Laminated devices and methods of making same
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Michigan
InventorsRichard B. Brown, Steve M. Martin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Laminated devices and methods of making same are provided. A fluidic channel is formed in the inner layers of a laminate such as multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) and a hole is opened to the outer layers to allow fluid's access to a chip which contains chemical sensors. Several diaphragms are formed on each side of the chip access hole using the PCB as their substrate. Electromagnetic actuation of these diaphragms by solenoids housed inside the PCB drives or pumps fluid through the channel in a peristaltic fashion. By employing various channel geometries and/or the deposition of hydrophobic/hydrophillic layers, valves are provided in the channels.
Claims23
A microactuated device of the sandwich type, the device comprising:
- a substrate having outer insulating layers and inner insulating layers sandwiched between the outer insulating layers;
- an electromagnetic inductor housed within the inner insulating layers between the outer insulating layers to produce a magnetic field;
- a diaphragm coupled to one of the insulating layers so that forces exerted by the magnetic field cause movement of the diaphragm;
- a fluid channel formed in at least one of the inner insulating layers;
- a sensor opening formed through a first outer insulating layer and in fluid communication with the fluid channel;
- and
- a microsensor supported on the first outer insulating layer over the sensor opening which fluidly communicates the microsensor with the fluid channel.
A microactuated device of the sandwich type, the device comprising:
- a substrate having outer insulating layers and inner insulating layers sandwiched between the outer insulating layers;
- an electromagnetic inductor housed within the inner insulating layers between the outer insulating layers to produce a magnetic field;
- a diaphragm coupled to one of the insulating layers so that forces exerted by the magnetic field cause movement of the diaphragm;
- and
- a fluid channel formed in at least one of the inner insulating layers;
- wherein the fluid channel has different channel portions and wherein a pair of the channel portions are defined by hydrophillic material and are fluidly communicated by a channel portion defined by hydrophobic material to form a valve.
A sandwich type device having a microchannel formed therein, the device comprising:
- a substrate having outer insulating layers and inner insulating layers sandwiched between the outer insulating layers;
- and
- a microchannel formed in at least one of the inner insulating layers between the outer insulating layers;
- a sensor opening formed through a first outer insulating layer and in fluid communication with the microchannel;
- and
- a microsensor supported on the first outer insulating layer over the sensor opening which fluidly communicates the microsensor with the microchannel.
A sandwich type device having a microchannel formed therein, the device comprising:
- a substrate having outer insulating layers and inner insulating layers sandwiched between the outer insulating layers:
- and
- a microchannel formed in at least one of the inner insulating layers between the outer insulating layers;
- wherein the microchannel has different channel portions and wherein a pair of the channel portions are defined by hydrophillic material and are fluidly communicated by a channel portion defined by hydrophobic material to form a valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.