公开(公告)号：US09448223B2

公开(公告)日：2016-09-20

申请号：US14063366

申请日：2013-10-25

Applicant: The Governing Council of The University of Toronto

Inventor： Steve Chao-Chung Shih ,  Irena Barbulovic-Nad ,  Aaron Wheeler

IPC: C12M1/34 ,  C12M3/00 ,  G01N33/483 ,  B01L3/00 ,  C12M1/12 ,  C12M3/06

CPC classification number: G01N33/4836 ,  B01L3/502792 ,  C12M23/16 ,  C12M25/01 ,  C12M25/08 ,  C12M41/36

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for measuring, on a digital microfluidic platform, electrical signals associated with the impedance of adherent cells. In one embodiment, a sub-droplet of cell culture media containing adherent cells is passively dispensed at a pre-selected electrode location where a local hydrophilic surface region is provided, and adherent cells are attached to the local hydrophilic surface region. The cell culture media sub-droplet is replaced with a sub-droplet of a low-conductivity medium in a passive dispensing step, retaining the attached adherent cells. An AC voltage with a suitable frequency is applied between electrodes of the device and a signal associated with the impedance of the adherent cells is obtained. One of the electrodes to which the AC voltage is applied may be a dedicated sensing electrode. The local thickness of a dielectric layer coating the pre-selected electrode may be reduced to increase the detection sensitivity of the device.

Abstract translation: 提供了设备和方法，用于在数字微流控平台上测量与贴壁细胞阻抗相关的电信号。 在一个实施方案中，含有贴壁细胞的细胞培养基的亚液滴被动态地分配在预选的电极位置，其中提供局部亲水性表面区域，并且贴壁细胞附着到局部亲水表面区域。 在被动分配步骤中，用低电导率介质的亚液滴代替细胞培养基子液滴，保持附着的粘附细胞。 在设备的电极之间施加具有合适频率的交流电压，并获得与贴壁电池的阻抗相关联的信号。 施加AC电压的电极之一可以是专用感测电极。 可以减少涂覆预选电极的电介质层的局部厚度，以增加器件的检测灵敏度。

公开(公告)号：US09594056B2

公开(公告)日：2017-03-14

申请号：US14192737

申请日：2014-02-27

Applicant: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Inventor： Ryan Fobel ,  Andrea Kirby ,  Aaron Wheeler

IPC: G01N27/447 ,  B81C1/00

CPC classification number: G01N27/44791 ,  B01L3/5023 ,  B01L3/502784 ,  B01L3/502792 ,  B01L2200/0668 ,  B01L2200/12 ,  B01L2300/0645 ,  B01L2300/0816 ,  B01L2300/0864 ,  B01L2300/0867 ,  B01L2300/126 ,  B01L2400/0427 ,  B01L2400/043 ,  B41J2/01 ,  B41M5/0023 ,  B41M5/0047 ,  B41M5/0058 ,  B41M5/0064 ,  B41M5/007 ,  B81B2201/058 ,  B81C1/00095 ,  B81C1/00166 ,  B81C2201/0184 ,  B81C2201/0185 ,  G01N27/44743

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure digital microfluidic arrays that may be fabricated by a printing method, whereby digital microfluidic electrodes arrays are printed, via a printing method such as inkjet printing, onto a suitable substrate. In some embodiments, a substrate and/or ink is prepared or modified to support the printing of electrode arrays, such as via changes to the surface energy. In some embodiments, porous and/or fibrous substrates are prepared by the addition of a barrier layer, or, for example, by the addition or infiltration of a suitable material to render the surface capable of supporting printed electrodes. Various example embodiments involving hybrid devices formed by the printing of digital microfluidic arrays onto a substrate having a hydrophilic layer are disclosed.

