Method of moving and detecting fluid in a microfluidic device
AssigneeOrchid BioSciences, Inc.
InventorsWalter Paul Sjursen, Kerry Dennis O'Mara
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Abstract
A microfluidic device has a layer with a capillary break formed by a capillary sluice. The capillary sluice has a lower surface and an upper surface. A first electrode is disposed on the lower surface. The first electrode is coupled to the voltage source. A second electrode spaced a predetermined distance from the first electrode is coupled to the voltage source. A controller may be used to control the voltage applied to the electrodes. The controller may alter the operation of the microfluidic chip in response to fluid sensed at the electrodes.
Claims14
A microfluidic chip coupled to a voltage source comprising:
- a layer having a capillary break formed by a capillary sluice, said capillary sluice having a lower surface and an upper surface;
- a first electrode disposed on said lower surface, said first electrode coupled to the voltage source;
- and,
- a second electrode spaced a predetermined distance from said first electrode coupled to the voltage source, said second electrode is disposed adjacent to an input capillary channel.
A microfluidic chip system coupled to a voltage source comprising:
- a layer having a capillary break formed by a capillary sluice, said capillary sluice having a lower surface and an upper surface;
- a first electrode disposed on said lower surface, said first electrode coupled to the voltage source;
- a second electrode spaced a predetermined distance from said first electrode coupled to the voltage source;
- and,
- a controller coupled to the first electrode and second electrode, said controller sensing the presence of fluid within said capillary sluice in response to an electrical characteristic between said first electrode and said second electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.