Microfluidic and nanofluidic devices, systems, and applications
US8557518B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y80/00
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention discloses the integration of programmable microfluidic circuits to achieve practical applications to process biochemical and chemical reactions and to integrate these reactions. In some embodiments workflows for biochemical reactions or chemical workflows are combined. Microvalves such as programmable microfluidic circuit with Y valves and flow through valves are disclosed. In some embodiments microvalves of the present invention are used for mixing fluids, which may be part of an integrated process. These processes include mixing samples and moving reactions to an edge or reservoir for modular microfluidics, use of capture regions, and injection into analytical devices on separate devices. In some embodiments star and nested star designs, or bead capture by change of cross sectional area of a channel in a microvalve are used. Movement of samples between temperature zones are further disclosed using fixed temperature and movement of the samples by micropumps.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.