Interconnecting Microfluidic Package, Fabrication Method and Methods of Use
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Abstract
A disposable microsensor is designed, fabricated and tested for standard BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) measurements. A transparent Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) substrate is used for sensor fabrication. Standard lithographic procedures in addition to techniques like screen printing and electroplating are used to fabricate the sensor. A microbial strain of Trichosporon Cutaneum is immobilized over one pair of sensor electrodes while the other is used as a reference. Depending on the respiratory activities of the microbial strain in different samples, the BOD values of the samples can be measured in terms of difference between the output signals. The sensor layer is attached to an injection-molded passive microfluidic channel on the top. Advantages of the BOD microsensor include, but are not limited to, fast BOD measurement, disposability because of its low cost, chemically inert polymer substrate, flow-through sample injection scheme and integration of on-chip optics.
39 Citations
19 Claims
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1-13. -13. (canceled)
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14. A method for fabricating a disposable microsensor comprising the steps of
(a) selecting a mold cavity with an inlet for injecting a chemically inert molten polymer; -
(b) defining a micro pattern microfluidic channels on a first side of the mold cavity; (c) defining a plurality of inlet/outlet ports on a second side of the mold cavity; (d) injecting a molten polymer into the cavity; (e) allowing the mold to cool; (f) allowing the molten polymer to be come a rigid substrate; (f) removing the rigid substrate with a microfluidic channel on a first side and a plurality of inlet/outlet ports on a second side, thereby providing a one-piece, integrally formed, microfluidic package capable of permitting flow-through of a sample fluid; (g) preparing an electrode layer on a chemically inert, rigid polymer substrate that comprises a first set of electrodes, a second set of electrodes and one set of temperature sensors; (h) covering the electrode layer with a dissolved oxygen selective membrane; (i) preparing a microbial layer that is immobilized on one set of sensor electrodes; (j) sandwiching the microbial layer between the electrode layer and the microfluidic layer; (k) using an adhesive material to hold the electrode layer, the microbial layer and the microfluidic layer in a secure, stacked unitary arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19-20. -20. (canceled)
Specification