Porous microfluidic valves
US6418968B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/2224
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Microfluidic devices having porous membrane valves, which are microfluidic channels or elements having porous materials that restrict fluid flow rate for a given pressure, are provided. Multiple microfluidic valves of this invention can be constructed on a single device so that they have different valving capabilities or impedances, and in unison can control the overall direction of fluid flow. Impedance regions may be constructed in various ways, such as, for example: by inserting porous materials into or between channels; by sandwiching a sheet or layer of porous material between other layers of the device (preferably in stencil form); or by inserting a liquid, solution, slurry, or suspension into microfluidic channels, and then permitting the formation of porous deposits by promoting at least partial evaporation. Adhesive tape may be used for one or more layers of the device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.