Microfluidics Chips and Methods of Using Same

Abstract

Microfluidics chips and methods of use are described, comprising a pair of wafers, at least one having a patterned surface, and two polymeric barrier films between the wafers conforming to the patterned surface. The polymeric barrier films allow the wafers of the inventive microfluidics chips to be reused without cleaning.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 a) overlaying a top surface of a first wafer with a first polymeric barrier film, the top surface comprising at least one laminar flow channel and a sample reservoir connected to the laminar flow channel;    b) applying vacuum sufficient to draw the first polymeric barrier film against the top surface of the first wafer;    c) loading a fluid sample onto the first polymeric barrier film over the sample reservoir;    d) overlaying a second polymeric barrier film over a second wafer;    e) applying a vacuum sufficient to draw the second polymeric film against the second wafer; and    f) contacting portions of the first and second polymeric films, thereby forming an assembly having a fluid flow channel lined with the first and second polymeric barrier films.    
     
     
         11 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 a) overlaying a top surface of a first wafer with a first polymeric barrier film, the top surface comprising at least one laminar flow channel and a sample reservoir connected to the laminar flow channel;    b) overlaying a second polymeric barrier film over a surface of a second wafer;    c) applying vacuum sufficient to draw the first polymeric film against the top surface of the first wafer and to draw the second polymeric film against the surface of the second wafer;    d) contacting portions of the first and second polymeric barrier films to form an assembly having the at least one laminar flow channel and the sample reservoir lined with the first and second polymeric barrier films; and    e) loading a fluid sample into the lined sample reservoir.