Method and apparatus for real-time monitoring of droplet composition in microfluidic devices

摘要

A device for real time monitoring of fluid composition in microfluidic devices. The invention can be integrated into any microfluidic device where fluid moves along a pathway with a measurement region consisting of at least two measurement electrodes. The fluidic pathway can contain an unbound droplet, a droplet confined in at least one aspect, or a continuous flow. The device also includes control circuitry connected to measurement electrodes that allows for the determination of the droplet composition by measuring at least one of capacitance, resistance, or impedance between said electrodes. This invention can (1) measure droplet composition, (2) compare composition against a known sample, (3) monitor droplet mixing, (4) control mixing to achieve specific mixing ratios, (5) measure the particle concentration within a droplet, (6) determine the position of particles in a droplet, and (7) monitor chemical reactions. These functions call all be performed in real time.