Microfluidic devices and/or equipment for microfluidic devices

Abstract

A biomedical microfluidic device (MD) for separating a sub-population of particles from a biological fluid has elements for separation and/or filtration of the fluid, which include a first microfluidic path defined in a first body of the device, a first inlet for introduction of a first fluid in the first path and at least a first outlet for discharge from the first path of a sample of fluid enriched in the sub-population of particles.

1 . A microfluidic device for separating at least one sub-population of particles from a fluid, particularly a biological fluid, the device having means for separating and/or filtering the fluid which include at last a first microfluidic path defined in a first body of the device, one first inlet for introduction of a first fluid in the first path and at least one first outlet for a sample of fluid enriched in one said sub-population of particles. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , also having
 at least one second inlet for introduction of an auxiliary fluid that is to mix in the first path with the first fluid, and   at least one second outlet, for a fraction of a mixture formed by the first fluid and by the auxiliary fluid.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first body is prearranged for coupling with a section for collection or separation of a sample of fluid, having a respective inlet in fluid communication with the first outlet and a respective discharge opening and, preferably, means for filtering or separating upstream of the discharge opening. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the section for collection comprises a second body which is hydraulically couplable in a separable way with the first body. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the second body is configured as a distinct component having at least one of electric interconnection means, mechanical interconnection means and hydraulic interconnection means couplable in a separable way with respective electric interconnection means or mechanical interconnection means, or hydraulic interconnection means of the first body. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the section for collection includes a substrate or a device made of semiconductor material, particularly silicon. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said inlet and said outlet has valve means, in particular one-way valve means and/or retention valve means. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein associated to the first body is at least one further body, wherein said further body at least one of:
 is configured at least in part for performing printed-circuit functions;   mounted thereon are electrical and/or electronic components;   integrates at least part of a section for collection or separation of a sample of fluid enriched in said sub-population of particles.   
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first body defines at least one housing adapted to receive at least partially the section for collection. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the section for collection has at least one of hydraulic interconnection means and electrical interconnection means. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the section for collection has valve means, configured for preventing outflow from the corresponding inlet and/or the corresponding discharge opening of material of the sample of fluid, following upon removal and/or separation of the section for collection from the first body, or for preventing a reflux of fluid towards the outside of the device. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , also comprising identification means, which contain information representative of at least one of: type of sample of fluid, type of analysis which the sample of fluid must undergo, calibration data or parameters for analysis equipment, identification data of the subject to whom the first fluid belongs. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the section for collection comprises one casing body which houses a substrate or device made of semiconductor material and integrates at least partially hydraulic ducts and/or electric connection means connected to the substrate or device made of semiconductor material. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first inlet and the first outlet is/are located in a region of the first body around which the at least one first path is wound or develop in a spiral. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first inlet, the second inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet is/are located in a region of the first body around which the at least one first path is wound or develop in a spiral. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 1 , also comprising at least one of means for detecting or counting particles, means for alignment or displacement of particles and means for subjecting functionalized particles to forces of attraction or repulsion by means of electrical fields. 
     
     
         17 . The device according  claim 1 , wherein the first body is configured for introduction of functionalized particles separately with respect to the first fluid, preferably through a corresponding inlet different from the first inlet. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one section for collection or separation of particles, having a respective inlet, in fluid communication with an outlet different from the first outlet, in particular an outlet that is in fluid communication with the first path in an intermediate position between the first inlet and the first outlet, or else an outlet belonging to a different section for collection. 
     
     
         19 . A microfluidic device for separating or concentrating particles from a fluid, the device having:
 a first section, comprising one first body and provided with respective filtration or separation means, the filtration or separation means including a first microfluidic path defined in the first body and having one first inlet, for introduction of a first fluid in the first path, and at least one first outlet, for discharge from the first path of a fluid sample enriched in said particles, the first path extending at least in part between the first inlet and the first outlet to define at least a direction of flow;   a second section, having a respective inlet designed for connection in fluid communication with the first outlet, a respective outlet and filtration or separation means for retaining in the second section the sub-population of particles,   wherein the second section is configured as an element or unit which is separable from the first section or from the first body.   
     
     
         20 . A microfluidic device for separating particles from a biological fluid, the device comprising at least two sections mutually associated or connected, including:
 a first section provided with first means for a substantially mechanical filtration or separation of the fluid, the first means for separation including at least one body with a first inlet, for introduction of a first fluid and at least one outlet, for releasing a sample of fluid enriched in said particles;   a second section comprising electrical means, having a respective inlet in fluid communication with said at least one outlet and including at least one of second means for filtration or separation, microfluidic means, an electromechanical device, an electrical device, a miniaturized electronic device, electric/electronic detection means, a device for transmission and/or reception of signals, a MEMS-type device, a NEMS-type device.