Method for fabricating molded microstructures on substrates
First Claim
1. A method for fabricating a microstructure, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a substrate for supporting the microstructure;
(b) providing an elastomeric mold having first and second surfaces, the first surface including at least one recessed microchannel and the second surface including a mold filling member that extends through the mold to the first surface and communicates with the recessed microchannel;
(c) placing the mold onto the substrate with the recessed microchannel facing the substrate;
(d) filling the mold filling member of the mold with a liquid material which is capable of solidifying, the filling member continuously introducing the liquid material into the microchannel; and
(e) removing the mold from the substrate after the liquid material solidifies thereby leaving a microstructure formed from the solidified liquid material on the substrate, the microstructure having a shape and dimensions defined by the microchannel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved elastomeric mold for use in fabricating microstructures, the mold having first and second surfaces, the first surface including at least one recessed microchannel and the second surface including an access opening or filling member that extends through the mold to the first surface and communicates with the recessed microchannel. The mold is used by placing it onto a substrate with the recessed microchannel facing the substrate. The access opening of the mold is filled with a liquid material which is capable of solidifying. The access opening continuously introduces the liquid material into the space defined between the microchannel and the substrate. After the liquid material solidifies, the mold is removed from the substrate thereby leaving a microstructure formed from the solidified liquid material on the substrate.
100 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for fabricating a microstructure, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a substrate for supporting the microstructure;
(b) providing an elastomeric mold having first and second surfaces, the first surface including at least one recessed microchannel and the second surface including a mold filling member that extends through the mold to the first surface and communicates with the recessed microchannel;
(c) placing the mold onto the substrate with the recessed microchannel facing the substrate;
(d) filling the mold filling member of the mold with a liquid material which is capable of solidifying, the filling member continuously introducing the liquid material into the microchannel; and
(e) removing the mold from the substrate after the liquid material solidifies thereby leaving a microstructure formed from the solidified liquid material on the substrate, the microstructure having a shape and dimensions defined by the microchannel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification