Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
  • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
  • F04B43/00—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members
  • F04B43/02—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having plate-like flexible members, e.g. diaphragms
  • F04B43/04—Pumps having electric drive
  • F04B43/043—Micropumps
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
  • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
  • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
  • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
  • B01L3/50273—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
  • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
  • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
  • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
  • B01L3/502769—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by multiphase flow arrangements
  • B01L3/502784—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by multiphase flow arrangements specially adapted for droplet or plug flow, e.g. digital microfluidics
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
  • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
  • F04B19/00—Machines or pumps having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B17/00
  • F04B19/20—Other positive-displacement pumps
  • F04B19/24—Pumping by heat expansion of pumped fluid
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • F16K99/0001—Microvalves
  • F16K99/0003—Constructional types of microvalves; Details of the cutting-off member
  • F16K99/0026—Valves using channel deformation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • F16K99/0001—Microvalves
  • F16K99/0034—Operating means specially adapted for microvalves
  • F16K99/0042—Electric operating means therefor
  • F16K99/0044—Electric operating means therefor using thermo-electric means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
  • B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
  • B01L2200/0673—Handling of plugs of fluid surrounded by immiscible fluid
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
  • B01L2200/14—Process control and prevention of errors
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
  • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
  • B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
  • B01L2300/087—Multiple sequential chambers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
  • B01L2300/12—Specific details about materials
  • B01L2300/123—Flexible; Elastomeric
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
  • B01L2300/18—Means for temperature control
  • B01L2300/1805—Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
  • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
  • B01L2400/0475—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
  • B01L2400/0481—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure squeezing of channels or chambers
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
  • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
  • F04B43/00—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members
  • F04B43/12—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having peristaltic action
  • F04B43/14—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having peristaltic action having plate-like flexible members
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • F16K2099/0082—Microvalves adapted for a particular use
  • F16K2099/0084—Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology

Definitions

• the present invention aims to:
• an element consisting of a first fluid transported in a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid and a device for melting two elements consisting of miscible first fluids transported in a second fluid immiscible with each first fluid. It applies, in particular, to biological diagnosis and chemical and biochemical analyzes.
• the invention applies to two main configurations, ie the element of the first fluid is transported by a flow of the second fluid, or the flow of the second fluid is zero.
• One element of a fluid will be called a drop of a liquid or an air bubble, as an example.
• EWOD Electrowetting On Dielectrics
• the present invention aims to remedy all or part of these disadvantages.
• the present invention aims, in a first aspect, a method of handling an element consisting of a first fluid carried by a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid in a cavity, at least one wall is made of material deformable, which comprises:
• the method that is the subject of the present invention comprises a step of determining the positioning of an element of the cavity as a function of the positioning of a deformed part of the cavity.
• the method that is the subject of the present invention comprises a step of detecting the positioning of an element in the cavity, the control step controlling the deformation of a portion of the deformable material of the cavity selected as a function of the detected positioning of the element.
• the deformation of a portion of the deformable material is achieved by local heating of the deformable material, the deformed part of the deformable material being deformed by thermomechanical effect.
• the deformation of a portion of the deformable material is achieved by pneumatic deformation means.
• the deformation of a portion of the deformable material is achieved by a piezoelectric deformation means.
• the present invention aims, in a second aspect, a device for handling an element consisting of a first fluid transported in a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid, which comprises:
• a cavity configured to receive at least one element constituted by the first fluid and the second fluid, which comprises at least one wall made of thermomechanically deformable material, at least one local heating means configured to deform at least a portion of the deformable material of the cavity by thermomechanical effect so that, when the local heating means heats up, each part of the heated deformable material at least partially obstructs a section of the cavity to allow the passage of the second fluid and to block the passage of each element of the first fluid, at least one other part of the deformable material of the cavity being not deformed,
• Control means configured to independently control heating of at least one local heating means.
• the heat transfers are very fast, of the order of a few hundred milliseconds, which ensures a quasi-instantaneous heating of the deformable material heated by a local heating means.
• the moving means is a thermal rail, comprising at least one local heating means, configured to deform at least a portion of the deformable material of the cavity by thermomechanical effect so that, when the local heating means heats, each portion of heated deformable material at least partially obstructing a section of the cavity to allow the passage of the second fluid and to block the passage of each element of the first fluid.
