Microfluidic devices and/or equipment for microfluidic devices

Abstract

An equipment for controlling operation of a biomedical microfluidic device includes a system for connection with the microfluidic device, having at least one of an arrangement for fluidic connection and an arrangement for electrical connection, a system for electrical supply or control of an electrical or electronic arrangement of the microfluidic device, a system for handling at least one fluid required for operation the microfluidic device, and a system for signal communication with the microfluidic device.

1 . An equipment for controlling operation of a biomedical microfluidic device for separating particles from a fluid, the microfluidic device having a body in which at least one first microfluidic path is defined for the fluid,
 wherein the equipment comprises at least one of
 a system for connection with the microfluidic device, comprising at least one of an arrangement for fluidic connection and an arrangement for electrical connection, 
 a system for electrical supply or control of an electrical or electronic arrangement of the microfluidic device, 
 a system for handling at least one fluid required for operation of the microfluidic device, and 
 a system for signal communication with the microfluidic device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control system configured for controlling at least one of the system for connection, the system for electrical supply or control, the system for handling and the system for signal communication. 
     
     
         3 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein the system for handling comprises at least one of
 an arrangement for supplying the microfluidic device with a first fluid;   an arrangement for supplying the microfluidic device with a first fluid and an auxiliary fluid;   an arrangement for discharging from the microfluidic device a first fluid;   an arrangement for discharging from the microfluidic device a mixture comprising a first fluid and an auxiliary fluid;   an arrangement for supplying the microfluidic device with a fluid containing functionalized particles or beads;   an arrangement for supplying the microfluidic device with a flushing liquid;   an arrangement for collection of a mixture or a fluid discharged from the microfluidic device;   
     
     
         4 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein the system for handling comprises at least one of:
 an arrangement for supplying an aeriform;   an arrangement for subjecting to a pressure, or to a depression, a fluid contained in, or supplied to, the microfluidic device; and   a source of a compressed aeriform.   
     
     
         5 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein the system for handling comprises at least one container for a fluid to be supplied to the microfluidic device, and an arrangement associated to the container for agitating the fluid and/or functionalized particles or beads contained in the fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein the system for handling comprises:
 an arrangement for supplying the microfluidic device with a first fluid, including at least one connection element for hydraulic connection to at least one first inlet of the microfluidic device; and   an arrangement for supplying the microfluidic device with an auxiliary fluid separately with respect to the first fluid, including at least one element for hydraulic connection to at least one second inlet of the microfluidic device.   
     
     
         7 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement for fluidic connection comprises at least one hydraulic connection element configured for connection to at least one of an inlet and an outlet of the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         8 . The equipment according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one hydraulic connection element includes one of a valve member, a fluid-retention member and an arrangement designed for easing opening of a retention valve of the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         9 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein the system for handling comprises an arrangement for supplying the microfluidic device with at least two different fluids at two different pressures. 
     
     
         10 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein the system for handling comprises at least one of a pressure regulating arrangement and a pressure sensing arrangement designed to be connected in fluid communication with the at least one microfluidic path of the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         11 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the system for electrical supply or control and the arrangement for electrical connection comprises at least one of:
 an electric connector arrangement couplable to an electric connector arrangement of the microfluidic device;   an arrangement for inductive supply of the microfluidic device.   
     
     
         12 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein the system for signal communication comprises at least one of:
 an arrangement for unidirectional or bidirectional communication of data or information with the microfluidic device;   an arrangement for wireless communication with the microfluidic device;   an arrangement for reading identification data of the microfluidic device;   an RFID arrangement; and   a reader of a code carried by the microfluidic device.   
     
     
         13 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , comprising one or more disposable parts. 
     
     
         14 . The equipment according to  claim 13 , comprising at least one connector device couplable to a container for containing a first fluid, the connector device having a respective body to which there are associated one first fluidic connection element and one second fluidic connection element, the first connection element being connectable to a line for supplying the first fluid from the container to the microfluidic device and the second connection element being connectable to a line for supplying the container with a second pressurized fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The equipment according to  claim 13 , comprising a container for containing a first fluid, having an outlet prearranged for coupling with an inlet of the microfluidic device and an inlet prearranged for connection to a source of a second fluid under pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , comprising an arrangement for carrying out a final flushing step of the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         17 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , comprising a protected and/or thermostatted housing configured for receiving the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         18 . The equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein the system for signal communication s configured for writing data in a memory of the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         19 . A control equipment for use in conjunction with a microfluidic device having a body in which at least one first microfluidic path for a fluid is defined, wherein the control equipment is prearranged for connection with the microfluidic device and comprising at let one of a system for controlling one or more fluid flows required for operation of the microfluidic device, and a system for controlling electric or electronic devices of the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         20 . A biomedical microfluidic device for separating particles from a fluid for use with the equipment of  claim 1 , the microfluidic device having a body in which at least one first microfluidic path for the fluid is defined and comprising at least one of an arrangement for fluidic connection with the equipment, an arrangement for electrical connection with the equipment and an arrangement for signal communication with the equipment.