Abstract: A method and system for determining droplet frequency of a flow of microfluidic droplets within a microfluidic droplet channel, comprising illuminating the flow of microfluidic droplets, using a beam splitter to split light from the flow of microfluidic droplets into a first portion and a second portion, directing the first portion to a camera, directing the second portion through an aperture located in front of a photodetector to the photodetector, and processing a signal from the photodetector and determining a droplet frequency from fluctuations in the processed signal. The method may be used to determine droplet dimension. The method may also be used to adjust a pressure of a flow of droplet fluid in response to a determined droplet dimension to generate a flow of droplets.

Abstract: ABSTRACT: An instrument for processing droplets in a microfluidic system. The instrument captures a time sequence of images of a droplet as it passes through a channel in a microfluidic system. The instrument also processes each image of the sequence of images using a convolutional neural network to count a number of cells or other entities visible in each image the droplet. This involves processing the count of the number of cells or other entities visible in each image of the droplet to determine an estimated number of cells or other entities in the droplet. The instrument controls a microfluidic process performed on the droplet, e.g. droplet dispensing, responsive to the estimated number of cells or other entities in the droplet. The instrument uses the changing orientation and disposition of droplet contents in combination with machine learning to improve monoclonality assurance.

Abstract: A method of processing droplets in a microfluidic system. The method may comprise capturing a time sequence of images of a droplet as it passes through a channel in a microfluidic system. The method may further comprise processing each image of the sequence of images using a convolutional neural network to count a number of cells or other entities visible in each image the droplet. The method may further comprise processing the count of the number of cells or other entities visible in each image of the droplet to determine an estimated number of cells or other entities in the droplet. The method/system may further comprise controlling a microfluidic process performed on the droplet responsive to the estimated number of cells or other entities in the droplet. Implementations of the method use the changing orientation and disposition of droplet contents in combination with machine learning to improve monoclonality assurance.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to methods and systems for dispensing a droplet, in particular a picolitre volume droplet containing one or more entities.

Abstract: We describe a microfluidic structure for spacing out droplets, the structure comprising: a main channel for guiding droplets in a spacing fluid; a first inlet for introducing droplets into the main channel; and a second inlet for introducing a spacing fluid into the main channel, wherein a cross-sectional area of the main channel decreases downstream from the first inlet. We also describe a method of spacing out droplets using a microfluidic structure.

Abstract: A method of processing droplets in a microfluidic system. The method may comprise capturing a time sequence of images of a droplet as it passes through a channel in a microfluidic system. The method may further comprise processing each image of the sequence of images using a convolutional neural network to count a number of cells or other entities visible in each image the droplet. The method may further comprise processing the count of the number of cells or other entities visible in each image of the droplet to determine an estimated number of cells or other entities in the droplet. The method/system may further comprise controlling a microfluidic process performed on the droplet responsive to the estimated number of cells or other entities in the droplet. Implementations of the method use the changing orientation and disposition of droplet contents in combination with machine learning to improve monoclonality assurance.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to methods and systems for dispensing a droplet, in particular a picolitre volume droplet containing one or more entities.