Method and apparatus for generating large pressures on a microfluidic chip
US7763211B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 7, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/87153
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating pressure suitable in magnitude for powering micro-sized devices. The present invention typically comprises a gas generation chamber that is equipped with an activation element and filled with a gas-containing liquid. Powering of the activation element causes gas within the liquid to be released. Upon release a series of pressure distribution channels deliver the gas to a wide variety of peripheral microfluidic devices. A series of one-way valves and multi-chambered configurations allow for a wide variety of pressures to be generated from a single pressure generation device. By manipulating the scale of the pressure generation device, lab-on-chip, hand held, and bench top applications are possible and may readily be interfaced to allow a substantial amount of user control of the system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.