Microfluidic device, composition and method of forming
AssigneeNational Research Council of Canada
InventorsEmmanuel Roy, Teodor Veres
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A composition made of at least 60 wt. % of a thermoplastic elastomer resin and additives that are solid at least from 0-50° C., that has a Shore A hardness that is less than about 50 bears a patterned surface, the pattern comprising at least one microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension smaller than 100 microns is a substrate for forming a microfluidic device. The chief advantages of such compositions are: its ability to bond in a sealing manner to smooth surfaces of many different compositions, its ease of manufacture and microstructure patterning, and its general impermeability to liquids.
Claims19
A solid composition made of at least 60 wt. % of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and additives that are solid at least from 0-50° C., the composition having a Shore A hardness that is less than 50, and bearing a patterned surface, the pattern comprising at least one microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension smaller than 100 microns.
A microfluidic device comprising a first part made of at least 60 wt. % of a thermoplastic elastomer and additives that are solid at least from 0-50° C., the part having a Shore A hardness less than 50, and bearing a patterned surface, the pattern comprising at least one microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension smaller than 100 microns.
A method for forming a microfluidic device comprising:
- providing a composition containing a thermoplastic elastomer resin;
- placing the composition onto a relief mold having at least one ridge defined thereon for molding a microfluidic channel;
- heating the composition adjacent the mold to a temperature above a highest glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic elastomer, for a pressure-time of less than 5 bars seconds per micron of depth of the relief mold;
- cooling the composition to form a part that is composed of at least 60 wt. % of a thermoplastic elastomer and additives that are solid at least from 0-50° C., and has a Shore A hardness that is less than 50;
- and removing the part having a patterned surface from the mold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.