Method of merging chemical reactants in capillary tubes
US6551839B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2575
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A capillary valve, connector and router where one or more cylindrical fibers, which may be capillaries, plugged capillaries, optical fibers, or the like, including at least one capillary tube are contained in a first bundle of fibers that terminates at a first face. A second cylindrical bundle of fibers also containing one or more fibers including at least one capillary tube terminates in a second face abutting the first face. A fastener or adapter holds the members together with faces in mutually biased alignment. Connection of a plurality of macroscale pumps enables push-pull fluid motion, with routing, in a capillary system formed by a plurality of fibers coupled by switches, connectors and routers. Chemical reactions, separations and analysis may be carried out with microliter volumes or smaller.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.