MICROFLUIDIC VALVE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A microfluidic device comprising:
- a fluid channel comprising a first and a second region separated by a valve, the first region being upstream of the valve and the second region being downstream of the valve,the valve comprising a sacrificial membrane which on contact with a liquid dissolves to establish a fluid path from the first to the second region,a gas pocket region provided within the first region and adjacent to the sacrificial membrane, the gas pocket region being dimensioned to receive and retain a gas volume on introduction of a liquid into the first region of the channel;
drive means configured to operably induce flow from the first region towards the second region, actuation of the drive means operably displacing a defined gas volume within the gas pocket away from the sacrificial membrane and allowing the liquid to come into contact with and effect dissolution of the membrane.
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Abstract
Microfluidic devices and in particular microfluidic devices incorporating a valve for selectively controlling the flow of a fluid within the microfluidic device are described. Specific examples of a microfluidic device are described, comprising a sacrificial valve, desirably one that is dissolvable on contact with a fluid or that is configured to disintegrate or dissolve on experiencing a predetermined pressure.
13 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device comprising:
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a fluid channel comprising a first and a second region separated by a valve, the first region being upstream of the valve and the second region being downstream of the valve, the valve comprising a sacrificial membrane which on contact with a liquid dissolves to establish a fluid path from the first to the second region, a gas pocket region provided within the first region and adjacent to the sacrificial membrane, the gas pocket region being dimensioned to receive and retain a gas volume on introduction of a liquid into the first region of the channel; drive means configured to operably induce flow from the first region towards the second region, actuation of the drive means operably displacing a defined gas volume within the gas pocket away from the sacrificial membrane and allowing the liquid to come into contact with and effect dissolution of the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A microfluidic system comprising a device, the device comprising:
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a fluid channel comprising a first and a second region separated by a valve, the first region being upstream of the valve and the second region being downstream of the valve, the valve comprising a sacrificial membrane which on contact with a liquid dissolves to establish a fluid path from the first to the second region, a gas pocket region provided within the first region and adjacent to the sacrificial membrane, the gas pocket region being dimensioned to receive and retain a gas volume on introduction of a liquid into the first region of the channel; drive means configured to operably induce flow from the first region towards the second region, actuation of the drive means operably displacing a defined gas volume within the gas pocket away from the sacrificial membrane and allowing the liquid to come into contact with and effect dissolution of the membrane the device being provided on a rotatable substrate, the system comprising a motor configured to provide the drive means of the device;
the system further comprising means to measure in situ the dimensions of the gas volume within the gas pocket region formed within the channel of the microfluidic device.
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40. A cancer detection system comprising:
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a fluid channel comprising a first and a second region separated by a valve, the first region being upstream of the valve and the second region being downstream of the valve, the valve comprising a sacrificial membrane which on contact with a liquid dissolves to establish a fluid path from the first to the second region, a gas pocket region provided within the first region and adjacent to the sacrificial membrane, the gas pocket region being dimensioned to receive and retain a gas volume on introduction of a liquid into the first region of the channel; drive means configured to operably induce flow from the first region towards the second region, actuation of the drive means operably displacing a defined gas volume within the gas pocket away from the sacrificial membrane and allowing the liquid to come into contact with and effect dissolution of the membrane.
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Specification