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Microfluidic devices and methods for producing pulsed microfluidic jets in a liquid environmentRelated Patent Categories: Chemical Apparatus And Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, Or Sterilizing, Analyzer, Structured Indicator, Or Manipulative Laboratory Device, Miscellaneous Laboratory Apparatus And Elements, Per SeMicrofluidic devices and methods for producing pulsed microfluidic jets in a liquid environment description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050244301, Microfluidic devices and methods for producing pulsed microfluidic jets in a liquid environment. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/683,117 filed on Nov. 20, 2001; which application is a continuation-in-part application of application serial no. PCT/US00/13762 filed May 19, 2000 and designating the United States; which application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 (e) to the filing date of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/135,827 filed May 21, 1999; the disclosures of which applications are herein incorporated by reference. INTRODUCTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The field of the invention is microsurgery, and particularly surgical tools for use therein, and more particularly microsurgical cutting tools. [0004] 2. Background of the Invention [0005] Microsurgery is a broad term that refers to any surgical procedures performed under the magnification of a surgical microscope. Microsurgery is being employed to treat an increasing number of conditions, as it provides a number of benefits over conventional surgical techniques. Such advantages include avoidance of complications experienced during conventional, invasive procedures. Furthermore, microsurgery has enabled several new surgical protocols that simply could not be performed on a non-micro scale. As such, microsurgery represents an important, relatively new area of medicine that will continue to gain in applicability in the future. Already, microsurgical techniques are being employed in the areas of opthamology, neurosurgery, laparoscopic surgery, periodontal surgery, reconstructive surgery, reproductive surgery, etc. [0006] Because of the importance of microsurgery to many different fields of medicine, a number of diverse microsurgical tools have been developed. One type of microsurgical tool is a cutting tool, i.e., a tool designed for cutting tissue. Microsurgical cutting tools require precise control of incision size and shape. Microsurgical cutting tools developed to date operate by a variety of different means, including laser means, cavitation means, and the like. For example, localized explosive evaporation and bubble formation generated by optical absorption and breakdown are used in intraocular surgery and other applications for soft tissue cutting and an electric discharge method for creating plasma-induced bubbles has recently been developed. [0007] However, both optical and electric discharge techniques suffer from collateral damage to surrounding tissue. For example, while the vaporization and thermal tissue change due to high plasma temperature are confined to a small area at the probe tip dependant on energy and pulse duration, acoustic transients, bubble expansion and collapse can cause damage far beyond the application site. For example, three-dimensional expansion of the bubble formed inside blood vessels during the laser angioplasty may introduce damage to the walls of the vessel and cause restenosis similarly to the damage introduced during the baloon angioplasty. As discharge energies are reduced to limit collateral damage, the effectiveness of the tool for cutting tissue is also reduced. [0008] As such, there is a continued need for the development of new microsurgical cutting tools that will localize not only the energy deposition but will also spatially confine the subsequent water flow, acoustic transients and other consequences of explosive evaporation. Of particular interest would be the development of a microsurgical cutting tool that provides for one-dimensional (axial) fast pulsating displacement of material with tight radial confinement, which may allow for precise dissection of tissue with minimal collateral damage. [0009] Relevant Literature [0010] U.S. Patents of interest include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,288,288; 5,871,462; 5,944,686 and 6,039,726; as well as the patents reference therein. See also WO 99/33510 and WO 98/12974. Articles of interest include: Palanker, et al., "Dynamics of ArF Excimer Laser-induced Cavitation Bubbles in Gel Surrounded by a Liquid Medium," Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 21:294-300, 1997; Van Leeuwen, et al., "Excimer Laser Ablation of Soft Tissue: A Study of the Content of Rapidly Expanding and Collapsing Bubbles," IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, Vol. 30, No. 5, 1994, pp. 1339-1345; Palanker, et al. "Electric discharge-induced cavitation: A competing approach to pulsed lasers for performing microsurgery in liquid media," Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 2975, pp. 351-360; and Alfred Vogel, et al., "Intraocular Nd:YAG Laser Surgery: Light-Tissue Interaction, Damage Range, and Reduction of Collateral Effects," IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, Vol. 26, No. 12, 1990, pp. 2240-2260. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] Microfluidic devices and methods for their use in producing microfluidic jets in a fluid environment are provided. The subject microfluidic devices are characterized by the presence of a microfluid chamber. The microfluid chamber of the subject devices is bounded by at least one opening at a first end, a high pressure producing means opposite the opening, and side walls between the opening and the high pressure producing means. In using the subject devices to produce a microfluidic jet in a fluid environment, the device is contacted with the fluid environment. The pulsed source of high pressure is then actuated in a manner sufficient to increase the pressure in the chamber in a manner sufficient to produce a pulsed microfluidic jet in the fluid environment. The subject devices and methods find use in a variety of different applications, e.g., cutting tissue, introducing fluid into a cell, and the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0012] FIG. 1 provides a schematic view of a first embodiment of the subject device, where the device is a micronozzel. [0013] FIGS. 2A & 2B provide a schematic view of a second embodiment of the subject device, where the device is an array of individually actuatable microfluid chambers. DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS [0014] Microfluidic devices and methods for their use in producing microfluidic jets in a fluid environment are provided. The subject microfluidic devices are characterized by the presence of at least one microfluid chamber. The microfluid chamber is bounded by an opening at at least one end, a high pressure producing means opposite the opening, and side walls between the opening and the high pressure producing means. In using the subject devices to produce a microfluidic jet in a fluid environment, fluid is introduced into the chamber, e.g., by contacting the device with the fluid environment in a manner sufficient for fluid to enter the microfluid chamber through the opening or by introducing fluid into the microchamber through a second opening. The high pressure producing means is then actuated in a manner sufficient to increase the pressure in the chamber in a manner sufficient to produce a microfluidic jet in the fluid environment. The subject devices and methods find use in a variety of different applications, e.g., cutting tissue, introducing fluid into a cell, and the like. In further describing the subject invention, the subject devices will be described first in greater detail, both in general terms and in terms of the representative devices depicted in the figures, followed by a review of representative methods in which the subject devices find use. [0015] DEVICES [0016] As summarized above, the subject invention provides pulsed microfluidic devices that are capable of producing pulsed microjets in a fluid environment. By "microjet" is meant a directed, small diameter, high speed flow of liquid. By directed is meant that the microjet travels in a single direction, i.e., it is unidirectional. By small diameter is meant that the microjets produced by the subject devices have a small diameter, where the diameter typically ranges from about 1 .mu.m to 1 mm, usually from about 10 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m. By high speed is meant that the microjet travels at high velocity, where the velocity of the microjet is generally at least about 10 m/s, usually at least about 50 m/s and more usually at least about 100 m/s. [0017] The subject devices are characterized by the presence of at least one microfluid chamber. The microfluid chambers of the subject devices have at least one opening through which fluid may enter and leave the chamber. In many embodiments, the chambers have a single opening while in other embodiments, 2 or more openings are present, but usually no more than 6 and more usually no more than 4. The openings may be straight or angled, i.e., they may have a central axis that is linear or non-linear, e.g. curvilinear. In certain embodiments, however, the microfluid chambers have a single, straight opening or aperture. In yet other embodiments, the chambers have at least two openings, one for fluid jet ejection and one for fluid entry into the chamber. As such, in certain embodiments, the microfluid chambers are configured such that the opening or aperture is the only way for fluid to enter and leave the chamber. In yet other embodiments, the devices are configured so that fluid can enter into the chamber through a first entry or port and be ejected from the chamber through a second port, opening or aperture. [0018] While the cross-sectional shape of the opening may vary, it is generally at least curvilinear if not circular in shape and has a diameter sufficient to produce a microjet of desired dimension and properties, as described above. In many embodiments, the diameter of the opening ranges from about 1 .mu.m to 1 mm, usually from about 10 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m. [0019] The volume of the microfluid chamber is sufficient to produce the desired microjet upon actuation of the pressure producing means, as described infra. The volume of the microfluid chamber typically ranges from about 10 .mu.m.sup.3 to 1 cm.sup.3, usually from about 100 .mu.m.sup.3 to 1 mm.sup.3 and more usually from about 1000 .mu.m.sup.3 to 0.1 mm.sup.3. The configuration of the microchamber may vary depending on the particular design of the device, but in many embodiments is generally substantially conical in shape, with the opening positioned at the apex of the cone. See the representative embodiments shown in the figures and described in greater detail infra. Continue reading about Microfluidic devices and methods for producing pulsed microfluidic jets in a liquid environment... 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