Control of operation conditions within fluidic systems

Abstract

Methods of controlling environmental conditions within a fluidic system, where such environmental conditions can affect the operation of the system in its desired function, and fluidic channels, devices and systems that are used in practicing these methods. Such methods are generally directed to environmental control fluids, the movement of such fluids through these systems, and the interaction of these fluids with other components of the system, e.g., other fluids or solid components of the system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 993,385, filed Nov. 14, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 919,369, filed Jul. 31, 2001, which claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 223,072, filed Aug. 4, 2000. The full disclosure of each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Microfluidic systems have advanced to the point where they are beginning to supplant conventional technologies in biological, chemical and biochemical analyses. For example, routine separation based analyses, e.g., nucleic acid separations, protein sizing separations, and the like are now routinely performed in microfluidic systems, e.g., the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer and Caliper LabChip® systems. Similarly, high throughput analytical operations, e.g., pharmaceutical screening, high throughput g...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about controlling the environment in which a fluidic system operates. This can include controlling the movement and interaction of fluids and other components of the system. One method involves using an environmental control reagent to maintain optimal conditions in a microfluidic device. This involves introducing a volume of a first fluid containing the reagent into a channel segment of the device, followed by a volume of a second fluid. This can help to maintain the desired function of the device."

Problems solved by technology

Similarly, the nature of the reaction vessels used in conventional technologies, while illustrating the advantages of microfluidic systems, also obviate some of the potential problems of microfluidic systems.

Similarly, the open-top nature of these vessels allows the evolution of other interfering components, which is not reasonably practicable in sealed microfluidic channels.

Further, because of their enclosed nature, one cannot readily access and control the reactions as they progress through the system.

In addition, the sealed nature of these systems can result in the accumulation of evolved gasses from the fluid reagents of a system, where such gases would dissipate into the atmosphere in conventional assay formats.

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