Microscale devices and reactions in microscale devices

US6271021A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• Mark A. Burns · Ann Arbor, US
• Carlos H. Mastrangelo · Andover, US
• Timothy S. Sammarco · Ann Arbor, US
• Francis Man · Lexington, US
• James Russell Webster · Minnetonka, US
• Brian N. Johnson · Ann Arbor, US
• Bradley Foerster · Ann Arbor, US
• Darren Jones · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 18, 1999
• Grant date: Aug 7, 2001
• Expiry date: Mar 18, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T436/143333
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The movement and mixing of microdroplets through microchannels is described employing silicon-based microscale devices, comprising microdroplet transport channels, reaction regions, electrophoresis modules, and radiation detectors. The discrete droplets are differentially heated and propelled through etched channels. Electronic components are fabricated on the same substrate material, allowing sensors and controlling circuitry to be incorporated in the same device.