed under the inlet body 105, and this region where the velocity changes is substantially included in the region under the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow channel 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 1.000 mm / sec to about 0.0000 mm / sec in the region of the flow channel 290 and the outlet transition 295 that is directly disposed under the outlet body 195, and this region where the velocity changes is substantially included in the region under the outlet body 195. Conversely, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of substantially all or all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow channel 290 is from about 0.9025 mm / sec to about 1.000 mm / sec when measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately intermediate between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow channel 290. The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above-described exemplary configuration of the inlet 200 and the above-described configuration of the outlet 200'.

[0093] Figure 6 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 100 μL / second in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 285, flow channel 290, and outlet transition 295 of the type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. That is, the volumetric flow rate of the trial illustrated in Figure 6 is approximately 10 times greater than the volumetric flow rate used in the trial illustrated in Figure 5. Similar to the exemplary embodiment of Figure 5, in Figure 6, at the height in the Z direction approximately 0.125 mm above the bottom surface of the flow channel 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100, the velocity of all fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow channel 290 is substantially uniform, that is, between approximately 9.000 mm / second and approximately 10.00 mm / second, including the region along the side edges of the flow channel 290.

[0094] Figure 7 is a perspective wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 100 μL / second in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 285, flow channel 290, and outlet transition 295 of the type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The difference between Figure 6 and Figure 7 is only the perspective.

[0095] Figure 8 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 500 μL / second in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 285, flow channel 290, and outlet transition 295 of the type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. That is, the volumetric flow rate of the trial illustrated in Figure 8 is approximately 5 times greater than the volumetric flow rate used in the trials illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. Similar to the exemplary embodiments of Figures 4B and 5 - 7, in Figure 8, at the height in the Z direction approximately 0.125 mm above the bottom surface of the flow channel 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100, the velocity of all fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow channel 290 is substantially uniform, that is, between approximately 47.00 mm / second and approximately 52.00 mm / second, including the region along the side edges of the flow channel 290.

[0096] FIG. 9 is a planar wireframe diagram emphasizing the velocity of fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 1,000 μL / second (or approximately 1 mL / second) in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 285, flow path 290, and outlet transition 295 of the type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. That is, the volumetric flow rate of the trial illustrated in FIG. 9 is approximately twice as large as the volumetric flow rate used in the trial illustrated in FIG. 8. In FIG. 9, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100, at a height in the Z direction approximately 0.125 mm above the bottom surface of the flow path 290, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 cannot be said to be substantially uniform (less uniform than the trial illustrated in FIG. 4A). On the left side of FIG. 9, below the inlet body 105, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 varies relatively greatly. That is, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the device 100 is between approximately 0.0000 mm / second and approximately 110.0 mm / second below the inlet body 105, between approximately 86.00 mm / second and approximately 110.0 mm / second in the flow path 290, and between approximately 110.0 mm / second and approximately 24.00 mm / second below the outlet body 195. The highest velocity is observed in an irregular and generally elliptical region (as seen in FIG. 9) extending from a point on the right side of the port 205 of the inlet 200 to a point on the left side of the port 205 of the outlet 200’, and the lowest velocity is observed on the left side of FIG. 9 in two zones on both sides of the port 205 of the inlet 200. Within the flow path 290, as shown in FIG. 9, the highest velocity is observed at the center of the flow path 290. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, at the four corners of the flow path 290, along the side edges of the region 291 of the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity in the Z direction is from approximately 86.00 mm / second to approximately 98.00 mm / second, which is smaller than that shown in the irregular and generally elliptical region.

[0097] FIG. 10 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 5,000 μL / second (or approximately 5 mL / second) in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 285, flow channel 290, and outlet transition 295 of a type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. That is, the volumetric flow rate of the trial illustrated in FIG. 10 is approximately five times greater than the volumetric flow rate used in the trial illustrated in FIG. 9. Different from the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 4B and 5 - 8, in FIG. 10, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100, at a height in the Z - direction approximately 0.125 mm above the bottom surface of the flow channel 290, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z - direction of the flow channel 290 cannot be said to be substantially uniform (less uniform than the trial illustrated in FIG. 4A). On the left side of FIG. 10, below the inlet body 105, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z - direction of the flow channel 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 varies relatively greatly. That is, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z - direction of the device 100 is between approximately 0.0000 mm / second and approximately 733.0 mm / second below the inlet body 105, between approximately 326.0 mm / second and approximately 652.0 mm / second in the flow channel 290, and between approximately 163.0 mm / second and approximately 652.0 mm / second below the outlet body 195. The highest velocity is observed near the port 205 of the inlet 200, and the lowest velocity is observed on the left side of FIG. 10 in two zones on both sides of the port 205 of the inlet 200. In the flow channel 290, as shown in FIG. 10, the highest velocity is observed on both sides of the port 205 of the inlet 200, and a locally relatively slow spot occurs in the flow channel 290 immediately to the right (in the Z - direction) of the port 205 of the inlet 200.

[0098] FIG. 22A is a cross-section in the XY plane passing through a flow path 290 about 3.0 mm in the Z direction to a port 205 of an inlet 200 of a device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Note that the structure of the port 205 and the inlet 200 is shown for reference and does not constitute a part of the XY plane in the cross-section. At the lower part of FIG. 22A, the velocity of a fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 at a volumetric flow rate of about 100 μL / sec in the XZ plane is shown. FIG. 22B includes an enlarged view of the central part at the lower part of FIG. 22A. FIG. 22B shows a parabolic velocity profile in which the maximum velocity exists at the center of the plane where all measurements of the planar velocity in the Z direction are made, that is, at a position about 0.125 mm from the lower part of the flow path 290. FIGS. 22A and 22B show that, as shown in FIG. 23, the velocity in the Z direction at about 3.0 mm in the Z direction to the flow path 290 is more uniform compared to the case of about 1.0 mm in the Z direction to the flow path 290. In FIGS. 22A and 22B, the velocity in the Z direction at about 3.0 mm in the Z direction to the flow path 290 varies from a minimum velocity of about 6 mm / sec to about 7 mm / sec adjacent to the upper and lower edges of the flow path 290 to a maximum velocity of about 11 mm / sec to about 13 mm / sec at the midpoint in the Y direction of the flow path, that is, at about 0.125 mm from the lower part of the flow path.

[0099] FIG. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the XY plane passing through the left side of the distal end of the flow path 290, about 1.0 mm in the Z direction, with respect to the port 205 of the inlet 200 of the device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, i.e., a cross-section closer to the inlet 200 than the cross-sections of FIGS. 22A and 22B. Only one side (the minus X direction side) of the flow path 290 of the device 100 is shown. The fluid flows at a volumetric flow rate of about 100 μL / second in the XZ plane, and the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 is illustrated at the bottom of FIG. 23. FIG. 23 demonstrates, as shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, that the velocity in the Z direction is not uniform at 1.0 mm to the flow path 290 as compared to 3.0 mm in the Z direction to the flow path 290. Also, note that FIG. 23 demonstrates that the maximum velocity in the flow path 290 does not necessarily extend all the way to the edge of the flow path 290. The resolution of the analysis system used to generate FIG. 23 in the XY plane does not result in data and displays related to the relatively slow velocities near the edge of the flow path in all of the XZ plane velocity profiles presented herein. To the extent that FIG. 23 might suggest that a relatively high velocity (on the order of 13 mm / second) extends all the way, or almost all the way, to the edge of the flow path 290, this may be an artifact of the resolution of the analysis system used to generate FIG. 23. It is generally known in this structure that relatively slow velocities occur at about half the order of the height of the flow path 290, i.e., within about 0.000 mm to about 0.125 mm in the X direction from the edge of the flow path, relatively close to the edge of the flow path 290. As suggested by the extension of the velocity of about 11.00 mm / second to about 13.00 mm / second on the left side of FIG. 23, in reality, the maximum velocity will not physically reach the edge of the flow path 290. That is, it is reasonably expected that the left and right side edges of the flow path 290 will have a stepwise velocity profile similar to the upper and lower ends of the flow path 290.

