Droplet actuator apparatus and system
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a droplet actuator for insertion into an insertion slot of a microfluidics system;
a top substrate and a bottom substrate defining a gap in the droplet actuator;
droplet operations electrodes in the bottom substrate for transporting a droplet along the gap;
a ramped edge in the droplet actuator to reduce friction during the insertion into the insertion slot of the microfluidics system; and
means for seating a force applied to the top substrate that corrects warpage in the bottom substrate.
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Abstract
Droplet actuator apparatus and system are provided. An apparatus comprises: a microfluidics system having an insertion slot for insertion of a droplet actuator; a bottom plate against which the droplet actuator would slide when inserting the droplet actuator into the insertion slot; and means for forcing a substrate in the droplet actuator parallel to the bottom plate, wherein warpage in the substrate is corrected.
276 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a droplet actuator for insertion into an insertion slot of a microfluidics system; a top substrate and a bottom substrate defining a gap in the droplet actuator; droplet operations electrodes in the bottom substrate for transporting a droplet along the gap; a ramped edge in the droplet actuator to reduce friction during the insertion into the insertion slot of the microfluidics system; and means for seating a force applied to the top substrate that corrects warpage in the bottom substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus comprising:
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a droplet actuator for insertion into an insertion slot of a microfluidics system; a top substrate and a bottom substrate defining a gap in the droplet actuator; droplet operations electrodes in the bottom substrate for transporting a droplet along the gap; a ramp proximate a leading edge of the top substrate to reduce friction during the insertion into the insertion slot of the microfluidics system; and means for seating a force applied to the top substrate that corrects warpage in the bottom substrate. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
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a droplet actuator for insertion into an insertion slot of a microfluidics system; a top substrate and a bottom substrate defining a gap in the droplet actuator; droplet operations electrodes in the bottom substrate for transporting a droplet along the gap; multiple detents in a top surface of the top substrate for seating a force applied to the top substrate that corrects warpage in the bottom substrate; and multiple ramped surfaces in the top substrate of the droplet actuator, each ramped surface aligned to lead a corresponding one of the multiple detents, the multiple ramped surfaces reducing friction during the insertion of the droplet actuator into the insertion slot of the microfluidics system. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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8. An apparatus, comprising:
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a microfluidics system having a droplet actuator inserted into an insertion slot; a bottom plate against which the droplet actuator slides as the droplet actuator inserts into the insertion slot; a spring plunger applying a force to a substrate of the droplet actuator; and a detent in the substrate of the droplet actuator into which a tip of the spring plunger seats, wherein the spring plunger forces the substrate parallel to the bottom plate to correct warpage. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification