Title: Automated control of microfluidic devices based on machine learning

Abstract

A system is provided to automatically monitor and control the operation of a microfluidic device using machine learning technology. The system receives images of a channel of a microfluidic device collected by a camera during operation of the microfluidic device. Upon receiving an image, the system applies a classifier to the image to classify the operation of the microfluidic device as normal, in which no adjustment to the operation is needed, or as abnormal, in which an adjustment to the operation is needed. When an image is classified as normal, the system may make no adjustment to the microfluidic device. If, however, an image is classified as abnormal, the system may output an indication that the operation is abnormal, output an indication of a needed adjustment, or control the microfluidic device to make the needed adjustment.

Inventors:

Giera, Brian; Duoss, Eric; Nguyen, Du; Smith, William; Talathi, Sachin Subhash; Wilson, Aaron Creighton; Ye, Congwang

Issue Date:

Tue Sep 10 00:00:00 EDT 2019

Research Org.:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1576338

Patent Number(s):

10408852

Application Number:

15/498,282

Assignee:

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01L - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01L - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE

B01L2200/0652 - Sorting or classification of particles or molecules
B01L2200/143 - Quality control, feedback systems
B01L3/502784 - {specially adapted for droplet or plug flow, e.g. digital microfluidics

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N15/00 - Investigating characteristics of particles
G01N15/1429 - {using an analyser being characterised by its signal processing}
G01N15/1475 - {using image analysis for extracting features of the particle}
G01N2015/149 - {Sorting the particles}
G01N2035/00643 - {detecting malfunctions in conveying systems}
G01N2035/00881 - {network configurations}
G01N35/00623 - {of instruments}
G01N35/00871 - {Communications between instruments or with remote terminals}

G - PHYSICS G05 - CONTROLLING G05B - CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL

G05B13/027 - {using neural networks only}
G05B2219/37333 - Position of control valve and position of controlled actuator

G - PHYSICS G05 - CONTROLLING G05D - SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES

G05D7/0635 - {by action on throttling means
G05D7/0694 - {by action on throttling means or flow sources of very small size, e.g. microfluidics

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC52-07NA27344

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2017 Apr 26

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

42 ENGINEERING