Microfluidic devices and uses thereof
AssigneeSignal Biosystems, Inc.
InventorJeffrey LIN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides microfluidic device comprising microfluidic valves with low or substantially no dead volume. The valves may comprise an actuation layer, a fluidic layer and a membrane between the actuation layer and the fluidic layer. The fluidic layer may comprise a fluidic channel, which fluidic channel may have a cross-sectional area having a curved shape. The actuation layer may be configured to apply positive or negative pressure to the membrane to deflect the membrane towards or away from the fluidic layer. The membrane may comprise one or more polymeric layers.
Claims21
-72. (canceled)
A microfluidic device comprising:
- a fluidic channel;
- and
- a valve in fluidic communication with said fluidic channel, wherein said valve comprises (i) a pneumatic layer configured to supply a positive or negative pressure, (ii) a fluidic layer coupled to a support, wherein said fluidic layer comprises a surface that is oriented at an angle of less than 90° relative to a plane parallel to said support, and (iii) a membrane sandwiched between said pneumatic layer and said fluidic layer, wherein said membrane is configured to actuate upon application of said positive or negative pressure from said pneumatic layer, wherein upon actuation, said membrane is deflected towards or away from said fluidic layer, to thereby subject fluid to movement to or from said fluidic channel.
A method for directing a fluid flow, comprising:
- (a) providing a microfluidic device comprising a fluidic channel, and a valve in fluidic communication with said fluidic channel, wherein said valve comprises (i) a pneumatic layer configured to supply a positive or negative pressure, (ii) a fluidic layer coupled to a support, wherein said fluidic layer comprises a surface that is oriented at an angle of less than 90° relative to a plane parallel to said support, and (iii) a membrane sandwiched between said pneumatic layer and said fluidic layer;
- and
- (b) applying said positive or negative pressure from said pneumatic layer to said membrane to deflect said membrane towards or away from said fluidic layer, thereby subjecting fluid to movement to or from said fluidic channel.
A method for operating a microfluidic device, comprising:
- (a) providing said microfluidic device comprising a valve comprising an actuation layer, a fluidic layer in fluid communication with a fluidic channel, and a membrane between said actuation layer and said fluidic layer, wherein said membrane comprises at least two polymeric layers;
- and
- (b) actuating said membrane to cause said membrane to move towards or away from a surface of said fluidic layer, to permit fluid flow through said fluidic channel when said membrane is disposed away from said surface, or impede fluid flow in said fluidic channel when said membrane is in contact with said surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.