Microfluidic apparatus with integrated porous-substrate/sensor for real-time (BIO) chemical molecule detection
US8465698B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jun 18, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/2224
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Microfluidic apparatus including integrated porous substrate/sensors that may be used for detecting targeted biological and chemical molecules and compounds. In one aspect, upper and lower microfluidic channels are defined in respective halves of a substrate, which are sandwiched around a porous membrane upon assembly. In other aspect, the upper and lower channels are formed such that a portion of the lower channel passes beneath a portion of the upper channel to form a cross-channel area, wherein the membrane is disposed between the two channels. In various embodiments, one or more porous membranes are disposed proximate to corresponding cross-channel areas defined by one or more upper and lower channels. The porous membrane may also have sensing characteristics, such that it produces a change in an optical and/or electronic characteristic. Accordingly, the apparatus may further include instrumentation or detection equipment to measure the changes, such as optic-based detectors and electronic instrumentation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.