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US 2012/0245042 A1Published application
Debubbler for microfluidic systems
AssigneeThe Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
InventorsChangchun Liu, Haim H. Bau, Jason Alan Thompson
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Abstract
Provided are robust, passive, membrane-based debubblers that are readily incorporated into microfluidic devices for rapid degassing. Also provided are methods of degassing fluid disposed within fluidic systems.
Claims20
A debubbler, comprising:
- a substrate having at least one of a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel formed therein;
- and
- a flexible gas-permeable hydrophobic membrane sealing an outlet of the first fluid channel,
- the first and second fluid channels being in fluid communication with one another when the flexible gas-permeable hydrophobic membrane is in a deflected state.
1 more element
A method of degassing a fluid, comprising:
- exerting a fluid contained within a first fluid channel against a gas-permeable membrane sealing the first fluid channel so as to discharge a gas disposed in the first fluid channel through the membrane while the membrane remains essentially stationary;
- exerting the fluid against the membrane so as to deflect the membrane,
- the deflection of the membrane placing the first fluid channel into fluid communication with a second fluid channel such that the fluid flows into the second fluid channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.