Compact fluid analysis device and method to fabricate
AssigneeImec Vzw
InventorsPeter Peumans, Liesbet Lagae, Paolo Fiorini
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a fluid analyzing device that includes a sensing device for analyzing a fluid sample. The sensing device includes a microchip configured for sensing the fluid sample, and a closed micro-fluidic component for propagating the fluid sample to the microchip. The fluid sample can be provided to the micro-fluidic component via an inlet of the fluid analyzing device. And a vacuum compartment, which is air-tight connected to the sensing device, can create in the micro-fluidic component a suction force suitable for propagating the fluid sample through the micro-fluidic component.
Claims12
A fluid analyzing device comprising:
- a sensing device for analyzing a fluid sample, the sensing device comprising:
- a microchip configured for sensing the fluid sample;
- and
- a micro-fluidic component for propagating the fluid sample to the microchip;
- an inlet coupled to the micro-fluidic component, wherein the inlet is configured for providing the fluid sample to the micro-fluidic component;
- a switch electrically coupled to an on-board energy source;
- and
- a vacuum compartment air-tight connected to the sensing device, wherein the vacuum compartment comprises a sacrificial element separating the vacuum compartment from the sensing device, wherein the on-board energy source electrically drives the sacrificial element to cause the vacuum compartment to open when the switch is actuated, and wherein opening the vacuum compartment creates a suction force in the micro-fluidic component suitable for propagating the fluid sample through the micro-fluidic component when the sacrificial element is broken.
A method for sensing a fluid sample, comprising:
- providing a fluid analyzing device comprising:
- a sensing device comprising:
- a microchip configured for sensing the fluid sample;
- and
- a micro-fluidic component for propagating the fluid sample to the microchip;
- an inlet coupled to the micro-fluidic component, wherein the inlet is configured for providing the fluid sample to the micro-fluidic component;
- a switch electrically coupled to an on-board energy source;
- and
- a vacuum compartment air-tight connected to the sensing device, wherein the vacuum compartment comprises a sacrificial element, separating the vacuum compartment from the sensing device, wherein the on-board energy source electrically drives the sacrificial element to cause the vacuum compartment to open when the switch is activated, and wherein opening the vacuum compartment creates a suction force in the micro-fluidic component suitable for propagating a fluid sample through the micro-fluidic component when the sacrificial element is broken;
- and
- providing a fluid sample to the micro-fluidic component;
- detecting the fluid sample being provided to the micro-fluidic component;
- opening the vacuum compartment when the fluid sample is detected;
- propagating the fluid sample through the micro-fluidic component by opening the vacuum compartment thereby creating a pressure difference between the vacuum compartment and the micro-fluidic component;
- and
- sensing the fluid sample using the sensing device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.