Back to results
US 10,478,818 B1Granted
Check valves for microfluidic systems and methods thereof
AssigneeNational Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
InventorsCameron Scott Ball, Ronald F. Renzi, Robert Meagher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to microfluidic check valves, as well as fluidic cartridges including such check valves. In particular examples, the check valve includes a pre-stressed spring formed from a planar substrate. Various characteristics of the valves, such as size, profile, opening pressure, etc., can be tuned to provide desired performance when employed within a fluidic cartridge.
Claims20
A fluidic check valve comprising:
- a base comprising an inlet;
- an elastomeric pad comprising a first surface and a second surface that opposes the first surface, wherein the first surface is configured to releasably contact the inlet;
- a pre-stressed spring comprising a plurality of extended beams defined within a planar substrate and connected to a central support, wherein a surface portion of the substrate is configured to contact a surface portion of the base, and wherein the central support is defined within the substrate and configured to align with the second surface of the elastomeric pad, thereby providing a pressurized seal between the inlet of the base, the elastomeric pad, and the central support of the pre-stressed spring;
- and
- a lid comprising a cavity, wherein the cavity is configured to encompass the pre-stressed spring and the elastomeric pad.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.