Patent · US Active

Actuation method and apparatus, micropump, and PCR enhancement method

US9091251B1 · kind B1 · utility

14Cited by
6References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 16, 2012
Grant dateJul 28, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 3, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10N35/80
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An actuation apparatus includes at least one magnetic shape memory (MSM) element containing a material configured to expand and/or contract in response to exposure to a magnetic field. Among other things, the MSM element may be configured to pump fluid through a micropump by expanding and/or contracting in response to the magnetic field. The magnetic field may rotate about an axis of rotation and exhibit a distribution having a component substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Further, the magnetic field distribution may include at least two components substantially orthogonal to one another lying in one or more planes perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The at least one MSM element may contain nickel, manganese, and gallium. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be enhanced by contacting a PCR reagent and DNA material with the MSM element.

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