Magnetic elements for processing fluids
US10656147B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 2015 |
| Grant date | May 19, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2001/386
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for processing fluids on a macro- or micro-scale are described. In various aspects, a fluid may have a plurality of elongated (i.e., substantially rod-shaped) magnetic elements disposed therein within a fluid container. An illustrative fluid container is an actuator electrode or a processing vial of a microfluidic device, such as a digital microfluidic device. A magnet component may be configured to generate a magnetic force sufficient to influence the movement of the plurality of elongated magnetic elements within the fluid to be processed. For example, the magnetic force (or magnetic force gradient) may influence the plurality of elongated magnetic elements to rotate, spin, and/or move laterally side-to-side. The shape and movements of the plurality of elongated magnetic elements facilitate the rapid and efficient processing of the fluid, such as fluid mixing and/or fluid separation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.