Abstract:
A fluidic device comprising a housing having an inlet (10) and an outlet (12) defining a fluid flow path (14) therebetween. A channel (16) is provided within the housing, which channel (16) is filled with a material (18), such as wax, which supports a reversible, electromagnetic energy activated change in plasticity and/or deformability. The channel (16) filled with material is covered (or enclosed) by a resiliently flexible membrane (20). A port (22) is provided in the housing for the application of pressure or vacuum to the material (18) in the channel (16). A valve seat (24) is provided between the inlet (10) and the outlet. When no electromagnetic energy is applied to the wax (18), it is in a substantially solid state and remains stationary within the channel (16). In use, to open the valve, the wax is melted by the application of electromagnetic energy thereto, and a vacuum is applied to the port (22), such that the portion of the membrane (20) adjacent the valve seat (24) is pulled down, away from the valve seat (24) as the molten wax is drawn back by the vacuum, thereby opening the fluid flow path (14) between the inlet (10) and the outlet (12). With the vacuum still being applied to the port (22), the wax is allowed (or caused) to cool, and the wax (18) solidifies, locking the valve in the open position. In order to close the valve, pressure is applied to the port (22) and the wax (18) is melted by the application of electromagnetic energy thereto. The pressure applied via port (22) pushes the wax forward along the channel (16) toward the fluid flow path (14). The build-up of pressure causes the portion of the membrane (20) adjacent the valve seat (24) to be pushed upwards toward the valve seat (24), thereby blocking the fluid flow path (14) and closing the valve. With pressure being applied to the port (22), the wax (18) is allowed (or caused) to cool, such that it solidifies, locking the valve in the closed position.
Abstract:
Fluid-handling methods and devices for ultrasonic manipulation of fluid-borne particles comprise a fluid-handling manifold and an ultrasonic particle manipulator defining an ultrasonic cavity within the manifold. Fluid-borne particles introduced into the manifold are manipulated by controlling ultrasonic standing waves at the ultrasonic cavity. Cavities having non-uniform configurations, asymmetric standing waves and/or multiple ultrasonic cavities within the manifold are operative to control the movement of the fluid-borne particles, optionally including collecting and holding such particles, transferring particles through an intersection from one channel to another, etc. Solid phase extraction (SPE) particles, biological particles and other fluid-borne particles can be manipulated within the fluid-handling manifold.
Abstract:
A one-way valve (1 ) comprises a seat (5) and a membrane (4) having an inner portion (4a) that is stretched over the seat, wherein, in use, the inner membrane portion is selectively deflected from the seat such that a fluid path is created from one side of the membrane to the other so as to open the valve, and wherein an outer peripheral portion (4b) of the membrane is stiffer than the inner portion such that the membrane deflection is substantially restricted to only the inner portion. The one-way valve may be used in a pump for an infusion system.
Abstract:
An actuator for a component such as a valve or pump comprises a chamber or capsule (30) of a flexible material, which chamber or capsule (30) is mounted on a substrate (18). Within the capsule (30) is a quantity of thermopneumatic material (32) ( i.e. material which expands in volume upon heating). Also disposed within the capsule (30) is an infrared radiation absorbing layer (16). In use, infrared radiation is applied to the capsule (30) at or close to the location of the infrared radiation absorbing layer (16), thereby causing the thermopneumatic material (32) within the capsule (30) to be heated. As the thermopneumatic material (32) is heated, it expands in volume and causes movement of the flexible material forming the capsule (30), i.e. it causes mechanical movement thereof. As the thermopneumatic material (32) cools, it returns to its original volume and the flexible material of the capsule returns to its original position accordingly.
Abstract:
A linear capacitance displacement transducer (1 ) comprising first (2) and second (3) fixed capacitor plate and a dielectric structure (5) moveable longitudinally within a space (4) between the first (2) and second (3) capacitor plates, the dielectric structure (5) being operatively coupled to a moveable element (8). The capacitor plates and the dielectric material may be cylindrical and disposed coaxially and concentrically. The transducer (1) enables a displacement sensor that is capable of monitoring liquid levels in a syringe type drug reservoir (101) with sufficient sensitivity as to allow detection of erroneous drug delivery. The sensor is inexpensive to manufacture and provides reliable performance through robust design.
Abstract:
A novel microfluidic substrate assembly and method for making the same are disclosed. The substrate assembly comprises a multi-layer laminated substrate defining at least one fluid inlet port and at least one microscale fluid flow channel within the multi-layer substrate in fluid communication with the inlet port for transport of fluid. The substrate assembly may optionally comprise additional components and elements located within the substrate assembly or attached to the substrate assembly.
Abstract:
A linear capacitance displacement transducer (1 ) comprising first (2) and second (3) fixed capacitor plate and a dielectric structure (5) moveable longitudinally within a space (4) between the first (2) and second (3) capacitor plates, the dielectric structure (5) being operatively coupled to a moveable element (8). The capacitor plates and the dielectric material may be cylindrical and disposed coaxially and concentrically. The transducer (1) enables a displacement sensor that is capable of monitoring liquid levels in a syringe type drug reservoir (101) with sufficient sensitivity as to allow detection of erroneous drug delivery. The sensor is inexpensive to manufacture and provides reliable performance through robust design.
Abstract:
An actuator comprises a cavity (2) containing a working medium (3) that reversibly expands as it undergoes a phase change from a solid to a liquid state, a diaphragm (4) disposed adjacent the cavity such that expansion and contraction of the expandable working medium causes the diaphragm to deflect, and a semiconductor element (6) disposed in the cavity, wherein the semiconductor element is adapted to heat the working medium to cause it to undergo the phase change into the liquid state. The actuator may be used in a pump for an infusion system.
Abstract:
Fluid-handling methods and devices for ultrasonic manipulation of fluid-borne particles comprise a fluid-handling manifold and an ultrasonic particle manipulator defining an ultrasonic cavity within the manifold. Fluid-borne particles introduced into the manifold are manipulated by controlling ultrasonic standing waves at the ultrasonic cavity. Cavities having non-uniform configurations, asymmetric standing waves and/or multiple ultrasonic cavities within the manifold are operative to control the movement of the fluid-borne particles, optionally including collecting and holding such particles, transferring particles through an intersection from one channel to another, etc. Solid phase extraction (SPE) particles, biological particles and other fluid-borne particles can be manipulated within the fluid-handling manifold.
Abstract:
A novel microfluidic substrate assembly and method for making the same are disclosed. The substrate assembly comprises a multi-layer laminated substrate defining at least one fluid inlet port and at least one microscale fluid flow channel within the multi-layer substrate in fluid communication with the inlet port for transport of fluid. The substrate assembly may optionally comprise additional components and elements located within the substrate assembly or attached to the substrate assembly.