A microfluidic assembly includes a microfluidic chip having first and second inlet/outlet ports, and a fluid pathway between the first and second inlet/outlet ports. A manifold supports the microfluidic chip. A fluid delivery assembly is coupled to the microfluidic chip by the manifold for delivering fluid to/from the microfluidic chip. The fluid delivery assembly includes a fluid lumen and a seal, and is movable between a closed configuration in which the seal is advanced to prevent fluid communication between the fluid lumen and the first inlet/outlet port, and an open configuration in which the seal is retracted to allow fluid communication between the fluid lumen and the first inlet/outlet port. A pump forces fluid flow between the fluid lumen and the first inlet/outlet port when the fluid delivery assembly is in the open configuration.
A microfluidic device includes a substrate having a first fluid inlet/outlet system, a second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a fluidic network between the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system and in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system. The fluidic network includes a microfluidic channel network that is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and spaced from the second fluid inlet/outlet system, a nanofluidic channel network fluidly connecting the microfluidic channel network and the second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel network and the nanofluidic channel network.
A method for assessing interaction between an oil composition and a solvent includes: a. within a microfluidic channel, isolating at least a first compound slug in an isolation fluid, wherein the first compound slug comprises at least a first slug of an oil composition in contact with at least a first slug of a solvent; and b. with the first compound slug isolated in the isolation fluid and within the microfluidic channel, and while maintaining the microfluidic channel at a first test temperature and a first test pressure, conducting an optical investigation of at least the first compound slug to assess interaction between the oil composition and the solvent at the first test pressure and first test temperature.
A microfluidic assembly includes a jack for forcing a base and a cover together to sandwich a microfluidic chip between base and the cover, with the base and the cover bearing against the microfluidic chip to apply a confining pressure to the microfluidic chip, and with a seal compressed between the microfluidic chip and the base to seal a fluid channel of the base in fluid communication with a microfluidic inlet of the microfluidic chip. A microfluidic chip includes a silicon wafer having at least a first microfluidic channel etched therein, and a chemically strengthened glass panel bonded to the silicon wafer to cover the microfluidic channel.
A base for a microfluidic manifold includes a first metallic block and a second metallic block. The first metallic block has a plurality of channels formed into a first surface thereof. Each channel is in fluid communication with a respective fluid inlet/outlet port of the first metallic block. The second metallic block overlies and is bonded to the first surface of the first metallic block to cover the plurality of channels. The second metallic block has a plurality of conduits that extend therethrough towards the first metallic block. A microfluidic chip is seatable against the second metallic block, and the conduits provide fluid communication between the microfluidic chip and the plurality of channels.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Apparatus and instruments for physics, namely microscopes, proprietary constant composition expansion analysis microfluidic chips for reservoir fluids, swelling factor characterization microfluidic chips, minimum miscibility pressure microfluidic chips, diffusion coefficient measurement microfluidic chips, hydraulic fracturing fluid optimization microfluidic chips, t-sensor microfluidic chips, micromodel microfluidic chips, all having multi-well arrays that can be used in chemical analysis, biological analysis or patterning for scientific, laboratory or medical research use, densitometers not for medical use, rheometers for measuring the viscosity and viscoelasticity of fluids, pressure sensors, disposable and reusable infusion and injection syringes for administration of controlled fluid volumes for laboratory use, automatic needle valves, automatic ball valves, automatic switching valves, test tubes for manipulating samples in laboratory equipment; cases especially made for photographic apparatus and instruments; chemistry apparatus and instruments, namely microscopes, proprietary constant composition expansion analysis microfluidic chips for reservoir fluids, swelling factor characterization microfluidic chips, minimum miscibility pressure microfluidic chips, diffusion coefficient measurement microfluidic chips, hydraulic fracturing fluid optimization microfluidic chips, t-sensor microfluidic chips, micromodel microfluidic chips, all having multi-well arrays that can be used in chemical analysis, biological analysis or patterning for scientific, laboratory or medical research use, densitometers not for medical use, rheometers for measuring the viscosity and viscoelasticity of fluids, pressure sensors, disposable and reusable infusion and injection syringes for administration of controlled fluid volumes for laboratory use, automatic needle valves, automatic ball valves, automatic switching valves, disposable reusable dispenser syringes for laboratory use for manipulating samples in laboratory equipment, LED light sources, namely, light emitting diodes (LEDs) used for microscope illumination; computer software applications, namely, downloadable software for controlling automation for laboratory equipment