# US 10,309,926 B2 · On chip control of fluids using electrodes

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- Number: US 10,309,926 B2
- Document ID: US10309926B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/425,387
- Filed: 2013-09-03
- Published: 2015-07-23
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2012-09-03
- Assignees: Ginolis Oy
- Applicants: Ginolis Oy
- Inventors: Fredrik Jansson; Magnus Molin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309926B2

## CPC

- F04B 43/043: {Micropumps}
- B01L 3/50273: {characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids}
- B01L 3/502784: {specially adapted for droplet or plug flow, e.g. digital microfluidics}
- F04B 19/006: {Micropumps (F04B43/043 and F04B43/095 take precedence)}
- G01N 27/44791: {Microapparatus (sample containers with integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027)}
- B01L 2300/0887: Laminated structure
- B01L 2400/0427: Electrowetting
- F04B: POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS (machines for liquids, or pumps, of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type F04C; non-positive-displacement pumps F04D; pumping of fluid by direct contact of another fluid or by using inertia of fluid to be pumped F04F)
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for controlling movement of a fluid sample along a flow path and a corresponding method. The device comprises a working electrode (2) arranged to contact the fluid sample when the fluid sample moves along the flow path, and a reference electrode (3) arranged to contact the fluid sample when the fluid sample moves along the flow path. At least a portion of the reference electrode is arranged abreast of or downstream at least a portion of the working electrode. The present invention is advantageous in that it provides a device wherein a fluid sample may be transported and accurately controlled, with respect to e.g. timing, volumes and flow rates, over greater distances compared to prior art.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for controlling movement of a fluid sample along a flow path comprising:
a channel defining the flow path, said channel comprising a first surface, an opposite surface including a channel roof, and two sidewalls,
a working electrode arranged on said first surface to contact the fluid sample when said fluid sample moves along the flow path;
a reference electrode arranged to directly contact the fluid sample when said fluid sample moves along the flow path; and
a hydrophobic surface portion arranged to directly contact the fluid sample when said fluid sample moves along the flow path;
wherein at least a portion of said reference electrode is arranged abreast of or downstream at least a portion of said working electrode, and wherein said hydrophobic surface portion is arranged on said opposite surface and abreast of at least a portion of the working electrode and said hydrophobic surface portion covers a portion of the channel roof of the channel and arranged after the reference electrode in the direction of the flow path, and wherein at least another portion of the channel roof is of hydrophilic nature.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the working electrode and/or the reference electrode is/are plane electrode(s).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the working electrode and the reference electrode extend in separate planes.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device according to claim 3, wherein the working electrode and the reference electrode are arranged opposite to each other.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the working electrode and/or the reference electrode comprise(s) a structured surface adapted to contact the fluid sample.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device according to claim 5, further comprising at least one hydrophilic surface portion arranged to contact the fluid sample and wherein at least a portion of said hydrophilic surface portion is arranged abreast of at least a portion of the working and/or reference electrode.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1 wherein the working electrode and/or the reference electrode is/are longitudinal electrode(s) in relation to the flow path.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, comprising at least two working electrodes and/or at least two reference electrodes which are consecutively arranged along the flow path.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, comprising at least two working electrodes and/or at least two reference electrodes which are interdigitated electrodes.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a fluid reservoir arranged to receive and accommodate the fluid sample, wherein the fluid sample has a fluid front, and from where the fluid front moves along the flow path.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the working electrode and/or the reference electrode(s) comprise(s) at least a surface comprising a material selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, iridium, osmium, silver, palladium, graphite, graphene, and fullerenes.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further adapted to apply a voltage between the reference electrode and the working electrode, wherein the voltage is within the range of −5V to 5 V.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The device according to claim 12, wherein the voltage is within the range of −1.3 V to 1.3 V.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the working electrode and/or the reference electrode comprise(s) a structured micro- and/or nano-structured surface adapted to contact the fluid sample.

### Claim 15

A method for controlling movement of a fluid sample along a flow path, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
providing a channel defining the flow path;
providing a working electrode arranged to contact the fluid sample when said fluid sample moves along the flow path;
providing a reference electrode arranged to contact the fluid sample when said fluid sample moves along the flow path;
providing a hydrophobic surface portion arranged to contact the fluid sample when said fluid sample moves along the flow path;
wherein at least a portion of said reference electrode is arranged abreast of or downstream at least a portion of said working electrode, and wherein at least a portion of said hydrophobic surface portion is arranged abreast of and opposite at least a portion of said working electrode and said hydrophobic surface portion covers a portion of a channel roof of the channel and arranged after the reference electrode in the direction of the flow path and at least another portion of the channel roof is of hydrophilic nature.