Closing blade for deformable valve in a microfluidic device and method
AssigneeApplied Biosystems, LLC
InventorsDavid M. Cox, Zbigniew T. Bryning
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microfluidic manipulation system is provided that includes a blade for manipulating deformable material and at least one movable support that is capable of moving the blade into contact with a microfluidic device including a deformable feature. When the microfluidic device is operatively held by a holder, a movable support can position the distal end of the blade relative to the microfluidic device and move the contact tip surface of the blade such that it deforms the deformable feature.
Claims26
A microfluidic manipulation system, comprising:
- at least one movable support capable of being moved in at least a first direction and a second direction;
- at least one blade, the at least one blade including a blade including a body defined by a support end and an opposing distal end, the support end being operatively connected to the at least one movable support;
- a microfluidic device including at least one feature formed therein, the at least one feature being defined at least in part by a deformable material;
- a holder for holding the microfluidic device;
- wherein the distal end of the blade includes an end blade portion including at least a first side and a second side that converge to and terminate at a contact tip surface;
- wherein the at least one movable support is adapted to position the distal end of the at least one blade relative to the microfluidic device when the microfluidic device is operatively held by the holder and is capable of moving the contact tip surface such that the contact tip surface contacts the microfluidic device to deform the deformable material and to at least partially close the at least one feature.
A method of closing a channel formed in a microfluidic device, comprising:
- providing at least one movable support capable of being moved in at least a first direction and a second direction;
- providing a microfluidic device including at least one channel formed therein, wherein the at least one channel is at least partially defined by a deformable material;
- providing at least one first blade including a body defined by a support end and an opposing distal end, the support end being operatively connected to the at least one movable support, the distal end terminating at a contact tip surface;
- providing a holder for holding the microfluidic device;
- and
- forcing the distal end of the at least one first blade into contact with the microfluidic device to deform the deformable material and at least partially close the at least one channel,
- wherein the distal end of the blade includes an end blade portion including at least a first side and a second side that converge to and terminate at the contact tip surface, and the at least one movable support is adapted to position the distal end of the at least one blade relative to the microfluidic device when the microfluidic device is operatively held by the holder and is capable of moving the contact tip surface such that the contact tip surface contacts the micro fluidic device to deform the deformable material and to at least partially close the at least one feature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.