US 6,629,820 B2 · Microfluidic flow control device

Abstract

A method of controlling fluid flow in a channel in a microfluidic flow control device by introducing fluid to the channel, with the fluid flowing in a flow direction and controllably deforming material defining the channel in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction to control fluid flow in the channel. The channel is formed between a first plate and a second plate and controllably deforming material defining the channel comprises deforming at least one of the first and second plates. Material defining the channel extends continuously between an inlet port and an outlet port. Controllably deforming material defining the channel preferably comprises deforming the first plate into contact with a seat formed in the second plate to close the channel. The seat may be formed by a ridge having a smoothly changing profile in section across the channel. The method may be operated to generate a pumping, filtering, trapping or mixing function. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of controlling fluid flow in a channel in a microfluidic flow control device, the channel being formed between a first plate and a second plate, the second plate having a ridge with a smoothly changing profile in section across the channel;

the method comprising the steps of:
introducing fluid to the channel, with the fluid flowing in a flow direction;
and
controllably deforming one of the first plate and the second plate in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction to make the first plate contact the ridge and control fluid flow in the channel.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Microfluidic flow control device

Life of this patent

Microfluidic flow control device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14