Fluid flow module
AssigneeYSI Incorporated
InventorDonald R. Moles
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Abstract
Microfluidic analyzers are used to sense a plurality of analytes in whole blood, diluted blood, plasma or serum. Additionally in the rapidly growing fields of cell culture growth and fermentation, it is often necessary to measure glucose, glutamine, lactate, NH3, phosphate and iron in micro-scale fluid flow analysis systems. The present application is directed to a fluid flow module that allows for analyte sample flow therethrough while providing a site for the location of a sensing element or elements therein to detect analyte presence and/or concentration. The module is designed for microfluidic flow rates and volumes and can be discarded after use with simple replacement by another module.
Claims14
A module having fluid flow channels therein in fluid communication with a diaphragm valve, said module, comprising first, second and third interfacially superposed sheets of adhesiveless self-bondable thermoset polyimide directly bonded to one another without an adhesive, at least one fluid flow channel formed at the interface of said first and second sheets, said fluid flow channel being in fluid communication with a valve region on an outer surface of at least one of said first and second sheets, said third polyimide sheet being superposed over said valve region, the portion of said polyimide sheet overlying said valve region being capable of functioning as said diaphragm valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.