Patent · US Active

Method for washing a microfluidic cavity

US9089883B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by

3References

15Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH · DE

Inventors

Wolfgang Stoeters · Wiesloch, DE
Ying Yu · Dortmund, DE
Silke Knoll · Duisburg, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Oct 4, 2011
Grant date	Jul 28, 2015
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 1, 2032

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T137/0424
WIPO fieldChemical engineering
WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for washing at least one cavity (20′) in a microfluidic component, the cavity (20′) containing a first liquid (F1) and at least one second liquid (F2) being supplied to the cavity (20′) for washing.According to the invention an air bubble (L) is supplied to the cavity (20′) before the washing liquid (F2) is introduced.The air bubble (L), which acts as a virtual barrier layer between the first liquid (F1) and the washing liquid (F2) that follows it enables the washing efficiency to be increased considerably. Overall, this method leads to a saving in washing liquid (F2) and washing time.Moreover, a microfluidic component is proposed for carrying out the method.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.