• control means is configured to control successive heating of the successive heating means of the thermal rail so as to move the element along the cavity.
• the cavity comprises at least one lateral portion of material that is not deformable by the heat emitted by at least one local heating means.
• the moving means includes means for generating a flow of the second fluid to move at least one element.
• the device that is the subject of the present invention comprises means for detecting the content of an element of the first fluid.
• the device which is the subject of the present invention comprises means for detecting the position of at least one element in the cavity in order to supply a position signal to the control means.
• the cavity comprises at least one translucent part
• the means for detecting the position of at least one element in the cavity comprises an image capture means and a captured image processing means configured to determine the position of an element according to the processed image .
• the detection means is configured to detect an element of the first fluid as a function of a disturbance of an electromagnetic field near the cavity.
• control means is configured to cause at least two adjacent portions of the deformable material to heat up at the sensed position of the member to isolate the member in a portion of the obstructed cavity at each end. by a deformation of the cavity.
• control means is configured to control heating of a portion of the deformable material of the cavity to the sensed position of the member to divide said member into two members positioned outwardly of the portion of the material. deformable heated.
• the device that is the subject of the present invention comprises a substrate, comprising at least one local heating means, secured to the cavity.
• the present invention provides an element generating device consisting of a first fluid transported in a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid, which comprises a device for handling an object of the present invention, including: an opening of the cavity towards at least one secondary cavity is traversed by at least one continuous phase flow,
• the moving means is configured to move a flow of first fluid in the cavity to the secondary cavity to form an element of the first fluid in the secondary cavity and
• Local heating means heating the deformable material positioned at the intersection of the two cavities so as to block or force, during heating of the portion of the deformable material, the passage of elements from the cavity to the secondary cavity.
• an element can form naturally, but its size is then determined by the ratios of flow rates and by the geometry of the junction between the two cavities. With the generation device object of the present invention, it is possible to control the size of the generated elements.
• the present invention aims at a device for sorting at least one element consisting of a first fluid transported in a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid, which comprises:
• the device for manipulating an element which comprises:
• Local heating means heating the deformable material positioned at each intersection so as to block the passage of an element from the cavity to at least one secondary cavity.
• the present invention is directed to a storage / retrieval device for an element consisting of a first fluid transported in a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid, which comprises:
• a handling device a part of the deformable material of which is configured, during deformation, to block the passage of an element in a primary cavity and to direct this element towards a storage / retrieval structure and
• the storage / retrieval structure configured for, during heating of a portion of the deformable material of the structure, by means of local heating of the secondary device, destocking the element.
• the device that is the subject of the present invention comprises a portion of deformable material located at the junction between the primary cavity and the storage / retrieval structure.
• the portion of the deformable material located at the junction between the primary cavity and the storage / retrieval structure is configured to be heated when an element is stored in the structure.
• the storage / retrieval structure comprises a conduit configured to feed the primary cavity with the second fluid contained in the structure.
• the present invention provides a device for melting two elements consisting of miscible first fluids transported in a second fluid immiscible with each first fluid, which comprises a manipulation device object of the present invention, comprising a plurality of parts deformed configured to force in contact the two elements by successive displacement of at least one of the two elements. Thanks to these arrangements, it is possible to force the contact between two elements made of different fluids.
• the present invention aims at a matrix device for manipulating an element consisting of a first fluid transported in a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid, which comprises a device for handling an element consisting of a first fluid transported in a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid of the present invention, whose cavity extends in two directions and which comprises:
• At least one heating means for deforming a portion of the deformable material positioned opposite at least one outlet.
• FIG. 1 represents, schematically, a sectional view of a particular embodiment of the device for manipulating an element which is the subject of the present invention
• FIG. 2 represents, schematically, a particular embodiment of the device for manipulating an element that is the subject of the present invention
• FIG. 3 represents, schematically, a sectional view of a particular embodiment of a displacement of an element by the device forming the subject of the present invention
• FIG. 4 schematically represents a sectional view of a particular embodiment of an isolation of an element by the device that is the subject of the present invention
• FIG. 5 represents, schematically, a sectional view of a particular embodiment of a capillary valve by the device that is the subject of the present invention
• FIG. 6 schematically represents a view from above of a particular embodiment of the device for generating an element which is the subject of the present invention
• FIG. 7 schematically represents a view from above of a particular embodiment of the device for sorting an element which is the subject of the present invention
• FIG. 8 represents, schematically, a view from above of a particular embodiment of the storage / retrieval device that is the subject of the present invention
• FIG. 9 represents, schematically, a view from above of a particular embodiment of the device that is the subject of the present invention in which the cavity extends in two dimensions
• FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a particular embodiment of a manipulation network of an element which is the subject of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 schematically represents a sectional view of a particular embodiment of the device for manipulating an element that is the subject of the present invention
• FIG. 12 schematically represents a particular flow diagram of the process of the present invention.
• FIG. 13 shows schematically a sectional view of the cavity object of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a particular embodiment of the device 10 for manipulating an element that is the subject of the present invention.
• This device 10 comprises:
• a cavity 105 configured to receive at least one element of a fluid, which comprises:
• thermomechanical effect a part 1 10 of the deformable material deformed by thermomechanical effect
• thermal rail 160 comprising a plurality of local heating means 1 15,
• a means 140 for detecting the position of at least one element in the cavity 105 which comprises:
• a captured image processing means 150 configured to determine the position of an element according to the processed image
• a substrate 1 65 comprising the thermal rail 160, secured to the cavity 105.
• the cavity 105 is, for example, a pipe of rectangular section, along a transverse axis of the cavity 105, placed on the substrate 1 65.
• This cavity 105 may also have a section of any other geometric shape.
• This conduit comprises a portion 125 of electrically insulating material, in contact with the substrate 1 65.
• This part 125 is of small thickness compared to the thickness of the part 1 10.
• the conduit comprises a part 1 10 of deformable material, such as PDMS.
• the thickness of this portion 10 of deformable material is, for example, ten times greater than a dimension of the section of the cavity 105 along a transverse axis of the cavity 105.
• This conduit is, for example, configured to receive elements 80 micrometers in diameter.
• the conduit has, for example, a diameter of 100 micrometers.
• the conduit further comprises a translucent portion 1 corresponding to the deformable portion 1.
• the cavity 105 does not have a translucent part.
• This duct further comprises two openings 130 located at both ends of the duct. These openings 130 allow the injection or ejection of an element in the conduit. In particular, one of these openings 130 may be associated with means 135 for generating a flow passing through the two openings 130.
• one of these openings is constituted by pores in the part 125 or in the part 1 10 of deformable material.
• the portion 125 is of non-deformable material.
• the device 10 has a single opening 130 allowing an element to enter the cavity 105.
• the means 135 for generating a flow of a carrier fluid is, for example, a syringe or pressure controller for injecting a fluid into an opening 130 so that the injected fluid exits through the other opening 130 of the fluid. leads.
• this generation means 135 is configured to inject a multiphasic fluid containing at least one fluid element to be handled. This flow of a carrier fluid allows to move at least one element.
• the device 10 does not include means 135 for generating flows.
• the control means 120 of at least one local heating means 1 15 is, for example, a controller connected to each local heating means 1 15 of the device 10. This control means 120 is configured to issue a control of local heating independently to at least one local heating means 1 to manipulate an element in the cavity 105.
• the control means 120 is configured to cause successive heating of at least two adjacent local heating means 1 of the thermal rail 1 60 so as to move the element along the cavity 105. Indeed, the deformation of a portion 1 10 of the deformable material of the cavity 105 generated by heating of a first local heating means 1 15 causes displacement of the element in the cavity 105. If a second local heating means 1 15 is heated to the new location where the element is located, a new displacement of the element is achieved .
• Each local heating means 1 positioned along the cavity 105 may be heated to move an element from one end to the other of the path formed by the local heating means 1 along the cavity 105.
• the control means 120 is controlled by the detection means 140.
• the detection means 140 commands the control means 120 to heat up. successive local heating means 1 15 adjacent to an element according to the detected position of this element.
• the control means 120 is also configured to control heating of two local heating means 1 adjacent to the detected position of the element so as to retain the element in a conduit.
• the control means 120 may be configured to control heating of a local heating means adjacent to the detected position of the element so as to retain the element against the part 1 10 deformable deformed material. This embodiment is more particularly observed in FIG.
• the control means 120 is, finally, configured to control heating of a means 1, one element of which is positioned between the means 1 and a deformed portion 1 of the cavity 105 so as to divide the element into at least two elements. elements smaller than the divided element.
