Laminated microfluidic structures and method for making
US7837821B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16K2099/0094
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for making a polymeric microfluidic structure in which two or more components (layers) of the microfluidic structure are fixedly bonded or laminated with a weak solvent bonding agent, particularly acetonitrile or a mixture of acetonitrile and alcohol. In an aspect, acetonitrile can be used as a weak solvent bonding agent to enclose a microstructure fabricated in or on a non-elastomeric polymer such as polystyrene, polycarbonate, acrylic or other linear polymer to form a three-dimensional microfluidic network. The method involves the steps of wetting at least one of the opposing surfaces of the polymeric substrate components with the weak solvent bonding agent in a given, lower temperature range, adjacently contacting the opposing surfaces, and thermally activating the bonding agent at a higher temperature than the lower temperature range for a given period of time with RF or ultrasonic energy. The contacted polymeric substrates may also be aligned prior to thermal activation and compressed during thermal activation. A laminated, polymeric microfluidic structure is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.