Microfluidic device capable of equalizing flow of multiple microfluids in chamber, and microfluidic network employing the same

• US 7,681,595 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2007
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
• Inventors: Kim, Sung-Jin, Chung, Kwang-Hyo, Pyo, Hyeon-Bong
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivell; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schneider; Craig M
• Application Number:
  US11/675,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20080072964A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 137/806, 137/825, 137/833, 137/602, 137/613
• US Class Current: 137/825
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00837 comprising coatings other than catalytically active coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00891 Feeding or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0636 Focussing flows, e.g. to laminate flows
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/088 by specific surface properties
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502746 characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2076 Utilizing diverse fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/218 Means to regulate or vary operation of device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2278 Pressure modulating relays or followers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87571 Multiple inlet with single outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87917 Flow path with serial valves and/or closures

Abstract

Provided are a microfluidic device and a microfluidic network formed by connecting such microfluidic devices. The microfluidic device can equalize the flow of multiple microfluids in a chamber in parallel to thereby have an equal flow rate when the microfluids transferred through different flow channels join in the chamber having a changing cross-sectional area. The microfluidic device includes: multiple flow channels formed between an upper substrate and a lower substrate to transfer the microfluids and including inlets for injecting the microfluids in one side and fluid stopping surfaces for stopping the flow of the microfluids in the other side; a pressure controlling flow channel for removing a pressure difference between the microfluids; a fluid converging part for converging the microfluids; and a chamber composed of hydrophilic surfaces and hydrophobic surfaces disposed alternately in a flow direction so that the microfluids join and flow in parallel and equal.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device capable of equalizing flow of multiple microfluids in a chamber, comprising:

a plurality of flow channels that are formed between an upper substrate and a lower substrate to transfer the microfluids and include inlets for injecting the microfluids in one side and fluid stopping surfaces for stopping the flow of the microfluids in the other side;

a pressure controlling flow channel for removing a pressure difference between the microfluids injected into the flow channels, respectively, and connecting the inlets;

a fluid converging part for converging the microfluids that are transferred passing through the fluid stopping surfaces, respectively; and

a chamber composed of hydrophilic surfaces and hydrophobic surfaces disposed alternately in a direction that the microfluids flow so that the microfluids joining in the fluid converging part flow in parallel and equal, the hydrophilic surfaces and the hydrophobic surfaces having a predetermined width.

2. The microfluidic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the flow channels further include a middle substrate disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate.

3. The microfluidic device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a flow mobility delaying step which is formed in an extended line of the fluid stopping surfaces and reduces the flowing rate of the microfluids.

4. The microfluidic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the chamber is changed.

5. The microfluidic device as recited in claim 4, wherein any one surface of the chamber between the upper substrate and the lower substrate is formed of hydrophilic substrates and hydrophobic substrates disposed alternately.

6. The microfluidic device as recited in claim 5, wherein the surface of the chamber is formed of hydrophilic substrates and hydrophobic substrates disposed alternately and the hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates have a width ranging from 1 μ

m to 400 μ

m.

7. A microfluidic network, comprising:

a plurality of microfluidic devices capable of equalizing flow of multiple microfluids in a chamber that are connected in a tree structure,

wherein each microfluidic device includes;

a plurality of flow channels that are formed between an upper substrate and a lower substrate to transfer the microfluids and include inlets for injecting the microfluids in one side and fluid stopping surfaces for stopping the flow of the microfluids in the other side;

a pressure controlling flow channel for removing a pressure difference between the microfluids injected into the flow channels, respectively, and connecting the inlets;

a fluid converging part for converging the microfluids that are transferred passing through the fluid stopping surfaces, respectively; and

a chamber composed of hydrophilic surfaces and hydrophobic surfaces disposed alternately in a direction that the microfluids flow so that the microfluids joining in the fluid converging part flow in parallel and equal, the hydrophilic surfaces and the hydrophobic surfaces having a predetermined width.

8. The microfluidic network as recited in claim 7, wherein the flow channels further include a middle substrate disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate.

9. The microfluidic network as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

a flow mobility delaying step which is formed in an extended line of the fluid stopping surfaces and reduces the flowing rate of the microfluids.

10. The microfluidic network as recited in claim 7, wherein the cross-sectional area of the chamber is changed.

11. The microfluidic network as recited in claim 10, wherein any one surface of the chamber between the upper substrate and the lower substrate is formed of hydrophilic substrates and hydrophobic substrates disposed alternately.

12. The microfluidic network as recited in claim 11, wherein the surface of the chamber is formed of hydrophilic substrates and hydrophobic substrates disposed alternately and the hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates have a width ranging from 1 μ

m to 400 μ

m.