Microfluidic molecular-flow fractionator and bioreactor with integrated active/passive diffusion barrier
OwnerMineo Yamakawa, John Heckinventors
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Abstract
A microfluidic device and method is disclosed for fractionating and/or trapping selected molecules with a diffusion barrier or porous membrane. The device includes a source fluid flow channel and a target fluid flow channel. The target fluid flow channel and the source fluid flow channel meet at cross-channel area and are in fluid communication with each other. A porous membrane separates the source fluid flow channel from the target fluid flow channel in the cross-channel area. A field-force/gradient mechanism may be positioned proximate the porous membrane with or without detection/state monitoring devices.
Claims7
A microfluidic device comprising a substrate, the substrate including:
- (a) a source fluid flow channel;
- (b) a target fluid flow channel, the target fluid flow channel being in fluid communication with the source fluid flow channel;
- (c) a semi-permeable porous membrane positioned between the source fluid flow channel and the target fluid flow channel;
- and
- (d) a field-force/gradient creating mechanism proximate to the porous membrane wherein the field/force gradient creating mechanism is an electrode capable of creating an electric field and wherein the electric field is configured to produce a fluid movement of a fluid flow across the semi-permeable porous membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.