Microfluidic device, use and methods
First Claim
1. A metering microfluidic device comprisingan inlet port for delivering a volume of liquid,a metering capillary channel in fluid connection to the inlet port for receiving liquid from the inlet port, the metering capillary channel having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a defined volume, andat least one first dissolvable valve comprising a first dissolvable membrane having a first side oriented towards the metering capillary channel, and a capillary means, wherein the capillary means is formed of a layer of porous absorbent material and connected to a second side of the first dissolvable membrane such that when the first dissolvable membrane is dissolved by the liquid, liquid is transported through the at least one first dissolvable valve to the second side of the first dissolvable membrane by capillary action,wherein the at least one first dissolvable valve is in capillary connection to the outlet portion of the metering capillary channel and arranged for transporting a metered volume of liquid from the metering capillary channel to the capillary means when the first dissolvable membrane is dissolved,wherein at least one layer of dissolvable material forms the first dissolvable membrane, and the layer of porous absorbent material contacts the at least one layer of dissolvable material, andwherein a laminate of layers of material define a flow path for the liquid and comprises the at least one layer of dissolvable material forming the first dissolvable membrane and the layer of porous absorbent material forming the capillary means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic device comprises an inlet port for liquid, and a capillary channel in fluid connection to the inlet port for receiving liquid from the inlet port, the channel having a defined volume. At least one dissolvable valve is provided comprising a dissolvable membrane having a first side oriented towards the capillary channel, and a capillary connected to the second side of the dissolvable membrane such that when the membrane is dissolved by the liquid, liquid is transported through the valve to the second side of the membrane by capillary action. A method of controlling a flow of liquid uses such a microfluidic device.
5 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A metering microfluidic device comprising
an inlet port for delivering a volume of liquid, a metering capillary channel in fluid connection to the inlet port for receiving liquid from the inlet port, the metering capillary channel having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a defined volume, and at least one first dissolvable valve comprising a first dissolvable membrane having a first side oriented towards the metering capillary channel, and a capillary means, wherein the capillary means is formed of a layer of porous absorbent material and connected to a second side of the first dissolvable membrane such that when the first dissolvable membrane is dissolved by the liquid, liquid is transported through the at least one first dissolvable valve to the second side of the first dissolvable membrane by capillary action, wherein the at least one first dissolvable valve is in capillary connection to the outlet portion of the metering capillary channel and arranged for transporting a metered volume of liquid from the metering capillary channel to the capillary means when the first dissolvable membrane is dissolved, wherein at least one layer of dissolvable material forms the first dissolvable membrane, and the layer of porous absorbent material contacts the at least one layer of dissolvable material, and wherein a laminate of layers of material define a flow path for the liquid and comprises the at least one layer of dissolvable material forming the first dissolvable membrane and the layer of porous absorbent material forming the capillary means.
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16. A metering microfluidic device, comprising
an inlet port for delivering a volume of liquid, a metering capillary channel in fluid connection to the inlet port for receiving liquid from the inlet port, the metering capillary channel having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a defined volume, and at least one dissolvable valve comprising a dissolvable membrane having a first side oriented towards the metering capillary channel, and a capillary means connected to a second side of the dissolvable membrane such that when the dissolvable membrane is dissolved by the liquid, liquid is transported through the at least one dissolvable valve to the second side of the dissolvable membrane by capillary action, wherein the at least one dissolvable valve is in capillary connection to the outlet portion of the metering capillary channel and arranged for transporting a metered volume of liquid from the metering capillary channel to the capillary means when the dissolvable membrane is dissolved, wherein a laminate of layers of material define a flow path for the liquid and comprises at least one layer of dissolvable material forming the dissolvable membrane, and wherein the device comprises a plurality of dissolvable membranes formed by one and the same layer of dissolvable material in the microfluidic device.
Specification