[0100] Furthermore, FIG. 23 shows that the most uniform velocity in the flow channel 290 continues to occur at approximately the middle in the Y direction of the flow channel 290. For example, when the flow channel 290 has a length of approximately 0.250 mm in the Y direction, the most uniform velocity occurs at approximately 0.125 mm from the lower part of the flow channel 290 within the Y direction. On the right side of FIG. 23B, the main velocity in the Z direction is between approximately 6.000 mm / sec and approximately 13.00 mm / sec. On the other hand, at the leftmost side of FIG. 23B, in the portion corresponding to the side edge of the flow channel 290, the velocity in the Z direction is between approximately 6.000 mm / sec and approximately 11.00 mm / sec. Near the vertex of the flow channel 290, the velocity in the Z direction is between approximately 6.000 mm / sec and approximately 7.000 mm / sec. Near the lower part of the flow channel 290, the velocity in the Z direction is between approximately 4.000 mm / sec and approximately 6.000 mm / sec. That is, compared with the center of the flow channel 290, the variation in the velocity in the Z direction near the edge of the flow channel 290 is large.

[0101] FIGS. 24 to 28 and FIG. 30 are diagrams showing the velocity profiles in the XZ plane of a type α microfluidic device having a scaled-down (FIGS. 24 to 28) structure of the inlets 200 and outlets 200', and a type α microfluidic device having a scaled-up (FIG. 30) structure of the inlets 200 and outlets 200'. FIG. 29 shows another velocity profile in the XZ plane of a type α microfluidic device having a structure of full-scale (100%) inlets 200 and outlets 200' with a fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of 2,000 μL / sec (or approximately 2 mL / sec), that is, in order to analyze the full-scale (100%) inlets 200 and outlets 200', FIG. 29 can be viewed in sequence after FIG. 9 (approximately 1 mL / sec) and before FIG. 10 (approximately 5 mL / sec).

[0102] The terms "scaled-down", "scaled-up", "full-scale (100%)", etc. used in this section are intended to refer to the differences with respect to those in which the depth 210 of the port 205 in the type α microfluidic device of the structures of the inlet 200 and the outlet 200' is about 1.0 mm, and the depth 235 in the Z direction at the end of the curved taper region 230 is about 2.0 mm. The terms such as scaled-down, scaled-up, full-scale (100%) should not be interpreted qualitatively. That is, for example, the term "full-scale (100%)" is used for convenience to indicate a reference design compared with other designs. Also, the term "scale" and its variants (i.e., half-scale, 3 / 4 scale (75%), etc.) used in this specification may, in some embodiments, indicate changes in two dimensions of the inlet 200 and the outlet 200', i.e., for example, the depth 210 of the port 205 in the Z direction and the depth 235 in the Z direction at the end of the curved taper region 230. In FIGS. 24 to 28 and FIG. 30, except for the depth 210 and the depth 235, the other functions of the device 100 may be the same as those of the above-described full-scale (100%) version, for example, those of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0103] FIG. 24 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of a fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 100 μL / sec in the XZ plane of the inlet transition, flow path, and outlet transition of a type α microfluidic device 100 having half-scale (50%) inlets 200 / outlets 200'. The depth 210 of the port 205 in the Z direction may be approximately 0.5 mm, and the depth 235 in the Z direction at the end of the curved taper region 230 may be approximately 1.0 mm. The total volume of the type α microfluidic device 100 may be approximately 967 μL, the volume of the flow path 290 may be approximately 742.5 μL, the volume of the inlet 200 or outlet 200' may be approximately 112.25 μL, and the volume of the inlets 200 and outlets 200' may be approximately 224.5 μL. Thus, the ratio of the volume of the inlets 200 and outlets 200' to the total volume of the type α microfluidic device 100 may be approximately 23.21%.

[0104] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 24, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 varies from about 4.000 mm / sec to about 11.00 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 that is directly disposed under the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 11.00 mm / sec to about 4.000 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 that is directly disposed under the outlet body 195. In the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, when the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 is measured at a height in the substantially middle Y direction between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, it varies from about 8.000 mm / sec to about 11.00 mm / sec. The peak velocities are from about 10.00 mm / sec to about 11.00 mm / sec and occur in two regions, one in a region relatively close to the port 205 of the inlet 200 and the other in a region relatively close to the port 205 of the outlet 200'. From the perspective of a substantially uniform velocity in the Z direction, at a volumetric flow rate of about 100 μL / sec, the half-scale (50%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' is not as ideal as the other scales at the same or similar volumetric flow rates.

[0105] FIG. 25 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of the fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of about 1 mL / sec in the XZ plane of the inlet transition, the flow path, and the outlet transition of the type α microfluidic device 100 having a half-scale (50%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' according to an exemplary embodiment. That is, the volumetric flow rate is about 10 times greater than in the case of the trial shown in FIG. 24. The design of the inlet 200 / outlet 200' of FIG. 25 is the same as the design of FIG. 24.

[0106] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 25, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 varies from about 43.00 mm / sec to about 128.0 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly below the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 128.0 mm / sec to about 43.00 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly below the outlet body 195. In the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 varies from about 71.00 mm / sec to about 114.0 mm / sec when measured at a height in the substantially middle Y direction between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290. The peak velocities are from about 114.0 mm / sec to about 128.0 mm / sec and occur in two regions, one in a region relatively close to the port 205 of the inlet 200 and the other in a region relatively close to the port 205 of the outlet 200'. From the perspective of a substantially uniform velocity in the Z direction, at a volumetric flow rate of about 1 mL / sec, the half-scale (50%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' is not as ideal as the other scales at the same or similar volumetric flow rates.

[0107] FIG. 26 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 100 μL / sec in the XZ plane of the inlet transition, flow path, and outlet transition of a type α microfluidic device having 3 / 4 scale (75%) inlets 200 / outlets 200'. The depth 210 of port 205 in the Z direction may be approximately 0.75 mm, and the depth 235 in the Z direction at the end of the curved taper region 230 may be approximately 1.5 mm. The total volume of the type α microfluidic device 100 may be approximately 1,067 μL, the volume of the flow path 290 may be approximately 742.5 μL, the volume of the inlet 200 or outlet 200' may be approximately 162.25 μL, and the volume of the inlet 200 and outlet 200' may be approximately 324.5 μL. Thus, the ratio of the volume of the inlets 200 and outlets 200' to the total volume of the type α microfluidic device 100 may be approximately 30.41%.

[0108] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 26, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 varies from about 4.000 mm / sec to about 10.00 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly below the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 10.00 mm / sec to about 4.000 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly below the outlet body 195. In the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, when the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 is measured at a height in the substantially middle Y direction between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, it varies from about 8.000 mm / sec to about 10.00 mm / sec. In the regions 291 of the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located at the four corners of the flow path 290 and between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity in the Z direction is from about 8.000 mm / sec to about 9.000 mm / sec. The peak velocity is from about 9.000 mm / sec to about 10.00 mm / sec and occurs in a substantial portion of the flow path 290, in the portion of the device 100 below the inlet body 105 and below the outlet body 195 adjacent to the flow path 290. From the perspective of a substantially uniform velocity in the Z direction, at a volumetric flow rate of about 100 μL / sec, the 3 / 4 scale (75%) inlets 200 / outlets 200' are closer to ideal than relatively smaller scale devices, but are not more ideal than other scales at the same or similar volumetric flow rates.

[0109] FIG. 27 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 100 μL / sec in the XZ plane of the inlet transition, flow path, and outlet transition of a type α microfluidic device having a 9 / 10 scale (90%) inlet 200 / outlet 200'. The depth 210 of port 205 in the Z direction may be approximately 0.9 mm, and the depth 235 in the Z direction at the end of the curved taper region 230 may be approximately 1.8 mm. The total volume of the type α microfluidic device 100 may be approximately 1,128 μL, the volume of the flow path 290 may be approximately 742.5 μL, the volume of the inlet 200 or outlet 200' may be approximately 192.75 μL, and the volume of the inlet 200 and outlet 200' may be approximately 385.5 μL. Thus, the ratio of the volume of the inlet 200 and outlet 200' to the total volume of the type α microfluidic device 100 may be approximately 34.18%.