Abstract translation: 本公开的数字微流体阵列的实施例可以通过印刷方法制造，其中数字微流体电极阵列通过诸如喷墨印刷的印刷方法印刷到合适的基底上。 在一些实施例中，制备或修改基底和/或墨以支持电极阵列的印刷，例如通过对表面能的改变。 在一些实施方案中，通过添加阻挡层或例如通过添加或渗透合适的材料以使表面能够支撑印刷电极来制备多孔和/或纤维基材。 公开了涉及通过将数字微流体阵列印刷到具有亲水层的基底上形成的混合装置的各种示例实施例。

公开(公告)号：US10953408B2

公开(公告)日：2021-03-23

申请号：US16560549

申请日：2019-09-04

Applicant: The Governing Council of the University of Toronto

Inventor： Aaron Wheeler ,  Shuailong Zhang

IPC: B03C5/00 ,  G01N15/10 ,  B01L3/00 ,  B03C5/02

Abstract: A patterned optoelectronic tweezers (p-OET) device is provided. The p-OET device includes a top and a bottom electrode arranged in a parallel spaced apart relationship. A patterned photoconductor layer is provided on the bottom electrode, and forms a pattern comprising at least one raised region where the bottom electrode is coated by a photoconductor material and at least one hollow region where the bottom electrode is exposed. The pattern includes one or more boundaries between the raised and hollow regions. In some implementations, the boundaries of the patterned photoconductive layer define a permanent trap feature.

公开(公告)号：US20200094264A1

公开(公告)日：2020-03-26

申请号：US16560549

申请日：2019-09-04

Applicant: The Governing Council of the University of Toronto

Inventor： Aaron Wheeler ,  Shuailong ZHANG

IPC: B03C5/00 ,  G01N15/10 ,  B03C5/02 ,  B01L3/00

Abstract: A patterned optoelectronic tweezers (p-OET) device is provided. The p-OET device includes a top and a bottom electrode arranged in a parallel spaced apart relationship. A patterned photoconductor layer is provided on the bottom electrode, and forms a pattern comprising at least one raised region where the bottom electrode is coated by a photoconductor material and at least one hollow region where the bottom electrode is exposed. The pattern includes one or more boundaries between the raised and hollow regions. In some implementations, the boundaries of the patterned photoconductive layer define a permanent trap feature.

公开(公告)号：US20140199719A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-17

申请号：US14063366

申请日：2013-10-25

Applicant: The Governing Council of The University of Toronto

Inventor： Steven Chao-Chung Shih ,  Irena Barbulovic-Nad ,  Aaron Wheeler

IPC: G01N33/483 ,  C12M1/34

CPC classification number: G01N33/4836 ,  B01L3/502792 ,  C12M23/16 ,  C12M25/01 ,  C12M25/08 ,  C12M41/36

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for measuring, on a digital microfluidic platform, electrical signals associated with the impedance of adherent cells. In one embodiment, a sub-droplet of cell culture media containing adherent cells is passively dispensed at a pre-selected electrode location where a local hydrophilic surface region is provided, and adherent cells are attached to the local hydrophilic surface region. The cell culture media sub-droplet is replaced with a sub-droplet of a low-conductivity medium in a passive dispensing step, retaining the attached adherent cells. An AC voltage with a suitable frequency is applied between electrodes of the device and a signal associated with the impedance of the adherent cells is obtained. One of the electrodes to which the AC voltage is applied may be a dedicated sensing electrode. The local thickness of a dielectric layer coating the pre-selected electrode may be reduced to increase the detection sensitivity of the device.

Abstract translation: 提供了设备和方法，用于在数字微流控平台上测量与贴壁细胞阻抗相关的电信号。 在一个实施方案中，含有贴壁细胞的细胞培养基的亚液滴被动态地分配在预选的电极位置，其中提供局部亲水性表面区域，并且贴壁细胞附着到局部亲水表面区域。 在被动分配步骤中，用低电导率介质的亚液滴代替细胞培养基子液滴，保留附着的粘附细胞。 在设备的电极之间施加具有合适频率的交流电压，并获得与贴壁电池的阻抗相关联的信号。 施加AC电压的电极之一可以是专用感测电极。 可以减少涂覆预选电极的电介质层的局部厚度，以增加器件的检测灵敏度。