Method and apparatus for controllably effecting samples using two signals
First Claim
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1. A method of elevating temperature in at least a portion of a fluid-filled channel disposed in a substrate, to a selected elevated temperature, comprising:
- applying a first selectable current through a fluid in the at least a portion of the fluid-filled channel, the portion of the fluid-filled channel having an electrical resistance;
applying a second selectable current through the fluid in the at least a portion of the fluid-filled channel, wherein the second selectable current has a different frequency than the first selectable current, detecting at least one characteristic indicative of a temperature of the fluid using the second selectable current; and
using the one characteristic to control at least one of the selectable current or the electrical resistance to elevate the temperature of the fluid in the portion of the channel to the selected elevated temperature.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for effecting a parameter and detecting a parameter using two electric signal in a conductive path are described.
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Citations
66 Claims
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1. A method of elevating temperature in at least a portion of a fluid-filled channel disposed in a substrate, to a selected elevated temperature, comprising:
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applying a first selectable current through a fluid in the at least a portion of the fluid-filled channel, the portion of the fluid-filled channel having an electrical resistance;
applying a second selectable current through the fluid in the at least a portion of the fluid-filled channel, wherein the second selectable current has a different frequency than the first selectable current, detecting at least one characteristic indicative of a temperature of the fluid using the second selectable current; and
using the one characteristic to control at least one of the selectable current or the electrical resistance to elevate the temperature of the fluid in the portion of the channel to the selected elevated temperature. - 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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20. A method of elevating temperature in at least a portion of a sample channel disposed in a substrate, to a selected elevated temperature, comprising:
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applying a first selectable electric signal through a conducting path associated with the at least a portion of the sample channel, the conducting path having an electrical impedance;
applying a second selectable electric signal trough the conducting path, wherein the second selectable current has a different frequency than the first selectable current;
detecting at least one characteristic indicative of a temperature of the fluid using the second selectable signal; and
using the one characteristic to control elevating the temperature of the conducting path so that the selected elevated temperature of the channel is reached. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of heating fluid in a microfluidic system, said method comprising steps of;
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providing a channel having a first end, a second end, and a region defined therebetween, said channel being disposed in a substrate;
providing fluid in said region of said channel;
applying a first electric current signal through said fluid to heat said fluid at said region;
applying a second electric current signal through said fluid to measure an electrical parameter of said fluid at said region;
said electrical parameter correlated with a temperature of said fluid;
wherein the second selectable current has a different frequency than the first selectable current, and wherein said first electric current selectively heats said fluid in said region of said channel while preventing substantial heating of said fluid outside said region.- View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A method of controlling temperature of fluid in a channel defined in a substrate of a microfluidic system, said method comprising steps of:
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applying a first electrical energy source to begin heating said fluid in said channel;
applying a second electrical energy source to probe a detection parameter indicative of a temperature of said fluid in said channel, wherein the second electrical energy source produces a current with a different frequency than the current produced by the first electrical energy source; and
adjusting a first parameter applied from said first electrical energy source to said fluid to provide a relatively constant detection parameter in said fluid, wherein said first parameter is current, voltage, power or a combination thereof, and the detection parameter is resistance and conductivity; and
wherein said fluid is heated without substantially increasing a temperature of said substrate.- View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A system for elevating temperature in at least a portion of a fluid-filled channel disposed in a substrate, to a selected elevated temperature, comprising:
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a controllable effector power source able to apply a first controllable signal through a fluid in the at least a portion of the fluid-filled channel;
a probe signal source able to apply a second voltage signal through a fluid in the at least a portion of the fluid-filled channel, wherein the second voltage signal has a different frequency than the first controllable signal;
a probe signal detector able to detect at least one characteristic indicative of a fluid temperature using said probe signal;
and a controller able to use said at least one characteristic to provide a control signal varying said controllable effector power source. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66)
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Specification