Micro-fluidic devices
First Claim
1. A method of fabricating a microstructure for micro-fluidics applications, comprising the steps of:
- forming a layer of etchable material on a substrate;
forming a mechanically stable support layer over said etchable material;
performing an anisotropic etch through a mask to form a pattern of holes extending through said support layer to said etchable material and lving along a projected oath of a continuous micro-channel to be formed within said etchable material, performing an isotropic etch through each said hole to form a corresponding cavity in said etchable material under each said hole, said corresponding cavity extending under said support layer to communicate with an adjacent said cavity whereby a series of said communicating cavities form said micro-channel; and
forming a further layer of depositable material over said support layer until overhanging portions of said depositable layer meet to close each said hole.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a method of fabricating a microstructure for micro-fluidics applications, a mechanically stable support layer is formed over a layer of etchable material. An anisotropic etch is preformed through a mask to form a pattern of holes extending through the support layer into said etchable material. An isotropic etch is performed through each said hole to form a corresponding cavity in the etchable material under each hole and extending under the support layer. A further layer of depositable material is formed over the support layer until portions of the depositable layer overhanging each said hole meet and thereby close the cavity formed under each hole. The invention permits the formation of micro-channels and filters of varying configuration.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of fabricating a microstructure for micro-fluidics applications, comprising the steps of:
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forming a layer of etchable material on a substrate;
forming a mechanically stable support layer over said etchable material;
performing an anisotropic etch through a mask to form a pattern of holes extending through said support layer to said etchable material and lving along a projected oath of a continuous micro-channel to be formed within said etchable material, performing an isotropic etch through each said hole to form a corresponding cavity in said etchable material under each said hole, said corresponding cavity extending under said support layer to communicate with an adjacent said cavity whereby a series of said communicating cavities form said micro-channel; and
forming a further layer of depositable material over said support layer until overhanging portions of said depositable layer meet to close each said hole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of fabricating a microstructure for micro-fluidics applications, comprising the steps of:
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forming a layer of etchable material on a substrate;
forming a first sacrificial layer on said etchable material;
forming a mechanically stable support layer on said first sacrificial layer;
forming a second sacrificial layer on said support layer;
providing a mask;
performing an anisotropic etch through said mask to form a pattern of holes extending through said support layer into said etchable material, said holes being separated from each other by a predetermined distance;
performing an isotropic etch through each said hole to form a corresponding cavity in said etchable material under each said hole and extending under said support layer;
removing each of said first and second sacrificial layers to expose said support layer; and
forming a further layer of depositable material over said support layer until portions of said depositable layer overhanging each said hole meet and thereby close the cavity formed under each said hole. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of fabricating a microstructure for micro-fluidics applications, comprising the steps of:
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forming a layer of etchable material on a substrate;
forming a mechanically stable support layer over said layer of etchable material;
forming a sacrificial layer over said support layer to protect said support layer during a subsequent isotropic etch;
forming a pattern of holes in said mechanically stable support layer;
performing said isotropic etch through each said hole to form a corresponding cavity in said etchable material under each said hole and extending under said support layer;
removing said sacrificial layer at least in the vicinity of said holes; and
forming a further layer of depositable material over said support layer until portions of said depositable layer overhanging each said hole meet and thereby close the cavity formed under each said hole. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification