Microfluidic devices
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsAlexander Govyadinov, Adam Higgins, Pavel Kornilovich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure is drawn to microfluidic devices. In one example, a microfluidic device can include a microfluidic channel. A vent chamber can be in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel. A capillary break can be located between the microfluidic channel and the vent chamber. The capillary break can include a tapered portion and a narrowed opening with a smaller width than a width of the microfluidic channel. A vent port can vent gas from the vent chamber. The vent port can be located a distance away from the capillary break so that a fluid in the capillary break does not escape through the vent port.
Claims15
A microfluidic device, comprising:
- a microfluidic channel;
- a vent chamber in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel;
- a capillary break between the microfluidic channel and the vent chamber, wherein the capillary break comprises a tapered portion and a narrowed opening with a smaller width than a width of the microfluidic channel;
- and a vent port to vent gas from the vent chamber, wherein the vent port is located a distance away from the capillary break such that a fluid in the capillary break is configured to not escape through the vent port.
A microfluidic nucleic acid testing device, comprising:
- a fluid feed opening;
- a microfluidic channel in fluid communication with the fluid feed opening;
- a vent chamber in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel;
- a heating resistor located proximate to the microfluidic channel capable of heating a fluid in the microfluidic channel;
- a capillary break between the microfluidic channel and the vent chamber, wherein the capillary break comprises a tapered portion and a narrowed opening with a smaller width than a width of the microfluidic channel;
- and a vent port to vent gas from the vent chamber, wherein the vent port is located a distance away from the capillary break such that a fluid in the capillary break is configured to not escape through the vent port.
A microfluidic device, comprising:
- a covered fluid feed slot including a fluid feed hole for filling a fluid into the covered fluid feed slot, the fluid feed hole having a smaller area than the covered fluid feed slot;
- a plurality of microfluidic channels formed as loops connecting to the covered fluid feed slot at both ends;
- inertial pumps in the microfluidic channels to circulate fluid through the microfluidic channels;
- a vent chamber in fluid communication with the plurality of microfluidic channels;
- a plurality of capillary breaks between the plurality of microfluidic channels and the vent chamber, wherein the capillary breaks comprise a tapered portion and a narrowed opening with a smaller width than a width of the microfluidic channels;
- and a vent port to vent gas from the vent chamber, wherein the vent port is located a distance away from the capillary breaks such that a fluid in the capillary breaks is configured to not escape through the vent port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.