Magnetically tunable microfluidic check valve, microfluidic pumps, syringe pump, and methods of manufacturing thereof

Abstract

A ball-type check valve is disclosed that is passively sealed by an embedded permanent magnet and a gasket. The permanent magnet is used to increase the strength of the valve seal while still allowing forward flow, and a position of the magnet relative to the gasket allows for setting a cracking pressure that is required to overcome the magnetic force and open the valve. A microfluidic pumping system and a bi-directional microfluidic pump comprising the check-valve are also disclosed. Methods for manufacturing the check-valve and the bi-directional microfluidic pump in a microfluidic chip are disclosed. The present disclosure also provides a syringe pump system that may be coupled to a microfluidic device for dispensing and withdrawing fluid into and from the device. The syringe pump system comprises a plurality of syringes and a mobile plate that is configured to actuate the syringes at different times.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.