[0110] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 27, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 varies from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 13.00 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly below the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 13.00 mm / sec to about 6.000 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly below the outlet body 195. That is, the velocity changes significantly at the transitions 285 and 295. On the other hand, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the substantially middle Y direction between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, varies from about 11.00 mm / sec to about 13.00 mm / sec. The peak velocity is from about 11.00 mm / sec to about 13.00 mm / sec and occurs over a significant portion or the entire flow path 290. From the perspective of a substantially uniform velocity in the Z direction, at a volumetric flow rate of about 100 μL / sec, 9 / 10 scale (90%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' is closer to the ideal than smaller scale devices and is comparable to devices designed with full scale (100%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' at the same or similar volumetric flow rates.

[0111] FIG. 28 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of the fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of about 1 mL / sec in the XZ plane of the inlet transition, flow path, and outlet transition of a type α microfluidic device 100 having a 9 / 10 scale (90%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' according to an exemplary embodiment. That is, the volumetric flow rate is about 10 times greater than in the case of the trial shown in FIG. 27.

[0112] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 28, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 varies from about 16.00 mm / sec to about 146.0 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly below the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 130.0 mm / sec to about 49.00 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly below the outlet body 195. In the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the Y direction substantially intermediate between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, varies from about 98.00 mm / sec to about 146.0 mm / sec. Over a significant portion of the flow path 290, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the Y direction substantially intermediate between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, varies from about 114.0 mm / sec to about 130.0 mm / sec. The peak velocity is from about 130.0 mm / sec to about 146.0 mm / sec and occurs in one region relatively close to the port 205 of the inlet 200. From the perspective of a substantially uniform velocity in the Z direction, at a volumetric flow rate of about 1 mL / sec, 9 / 10 scale (90%) inlets 200 / outlets 200' are not as ideal as other scales at the same or similar volumetric flow rates, but are substantially closer to ideal than many of the relatively smaller scale devices.

[0113] Figure 29 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 2 mL / second in the XZ plane of the inlet transition, flow path, and outlet transition of a type α microfluidic device 100 having a full-scale (100%) inlet 200 / outlet 200'. As detailed above, in the type α microfluidic device 100 having a full-scale (100%) inlet 200 / outlet 200', the depth 210 in the Z direction of the port 205 may be approximately 1.0 mm, and the depth 235 in the Z direction at the end of the curved taper region 230 may be approximately 2.0 mm.

[0114] In Figure 29, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the device 100 is between approximately 0.0000 mm / second and approximately 424.0 mm / second below the inlet body 105, between approximately 188.0 mm / second and approximately 282.0 mm / second in the flow path 290, and between approximately 47.00 mm / second and approximately 282.0 mm / second below the outlet body 195. The maximum velocity is between approximately 377.0 mm / second and approximately 424.0 mm / second and is observed near the port 205 of the inlet 200. The minimum velocity is between approximately 0.0000 mm / second and approximately 47.00 mm / second and is observed on the left side of Figure 29 in two zones on either side of the port 205 of the inlet 200. Within the flow path 290, the maximum velocity is observed in a region of irregular shape over a significant portion of the flow path 290 and has a velocity between approximately 235.0 mm / second and approximately 282.0 mm / second.

[0115] When viewing Fig. 29 in sequence after Fig. 9 (at approximately 1 mL / sec) and before Fig. 10 (at approximately 10 mL / sec), that is, including when viewing continuously from Fig. 4 to Fig. 10, the microfluidic device 100 of type α having full-scale (100%) inlets 200 / outlets 200’ shows a substantially uniform velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 at a height in the Y direction that is approximately intermediate between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, at a plurality of volumetric flow rates including 1 μL / sec (Fig. 4B), 10 μL / sec (Fig. 5), 100 μL / sec (Figs. 6 and 7), and 500 μL / sec (Fig. 8), in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195. Between a volumetric flow rate of 0.1 μL / sec (Fig. 4A) and a volumetric flow rate of 1 μL / sec (Fig. 4B), in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 where the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195 are located, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately intermediate between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, transitions from partially uniform to substantially uniform. Conversely, between a volumetric flow rate of 500 μL / sec (Fig. 8) and a volumetric flow rate of 1 mL / sec (Fig. 9), in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately intermediate between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, transitions from substantially uniform to partially uniform. Between a volumetric flow rate of 1 mL / sec (Fig. 9), a volumetric flow rate of 2 mL / sec (Fig. 29), and a volumetric flow rate of 5 mL / sec (Fig. 10), in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately intermediate between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, transitions from partially uniform to substantially non-uniform.That is, the microfluidic device 100 of type α having full-scale (100%) inlets 200 / outlets 200' exhibits a substantially uniform velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, at a height in the Y direction approximately midway between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, at a volumetric flow rate between about 0.5 μL / sec and about 750 μL / sec, more specifically, between about 1 μL / sec and about 500 μL / sec.

[0116] In the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the range of the maximum substantially uniform velocity in the Z direction of the flow path 290, between about 47.00 mm / sec and about 52.00 mm / sec, was achieved with the microfluidic device 100 of type α having full-scale (100%) inlets 200 / outlets 200' when the volumetric flow rate of the fluid was about 500 μL / sec (Figure 8). Also, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the range of the minimum substantially uniform velocity in the Z direction of the flow path 290, between about 0.08788 mm / sec and about 0.09886 mm / sec, was achieved with the microfluidic device 100 of type α having full-scale (100%) inlets 200 / outlets 200' when the volumetric flow rate of the fluid was about 1 μL / sec (Figure 4B).

[0117] FIG. 30 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of a fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 100 μL / sec in the XZ plane of the inlet transition, flow path, and outlet transition of a type α microfluidic device having a 3 / 2 scale (150%) inlet 200 / outlet 200'. In the type α microfluidic device 100 having a 3 / 2 scale (150%) inlet 200 / outlet 200', the depth 210 in the Z direction of port 205 may be approximately 1.5 mm, and the depth 235 in the Z direction at the end of the curved tapered region 230 may be approximately 3.0 mm. The total volume of the type α microfluidic device 100 having a 3 / 2 scale (150%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' may be approximately 1,370 μL, the volume of the flow path 290 may be approximately 742.5 μL, the volume of the inlet 200 or outlet 200' may be approximately 313.75 μL, and the volume of the inlet 200 and outlet 200' may be approximately 627.5 μL. Thus, the ratio of the volume of the inlet 200 and outlet 200' to the total volume of the type α microfluidic device 100 may be approximately 45.80%. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the velocity profile in the XZ plane for a type α microfluidic device having a 3 / 2 scale (150%) inlet 200 and outlet 200' structure with a fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 100 μL / sec.

[0118] Looking at FIGS. 30, 26, 27, and 6 in sequence, each of the type-α microfluidic devices 100 having a 9 / 10 scale (90%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' (FIG. 27), a full scale (100%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' (FIG. 6), and a 3 / 2 scale (150%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' (FIG. 30) shows a substantially uniform velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 at a volume flow rate of about 100 μL / sec when measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately intermediate between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195. Between the 3 / 4 scale (75%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' (FIG. 26) and the 9 / 10 scale (90%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' (FIG. 27), in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately intermediate between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, transitions from being partially non-uniform to being substantially or completely uniform. The type-α microfluidic device 100 having a 9 / 10 scale (90%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' (FIG. 27) shows a substantially uniform velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 in the range of about 11.00 mm / sec to about 13.00 mm / sec when measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately intermediate between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195 at a volume flow rate of about 100 μL / sec. The type-α microfluidic device 100 having a full scale (100%) inlet 200 / outlet 200' (FIG. 6) shows a substantially uniform velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 in the range of about 9.000 mm / sec to about 10.00 mm / sec when measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately intermediate between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195 at a volume flow rate of about 100 μL / sec.The microfluidic device 100 of type α having an inlet 200 / outlet 200’ (Fig. 30) with a 3 / 2 scale (150%) shows a substantially uniform velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 in the range of about 8,000 mm / s to about 10.00 mm / s when measured at a height in the substantially middle Y direction between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290 in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195 at a volumetric flow rate of about 100 μL / s.

[0119] In the trials related to FIGS. 31 - 38, the viscosity of the fluid is substantially greater than in the trials related to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5 - 10, 14, 15, 16A, 16B, 17, 22A, 22B, 23 - 30, 39, and 40. FIGS. 31 - 33 are plane wireframe diagrams highlighting the velocity of a fluid having a viscosity 100 times greater than water flowing at volumetric flow rates of approximately 1 μL / sec, approximately 10 μL / sec, and approximately 100 μL / sec, respectively, in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 285, flow path 290, and outlet transition 295 of the type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 34 - 38 are plane wireframe diagrams highlighting the velocity of a fluid having a viscosity 1000 times greater than water flowing at volumetric flow rates of approximately 0.1 μL / sec, approximately 100 μL / sec, approximately 2 mL / sec, approximately 5 mL / sec, and approximately 10 mL / sec, respectively, in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 285, flow path 290, and outlet transition 295 of the type α microfluidic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 31 - 36 show the ability of the type α microfluidic device 100 to produce a substantially uniform flow in the flow path 290 for fluids with viscosities substantially relatively high up to about 1000 times that of water and volumetric flow rates up to about 2 mL / sec. For comparison purposes, the trial related to FIG. 31 can be compared to the trial of FIG. 4B (about 1 μL / sec). The trial related to FIG. 32 can be compared to the trial of FIG. 5 (about 10 μL / sec). Each of the trials related to FIGS. 33 and 35 can be compared to each of the trials of FIGS. 6, 7, 22A, 22B, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 39, and 40 (about 100 μL / sec). The trial related to FIG. 34 can be compared to the trial of FIG. 4A (about 0.1 μL / sec). The trial related to FIG. 36 can be compared to the trial of FIG. 29 (about 2,000 μL / sec). And the trial related to FIG. 37 can be compared to the trial of FIG. 10 (about 5,000 μL / sec).

[0120] Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 31, the velocity of a fluid that flows at a volumetric flow rate of about 1 μL / sec and has a viscosity 100 times greater than that of water flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 varies from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 0.1226 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly below the inlet body 105. However, this region where the velocity varies is substantially included in the region below the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 0.1226 mm / sec to about 0.0000 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly below the outlet body 195. However, this region where the velocity varies is substantially included in the region below the outlet body 195. Conversely, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, when the velocity of substantially all the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 is measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately midway between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, it is within a relatively narrow range, that is, from about 0.1089 mm / sec to about 0.1226 mm / sec. However, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 31, in the region 291 of the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195 at the two corners of the flow path 290, the velocity in the Z direction is from about 0.09533 mm / sec to about 0.1089 mm / sec. That is, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100, the velocity of substantially all the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 is substantially uniform. The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above-described exemplary configurations of the inlet 200 and the outlet 200'.

[0121] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 32, the velocity of a fluid that flows at a volumetric flow rate of about 10 μL / sec and has a viscosity 100 times greater than that of water flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 varies from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 1.000 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly beneath the inlet body 105. However, this region where the velocity varies is substantially contained within the region beneath the inlet body 105. Similarly, in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction varies from about 1.000 mm / sec to about 0.0000 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly beneath the outlet body 195. However, this region where the velocity varies is substantially contained within the region beneath the outlet body 195. Conversely, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, when the velocity of substantially all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 is measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately midway between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, it is within a relatively narrow range, namely about 0.9812 mm / sec and about 1.000 mm / sec. However, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 32, in the region 291 of the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195 at the two corners of the flow path 290, the velocity in the Z direction is from about 0.8586 mm / sec to about 0.9812 mm / sec. That is, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100, the velocity of substantially all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 is substantially uniform. The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above-described exemplary configuration of the inlet 200 and the above-described configuration of the outlet 200'.

[0122] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 33, a fluid having a viscosity 100 times greater than that of water flowing at a volumetric flow rate of about 100 μL / sec and flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 has a velocity that varies from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 12.00 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly below the inlet body 105. However, this region where the velocity changes is substantially included in the region below the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 changes from about 12.00 mm / sec to about 0.0000 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly below the outlet body 195. However, this region where the velocity changes is substantially included in the region below the outlet body 195. Conversely, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the flow velocity of substantially all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the Y direction approximately midway between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, is within a relatively narrow range, i.e., from about 11.00 mm / sec to about 12.00 mm / sec. However, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 33, in the region 291 of the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195 at the two corners of the flow path 290, the velocity in the Z direction is from about 10.00 mm / sec to about 11.00 mm / sec. That is, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100, the velocity of substantially all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 is substantially uniform. The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above-described exemplary configuration of the inlet 200 and the above-described configuration of the outlet 200'.

[0123] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 34, the velocity of a fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of about 0.1 μL / sec and having a viscosity 1000 times greater than that of water flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow channel 290 varies from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 0.01224 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow channel 290 disposed directly beneath the inlet body 105. However, this region where the velocity varies is substantially contained within the region beneath the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow channel 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 0.01224 mm / sec to about 0.0000 mm / sec in the region of the flow channel 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly beneath the outlet body 195. However, this region where the velocity varies is substantially contained within the region beneath the outlet body 195. Conversely, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of substantially all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow channel 290, when measured at a height in the Y direction approximately midway between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow channel 290, is within a relatively narrow range, i.e., from about 0.01088 mm / sec to about 0.01224 mm / sec. However, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 34, in the region 291 of the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195 at the two corners of the flow channel 290, the velocity in the Z direction is from about 0.009520 mm / sec to about 0.01088 mm / sec. That is, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100, the velocity of substantially all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow channel 290 is substantially uniform. The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above-described exemplary configurations of the inlet 200 and the outlet 200'.

[0124] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 35, the velocity of a fluid that flows at a volumetric flow rate of about 100 μL / sec and has a viscosity 1000 times greater than that of water flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 varies from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 12.00 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly under the inlet body 105. However, this region where the velocity varies is substantially contained within the region under the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 12.00 mm / sec to about 0.0000 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly under the outlet body 195. However, this region where the velocity varies is substantially contained within the region under the outlet body 195. Conversely, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, when the velocity of substantially all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 is measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately midway between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, it is within a relatively narrow range, i.e., from about 11.00 mm / sec to about 12.00 mm / sec. However, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 35, in the region 291 of the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195 at the two corners of the flow path 290, the velocity in the Z direction is from about 10.00 mm / sec to about 11.00 mm / sec. That is, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100, the velocity of substantially all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 is substantially uniform. The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above-described exemplary configurations of the inlet 200 and the outlet 200'.

[0125] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 36, the fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of about 2000 μL / sec (about 2 mL / sec) and having a viscosity 1000 times greater than that of water flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 changes in velocity from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 248.0 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly below the inlet body 105, but this region of changing velocity is substantially contained within the region below the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 changes from about 248.0 mm / sec to about 0.0000 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly below the outlet body 195, but this region of changing velocity is substantially contained within the region below the outlet body 195. Conversely, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of substantially all or all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the Y direction that is approximately midway between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, is within a relatively narrow range, i.e., from about 221.0 mm / sec to about 248.0 mm / sec. That is, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100, the velocity of substantially all or all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 is substantially uniform. The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above-described exemplary configuration of the inlet 200 and the above-described configuration of the outlet 200'.

