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.

1 . A method of using an environmental control reagent to maintain optimal conditions within a microfluidic device, the method comprising: 
 introducing a volume of a first fluid into a channel segment of a microfluidic device, the first fluid comprising an environmental control reagent; and    introducing a volume of a second fluid into the channel segment of the microfluidic device, the second fluid comprising a component of a reaction mixture.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of the first fluid is introduced into the channel segment after the volume of the second fluid is introduced into the channel segment.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising introducing a volume of a third fluid into the channel segment.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein introducing a volume of a first fluid into a channel segment of a microfluidic device comprises treating a surface of the channel segment.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein treating a surface of the channel segment comprises one or more actions selected from a group consisting of modifying the surface of the channel segment, coating the surface of the channel segment, and cleaning the surface of the channel segment.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first fluid includes one of a monovalent or a bivalent compound.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first fluid includes a surface adsorbing polymer.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the surface adsorbing polymer is selected from a group consisting of a linear cellulose polymer, an agarose polymer, an acrylic polymer, a polyacrylamide, a linear polyacrylamide polymer, a linear polyacrylamide copolymer, a linear polydimethylacrylamide polymer, a linear polydimethylacrylamide copolymer, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first fluid includes a cleaning reagent.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the cleaning reagent is selected from a group consisting of an acid, a base, a detergent, a high salt solution, a zwitterionic solution, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein introducing a volume of a first fluid into a channel segment of a microfluidic device comprises altering flow resistance within the channel segment.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first fluid includes a viscosity adjusting reagent.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the viscosity adjusting reagent is selected from a group consisting of a polymeric reagent, a polysaccharide, a polysaccharide polymer, a polyacrylamide, gelatin, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein introducing a volume of a first fluid into a channel segment of a microfluidic device comprises minimizing gas evolution within the channel segment.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first fluid is not gas saturated.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first fluid is heated immediately prior to introducing the first fluid into the channel segment.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first fluid is subjected to a negative pressure immediately prior to introducing the first fluid into the channel segment.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first fluid includes a signaling component.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the signaling component is selected from a group consisting of a dye, a label, a marker, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the signaling component is selected from a group consisting of a temperature indicator, a pH indicator, a conductivity indicator, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid includes a calibrator.