Integrated microfluidic control employing programmable tactile actuators

US8313941B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• Shuichi Takayama · Ann Arbor, US
• Xiaoyue Zhu · 甘垛镇, CN
• Wei Gu · Ann Arbor, US
• Gary D. Smith · Ann Arbor, US
• Yunseok Heo · Ann Arbor, US
• Brenda S. Cho · Ann Arbor, US
• Nobuyuki Futai · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 20, 2010
• Grant date: Nov 20, 2012
• Expiry date: Nov 8, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16K2099/0084
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Microfluidic devices having active features such as valves, peristaltic pumps, and mixing portions are fabricated to have a thin elastomeric membrane over the active features. The active features are activated by a tactile actuator external to the membrane, for example, a commercial Braille display. The display may be computer controlled, for example by simple text editor software, to activate individual Braille protrusions or a plurality of protrusions to actuate the active portions of the microfluidic device. Integral devices can incorporate the tactile actuators in a single device, but still external to the membrane.