Indicator components for microfluidic systems

• US 20030021725A1
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences Incorporated (Revvity, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Caliper Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Kennedy, Colin B., Berndt, Manfred, Kaltenbach, Patrick, Unno, Garrett
• Application Number:
  US10/215,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20030021725A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/50
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/143 Quality control, feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0415 electrical forces, e.g. electrokinetic
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• 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 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00237 Handling microquantities of analyte, e.g. microvalves, capillary networks

Abstract

Microfluidic devices and systems that include keying, registration or indication elements that communicate a functionality of the microfluidic device to the instrumentation which is used in conjunction with these devices. Indicator elements include structural indicators, electrical indicators, optical indicators and chemical indicators. Different indicator elements are indicative of different functionalities, e.g., applications, new vs. used, and the like.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a body structure configured to interface with a base instrument, the body structure having microfluidic elements disposed therein; and

an indicator element fabricated into the body structure, the indicator element providing an indication to an instrument of a functionality of the microfluidic device.