• Each local heating means 1 15 is integrated with a thermal rail 1 60 controlled by the control means 120 and integrated into the substrate 1 65.
• This thermal rail 1 60 is positioned along the cavity 105 so that each means for local heating 1 15 of the thermal rail 1 60 is facing a deformed portion of the deformable material 1 10 of the cavity 105.
• the presence of a lubricating film of the second fluid present between the element and a portion 125 guarantees that there is no element-substrate cross-pollution.
• Each local heating means 1 15 is configured, during a heating, to cause deformation by thermomechanical effect of a portion of the deformable material 1 10, the cavity 105. This deformation causes an at least partial obstruction of the cavity 105 blocking the passage of an element instead of obstruction.
• each local heating means 1 15 facing a part of deformable material 1 10 is much smaller, at least an order of magnitude, to the total length of the cavity 105. This difference in size makes it possible to locally deform the cavity 105 without causing deformation throughout the cavity 105 and allows, thus, a controlled control of the handling of an element.
• the power required to effect the deformation of a portion of deformable material 1 10 is, for example, of the order of 150 mW and the voltage across each means is less than 10 V.
• This local heating means heats the cavity 105 on a surface whose largest dimension is of similar size to the largest dimension of a fluid element passing through the cavity. This local heating allows a local manipulation and fine drops in an otherwise larger cavity.
• the largest dimension L2 of the deformed portion 1310 is an order of magnitude smaller than the largest dimension L1 of the cavity 1300.
• the deformed portion 1310 is two orders of magnitude lower than the Largest dimension L1 of the cavity 1300.
• the dimension L2 of the deformable material part 1310 is chosen so that, during the deformation of this part of the deformable material 1310, the smallest dimension L4 of the section of the deformed cavity 1300 does not allow the passage of the element 1305. but allows the flow of the second fluid.
• This dimension L4 is smaller than the smallest dimension L5 of the element 1305, the largest dimension of the drop being greater than the dimension L3 of the cavity.
• the section of the cavity 1300 is rectangular, the element 1305 having a wafer shape and the portion of deformable material 1310 has a dimension L2 of the portion of deformable material similar to the section of the element 1305 and therefore of the cavity 1300.
• an obstruction formed in the section of the cavity by a portion of the deformable material measures two micrometers.
• the detection means 140 illustrated in FIG. 1, of an element is, for example, an assembly formed of the image capture means 145 and the image processing means 150 captured.
• the image capturing means 145 is, for example, a camera positioned so as to capture an image of each translucent portion 10 of the device 10.
• the image processing means 150 is, for example, a controlled electronic circuit by a computer program configured to establish, by detection of shapes, the presence or absence of an element at a location of the cavity 105 according to the captured image.
• This detection means 140 is configured to transmit a position signal to the control means 120. This position signal is used by the control means 120 to determine which local heating means 1 are to be heated.
• this detection means 140 is an electronic circuit, connected to a coil at least partially surrounding the cavity, configured to detect an element of the first fluid as a function of a disturbance of an electromagnetic field near the cavity 105. .
• the substrate 1 65 comprising the thermal rail 1 60, secured to the cavity 105, can be detached from the portion 125, which recycles the heat rail 160 that the substrate 1 65 comprises.
• FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows a particular embodiment of the device 20 of the present invention.
• This device 20 comprises a control means 205 which independently addresses a control signal, via an independent control channel 215, to each local heating means 210 of the device 20.
• the detection system 220 comprising, for example, a detection system 230 and a system for detecting the content 235 of the elements in the device 20, is connected to the control means 205 via another control channel 225.
• FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a particular embodiment of the device 30 for displacing an element 315 by the device 10 which is the subject of the present invention.
• the device 10 does not include flow generation means.
• the movement of an element 315 is carried out when an element 315 is present in a cavity 320 facing the deformable material 310 of the cavity 320. If a movement control of the element 315 is received by a control means, not shown, of the local heating means 305, this control means control heating of the means 305 local heating.
• This local heating means 305 causes the deformable material part 310 to expand in the cavity 320.
• the element 315 When the part of deformable material 310 bears on the element 315, the element 315 is pushed into the cavity 320 so as to make a longitudinal displacement.
• a plurality of means is implemented so as to cause a displacement of close to the element 315.
• FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a particular embodiment of the device 40 for isolating an element 415 by the device 10 which is the subject of the present invention.
• This element isolation 415 is achieved by simultaneously heating two heating means 405 placed opposite the deformable material causing deformation 410 adjacent to the position of an element 415 located in a cavity 420.
• the element 415 is then found trapped between two deformable parts 410 deformed by thermomechanical effect.
• the element 415 is positioned between two deformable parts of the cavity 410, non-adjacent deformed by the action of two means 405 local heating.
• FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a particular embodiment of the device 50 of a capillary valve by the device 10 which is the subject of the present invention.
• This capillary valve is produced when a deformed part 510 of the deformable material of a cavity 520 is deformed by thermomechanical effect by the actuation of a local heating means 505 while an element 515 is pushed towards the deformation by a flow 525 of a fluid for example.
• This stream 525 is generated by a means 530 for generating a flow of the second fluid.
• This valve is open when the means 505 for local heating does not heat up, and therefore that the portion of deformable material 510 does not obstruct the passage of the element 515.
• FIG. 6 shows, seen from above, a particular embodiment of the device 60 for generating an element that is the subject of the present invention.
• This device 60 comprises:
• a cavity 605 traversed by a longitudinal flow 610 of a first fluid, which will be dispersed in a secondary cavity 620, which comprises a junction 615 located downstream of the flow 610, entering the secondary cavity 620 through which a flow 625 of a second fluid and
• a local heating means positioned facing the deformable material at the intersection 615 of the two cavities, 605 and 620, so as to block the passage of the first fluid from the cavity 605 towards the secondary cavity 620, thus blocking the formation of elements.
• the cavity 605 is, for example, similar to the cavity 105 described in FIG. This cavity 605 is traversed by a flow 610 of a first immiscible fluid with the second fluid carried by the stream 625.
• the local heating means is heated so as to block the passage of an element injected by the flow 610.
• the local heating means ceases to heat so as to allow the first fluid to enter the secondary cavity 620.
• the local heating means is heated again so as to break the element passing between the local heating means and a portion of deformable material 630 of the cavity 605. The portion of the first fluid having thus passed the means is thus injected into the cavity 620 and generates an element of the first fluid that can be used according to different needs.
• the junction 615 connects upstream a plurality of cavities 605 and a plurality of streams 625, opening downstream in at least one cavity 620 single.
• each cavity 605 carries an element of at least one secondary fluid transported in a first fluid. At least two secondary fluids are miscible with each other.
• the elements generated and moved in at least one cavity 620 unique from at least two cavities 605 can mix to become an "element of a second fluid" as described in the description of the figures.
• the generation device 60 may include a plurality of cavities 605 carrying a fluid for generating an element and a plurality of cavities 620 carrying a generated element.
• FIG. 7 shows, seen from above, a particular embodiment of the device 70 for sorting an element which is the subject of the present invention.
• This device 70 comprises:
• the cavity 720 is traversed by a longitudinal flow 725 comprising elements of a first fluid dispersed in the second fluid;
• a local heating means is positioned facing the deformable material 740 at each intersection so as to block the passage of an element from the cavity 720 to a secondary cavity 735.
• the identification means 705 of an element is, for example, a coil surrounding a location of the cavity 720 configured to measure the impedance of the fluid of the element and to determine the nature of the fluid as a function of the measured impedance. .
• the device 70 does not include identification means 705.
• the actuating means 710 is, for example, an electronic circuit configured to control the control means 715 heating of the local heating means positioned at the opening 730 of the secondary cavity 735 in which it is not desired to enter the fluid element identified.
• the control means 715 controls the heating stop of the local heating means positioned at the opening 730 of the secondary cavity 735 in which it is desired to enter the identified fluid element, if this means of local heating. is heating up. In this way, it is possible to sort the elements entering the device 70 by selectively opening a secondary cavity 735 in which the sorted element is directed.
• FIG. 8 shows a particular embodiment of the device 80 for storing / retrieving an element of a first immiscible fluid.
• This device 80 comprises a main cavity 825 traversed by a stream 820 of dispersed first fluid elements.
• This device 80 also comprises a secondary cavity 815 towards which the elements can be directed and therefore stored.
• the control means activates local heating means heating the deformable portions 835 during the passage of at least one element detected by the detection means, directing the elements in the secondary cavity 815 for storage.
