Magnetic conduits in microfluidics
US11148138B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 2015 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01L2400/043
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A digital microfluidics system with electrodes attached to a substrate and covered by a hydrophobic surface, and a control unit for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting; providing in close proximity to electrodes a magnetic conduit for directing a magnetic field of a backing magnet to the first hydrophobic surface; providing on the hydrophobic surface a liquid droplet that has magnetically responsive beads; moving by electrowetting the liquid droplet with the magnetically responsive beads until a part of which is placed atop of the magnetic conduit; actuating the backing magnet of the magnetic conduit and attracting/concentrating magnetically responsive beads; and while actuating the backing magnet, moving by electrowetting the liquid droplet with decreased number of magnetically responsive beads away from the specific magnetic conduit. Also disclosed are a method for suspending magnetically responsive beads in liquid portions or droplets in digital microfluidics and a disposable cartridge to carry out the methods.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.