Self-digitization of sample volumes

Abstract

Devices, systems and apparatuses for the discretization and manipulation of sample volumes are provided. Related methods are also provided.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A microfluidic device comprising:
 a microwell plate comprising a plurality of wells;   a fluid inlet port in fluidic communication with the well;   a fluid outlet port in fluidic communication with the well;   a flow channel having a flow axis, the flow channel in fluidic communication with the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port; and   a plurality of fluidic harbors in fluidic communication with the flow channel and offset from the flow axis.   
     
     
         2 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one well of the plurality of wells comprises a plurality of the flow channels. 
     
     
         3 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one well of the plurality of the wells comprises a plurality of fluid inlet ports including the fluid inlet port. 
     
     
         4 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one well of the plurality of the wells comprises a plurality of fluid outlet ports including the fluid outlet port. 
     
     
         5 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wells is arranged in an array. 
     
     
         6 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wells is arranged in a square matrix array. 
     
     
         7 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wells comprises 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, 384, or 1536 wells. 
     
     
         8 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one fluidic harbor of the plurality of fluidic harbors is at an angle other than orthogonal to the flow axis. 
     
     
         9 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one fluidic harbor of the plurality of fluidic harbors is at an angle orthogonal to the flow axis. 
     
     
         10 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein each fluidic harbor of the plurality of fluidic harbors is in fluidic communication with the flow channel by an opening conduit. 
     
     
         11 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one fluidic harbor of the plurality of fluidic harbors comprises a channel in fluidic communication with the flow channel. 
     
     
         12 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the flow channel and a fluidic harbor of the plurality of fluidic harbors comprises a hydrophobic surface. 
     
     
         13 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein each well of the plurality of wells further comprises an inner chamber and an outer chamber, wherein the inner chamber is in fluidic communication with the fluidic inlet port and the outer chamber is in fluidic communication with the fluidic outlet port. 
     
     
         14 . The microfluidic device of  claim 13 , wherein the inner chamber and the outer chamber are configured to create a non-circular direction of flow through the flow channel. 
     
     
         15 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic device is loaded with a first fluid, the first fluid comprising an oil. 
     
     
         16 . An analytical system comprising:
 a chamber configured to accept the microfluidic device of  claim 1 ;   a fluid-introducing component configured to introduce a fluid through at least a portion of the flow channel;   an optical detection component configured to optically analyze a fluidic harbor of the plurality of fluidic harbors; and   a processing unit configured to control the optical detection component and configured to store data generated from the optical detection component.   
     
     
         17 . The analytical system of  claim 16 , wherein the optical detection component is configured to optically analyze the plurality of fluidic harbors. 
     
     
         18 . The analytical system of  claim 16 , further comprising a heat-control component configured to apply heat to at least one fluidic harbor of the plurality of fluidic harbors. 
     
     
         19 . The analytical system of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of fluid reservoirs configured to contain a fluid, wherein fluid reservoirs of the plurality of fluid reservoirs are configured to provide the fluid to the fluid inlet port of the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         20 . The analytical system of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of fluid reservoirs comprises a first fluid reservoir configured to contain a first fluid, a second fluid reservoir configured to contain a second fluid, and a third fluid reservoir configured to contain a third fluid, and wherein the second fluid comprises an aqueous solution and the third fluid comprises an oil.