Method and apparatus for programmable fluidic processing
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.
59 Citations
57 Claims
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1-41. -41. (canceled)
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42. A method for manipulating a packet, comprising:
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positioning a packet on a reaction surface;
reading machine-executable manipulation instructions for a specific fluid processing test from stored data;
executing the manipulation instructions to generate a dielectrophoretic force that moves the packet upon the reaction surface according to the fluid processing test; and
sensing a position of the packet. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A system for manipulating a packet, comprising:
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a programmable dielectrophoretic array (PDA);
a computer;
a library interface coupled to the computer and configured to store subroutines for programmably manipulating packets within the PDA;
a software interface coupled to the computer and configured to allow custom programming of instructions for programmably manipulating packets within the PDA;
a position tracking agent coupled to the computer and configured to store, process, and track positions of packets within the PDA; and
a low-level control agent coupled to the computer and configured to provide instructions to the computer.
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54. An apparatus for manipulating a packet, comprising:
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a fluidic device comprising a reaction surface, driving electrodes that generate a dielectrophoretic force on a packet upon the reaction surface, and sensing electrodes that detect a position of the packet upon the reaction surface; and
an integrated circuit coupled to the fluidic device and configured to control the driving and sensing electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57)
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Specification