[0126] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 37, the velocity of a fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of about 5000 μL / sec (about 5 mL / sec) and having a viscosity 1000 times greater than that of water flowing in the Z direction in the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 varies from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 656.0 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly below the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 656.0 mm / sec to about 0.0000 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly below the outlet body 195. In the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the substantially middle Y direction between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, varies from about 510.0 mm / sec to about 656.0 mm / sec. Along the four corners of the flow path 290 and along the side edges of the flow path 290, in the region 291 of the sensor region 293 of the device 100 located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity in the Z direction is from about 510.0 mm / sec to about 583.0 mm / sec. The peak velocity is from about 583.0 mm / sec to about 656.0 mm / sec and occurs over a significant portion of the flow path 290 and in a part of the device 100 below the inlet body 105 and below the outlet body 195 adjacent to the flow path 290. The minimum velocity of about 0.000 mm / sec occurs at each of the four corners of the device 100 below each of the inlet 200 and the outlet 200'.

[0127] In FIG. 38, the velocity of a fluid having a viscosity 1000 times greater than that of water flowing in the Z - direction of channel 290 at a volume flow rate of about 10,000 μL / sec (about 10 mL / sec) and at a height placed about 0.125 mm above the bottom surface of channel 290 in the sensor region 293 of device 100 is not substantially uniform (less uniform than the trial shown in FIG. 37). On the left side of FIG. 38, below the inlet body 105, in the sensor region 293 of device 100, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z - direction of channel 290 varies relatively greatly. That is, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z - direction of device 100 is between about 0.0000 mm / sec and about 2,165 mm / sec below the inlet body 105, between about 481.0 mm / sec and about 1,684 mm / sec in channel 290, and between about 241.0 mm / sec and about 1,684 mm / sec below the outlet body 195. The highest velocity is observed near port 205 of inlet 200, and the lowest velocity is observed on the left side of FIG. 10 in two zones on both sides of port 205 of inlet 200. In channel 290, the highest velocity is observed on both sides of port 205 of inlet 200, and a locally relatively slow spot occurs in channel 290 immediately to the right (in the Z - direction) of port 205 of inlet 200, as seen in FIG. 38.

[0128] FIG. 39 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of a fluid flowing at a volume flow rate of about 100 μL / sec in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 285, channel 290, and outlet transition 295 of an alternative type α microfluidic device 100A having an inlet 200 as in other embodiments. Instead of outlet 200’, the alternative type α microfluidic device 100A has a relatively large - volume unconstrained outlet 200A according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, outlet 200A may have a substantially linear shape having an open lower portion adjacent to the outlet transition, an open upper portion accessible from above the device 100A, defined by an outlet body 195, and four side walls therein. The opening in outlet 200A may have a width in the X - direction substantially equal to that of channel 290 and a dimension in the Z - direction of about 2.0 mm.

[0129] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 39, the fluid flows at a volumetric flow rate of about 100 μL / sec, and the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 varies from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 13.00 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 285 and the flow path 290 disposed directly below the inlet body 105. However, this region where the velocity changes is substantially included in the region below the inlet body 105. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 varies from about 13.00 mm / sec to about 0.0000 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 290 and the outlet transition 295 disposed directly below the outlet body 195. However, this region where the velocity changes is substantially included in the region below the outlet body 195. Conversely, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100A located between the inlet body 105 and the outlet body 195, the velocity of substantially all or all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290, when measured at a height in the substantially middle Y direction between the lower and upper surfaces of the flow path 290, is within a relatively narrow range, i.e., from about 11.00 mm / sec to about 13.00 mm / sec. That is, in the sensor region 293 of the device 100A, the velocity of substantially all or all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 290 is substantially uniform. The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above exemplary configuration of the inlet 200 and is independent of the configuration of the outlet 200A.

[0130] FIG. 40 is a perspective wireframe view highlighting the velocity of the fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of about 100 μL / sec in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 285, the flow path 290, and the outlet transition 295 of an alternative type α microfluidic device 100A according to an exemplary embodiment. The difference between FIG. 39 and FIG. 40 is only the perspective.

[0131] Figures 39 and 40 demonstrate collectively that, as described and demonstrated above, the inlets 200 of the type α microfluidic devices 100 and 100A can be sufficient to achieve a substantially uniform flow in the Z direction of the flow path 290 (without any specific restrictive structure for the outlet 200' or the outlet 200A).

[0132] <Type β microfluidic device> Figures 11 - 15, 16A, and 16B are diagrams showing a type β microfluidic device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. The type β microfluidic device 300 of Figures 11 - 15, 16A, and 16B is substantially similar to the type α microfluidic device 100 of Figures 1 - 3, 4A, 4B, and 5 - 10, except that in Figures 1 - 3, 4A, 4B, and 5 - 10, only one side of the inlet 200 and the outlet 200' is flat (substantially in the same plane as the XY plane), that is, the side facing the flow path 290 is flat (substantially in the same plane as the XY plane), and the side facing away from the flow path 290 is tapered. On the other hand, in Figures 11 - 15, 16A, and 16B, both sides of the inlet 400 and the outlet 400' are tapered, that is, both the side facing the flow path 490 and the side facing away from the flow path 490 are tapered. Otherwise, one or more features of the type β microfluidic device 300 of Figures 11 - 15, 16A, and 16B may be substantially similar to the corresponding features of the type α microfluidic device 100 of Figures 1 - 3, 4A, 4B, and 5 - 10.

[0133] Figure 14 is a perspective wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of the fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 100 μL / second in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 485, the flow path 490, and the outlet transition 495 of the type β microfluidic device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 15 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of the fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 100 μL / second in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 485, the flow path 490, and the outlet transition 495 of the type β microfluidic device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0134] In the inlet transition 485 and the flow path 490 where the fluid flows in the Z direction, the velocity of the fluid varies from approximately 0.0000 mm / second to approximately 10.00 mm / second in the region of the inlet transition 485 and the flow path 490 that is directly disposed below the inlet body 305. However, this region of velocity change is substantially included in the region below the inlet body 305. Similarly, in the flow path 490 and the outlet transition 495 where the fluid flows in the Z direction, the velocity of the fluid varies from approximately 10.00 mm / second to approximately 0.0000 mm / second in the region of the flow path 490 and the outlet transition 495 that is directly disposed below the outlet body 395. However, this region of velocity change is substantially included in the region below the outlet body 395. Conversely, in the sensor region 493 of the device 300 (i.e., the rectilinear region of the flow path 490), the velocity of substantially all or all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 490 is from approximately 9.000 mm / second to approximately 10.00 mm / second when the sensor region 493 is located between the inlet body 305 and the outlet body 395. That is, in the sensor region 493 of the device 300, the velocity of substantially all or all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 490 is substantially uniform. The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above exemplary configuration of the inlet 400 and the above configuration of the outlet 400'.

[0135] FIG. 16A is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of a fluid flowing at a relatively low (about 100 times lower than FIGS. 14-15) volumetric flow rate of about 1 μL / sec in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 485, flow channel 490, and outlet transition 495 of a type α microfluidic device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 16A, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the inlet transition 485 and flow channel 490 varies from about 0.0000 mm / sec to about 0.09634 mm / sec in the region of the inlet transition 485 and flow channel 490 that is disposed directly below the inlet body 305, and this region of varying velocity is substantially contained within the region below the inlet body 305. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow channel 490 and outlet transition 495 varies from about 0.09634 mm / sec to about 0.0000 mm / sec in the region of the flow channel 490 and outlet transition 495 that is disposed directly below the outlet body 395, and this region of varying velocity is substantially contained within the region below the outlet body 395. Conversely, in the sensor region 493 of the device 300 located between the inlet body 305 and the outlet body 395, the velocity of substantially all or all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow channel 490 is from about 0.08563 mm / sec to about 0.09634 mm / sec. A substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above-described exemplary configurations of the inlet 400 and the outlet 400'.

