Liquid microvolume handling system
US7323345B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 29, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2575
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising a microchannel (2, 4) providing for solvent contact between an open microarea (MA) carrying a microvolume (1) of a solvent and a reservoir (3) for the solvent, said reservoir (3) and said microchannel (2, 4) being adapted so that solvent evaporated from said microarea (MA) is continuously replaced by solvent from the reservoir (3) through said microchannel (2, 4). It further relates to method for replacing solvents evaporating from a microvolume (1) of solvent placed in an open microarea (MA) of a microfluidic device, wherein replacement is continuously taking place via a microchannel (2, 4) that transports solvent to the microarea (MA) from a solvent reservoir (vessel) (3). The device and method are suitable for preventing the desiccation of samples.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.