and sensors, for managing laboratory information, for project planning, and for analyzing images and data; computer software platforms, recorded or downloadable, for controlling automation for laboratory equipment and sensors, for managing laboratory information, for project planning, and for analyzing images and data; computer software, recorded, for controlling automation for laboratory equipment and sensors, for managing laboratory information, for project planning, and for analyzing images and data; data processing apparatus; distillation apparatus for scientific purposes; furnaces for laboratory use; ovens for laboratory use; gas testing instruments; gasometers; gauges, namely pressure gauges, water temperature gauges, density gauges, viscosity gauges, electrical conductivity gauges, thermal conductivity gauges, thermal heat capacity gauges; heat regulating apparatus, namely, temperature controllers for controlling the temperature of laboratory equipment, laboratory sensors, and laboratory microfluidic devices; nanoparticle size analyzers; observation instruments, namely microscopes and digital cameras; precision measuring apparatus, namely, computer controlled apparatus for testing and measuring microfluids, constant composition expansion, swelling factor, minimum miscibility pressure, enhanced oil recovery characterization, flowback, and conductivity, not for medical purposes; pressure gauges; pressure indicators; pressure measuring apparatus; probes for scientific purposes; readers, namely cameras, pressure sensors, density and viscosity sensors, microscope stage position encoders, microscope filter cube switching encoders, microscope objective turret encoders, pump position readouts in the nature of pump position gauges, resistance temperature detectors, thermocouples, and microscope light sources in the nature of light emitting diodes (LEDS); capillary tubes for samples for laboratory use; chromatography apparatus for laboratory use; densimeters; densitometers not for medical use; flowmeters; laboratory robots; microscopes; pressure indicator plugs for valves; stills for laboratory experiments; Microfluidics and fluid-based samples analysis equipment consisting of pressure gauges, fluid temperature gauges, densitometers not for medical use, microscope, temperature controller for controlling the temperature of laboratory instruments, sensors and microfluidic chips, and controlled volume pumps and downloadable computer software for analysis of fluids; dosage dispensers for measuring and dispensing portions of fluids into laboratory equipment, fluids into sensors, and fluids into microfluidic chips, not for medical use; high pressure manometers; dosimeters
7.
MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES, MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR ASSESSING THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF A FLUID
A microfluidic device includes a microfluidic substrate having a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, and a control volume in fluid communication with the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port. The control volume includes a gas accumulation cell downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet port for accumulating a gas composition within the control volume, and a plurality of capillary channels downstream of the gas accumulation cell for collecting condensed liquid from the gas accumulation cell. The capillary channels each extend from the gas accumulation cell, and the depth of each of the capillary channels is less than the depth of the gas accumulation cell.
A method for assessing thermophysical properties of a study fluid includes isolating a first a slug of a study fluid within an isolation fluid in a microfluidic channel; conducting a first optical investigation of the first slug to assess a thermophysical property of the first slug; while maintaining the first slug in the microfluidic channel and within the isolation fluid, modifying at least one of a pressure within the microfluidic channel and a temperature within the microfluidic channel; and conducting a second optical investigation of the first slug to re-assess the thermophysical property of the study fluid.
A microfluidic assembly includes a microfluidic chip having first and second inlet/outlet ports, and a fluid pathway between the first and second inlet/outlet ports. A manifold supports the microfluidic chip. A fluid delivery assembly is coupled to the microfluidic chip by the manifold for delivering fluid to/from the microfluidic chip. The fluid delivery assembly includes a fluid lumen and a seal, and is movable between a closed configuration in which the seal is advanced to prevent fluid communication between the fluid lumen and the first inlet/outlet port, and an open configuration in which the seal is retracted to allow fluid communication between the fluid lumen and the first inlet/outlet port. A pump forces fluid flow between the fluid lumen and the first inlet/outlet port when the fluid delivery assembly is in the open configuration.
A microfluidic device includes a microfluidic substrate having a porous media channel, an oil inlet port in fluid communication with the porous media channel, a fluid inlet port in fluid communication with the porous media channel, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the porous media channel. The porous media channel has a plurality of dividers that provide the porous media channel with a network of fluid pathways. A method for assessing miscibility of an oil composition and a fluid includes flowing an aliquot of a fluid through a porous media channel to displace at least an oil composition from the porous media channel, and conducting an optical investigation of the porous media channel to assess the miscibility of the oil composition and the fluid at the test pressure and test temperature.