[0136] FIG. 16B is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of fluid flowing at a relatively low (about 10 times lower than that in FIG. 15) volumetric flow rate of about 10 μL / second in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 485, flow path 490, and outlet transition 495 of the type α microfluidic device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 16B, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the inlet transition 485 and the flow path 490 varies from about 0.0000 mm / second to about 0.9858 mm / second in the region of the inlet transition 485 and the flow path 490 that is directly disposed under the inlet body 305, and this region where the velocity changes is substantially included in the region under the inlet body 305. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 490 and the outlet transition 495 varies from about 0.9858 mm / second to about 0.0000 mm / second in the region of the flow path 490 and the outlet transition 495 that is directly disposed under the outlet body 395, and this region where the velocity changes is substantially included in the region under the outlet body 395. Conversely, in the sensor region 493 of the device 300 located between the inlet body 305 and the outlet body 395, the velocity of substantially all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 490 is between about 0.8763 mm / second and about 0.9858 mm / second. That is, in the sensor region 493 of the device 300, the velocity of substantially all or all of the fluid flowing in the Z direction of the flow path 490 is substantially uniform. The substantially uniform flow of the fluid is an advantageous effect of the above-described exemplary configurations of the inlet 400 and the outlet 400'.

[0137] In one exemplary embodiment, a first ratio of the cross-sectional area of port 405 (i.e., X dimension × Z dimension) to the cross-sectional area of the inlet of flow path 490 (i.e., X dimension × Y dimension) is about 2.0 (e.g., 1.0 mm × 2.0 mm) to about 11.25 (e.g., 0.25 mm × 45.0 mm), or about 1.0 to about 5.625. In one exemplary embodiment, a second ratio of the cross-sectional area of port 405 (i.e., X dimension × Z dimension) to the cross-sectional area of opening 440 (i.e., X dimension × Z dimension) is about 2.0 (e.g., 1.0 mm × 2.0 mm) to about 45.0 ((2.0 mm × 45.0 mm) / 2), or about 1.0 to about 22.5. In one exemplary embodiment, a third ratio of the cross-sectional area of opening 440 (i.e., X dimension × Z dimension) to the cross-sectional area of the inlet of flow path 490 (i.e., X dimension × Y dimension) is about 100.0 (2.0 mm × 50.0 mm) to about 15.0 (e.g., 0.25 mm × 60.0 mm), or about 6.67 to about 1.00. In one exemplary embodiment, a fourth ratio of the depth 410 of port 405 to the depth 435 of the end of inlet 400 or outlet 400' is about 1.0 to about 2.0. In one exemplary embodiment, a fifth ratio of the depth 410 of port 405, the depth 435 at the end of inlet 400 or outlet 400', and the height 415 at or near port 405 is about 1.0 to about 2.0 to about 3.0. In one exemplary embodiment, a sixth ratio of the height of flow path 490, the depth 410 of port 405, the depth 435 at the end of inlet 400 or outlet 400', and the height 415 at or near port 405 is about 0.25 to about 1.0 to about 2.0 to about 3.0, or about 1.0 to about 4.0 to about 8.0 to about 12.0. In one exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of inlet 400 or outlet 400' in the XZ plane is a bowtie shape, i.e., similar to an article of clothing worn around the neck known as a bowtie, or a Venturi shape. In one exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of inlet 400 or outlet 400' in the XY plane is an arcuate shape, i.e., similar to the bow of an arrow, or a bracket shape, i.e., similar to an open parenthesis ("{") or a closed parenthesis ("}").

[0138] <Type γ Microfluidic Device> FIG. 17 is a planar wireframe diagram highlighting the velocity of fluid flowing at a volumetric flow rate of approximately 1,000 μL / second in the XZ plane of the inlet transition 485A, the channel 490A which may be an assay channel, and the outlet transition 495A of a type γ microfluidic device 300A according to an exemplary embodiment. The type γ microfluidic device 300A may be substantially similar to the type α microfluidic device 300, and thus, similar structures are given similar numbers and some similar structures are omitted for brevity. One difference between the type γ microfluidic device 300A and the type α microfluidic device 300 may be that there is no taper in the XZ plane of the inlet 400A and the outlet 400’A (compared to the inlet 400 and the outlet 400’ of the type α microfluidic device 300). That is, instead of being tapered from the port to the end, each of the inlet 400A and the outlet 400’A may have a uniform depth in the Z direction. The depth of each of the inlet 400A and the outlet 400’A (including their respective ports) may be approximately 1.0 mm. This exemplary design demonstrates that a taper in the conduit of the inlet in the Z direction may be provided to achieve a uniform velocity in the channel 490A.

[0139] For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the injection port transition 485A and the flow path 490A varies from about 0.046 mm / sec to about 0.103 mm / sec in the region of the injection port transition 485A and the flow path 490A that is disposed directly below the injection port body 305A. Similarly, the velocity of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 490A and the discharge port transition 495A varies from about 0.103 mm / sec to about 0.046 mm / sec in the region of the flow path 490A and the discharge port transition 495A that is disposed directly below the discharge port body 395A. In most of the sensor region 493A of the device 300A, the velocity in the Z direction is from about 0.080 mm / sec to about 0.091 mm / sec. However, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 17, in the generally semi-circular region 491A (shown by the dashed line) of the sensor region of the device 300A that is located near the ports of the injection port 400A and the discharge port 400’A, the velocity in the Z direction is from about 0.091 mm / sec to about 0.103 mm / sec. That is, in the sensor region 493A of the device 300A, the velocity of most of the fluid flowing in the Z direction in the flow path 490A is substantially uniform. Comparing FIGS. 14, 15, 16A, and 16B (especially FIGS. 14 and 15) with FIG. 17, in the flow path 490 and the curved taper region 430 (FIGS. 14, 15, 16A, 16B, especially FIGS. 14 and 15) related to the taper of the taper region 420, the improvement in providing a substantially uniform velocity with respect to the design (FIG. 17) that omits such a taper is demonstrated. Also, in the microfluidic device 300A of type γ, the difference between the maximum observed velocity (about 0.103 mm / sec) and the minimum observed velocity (about 0.046 mm / sec) is relatively small compared to the differences observed in the microfluidic device 300 of type α.

[0140] <Type δ microfluidic device> FIG. 18 is a perspective wireframe view of a type δ microfluidic device 500 according to an exemplary embodiment. The type δ microfluidic device 500 may be substantially similar to the type α microfluidic device 100 or the type β microfluidic device 300 or the type γ microfluidic device 300A, and thus, similar structures are labeled with similar numbers and some similar structures are omitted for brevity. One difference between the type δ microfluidic device 500 and the type α microfluidic device 100 or the type β microfluidic device 300 or the type γ microfluidic device 300A may be the shape of the ports. Instead of the generally linear shape provided in the type α microfluidic device 100 and the type β microfluidic device 300 or the type γ microfluidic device 300A, the ports of the inlet 600 and the outlet 600' of the type δ microfluidic device 500 may have a cylindrical shape. Similar to the type β microfluidic device 300 or the type γ microfluidic device 300A, the type δ microfluidic device 500 may not have a taper in the XZ plane of the inlet 600 and the outlet 600' (compared with the inlet 200 and the outlet 200' of the type α microfluidic device 100).

[0141] Any one or more features of the type α microfluidic device 100, the type β microfluidic device 300, the type γ microfluidic device 300A, and the type δ microfluidic device 500 may be combined in any combination without limitation. Any one or more features of the type α microfluidic device 100, the type β microfluidic device 300, the type γ microfluidic device 300A, and the type δ microfluidic device 500 may be omitted or duplicated without limitation.

