Microfluidic valve unit for controlling flow of fluid and method of fabricating the same
US8235073B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 2009 |
| Grant date | Aug 7, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/2202
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A microfluidic valve unit for controlling the flow of fluid flowing along a channel, and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The valve unit includes a channel formed in a platform; a valve filler which includes a phase transition material that is disposed in the channel in a solid state at room temperature to close the channel and is melted when energy is applied thereto; and at least one capillary channel which extends from a sidewall of the channel and into which the valve filler flows when the valve filler is melted, wherein the at least one capillary channel has a cross-sectional area which is less than a cross-sectional area of the channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.