# US 11,110,375 B2 · Microstructure separation filters > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,375 B2 - Document ID: US11110375B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/161,678 - Filed: 2018-10-16 - Published: 2019-02-14 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-05 - Assignees: Imagine TF, LLC - Applicants: Imagine TF, LLC - Inventors: Brian Edward Richardson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110375B2 ## CPC - B01D 15/22: relating to the construction of the column - B01D 15/125: {Pre-filtration} - B01D 63/082: {comprising a stack of flat membranes} - B01L 3/502707: {characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components} - B01L 3/502753: {characterised by bulk separation arrangements on lab-on-a-chip devices, e.g. for filtration or centrifugation} - B01L 9/527: {for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip} - G01N 30/6069: {with compartments or bed substructure} - G01N 30/6095: {Micromachined or nanomachined, e.g. micro- or nanosize} - B01D 63/088: {Microfluidic devices comprising semi-permeable flat membranes} - B01D 67/0062: {by micromachining techniques, e.g. using masking and etching steps, photolithography} - B01D 69/02: characterised by their properties - B01D 2325/028: Microfluidic pore structures - B01D 2325/08: Patterned membranes - B01L 2300/0681: Filter - B01L 2300/0803: Disc shape - B01L 2300/0809: rectangular shaped - B01L 2300/0816: Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions - B01L 2400/086: using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions - G01N 30/603: {retaining the stationary phase, e.g. Frits} - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - 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 Microstructure separation filters are provided herein, as well as chromatography and other separation devices. An exemplary filter device includes a microstructure filter has a plurality of layers of alternating sacrificial and/or structural material which have been etched to create inlet channels and outlet channels. Adjacent ones of the inlet channels and the outlet channels are spaced apart from one another by cross channels that filter a fluid from the inlet channels to the outlet channels. The cross channels include filter features formed by etching away of a portion of the layers. The device also includes a housing configured to receive the microstructure filter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A filter device, comprising: a microstructure filter comprising cross channels that filter a fluid flowing from inlet channels to outlet channels, the cross channels comprising microstructure filter features formed by etching away a portion of sacrificial layers, the microstructure filter features including a coating interacting with chemical particles present in the fluid to attract the chemical particles to the coating as the fluid flows through the filter device; the coating of the microstructure filter features comprising nanostructures that increase a surface area of the microstructure filter features, the nanostructures including nanoscale three-dimensional elements coated throughout a plurality of surfaces of the microstructure filter features. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The filter device according to claim 1, wherein spaces are etched into the microstructure filter to create openings. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the microstructure filter comprises a plurality of spacer areas that provide structural support between adjacent ones of plurality of layers of structural material, wherein the microstructure filter features are disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of spacer areas. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The filter device according to claim 3, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of spacer areas are offset from one another to stagger the microstructure filter features of adjacent layers of the plurality of layers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the microstructure filter comprises an etched inlet section and an etched outlet section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The filter device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing configured to receive the microstructure filter, wherein the housing is a tubular case that comprises an inner shell that receives a chromatograph device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the microstructure filter features are provided with a nanoscale surface treatment to increase surface area of the microstructure filter features and thus an attractive force exerted by the microstructure filter features onto particles in the fluid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the microstructure filter features comprise openings that are sized to capture a selected size of particles present in the fluid. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The filter device according to claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a first connector that delivers fluid to the microstructure filter, wherein the first connector is configured to filter the fluid prior to entry into the microstructure filter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The filter device according to claim 9, wherein the first connection is a frit comprising an outer peripheral sidewall that encircles a plurality of sections of passages. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The filter device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of sections of passages are disposed in a ringed configuration and arranged such that passages of sections near a center of the frit have smaller diameter passages than passages of sections near the outer peripheral sidewall. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The filter device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of sections of passages each comprise passages with unique spacing or diameters.