[0142] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a process (or method) 1100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The following process 1100 is described with reference to exemplary features of the device 100 of type α, but the process 1100 can be applied to any of the devices described above, including an alternative device 100A of type α, a device 300 of type β, a device 300A of type γ, or a device 500 of type δ. The process 1100 may include a start 1105 and an end 1195. The process 1100 may include providing an inlet body (e.g., 105) including an inlet (e.g., 200) (step 1110). The process 1100 may include providing a base (e.g., 150) that supports the inlet body (e.g., 105) (step 1115). The process 1100 may include providing a flow path (e.g., 290) in the base (e.g., 150) that is in fluid communication with the inlet (e.g., 200) (step 1120). The process 1100 may include providing an outlet body (e.g., 195) including an outlet (e.g., 200') (step 1125). The process 1100 may include providing a base (e.g., 150) that supports the outlet body (e.g., 195) (step 1130). The process 1100 may include providing an outlet (e.g., 200') that is in fluid communication with the flow path (e.g., 290) (step 1135). The process 1100 may include receiving fluid at an inlet port (e.g., 205) of the inlet (e.g., 200) (step 1140). The process 1100 may include discharging fluid through an opening (e.g., 240) of the inlet (e.g., 200) that is in fluid communication with the flow path (e.g., 290) (step 1145). The process 1100 may include providing a substantially uniform flow of fluid across a substantial portion of the width (in the X direction) of the flow path (e.g., 290) at the inlet (e.g., 200) (step 1150).Process 1100 may include providing a substantially uniform flow of fluid over a substantial portion of the horizontal plane (XZ plane) of the flow path (e.g., 290) at, for example, an inlet (e.g., 200), a flow path (e.g., 290), and an outlet (e.g., 200’), as demonstrated at least in FIGS. 4B, 5 - 8, 14, 15, 16A, 16B, 27, and 36 (step 1155). One or more steps of process 1100 may be rearranged, omitted, or repeated without limitation.

[0143] In certain exemplary embodiments, the flow path 290 may have a non - parallel plate structure. For example, between the inlet 200 and the outlet 200’, the flow path 290 may have two or more non - parallel walls. The flow path 290 may be frustum - shaped, i.e., a pyramid with the tip removed, or may have a rectangular cross - section along its entire length in the Z direction. The inlet of the flow path 290 may have a linear shape, the outlet of the flow path 290 may have a linear shape, and an angled wall may be provided between the inlet and the outlet of the flow path 290. The inlet 200 may be smaller or larger than the outlet 200’. In an exemplary embodiment having a small inlet 200 and a large outlet 200’ and a linear - shaped flow path 290, at least two of the four walls defining the flow path 290 may linearly increase in size from the inlet 200 to the outlet 200’. In an exemplary embodiment having a large inlet 200 and a smaller outlet 200’ and a linear - shaped flow path 290, at least two of the four walls defining the flow path 290 may linearly decrease in size from the inlet 200 to the outlet 200’. In certain exemplary embodiments, all four walls of the linear - shaped flow path 290 may increase or decrease in size between the inlet 200 and the outlet 200’. The flow path 290 may have a non - linear cross - sectional shape in the XY plane, such as an elliptical, circular, regular circular, or irregular shape.

[0144] In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet 200 may have the same structure as any of the inlets described above, i.e., type α, type β, type γ, type δ, etc. The outlet of the flow path may be either an upscaled or a downscaled version of the outlet 200'. In the frustum-shaped flow path 290 having a linear XY cross-section, at least two of the four walls of the flow path 290 may gradually increase or decrease in size. With such a configuration, when the inlet 200 is smaller than the outlet 200', the flow path 290 may gradually and consistently increase in size in the Z direction, and the inlet 200 may be configured to supply a substantially uniform flow to the inlet of the flow path 290. The velocity profile of the fluid flowing through the flow path 290 substantially uniformly decreases as the fluid gradually and consistently moves through the larger flow path 290 and towards the relatively large outlet 200'. Conversely, when the inlet 200 is larger than the outlet 200', the flow path 290 may gradually and consistently decrease in size in the Z direction, and the inlet 200 may be configured to supply a substantially uniform flow to the inlet of the flow path 290. The velocity profile of the fluid flowing through the flow path 290 substantially uniformly increases as the fluid gradually and consistently moves through the smaller flow path 290 and towards the relatively small outlet 200'. The walls of the flow path 290 may be linear, curved, or irregular in shape, thereby resulting in linear, curved, or irregular changes in the velocity profile of the flow path 290 over the Z direction. In an exemplary embodiment where the width of the flow path 290 is less than 10 times the height of the flow path 290, in a non-parallel plate structure, the velocity across the width (Z direction) of the flow path will be substantially uniform, except for a decrease due to the relative change in cross-sectional area, assuming a constant volumetric flow rate.

[0145] The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Further, as used herein, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0146] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been described as using a plurality of units to perform an exemplary process, it is understood that the exemplary process can also be performed by one or more modules.

[0147] As used herein, the use of terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. is provided to identify various structures, dimensions, or operations without describing any order, and the structures, dimensions, or operations may be performed in an order different from the described order unless a particular order is clearly specified in the context.

[0148] The approximating language used throughout this specification and the claims can be applied to modify any quantitative expression that can vary within a range that will not cause a change in the relevant basic function. Thus, values modified by terms such as "about" and "substantially" are not limited to the specified exact values. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of the instrument for measuring the value. Throughout this specification and the claims, range limitations may be combined and / or interchanged, and such ranges identify and include all the sub-ranges contained therein, unless the context or language indicates otherwise.

[0149] Unless otherwise specified or apparent from the context, as used herein, the term "about" is understood to be within the normal tolerance in the art, e.g., within 2 standard deviations of the mean. "About" can be understood to be within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.01% of the recited value. Except where apparent from the context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term "about".

[0150] In the foregoing description and claims, phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of" may appear following a list of conjunctive elements or features. Also, the term "and / or" may appear in a list of two or more elements or features. Such phrases are intended to mean any of the recited elements or features individually or any combination of the recited elements or features with any other of the recited elements or features, unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly disclaimed by the context in which it is used. For example, the expressions "at least one of A and B", "one or more of A and B", and "A and / or B" are each intended to mean "A alone, B alone, or A and B together". Also, the same interpretation is intended for lists containing three or more items. For example, the expressions "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "A, B, and / or C" are each intended to mean "A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together". Further, the use of the term "based on" in the foregoing and in the claims is intended to mean "based at least in part on", and in such cases, unrecited features or elements are also permitted.

[0151] The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, and / or article, depending on the desired configuration. The embodiments shown in the foregoing description do not represent all embodiments consistent with the subject matter described in this specification. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although some variations have been described in more detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, additional features and / or variations may be provided in addition to those described herein. For example, the above embodiments may be directed to various combinations and sub - combinations of the disclosed features, and / or combinations and sub - combinations of some additional features disclosed above. Also, the logical flows shown in the accompanying drawings and / or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order or sequential order shown to achieve the desired results. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for fluid transportation, an inlet body having an inlet, a base supporting the inlet body and including a flow path in fluid communication with the inlet, an outlet body having an outlet, wherein the base supports the outlet body and the outlet is in fluid communication with the flow path, comprising, the inlet is configured to receive fluid at an inlet port, the inlet is configured to provide a flow of the fluid through an opening in fluid communication with the flow path, the inlet is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid over a substantial portion of at least one dimension of the flow path, the cross-sectional shape of at least one side of the inlet and / or the outlet in a horizontal plane has a bowtie shape or a Venturi shape, a device.

2. A device for fluid transportation, an inlet body having an inlet, a base supporting the inlet body and including a flow path in fluid communication with the inlet, an outlet body having an outlet, wherein the base supports the outlet body and the outlet is in fluid communication with the flow path, comprising, the inlet is configured to receive fluid at an inlet port, the inlet is configured to provide a flow of the fluid through an opening in fluid communication with the flow path, the inlet is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid over a substantial portion of at least one dimension of the flow path, the cross-sectional shape of the inlet and / or the outlet in a vertical plane is an arcuate shape or a bracket shape, a device.

3. the at least one dimension is at least one of a vertical plane and a horizontal plane, the device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the inlet, the flow path, and the outlet are configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid over a substantial portion of a horizontal plane of the flow path, the device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the inlet, the flow path, and the outlet are configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid through a substantial portion of a cubic region within the flow path, the device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the device is a microfluidic device, the flow path is a microfluidic flow path, the device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The inlet body, the base portion, and the outlet body form an integral body. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The inlet is the single inlet of the device. The flow path is the single flow path of the device. The outlet is the single outlet of the device. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the inlet port to the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the flow path is 1 to 7.

