Microfluidic devices and methods of use
First Claim
1. A microfluidic device comprising:
- a flow channel formed in an elastomer material;
a pump operatively interconnected to said flow channel for moving a fluid in said flow channel; and
a damper operatively interconnected to said flow channel for reducing the fluid oscillation in said flow channel, wherein the damper comprises a cavity separated from the flow channel by a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane deflectable into the cavity to absorb energy in response to pressure oscillation within the flow channel, thereby reducing an amplitude of the pressure oscillation.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic device comprises pumps, valves, and fluid oscillation dampers. In a device employed for sorting, an entity is flowed by the pump along a flow channel through a detection region to a junction. Based upon an identity of the entity determined in the detection region, a waste or collection valve located on opposite branches of the flow channel at the junction are actuated, thereby routing the entity to either a waste pool or a collection pool. A damper structure may be located between the pump and the junction. The damper reduces the amplitude of oscillation pressure in the flow channel due to operation of the pump, thereby lessening oscillation in velocity of the entity during sorting process. The microfluidic device may be formed in a block of elastomer material, with thin membranes of the elastomer material deflectable into the flow channel to provide pump or valve functionality.
238 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A microfluidic device comprising:
-
a flow channel formed in an elastomer material; a pump operatively interconnected to said flow channel for moving a fluid in said flow channel; and a damper operatively interconnected to said flow channel for reducing the fluid oscillation in said flow channel, wherein the damper comprises a cavity separated from the flow channel by a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane deflectable into the cavity to absorb energy in response to pressure oscillation within the flow channel, thereby reducing an amplitude of the pressure oscillation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A damper for a microfluidic device comprising:
-
a flow channel formed in an elastomer material; and an energy absorber adjacent to the flow channel and configured to absorb an energy of oscillation of a fluid positioned within the flow channel, wherein the energy absorber comprises an encapsulated pocket of compressible fluid in a cavity a flexible elastomer membrane positioned between the flow channel and the cavity, the flexible membrane deflectable into the cavity to absorb the energy of oscillation in the flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
-
Specification