Method and apparatus for the manipulation of particles in conductive solutions
US8349160B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB03C5/026
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manipulation and/or position control of particles by means of force fields of electrical nature in electrically conductive solutions, wherein power dissipated by Joule effect, which may cause the death of biological specimens under examination, is advantageously removed. The apparatus comprises a first substrate, upon which lies an array of electrodes, the application of a set of electric voltages to the electrodes generating a force field; a second substrate at a distance from, and parallel to, the first substrate so as to delimit a microchamber within which a liquid containing the particles is inserted; and cooling means for extracting an appropriate amount of heat from the microchamber, the cooling means comprising a second microchamber made in contact with, or by means of, the first or second substrate and through which a flow of cooling liquid or gas is pumped.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.