Microfluidic connections
US8021056B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 1, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N30/6095
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A junction is made between a first microfluidic substrate (12) having an elongate component (303) protruding from it and a second microfluidic substrate (22) having a corresponding conduit (261). Each of the substrates has a pair of alignment features, for example planar orthogonal surfaces (13, 15; 23, 25) or grooves (141, 151; 241, 251) in opposite sides of the substrate. The substrates are placed on an alignment jig 6 having location features (63, 65) corresponding to the alignment features. The elongate component can be surrounded by a compressible gasket 40). The substrates are pushed towards each other so that the elongate component enters the conduit and the gasket, if any, is compressed. A fluid-tight junction results so long as the substrates are maintained in the necessary position, either by permanent means, or, if a junction which can be disassembled is needed, by maintaining pressure between the substrates. Novel apparatus and novel microfluidic assemblies, including microfluidic chips having grooves in their sides, are described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.