Microstructure separation filters

• US 10,124,275 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2015
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Imagine TF, LLC
• Original Assignee: Imagine TF, LLC
• Inventors: Richardson, Brian Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalasky, Katherine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lebron, Benjamin L
• Application Number:
  US14/846,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20160067634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/125 Pre-filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/22 relating to the construction of the column
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2325/028 Microfluidic pore structures
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 67/006 by elimination of segments of the precursor, e.g. nucleation-track membranes, lithography or laser methods
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 67/0062 by micromachining techniques, e.g. using masking and etching steps, photolithography
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/02 characterised by their properties
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/0213 Silicon
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502753 characterised by bulk separation arrangements on lab-on-a-chip devices, e.g. for filtration or centrifugation separation in general B01D; microapparatus for analysis using electrophoresis G01N27/44791; sample preparation G01N1/28
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/603 retaining the stationary phase, e.g. Frits
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6069 with compartments or bed substructure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6095 Micromachined or nanomachined, e.g. micro- or nanosize

Abstract

Microstructure separation filters are provided herein, as well as chromatography and other separation devices. An exemplary filter device includes a microstructure filter has a plurality of layers of alternating sacrificial and/or structural material which have been etched to create inlet channels and outlet channels. Adjacent ones of the inlet channels and the outlet channels are spaced apart from one another by cross channels that filter a fluid from the inlet channels to the outlet channels. The cross channels include filter features formed by etching away of a portion of the layers. The device also includes a housing configured to receive the microstructure filter.

Claims

1. A filter device, comprising:

a microstructure filter comprising a plurality of layers of structural material which are spaced apart to create inlet channels and outlet channels, wherein adjacent ones of the inlet channels and the outlet channels are spaced apart from one another by cross channels that filter a fluid from the inlet channels to the outlet channels, the cross channels comprising filter features formed by removing a portion of the plurality of layers of the structural material; and

a housing configured to receive the microstructure filter, the housing being configured to connect to a chromatograph device to test the fluid, wherein the housing comprises an inlet notch on a first end and an outlet notch on a second end, wherein the microstructure filter is disposed between the inlet notch and the outlet notch, the inlet notch being associated with an upper fluid pathway, the upper fluid pathway having a widest point proximate the inlet notch and tapering to a terminal end proximate the second end of the housing above the microstructure filter, the outlet notch being associated with a lower fluid pathway, the lower fluid pathway having a widest point proximate the outlet notch and tapering to a terminal end proximate the first end of the housing below the microstructure filter, the plurality of layers of structural material of the microstructure filter filling a space between the upper fluid pathway and the lower fluid pathway, wherein all of the fluid passing into the upper fluid pathway enters the microstructure filter and exits to the lower fluid pathway and out of the outlet notch.

2. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the filter features comprise openings that are sized to capture particles present in the fluid.

3. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the microstructure filter comprises a plurality of spacer areas that provide structural support between adjacent ones of the plurality of layers of structural material, wherein the filter features are disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of spacer areas.

4. The filter device according to claim 3, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of spacer areas are offset from one another to stagger the filter features of adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.

5. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the filter device is nested into the housing such that fluid enters a first end of the microstructure filter and exits a second end of the microstructure filter.

6. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the microstructure filter comprises an etched inlet section and an etched outlet section.

7. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is a tubular case that comprises an inner shell that includes a notch for receiving the microstructure filter.

8. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the filter features are provided with a nanoscale surface treatment to increase surface area of the filter features and thus an attractive force exerted by the filter features onto particles in the fluid.

9. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first connector that delivers fluid to the microstructure filter, wherein the first connector is configured to filter the fluid prior to entry into the microstructure filter.

10. The filter device according to claim 9, wherein the first connection is a frit comprising an outer peripheral sidewall that encircles a plurality of sections of passages.

11. The filter device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of sections of passages are disposed in a ringed configuration and arranged such that passages of sections near a center of the frit have smaller diameter passages than passages of sections near the outer peripheral sidewall.

12. The filter device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of sections of passages each comprise passages with unique spacing or diameter.