• a bypass cavity 830 allows free circulation of a second fluid carrying the elements of the first fluid.
• the device 80 does not have a bypassing cavity 830.
• the cavity 815 is isolated from the secondary cavity 825 by activation of a local heating means, heating a portion of the deformable material 840 of the cavity, controlled by the control means.
• a local heating means configured to heat a portion of the deformable material 835 of the main cavity 825 so as to block the passage of an element in this cavity 825, is deactivated and
• heating deformable parts 845 are activated by the control means so as to propel at least one element of the secondary cavity 815 to the main cavity 825.
• the destocking phase is carried out by the following sequence: the local heating means, heating the part of the deformable material 840, isolating the secondary cavity 815 is deactivated,
• the local heating means configured to heat a portion of the deformable material 835 of the main cavity 825 so as to block the passage of an element in this cavity 825, is deactivated and
• the local heating means heating the deformable portions of the cavity 845, are activated by the control means so as to propel at least one element of the secondary cavity 815 to the main cavity 825 and
• the cavity 815 is isolated by actuating the local heating means heating the deformed part of the deformable material 840.
• the deformed part of the deformable material opposite the local heating means, heating the part of deformable material 840 located at the junction between the primary cavity and the secondary cavity is configured to be heated when an element is stored in the structure.
• the storage / retrieval device 80 makes it possible to reorganize a sequence of immiscible fluid elements.
• the device 80 comprises at least one secondary cavity in which elements are stored.
• storage is performed according to their nature detected by a detection means.
• the destocking of at least one element is caused sequentially in at least one secondary cavity. In this way, it is possible to rearrange a sequence of elements by independently storing each element at first and then selectively releasing the stored elements according to their nature.
• FIG. 9 shows, seen from above, a particular embodiment of the device 90 which is the subject of the present invention.
• a cavity 945 of the device 90 extends along two axes.
• This cavity 945 is formed of boxes 935 delimited by four links between pads 915 distributed in the cavity 945, positioned to form four corners of a square.
• boxes of any polygonal geometry having at least three sides are used.
• these boxes are delimited by deformed parts, whose function is similar to that of the pads described above, the cavity causing deformation of the cavity.
• a deformed part of the deformable material 920 is positioned opposite each edge of the square thus delimited. It is possible, during heating of at least a portion of the deformable material 920, to:
• This device 90 further comprises a cavity 925 serving as input to elements of a first immiscible fluid transported by a flow 930 of a second fluid.
• This device 90 comprises an outlet cavity 940 positioned facing the inlet cavity 925 so that the flow 930 of the second fluid is directed towards the outlet cavity 940.
• deformed portions 920 are positioned on the flow path 930 between the inlet cavity 925 and the outlet cavity 940. In this way, when the local heating means heats up, an element pushed by the flow 930 is oriented towards a box of the matrix by the deformation of a portion of the deformable material 920.
• Inside the cavity 935 in two dimensions it is possible to perform all the functions detailed in Figures 1 to 8, namely, for example:
• FIG. 10 diagrammatically shows a particular embodiment of a network 1000 for handling immiscible fluid elements.
• This network comprises four element generators 1005 as described in FIG. 6 producing, from one generator to the other, elements of composition and volumes that may be different. These elements are conveyed into a cavity 1010 comprising a capillary valve system as described in FIG. 5. These capillary valves allow, in this embodiment, to predefine the number of elements of each nature for a sequence of elements given to junction 1055.
• Each sequence of elements is routed, via a channel 1015, into a cavity 1020 having a two-dimensional matrix system as in FIG. 9.
• the order of the elements of the sequence entering the matrix can be to be modified at the output.
• One or more elements of the sequence can be stored in one or more storage cavities 1030 via the device described in FIG. 8 so as to possibly merge them into a fusion device 1025.
• This operation makes it possible to generate elements of moreover large size containing various elements from successive sequences.
• the advantage of fusing elements is to enable high-throughput screening, ie to test a large number of combinations of possible elements.
• These elements can be expelled from the cavity 1030 via the destocking system as described in FIG. 8. These elements are then conveyed to a sorting device 1035 as described in FIG. 7, comprising a detection means and three output branches. 1060, 1065 and 1070.
• the elements routed into the branch 1060 are directly routed to a junction 1085.
