Chemico-mechanical microvalve and devices comprising the same
OwnerKarla M. Robotti, Sally A. Swedberg +1inventors
InventorsKarla M. Robotti, Sally A. Swedberg, Hongfeng Yin
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Abstract
Micro-fluid devices and methods for their use are provided. The subject devices are characterized by the presence of at least one micro-valve comprising a phase reversible material, e.g. a reversible gel, that reversibly changes its physical state in response to an applied stimulus, e.g. a thermoreversible gel. In using the subject device, fluid flow along a flow path of the device is modulated by applying an appropriate stimulus, e.g. changing the temperature, to the microvalve. The subject devices find use in a variety of applications, including micro-analytical applications.
Claims45
A micro-fluidic device having a fluid flow path and at least one micro-valve comprising a phase reversible material.
A micro-fluidic device comprising a micro-valve and two intersecting flow paths, wherein one of said intersecting flow paths is substantially filled with a phase reversible material and said micro-valve is positioned at the intersection of said intersecting flow paths.
A micro-fluidic device comprising a fluid flow path and at least one micro-valve, wherein said micro-valve comprises a phase reversible material stably associated with a high surface area component, and wherein said high surface area component is stably associated with at least one surface of said flow path.
A micro-fluidic device comprising a fluid flow path and at least one micro-valve, wherein said micro-valve comprises a phase reversible material stably associated with a high surface area component maintained in said flow path by a retaining means.
A method of modulating fluid flow along a flow path of a micro-fluidic device, said method comprising:
- modulating the physical state of a micro-valve positioned in said flow path, wherein said micro-valve comprises a phase reversible material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.