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US 8,974,652 B2Granted
Programmable fluidic processors
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsPeter R. C. Gascoyne, Jody Vykoukal, Jon Schwartz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for programmable fluidic processors. In one embodiment, the invention involves manipulating droplets across a reaction surface of the processor substantially contact-free of any surfaces. The reaction surface and the electrodes of the processor may include a coating repelling the droplets. Further, the present invention provides for a suitable suspending medium for repelling droplets away from fixed surfaces.
Claims33
An apparatus, comprising:
- a suspending medium comprising a plurality of droplets;
- a reaction surface providing an interaction site for the plurality of droplets;
- at least one electrode coupled to the reaction surface, the at least one electrode comprising an insulating coating for preventing contact between the plurality of droplets and the at least one electrode;
- and
- a controller coupled to the at least one electrode for providing dielectrophoretic forces on the plurality of droplets;
- where the suspending medium is configured to provide buoyancy to the droplets to substantially eliminate contact forces between the at least one electrode and the droplets.
3 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- a suspending medium comprising droplets;
- a fixed surface comprising a passivation layer and a droplet-repellent coating, the fixed surface provides an interaction site for the droplets;
- and
- a signal generator for applying a signal to the fixed surface for manipulating the droplets;
- where the apparatus is configured to manipulate droplets across the fixed surface substantially contact-free from the fixed surface.
2 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a semiconductor chip;
- a reaction surface coupled to the semiconductor chip;
- an array of electrodes coupled to the reaction surface for droplet manipulation;
- a controller coupled to the array of electrodes, the controller selecting a phase of a signal to apply to each electrode in the array of electrodes;
- and
- where the reaction surface comprises a droplet-repellent coating;
- and
- where the system is configured to manipulate droplets across the reaction surface substantially contact-free from the reaction surface.
5 more elements
A method, comprising:
- providing a fluidic processor comprising a fixed surface with a droplet-repellent coating;
- injecting a droplet onto the fixed surface;
- and
- providing an inhomogeneous AC field to the fixed surface creating a dielectrophoretic force on the droplet, the droplet manipulated substantially contact-free of the fixed surface.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.