Abstract:
According to the invention there is a microfluidic chip (1) that includes at least two layers (10) forming a stack of layers, each layer of which has at least one flow channel (14); a bore (16) extending through the layers and communicating with a plurality of flow channels; and a valve (20), which has a shaft (22) with a recess (222) in a side of the shaft for fluid to flow through. The shaft is rotatably mounted in the bore, and has a first position in which the recess is aligned with each of at least two flow channels of the plurality of flow channels thereby providing a flow path between said at least two flow channels, and a second position in which the recess is unaligned with at least one of said at least two flow channels the flow path between said at least two flow channels thereby being closed. This allows a fluid flow path between two flow channels to be open and closed by rotation of the shaft so that fluid in the microfluidic chip can be redirected to allow the chip to have greater capability and by using a minimal amount of space on the chip to do so.
Abstract:
The invention overcomes the limitations described for the bonding of structured layers by providing a method for selectively reducing the bonding of materials. In its most generic form, the invention uses a bonding technique in combination with a printing method for modifying or covering at least one portion of a surface to either fully or partially prevent localised bonding. The structuring process may act upon the layers either before or after the bonding of the layers. The invention overcomes the limitations described in the application of affinity chromatography by providing a planar substrate with discrete optical detection flow cells that contain porous material and have connecting microchanneis for fluid delivery and/or removal, and a method for making the same.
Abstract:
Método de fabricación de dispositivos microfluidicos compuestos por una lamina (1) de espesor igual o inferior a 200 micrometros y una pieza rígida (3) ambos de material polimérico termoplástico que comprende: - Una primera etapa de desgasificado de: - una lámina polimérica de material termoplástico (1) - una pieza auxiliar rígida (2) - una pieza rígida polimérica de material termoplástico (3) - Una segunda etapa de pegado temporal entre la lámina polimérica termoplástica (1 ) a una pieza auxiliar rígida (2), - Una tercera etapa de pegado entre el conjunto lámina-pieza auxiliar (4) obtenido en la segunda etapa y la pieza rígida polimérica termoplástica (3) desgasificada en la primera etapa, por termocompresión - Una cuarta etapa de despegado de la pieza auxiliar rígida (2) de la lámina polimérica termoplástica (1 ) resultante del pegado temporal entre ambas en la segunda etapa, para dar lugar a una pieza final totalmente polimérica (5).
Abstract:
A valve, comprising a valve opening (125) and a valve plate (116) arranged to seal the valve opening (125) in a closed state by means of compressing a sealing structure (126) is provided, wherein the sealing structure (126) has an uncompressed dimension (hu) in a compression direction of less than 100 μm.
Abstract:
Microfabricated microvalves may be used with liquid-filled control channels and actuated using compact and battery-powered components, without the need for heavier or fixed infrastructure. The disclosed embodiments include microvalves with on-off fluid control with relatively fast response times, coordinated switching of multiple valves, and operation of a biological (enzyme- substrate) assay in a handheld configuration.
Abstract:
A micro-fluidic system (1) comprising a micro- fluidic channel (2), which has a wall (7) provided with a hole (9); a closing element (10), which is partially- housed within the hole (9) and has a membrane portion (14) adapted to deform and a side portion (15) sealingly connected with the above mentioned wall (7); and a partition (12) arranged within the micro-fluidic channel (2) between a first and a second segment (4, 5); the closing element (10) is deformable between a locked configuration in contact with the partition (12) and an open configuration spaced from the partition (12); the closing element (10) may be deformed by suction or by a rod or a piston.
Abstract:
A compressed fluid micro valve for controlling flow of compressed fluid from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure is provided. A chamber (180) includes an inlet port (110), a region of high pressure, and an outlet port (130) leading to a region of low pressure. A cantilever beam (30) includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The cantilever beam (30) is anchored to a portion of the chamber and is suspended in the chamber such that the first portion and third portion of the cantilever beam are exposed to the region of high pressure on all sides. The second portion of the cantilever beam overlaps the outlet port. The cantilever beam includes a first position in contact with the outlet port (130) to prevent fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet port (130) and a second position removed from contact with the outlet port (130) to permit fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet port.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control. The assessment of the characteristics can be made using an image sensor.
Abstract:
A micro-valve (10) adapted for integration with a micro-fluidic device such as a micro-injector of a chromatograph, the micro-valve having a first substrate (12), a second substrate (14) having microconduits (36,38) and a seating surface (30), and an actuation membrane (16)positioned between the first substrate (12) and the second substrate (14) for opening or closing a fluid path (48) of the micro-valve (10) under a force applied by a mechanism such as a pneumatic or piezoelectric device, wherein said actuation membrane (16) is constructed from a poly(aryl ether ketone).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a hydrophobic valve for liquids having an appreciable surface tension comprising magnetic particles, said device comprising at least two planar solid substrates with a functionalized surface each, wherein at least a first solid substrate has a patterned surface comprising at least two hydrophilic areas separated from one another by at least one hydrophobic area, wherein the said two planar substrates are disposed with a distance to one another in a sandwiched, parallel fashion, in such way that said functionalized surfaces are facing one another, said valve further comprising a magnetic actuator.