Micro-fluidic system

• US 20040094733A1
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Advanced Sensor Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Advanced Sensor Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Mondro, Jason R., Hower, Robert W., Cantor, Hal C.
• Application Number:
  US10/362,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20040094733A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14514 using means for aiding extraction of interstitial fluid, e.g. microneedles or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0442 thermal energy, e.g. vaporisation, bubble jet
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043

Abstract

According to the present invention, there is provided a micro-fluidic sensor system (6) including a micro-conduit (56) for carrying fluid therethrough having a flexible wall portion (18), at least one micro-fluidic actuator having a closed cavity, flexible mechanism defining a wall of the cavity (11) and flexible wall portion (18) of the micro-conduit for deflecting upon an application of pressure thereto, and expanding mechanism (14) disposed in the cavity for selectively expanding the cavity and thereby selectively flexing said expanding mechanism, and sensor mechanism in fluid communication with the micro-conduit for sensing the presence or absence of molecules. The present invention further provides for a micro-fluidic system for moving micro-fluid amounts including a micro-conduit and at least one micro-fluidic actuator in fluid communication with the micro-conduit.

Claims

16-1. The micro-fluidic sensor system according to claim 16, wherein said wall means is made from material selected from the group consisting essentially of silicon, glass, rubber, silicone, plastics, metal, ceramics, polymers, and combinations thereof.

17-2. The micro-fluidic sensor system according to claim 16, wherein said pulsating portion is made from materials selected from the group consisting essentially of rubber, silicone, plastics, silicon, metal, and polymers.

31. A micro-fluidic system comprising:

a micro-conduit for carrying fluid therethrough including a flexible wall portion; and

at least one micro-fluidic actuator in fluid communication with said micro-conduit including a closed cavity, flexible means defining a wall of said cavity and said flexible wall portion of said micro-conduit for deflecting upon an application of pressure thereto, and expanding means disposed in said cavity for selectively expanding said cavity and thereby selectively flexing said expanding means.

32. A micro-fluidic sampling chamber comprising mixing means for mixing fluids flowing therethrough.

33. The micro-fluidic sampling chamber according to claim 32, wherein said mixing means includes teardrop-shaped stand-off posts.