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US 7,445,926 B2Granted
Fluid control structures in microfluidic devices
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsRichard A. Mathies, William H. Grover, Alison Skelley, Eric Lagally, Chung N. Liu
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for implementing microfluidic analysis devices are provided. A monolithic elastomer membrane associated with an integrated pneumatic manifold allows the placement and actuation of a variety of fluid control structures, such as structures for pumping, isolating, mixing, routing, merging, splitting, preparing, and storing volumes of fluid. The fluid control structures can be used to implement a variety of sample introduction, preparation, processing, and storage techniques.
Claims18
A microfluidic structure comprising:
- a plurality of diaphragm valves that control fluid flow along each of a plurality of fluidic channels, said fluidic channels each comprising a discontinuity and wherein the microfluidic structure comprises an elastomer membrane sandwiched between a pneumatic layer and a fluidic layer, wherein:
- the pneumatic layer comprises a first surface including at least one pneumatic channel facing the membrane and valve areas aligned with said fluidic channel discontinuities;
- the fluidic layer comprises a second surface including the plurality of fluidic channels facing the membrane;
- the elastomeric membrane normally prevents fluid flow across the fluidic channel discontinuities;
- and
- a vacuum to the at least one pneumatic channel causes the membrane to deflect to allow a flow of a fluid across the fluidic channel discontinuities, thereby forming the plurality of diaphragm valves.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.