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the inlet port to the cross-sectional area of the opening is 1 to 50. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the opening to the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the flow path is 6.67 to 1. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The ratio of the depth of the inlet port to the depth of the end of the inlet is 1 to 2. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

13. The ratio of the depth of the inlet port, the depth of the end of the inlet, and the height of or near the inlet port is 1 to 2 to 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

14. The ratio of the height of the flow path, the depth of the inlet port, the depth of the end of the inlet, and the height of or near the inlet port is 1 to 4 to 8 to 12. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

15. The ratio of the width to the depth of the opening in the horizontal plane is 25 to 1. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

16. The ratio of the width to the height of the flow path in the vertical plane is 180 to 1. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

17. Both sides of the inlet and / or the outlet in the horizontal plane have a bowtie shape or a Venturi shape. The device according to claim 1.

18. The base portion has a parallel plate structure. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

19. The device is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of fluid at a volumetric flow rate between 1 μL / sec and 500 μL / sec. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

20. A microfluidic system for transporting a fluid, an inlet body having an inlet, a base portion supporting the inlet body, a flow path in fluid communication with the inlet, One or more sensors formed on the surface of the flow path or one or more sensors formed in one or more wells formed on the surface of the flow path, A base comprising, An outlet body having an outlet, wherein the base supports the outlet body and the outlet is in fluid communication with the flow path, the outlet body, A microfluidic device comprising, Comprising, The flow path is configured to facilitate the flow of the fluid, The fluid comprises a plurality of beads and / or a plurality of floating cells, The inlet is configured to receive the fluid at an inlet port, The inlet is configured to provide a flow of the fluid through an opening in fluid communication with the flow path, The inlet is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid over a substantial portion of the horizontal dimension of the flow path, The cross-sectional shape of at least one side of the inlet and / or the outlet in a horizontal plane has a bowtie shape or a Venturi shape, The device is configured to compensate for an edge effect that results in a non-uniform velocity of the fluid with respect to the horizontal dimension, A microfluidic system.

21. A microfluidic system for transporting a fluid, comprising, An inlet body having an inlet, A base supporting the inlet body, A flow path in fluid communication with the inlet, One or more sensors formed on the surface of the flow path or one or more sensors formed in one or more wells formed on the surface of the flow path, A base comprising, An outlet body having an outlet, wherein the base supports the outlet body and the outlet is in fluid communication with the flow path, the outlet body, A microfluidic device comprising, Comprising, The flow path is configured to facilitate the flow of the fluid, The fluid comprises a plurality of beads and / or a plurality of floating cells, The inlet is configured to receive the fluid at an inlet port, The inlet is configured to provide a flow of the fluid through an opening in fluid communication with the flow path, The inlet is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid over a substantial portion of the horizontal dimension of the flow path, The cross-sectional shape of the inlet and / or the outlet in a vertical plane is an arcuate shape or a bracket shape, The device is configured to compensate for an edge effect that results in a non-uniform velocity of the fluid with respect to the horizontal dimension, Microfluidic system.

22. Each of the plurality of beads has a maximum dimension from 10 μm to 160 μm, Each of the plurality of floating cells has a maximum dimension from 10 μm to 50 μm, 150,000 sensors are formed on the surface of the flow path, or 150,000 sensors are respectively formed in 150,000 wells formed on the surface of the flow path, The microfluidic system according to claim 20 or 21.

23. The base has a parallel plate structure, The microfluidic system according to claim 20 or 21.

24. The microfluidic device is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid at a volumetric flow rate between 1 μL / sec and 500 μL / sec, The microfluidic system according to claim 20 or 21.

25. A method for transporting a fluid, comprising: providing an inlet body having an inlet; providing a base supporting the inlet body, the base including a flow path in fluid communication with the inlet; providing an outlet body having an outlet, the base supporting the outlet body, the outlet being in fluid communication with the flow path; receiving the fluid at an inlet port of the inlet; providing a flow of the fluid through an opening of the inlet in fluid communication with the flow path; providing a substantially uniform flow of the fluid at the inlet over a substantial portion of the horizontal dimension of the flow path; and at least one side cross-sectional shape of the inlet and / or the outlet in a horizontal plane has a bowtie shape or a Venturi shape. Method.

26. A method for transporting a fluid, comprising: providing an inlet body having an inlet; providing a base supporting the inlet body, the base including a flow path in fluid communication with the inlet; providing an outlet body having an outlet, the base supporting the outlet body, the outlet being in fluid communication with the flow path; receiving the fluid at an inlet port of the inlet; providing a flow of the fluid through an opening of the inlet in fluid communication with the flow path; providing a substantially uniform flow of the fluid at the inlet over a substantial portion of the horizontal dimension of the flow path; and The cross-sectional shape of the inlet and / or the outlet in the vertical plane is an arcuate shape or a bracket shape. Method. **Claim 27** Providing a substantially uniform flow of the fluid over a substantial portion of the horizontal plane of the flow path, at the inlet, the flow path, and the outlet. comprising The method according to claim 25 or 26. **Claim 28** The base has a parallel plate structure. The method according to claim 25 or 26. **Claim 29** Providing a substantially uniform flow of the fluid at a volumetric flow rate between 1 μL / sec and 500 μL / sec, at the inlet, the flow path, and the outlet. comprising The method according to claim 25 or 26. **Claim 30** A device for transporting a fluid, comprising An inlet body having an inlet, A base supporting the inlet body, the base having a flow path in fluid communication with the inlet. comprising The inlet is configured to receive the fluid at an inlet port. The inlet is configured to provide a flow of the fluid through an opening in fluid communication with the flow path. The inlet is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid over a substantial portion of at least one dimension of the flow path. The cross-sectional shape of the inlet in the horizontal plane has a bowtie shape or a Venturi shape. Device. **Claim 31** A device for transporting a fluid, comprising An inlet body having an inlet, A base supporting the inlet body, the base having a flow path in fluid communication with the inlet. comprising The inlet is configured to receive the fluid at an inlet port. The inlet is configured to provide a flow of the fluid through an opening in fluid communication with the flow path. The inlet is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid over a substantial portion of at least one dimension of the flow path. The cross-sectional shape of the inlet in the vertical plane is an arcuate shape or a bracket shape. Device. **Claim 32** A microfluidic system for transporting a fluid, comprising An inlet body having an inlet, A base supporting the inlet body, A flow path in fluid communication with the inlet, One or more sensors formed on the surface of the flow path or one or more sensors formed in one or more wells formed on the surface of the flow path. comprising a base A microfluidic device comprising The flow path is configured to promote the flow of the fluid, The fluid comprises a plurality of beads and / or a plurality of floating cells, The injection port is configured to receive the fluid at an injection port port, The injection port is configured to provide a flow of the fluid through an opening in fluid communication with the flow path, The injection port is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid over a substantial portion of the horizontal dimension of the flow path, The cross-sectional shape of the injection port in the horizontal plane has a bowtie shape or a Venturi shape, The device is configured to compensate for an edge effect that results in a non-uniform velocity of the fluid with respect to the horizontal dimension, Microfluidic system.

33. A microfluidic system for transporting a fluid, An injection port body having an injection port, A base supporting the injection port body, A flow path in fluid communication with the injection port, One or more sensors formed on the surface of the flow path or one or more sensors formed in one or more wells formed on the surface of the flow path, A base comprising, A microfluidic device comprising, Comprising, The flow path is configured to promote the flow of the fluid, The fluid comprises a plurality of beads and / or a plurality of floating cells, The injection port is configured to receive the fluid at an injection port port, The injection port is configured to provide a flow of the fluid through an opening in fluid communication with the flow path, The injection port is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow of the fluid over a substantial portion of the horizontal dimension of the flow path, The cross-sectional shape of the injection port in the vertical plane is an arcuate shape or a bracket shape, The device is configured to compensate for an edge effect that results in a non-uniform velocity of the fluid with respect to the horizontal dimension, Microfluidic system.

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