Apparatus, systems and methods for microfluidic vacuum shrinkage of microbubbles
US10376857B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2018 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01L2400/049
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for controlling the size of microbubbles are provided herein. The methods include forming a microbubble in a liquid at an inlet end of a liquid microchannel, the liquid microchannel having an outlet end spaced from the inlet end and a liquid microchannel conduit extending therebetween. As the liquid is propelled along a length of the liquid microchannel, the liquid carry the microbubble, a negative pressure is applied to a first very low pressure microchannel having a first end, a second end spaced from the first end and a first very low pressure microchannel conduit extending between the first end and the second end and having a portion thereof being laterally spaced from and adjacent to a portion of the liquid microchannel conduit. The negative pressure withdraws air from the microbubble in the liquid microchannel to shrink the microbubble as the microbubble travels along the portion of the liquid microchannel conduit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.