A microfluidic assembly includes a jack for forcing a base and a cover together to sandwich a microfluidic chip between base and the cover, with the base and the cover bearing against the microfluidic chip to apply a confining pressure to the microfluidic chip, and with a seal compressed between the microfluidic chip and the base to seal a fluid channel of the base in fluid communication with a microfluidic inlet of the microfluidic chip. A microfluidic chip includes a silicon wafer having at least a first microfluidic channel etched therein, and a chemically strengthened glass panel bonded to the silicon wafer to cover the microfluidic channel.
A method for assessing thermophysical properties of a study fluid includes isolating a first a slug of a study fluid within an isolation fluid in a microfluidic channel; conducting a first optical investigation of the first slug to assess a thermophysical property of the first slug; while maintaining the first slug in the microfluidic channel and within the isolation fluid, modifying at least one of a pressure within the microfluidic channel and a temperature within the microfluidic channel; and conducting a second optical investigation of the first slug to re-assess the thermophysical property of the study fluid.
A microfluidic device includes a substrate having a first fluid inlet/outlet system, a second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a fluidic network between the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system and in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system. The fluidic network includes a microfluidic channel network that is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and spaced from the second fluid inlet/outlet system, a nanofluidic channel network fluidly connecting the microfluidic channel network and the second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel network and the nanofluidic channel network.
A microfluidic device includes a microfluidic substrate having a porous media channel, an oil inlet port in fluid communication with the porous media channel, a fluid inlet port in fluid communication with the porous media channel, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the porous media channel. The porous media channel has a plurality of dividers that provide the porous media channel with a network of fluid pathways. A method for assessing miscibility of an oil composition and a fluid includes flowing an aliquot of a fluid through a porous media channel to displace at least an oil composition from the porous media channel, and conducting an optical investigation of the porous media channel to assess the miscibility of the oil composition and the fluid at the test pressure and test temperature.
A microfluidic chip and holder assembly includes a base having a seat and at least a first fluid channel that extends through the base. The first fluid channel has an inlet that is spaced from the seat for connection to a fluid supply and an outlet that is in the seat. A microfluidic chip is received by the seat, and the microfluidic chip has a fluid pathway. A cover is mounted over the microfluidic chip to sandwich the microfluidic chip between the cover and the base. The cover bears against the microfluidic chip to force the microfluidic chip to bear against the base and form a sealed connection between the outlet of the fluid channel and the fluid pathway of the microfluidic chip.
A holder for a microfluidic chip includes a base having an outward facing surface, a seat defined in the outward facing surface for receiving a microfluidic chip, and a first circular wall extending around the seat and having a first screw thread. A cover is mountable to the base over the seat for retaining the microfluidic chip on the seat. The cover has a window and a second circular wall extending around the window. The second circular wall has a second screw thread. The second screw thread is engageable with the first screw thread to screw the cover to the base with the window overlying the seat.
A microfluidic injection and manifold assembly includes a microfluidic chip having at least a first fluid port and a second fluid port, and a fluid pathway between the first fluid port and the second fluid port. A manifold has a seat on which the microfluidic chip is received, and at least a first fluid channel. The fluid channel has an external fluid port spaced from the seat and an internal fluid port in the seat and connected in fluid communication with the first fluid port of the microfluidic chip. At least a first injector is secured to the manifold and has a plunger and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is activatable to force the plunger into the external fluid port of the manifold to force fluid from the first fluid channel of the manifold into the fluid pathway of the microfluidic chip.
F16K 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
B01L 3/00 - Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glasswareDroppers
F16K 37/00 - Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given
19.
Microfluidic devices and systems, and methods for operating microfluidic devices and systems
A microfluidic device includes a substrate having a first fluid inlet/outlet system, a second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a fluidic network between the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system and in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system. The fluidic network includes a microfluidic channel network that is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and spaced from the second fluid inlet/outlet system, a nanofluidic channel network fluidly connecting the microfluidic channel network and the second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel network and the nanofluidic channel network.
A holder for a microfluidic chip includes a base having an outward facing surface, a seat defined in the outward facing surface for receiving a microfluidic chip, and a first circular wall extending around the seat and having a first screw thread. A cover is mountable to the base over the seat for retaining the microfluidic chip on the seat. The cover has a window and a second circular wall extending around the window. The second circular wall has a second screw thread. The second screw thread is engageable with the first screw thread to screw the cover to the base with the window overlying the seat.
Methods and apparatuses for determining a material characteristic of a sample material are disclosed. A sample material is loaded to a plurality of cells. An interference material is disposed relative to the sample material such that the interference material at least retards the transport of the sample material from a one of the cells to at least another one of the cells. For each one of the cells, independently: a stimulus is applied to the sample material in the cell such that a conditioned sample material is obtained; and a material characteristic of the conditioned sample material is sensed.
