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US 6,186,659 B1Granted
Apparatus and method for mixing a film of fluid
AssigneeAgilent Technologies, Inc.
InventorCarol T. Schembri
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for mixing a film of fluid, particularly a film of chemical, biochemical, or biological fluids undergoing a reaction. The apparatus comprises a means for nucleating a bubble using a discrete heat source, such as a resistor, and moving the bubble in the fluid by creating a temperature gradient, thereby mixing the fluid.
Claims46
An apparatus for mixing a film of fluid, comprising:
- a first substrate and a substantially parallel second substrate having inner surfaces that define a closed chamber therebetween, said chamber adapted to retain a film of fluid so that the fluid is in contact with both inner surfaces;
- and
- means for nucleating bubbles in the fluid comprising discrete heat sources for creating individual bubbles at selected locations within the apparatus, whereby, as each bubble is nucleated and dispelled, the fluid is displaced resulting in mixing.
A method for mixing a film of fluid, comprising:
- providing a first substrate and a substantially parallel second substrate having inner surfaces that define a closed chamber therebetween, said chamber adapted to retain a quantity of fluid so that the fluid is in contact with both inner surfaces;
- introducing a fluid containing a plurality of components into the closed chamber so as to provide a film of fluid therein;
- and
- nucleating a bubble within the film of fluid, whereby, as the bubble is nucleated and dispelled, the fluid is displaced resulting in mixing.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.