Improvements in imaging or imaging of microdroplets in microfluidic devices

JP7877438B2Active Publication Date: 2026-06-22LIGHTCAST DISCOVERY LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
LIGHTCAST DISCOVERY LTD
Filing Date
2022-07-08
Publication Date
2026-06-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing droplet-based microfluidic systems face challenges in integrating appropriate detection techniques for imaging and measuring microdroplets without losing control over their position, as light-based measurements can overwhelm the light used for manipulation, leading to microdroplet drift and compromised image quality.

Method used

A microfluidic device with a modulator that switches between active and inactive states to apply an electric field for droplet control and a light source for imaging, allowing precise control and imaging of microdroplets without simultaneous light interference, using a single light source for both manipulation and imaging through filters and modulators.

Benefits of technology

The system maintains microdroplet control and enables high-quality imaging by minimizing photoelectric effects, allowing for efficient imaging techniques like fluorescence without losing droplet position, and supports various imaging methods without wavelength or intensity limitations.

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Abstract

An apparatus comprising a microfluidic device and an optical imaging device, the microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic space configured to contain a plurality of microdroplets, a first light source configured to illuminate the microfluidic space, a voltage source for providing a voltage to the microfluidic space to generate a voltage across the microfluidic space, and a first modulator configured to generate a waveform signal to modulate an electric field applied across the microfluidic space, the first modulator configured to switch between an active state and an inactive state, where in the active state an electric field is applied across the microfluidic space to hold a plurality of microdroplets and in the inactive state no electric field is applied across the microfluidic space, the first modulator further configured to directly or indirectly control the first light source such that during the active state at least a portion of light is provided throughout the microfluidic device, the optical imaging device generates an image of at least a subset of the microdroplets, and the first modulator further configured to control the optical imaging device such that during the inactive state an image of at least a subset of the microfluidic space is generated.
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