# US 2018/0021776 A1 · Voltage upconverter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021776 A1 - Document ID: US20180021776A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/546,498 - Filed: 2015-01-30 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-30 - Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Applicants: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Inventors: Manish Giri; Melinda M. Valencia; Matthew David Smith; Sirena Lu; Joshua M Yu; Sadig Bengali - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021776A1 ## CPC - B01L 3/502715: {characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces} - B01L 3/5027: {by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip} - G01N 33/48714: {for determining substances foreign to the organism, e.g. drugs or heavy metals (drugs by chemical analysis G01N33/94)} - H02M 3/155: using semiconductor devices only - B01L 3/50273: {characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids} - B01L 3/502753: {characterised by bulk separation arrangements on lab-on-a-chip devices, e.g. for filtration or centrifugation} - B01L 2200/0647: Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles - B01L 2200/10: Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept - B01L 2200/143: Quality control, feedback systems - B01L 2300/023: Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using Bluetooth® - B01L 2300/024: Storing results with means integrated into the container - B01L 2300/027: Digital display, e.g. LCD, LED - B01L 2300/0663: Whole sensors - B01L 2300/088: Channel loops - B01L 2400/046: Chemical or electrochemical formation of bubbles - B01L 2400/0475: specific mechanical means and fluid pressure - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) ## Abstract A system may comprise a voltage upconverter, a universal serial bus (USB) connector to receive an input voltage from a USB port on a computing device, and a microfluidic diagnostic chip communication link to electrically couple the voltage upconverter to a microfluidic diagnostic chip wherein the voltage upconverter is to convert the input voltage to be received by the USB connector to an output voltage sufficient to drive a pump on the microfluidic diagnostic chip. A diagnostic system may comprise a microfluidic diagnostic chip comprising a pump and a voltage upconverter to receive an input voltage from a universal serial bus (USB) port of a computing device and to convert the input voltage into an output voltage that powers activation of the pump. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system, comprising: a voltage upconverter; a universal serial bus (USB) connector to receive an input voltage from a USB port on a computing device; and a microfluidic diagnostic chip communication link to electrically couple the voltage upconverter to a microfluidic diagnostic chip, wherein the voltage upconverter is to convert the input voltage to be received by the USB connector to an output voltage sufficient to drive a pump on the microfluidic diagnostic chip. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the voltage upconverter is to further provide a lower output voltage relative to the voltage sufficient to drive the pump to the microfluidic diagnostic chip, the lower output voltage to power a component of the microfluidic diagnostic chip separate from the pump. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the output voltage is to be the sole power provided to the microfluidic device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the output voltage is 5-30 volts. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the voltage upconverter is to further convert the input voltage to second output voltage sufficient to power a sensor on the microfluidic chip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the USB port complies with a USB 1.x, a USB 2.0, or a USB 3.x standard. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the voltage upconverter comprises a voltage divider comprising two resistors and wherein resistances of the two resistors defines a feedback voltage upon which the output voltage is based on. ### Claim 8 A diagnostic system, comprising: a microfluidic diagnostic chip comprising a pump; and a voltage upconverter to receive an input voltage from a universal serial bus (USB) port of a computing device and to convert the input voltage into an output voltage that powers activation of the pump. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The diagnostic system of claim 8, wherein the microfluidic diagnostic chip further comprises a number of sensors and wherein the output voltage is to power both the pump as well as all the sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The diagnostic system of claim 8, wherein the USB connector complies with a USB 1.x, a USB 2.0, or a USB 3.x standard. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The diagnostic system of claim 8, wherein the output voltage is to be the sole power provided to the microfluidic device. ### Claim 12 A method of powering a microfluidic diagnostic chip, comprising: receiving electrical power from a universal serial bus (USB) port; converting an input voltage of the electrical power to a output voltage with a voltage upconverter; and activating a pump on the microfluidic diagnostic chip using the output voltage. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the electrical power received from the USB device is the sole electrical power provided to the microfluidic diagnostic chip. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the input voltage is 5 volts and the voltage upconverter converts the input voltage of 5 volts to the output voltage of 10 volts. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein converting the input voltage of the electrical power to the output voltage with a voltage upconverter further comprises converting the input voltage into a first voltage and a second different voltage wherein the first voltage activates a pump on the microfluidic diagnostic chip and the second voltage powers a number of sensors on the microfluidic diagnostic chip.