Chemico-mechanical microvalve and devices comprising the same
First Claim
1. A micro-fluidic device having a fluid flow path and at least one micro-valve comprising a phase reversible material stably associated with said micro-valve, wherein said phase reversible material goes from a first permeable state to a second impermeable state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Micro-fluid devices and methods for their use are provided. The subject devices are characterized by the presence of at least one micro-valve comprising a phase reversible material, e.g. a reversible gel, that reversibly changes its physical state in response to an applied stimulus, e.g. a thermoreversible gel. In using the subject device, fluid flow along a flow path of the device is modulated by applying an appropriate stimulus, e.g. changing the temperature, to the microvalve. The subject devices find use in a variety of applications, including micro-analytical applications.
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Citations
32 Claims
- 1. A micro-fluidic device having a fluid flow path and at least one micro-valve comprising a phase reversible material stably associated with said micro-valve, wherein said phase reversible material goes from a first permeable state to a second impermeable state.
- 8. A micro-fluidic device comprising a micro-valve and two intersecting flow paths, wherein one of said intersecting flow paths is substantially filled with a phase reversible material stably associated with said micro-valve and said phase reversible material goes from a first permeable state to a second impermeable state, wherein said micro-valve is positioned at the intersection of said intersecting flow paths.
- 15. A micro-fluidic device comprising a fluid flow path and at least one micro-valve, wherein said micro-valve comprises a phase reversible material stably associated with a high surface area component, and wherein said high surface area component is stably associated with at least one surface of said flow path, and said phase reversible material goes from a first permeable state to a second impermeable state.
- 23. A micro-fluidic device comprising a fluid flow path and at least one micro-valve, wherein said micro-valve comprises a phase reversible material stably associated with a high surface area component maintained in said flow path by a retaining means, wherein said phase reversible material goes from a first permeable state to a second impermeable state.
Specification