SMALL OBJECT MOVING ON PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD
First Claim
1. A device for moving small objects comprising:
- a substrate comprising a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board having a plurality of electrically isolated electrode pads disposed on an upper surface, the plurality of electrode pads operatively coupled to a plurality of electrical connections passing through the substrate, wherein each electrode pad is configured to be electrically activated independently of the other electrode pads;
a driving surface disposed over the plurality of electrode pads, the driving surface comprising a surface on which small objects may be placed and manipulated by the device; and
wherein each electrode pad is capable of moving one or more small moveable objects disposed on or above the driving surface in response to an electrical potential applied to at least one of the electrode pads.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A printed circuit board based digital or droplet microfluidic system and method for producing such microfluidic system are disclosed. The digital microfluidic device comprises a printed circuit board having a substrate and a plurality of electrode pads disposed on the top surface of the substrate in a rectangular array. A via extends from each electrode pad through the substrate to other locations on the substrate . A dielectric layer is disposed on the electrode pads. Droplets may be manipulated using electrowetting principles and others by applying a voltage to the desired electrodes. Each electrode pad can be controlled directly and independently from the other electrode pads to modify the surface wettability of the dielectric layer in the vicinity of the electrode pad by applying a voltage to the desired electrode pad(s). In this way, droplets may be formed, moved, mixed, and/or divided or other small objects manipulated while in air or immersed in a liquid on the dielectric surface.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for moving small objects comprising:
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a substrate comprising a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board having a plurality of electrically isolated electrode pads disposed on an upper surface, the plurality of electrode pads operatively coupled to a plurality of electrical connections passing through the substrate, wherein each electrode pad is configured to be electrically activated independently of the other electrode pads;
a driving surface disposed over the plurality of electrode pads, the driving surface comprising a surface on which small objects may be placed and manipulated by the device; and
wherein each electrode pad is capable of moving one or more small moveable objects disposed on or above the driving surface in response to an electrical potential applied to at least one of the electrode pads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of producing an object moving system, comprising the following steps:
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(a) providing a substrate comprising a printed circuit board;
(b) forming a plurality of electrically isolated electrode pads disposed on an upper surface of the printed circuit board;
(c) providing an electrical connection for each electrode pad, each electrical connection operatively coupled to its respective electrode pad and extending from the electrode pad into the substrate and electrically connecting to contact electrodes at other surface locations; and
(d) wherein the plurality of electrodes are capable of imparting a force on the movable objects in response to an electrical potential applied to at least one of the electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification