Microfluidic separators
AssigneeNanostream, Inc.
InventorsStephen D. O'Connor, Christoph D. Karp
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Microfluidic separators for separating multiphase fluids are described. Two or more microfluidic outlet channels within the device meet at an overlap region. The overlap region may be in fluid communication with an inlet channel. The inlet channel and each outlet channel are disposed within different layers of a three-dimensional device. Each channel is defined through the entire thickness of a stencil layer. A multiphase fluid flows through an inlet channel into an overlap region from where the separated phases can be withdrawn through the outlet channels.
Claims23
A microfluidic separator comprising:
- a first stencil layer having a characteristic thickness;
- a single substantially linear inlet channel defined through the entire thickness of the first stencil layer;
- a second stencil layer having a characteristic thickness;
- a first outlet channel defined through the entire thickness of the second stencil layer;
- a third stencil layer having a characteristic thickness;
- a second outlet channel defined through the entire thickness of the third stencil layer;
- and
- a single overlap region permitting fluid to be communicated from the inlet channel to both the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel;
- wherein the first stencil layer is disposed between second stencil layer and the third stencil layer;
- wherein the inlet channel, first outlet channel, and second outlet channel are each adapted to maintain substantially laminar flow therein.
A microfluidic separator comprising:
- a first device layer having a characteristic thickness, a top surface, and a bottom surface;
- a single substantially linear inlet channel defined through the entire thickness of the first device layer and terminating in a single overlap region;
- a second device layer having a characteristic thickness and being disposed above the top surface;
- a first outlet channel defined through the entire thickness of the second device layer, the first outlet channel being in fluid communication with the overlap region;
- a third device layer having a characteristic thickness and being disposed below the bottom surface;
- and
- a second outlet channel defined through the entire thickness of the third device layer, the second outlet channel being in fluid communication with the overlap region;
- wherein the inlet channel, first outlet channel, and second outlet channel are each adapted to maintain substantially laminar flow therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.