• the elements routed to a junction 1065 are divided into at least two smaller elements in the cavity 1045 having an element splitter.
• the elements resulting from the division are conveyed to a sorting device 1035, as described in FIG. 7, comprising a detection means and two branches of Outputs 1075 and 1080.
• the elements routed through the 1080 branch are routed directly to a junction 1090.
• the elements conveyed by the branch 1075 are blocked by a device 1050 as described in FIG. 5 in order to be brought into contact with the elements coming from the branch 1060 via the junction 1085.
• the elements thus brought into contact can be released by the device 1050, then fused via another fusion device 1025.
• the element resulting from the melting is conveyed in a cavity comprising a thermal rail 1040, via a storage device 1030 as described in FIG. 8.
• the thermal rail as described in FIG. 1, the element is conveyed in any position of the rail. The chosen position makes it possible, for example, to observe an evolution of the nature of the element as a function of time. If the item is not stored, this item is routed directly to a 1090 junction.
• the elements conveyed in the branch 1070 are transported to a cavity comprising a thermal rail 1040, via a storage device 1030 as described in FIG. 8.
• the thermal rail as described in FIG. 1, the element is conveyed in any position of the rail. If the element is not stored, this element is routed directly to the junction 1090. All the elements arriving at the junction 1090 are evacuated via an output 1095.
• FIG. 11 shows a particular embodiment of the device
• the local heating means is an assembly comprising a laser 1 105 and a mirror 1 120, the mirror 1 120 being configured to orient the laser beam 1 105 towards a portion of deformable material 1 1 10 of the cavity 1 1 15 according to a local heating command issued by the control means, not shown.
• the device 1 100 does not include a mirror 1 120 and the laser 1 105 comprises a matrix shutter configured to allow the passage of the beam of the laser 1 105 according to a local heating command issued by the control means.
• the laser 1 105 is mounted on a pivoting device for directing the beam of the laser 1 105 according to a local heating command issued by the control means.
• the local heating means implements any known transmission means of a wave
• other local heating techniques may be employed, such as, for example, devices using the Joule effect, preheated fluids, microwaves, and the like. waves, an infra-red signal. The differences between these techniques lie in the transient time of establishing temperature and integration.
• FIG. 12 shows a particular flow diagram of the process of the present invention.
• This method 1200 for manipulating an element consisting of a first fluid transported by a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid in a cavity of which at least one wall is made of deformable material comprises:
• a step 1220 of setting the element in motion in the cavity towards the outside of the deformed part of the cavity is a step 1220 of setting the element in motion in the cavity towards the outside of the deformed part of the cavity.
• the introduction step 1205 is performed, for example, by the implementation of a supply of elements of the first fluid transported by the second fluid. This diet pushes into the cavity these elements.
• the control step 1210 is performed, for example, by a control means as described with reference to one of Figures 1 to 1 1.
• the local deformation step 1215 is carried out, for example, by:
• the local heating is similar to the heating described with reference to one of Figures 1 to 1 1 above.
• the pneumatic deformation means is, for example, a pipe contained in the wall of the cavity, the pressure of a fluid inside this pipe being increased so that the pipe extends and partially obstructs the cavity .
• the piezoelectric deformation means is a piezoelectric material whose application of an electric current on this material causes a deformation partially obstructing the cavity.
• the setting step 1220 depends on the type of manipulation performed, the different types of manipulation being described with reference to Figures 1 to 1 1.
• the method 1200 comprises a step 1230 for determining the positioning of an element of the cavity as a function of the positioning of a deformed part of the cavity.
• This determination step 1230 is carried out, for example, during the implementation of a thermal rail as described above, as a function of the thermal element of the actuated rail allowing a prediction of the positioning of the element in the cavity.
• the method 1200 includes a step 1225 for detecting the positioning of an element in the cavity, the control step 1210 controlling the deformation of a portion of the deformable material of the cavity selected according to the positioning detected from the element.
• This detection step 1225 is performed, for example, by an optical sensor, inductive, capacitive or resistive positioned opposite the portion of the cavity and configured to detect the passage of an element.

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• 2013
  • 2013-12-24 FR FR1363551A patent/FR3015310B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2014
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  • 2014-12-24 EP EP14824016.1A patent/EP3086879A1/de not_active Withdrawn
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