Patent · US Expired

Variable control of electroosmotic and/or electrophoretic forces within a fluid-containing structure via electrical forces

US5800690A · kind A · utility

504Cited by
9References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 3, 1996
Grant dateSep 1, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 3, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49002
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In a microfluidic system using electrokinetic forces, the present invention uses electrical current or electrical parameters, other than voltage, to control the movement of fluids through the channels of the system. Time-multiplexed power supplies also provide further control over fluid movement by varying the voltage on an electrode connected to a fluid reservoir of the microfluidic system, by varying the duty cycle during which the voltage is applied to the electrode, or by a combination of both. A time-multiplexed power supply can also be connected to more than one electrode for a savings in cost.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.