Abstract:
A microvalve device for controlling fluid flow in a fluid circuit (10). The microvalve device comprises a body (12) having a cavity formed therein. The body further has first (20) and second (22) pilot ports placed in fluid communication with the cavity. The body also has first (28) and second (30) primary ports placed in fluid communication with the cavity. Each port is adapted for connection with a designated fluid source. A pilot valve (36) supported by the body is movably disposed in the cavity for opening and closing the first and second pilot ports. An actuator (38) is operably coupled to the pilot valve for moving the pilot valve. A microvalve (40) is positioned by the fluid controlled by the pilot valve. The microvalve is a slider valve having a first end (40a) and a second end (40b). The slider valve is movably disposed in the cavity for movement between a first position and a second position. The first end of the slider valve is in fluid communication with the first and second pilot ports when the first and second pilot ports are open. The second end of the slider valve is in constant fluid communication with the first primary port. When moving between the first and second positions, the slider valve at least partially blocks and unblocks the second primary port for the purpose of variably restricting fluid flow between the primary ports.
Abstract:
The proposal is for a multilayer microvalve for switching or controlling fluid flows having an inlet and a shut-off component. The inlet is formed as at least one aperture in a first layer. The shut-off component takes the form of a second layer applied to the first. This second layer (15) has at least one further aperture in the region of the shut-off component. The shut-off component can be moved substantially parallel to the first (25) and second (15) layers, especially by electrical actuating means, so that, in at least a first position of the shut-off component, at least one inlet aperture together with at least one further aperture in the second layer (15) forms at least one through-flow aperture. The cross-section of the at least one through-flow aperture can be changed by actuating the shut-off component.
Abstract:
A minifluidic device comprising a matrix, an elongated guiding duct (109) embedded at least in part in said matrix, with at least one port to the outside of the matrix, a movable fiber (104) at least partly contained in said guiding duct (109), and able to undergo within said guiding duct (109), and at least along some part of said fiber (104), at least one action selected among a sliding, or a deformation, or a rotation and at least one of the movable fiber or the guiding duct is elastic or is non linear along at least part of its length, or at least part of the matrix is elastic.
Abstract:
An assay apparatus for determining properties of a sample. The apparatus has first and second chambers for receiving a sample. The first and second chambers are linked by a conduit along which at least part of the sample may travel so that the sample can move from the first chamber to the second chamber in series. The apparatus also has a slot extending from the conduit and a valve body comprising magnetic or magnetically susceptible material which is housed at least substantially within the slot. The valve body is movable between a first position in which the valve body is arranged at least substantially outside the conduit and a second position in which the valve body extends across the conduit thereby restricting a sample from travelling along the conduit from the first chamber to the second chamber. The valve body is slidably movable between the two positions by an external magnetic field.
Abstract:
The invention pertains to a pressure controller for use in operating parallel reactors. The pressure controller comprises a reference pressure controller, that is adapted to control a reference pressure in a control chamber. The reference pressure controller comprises: a first restrictor channel, a second restrictor channel, a fluid passage, which fluid passage extends between the outlet of the first restrictor channel and the inlet of the second restrictor channel, a pressure control fluid source being adapted to provide a flow of pressure control fluid, having an entrance pressure at the inlet of the first restrictor channel and an exit pressure at the outlet of the second restrictor channel, said flow of pressure control fluid experiencing a first pressure drop Δρ1 over the first restrictor channel and a second pressure drop Δρ2 over the second restrictor channel, a connector connecting the fluid passage to the control chamber, the pressure control fluid at the connector having an intermediate pressure, said intermediate pressure being determined by the ratio between the first pressure drop Δρ1 and the second pressure drop Δ⩽ρ2, - a controllable thermal device, adapted to heat and/or cool the first restrictor channel and/or the second restrictor channel, therewith influencing the ratio between the first pressure drop Δρ1 and the second pressure drop Δρ2.
Abstract:
A microfluidic control valve (100) comprising a dielectric structure (105) defining at least one cavity (260) therein. An electroactive material (305), such as an electroactive polymer, is disposed in a portion of the cavity. The electroactive material is operable between a first state in which a dimension of the electroactive material has a first value and a second state in which the dimension has a second value. Two conductors (240, 250) can be included for applying a voltage potential across the electroactive material to change the electroactive material between the first state and the second state. A first fluidic port (310) can be located proximate to the electroactive material such that a fluid flows through the first fluidic port when the electroactive material is in the first state, and the electroactive material at least partially blocks the first fluidic port when the electroactive material is in the second state.
Abstract:
Various embodiments relate to systems and/or methods for sample preparation that can be used for biochemical and/or molecular biology procedures involving small volumes, for example, micro volumes or smaller. Methods and systems that can reduce sample size requirements and increase the number of samples on a substrate are provided. Samples can be applied to a plate or other appropriate substrate and can be used for, inter alia, sequencing reactions. In some embodiments, apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for charged analyte collection are provided. Charged analytes in a sample can be electrokinetically collected or extracted from a conduit through a hole formed in a sidewall of the conduit, by application of an electric field that causes the charged analytes to migrate in a direction that is transverse to the conduit.
Abstract:
A device comprised of one or more micro- or nano-reservoirs is described. Each reservoir is accessible via a nanoscale aperture, or nanopore. The reservoirs may be loaded with one or more reactants or agents, for release in response to a stimulus or used in other microfluidic applications.
Abstract:
A valve slider (1;35;53;65;79;97) for a microfluidic coupling device (63;77;95). The slider comprises a flat foil and is adapted for flow-controlling the flow within at least one flow path (5,7) of the microfluidic coupling device (63;77;95). The slider slides relatively to the microfluidic coupling device (63;77;95). The slider has at least one control element (3; 13) and controls the flow within the flow path (5,7).