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Method and system for pre-programmed self-power microfluidic circuits

  • US 9,822,890 B2
  • Filed: 08/30/2012
  • Issued: 11/21/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A microfluidic device for a self-powered microfluidic cicuit including a capillary pump operable to drive a fluid through the self-powered microfluidic circuit, the microfluidic device comprising:

  • a first microfluidic channel having a first predetermined width, a first predetermined depth, a first end coupled to a first predetermined portion of the microfluidic circuit, and a second distal end coupled to a first end of a third microfluidic channel;

    a second microfluidic channel having a second predetermined width over a predetermined section of the second microfluidic channel, a second predetermined depth, a first end coupled to a second end of the third microfluidic channel, and a second distal end coupled to a second predetermined portion of the microfluidic circuit;

    the third microfluidic channel disposed between the first and second microfluidic channels, the third microfluidic channel having a third predetermined width and a third predetermined depth;

    a cover over the first, second, and third microfluidic channels, the cover comprising a hydrophobic coating on a predetermined region of the cover adjacent the first, second, and third microfluidic channels, the predetermined region comprising at least where the third microfluidic channel intersects the first microfluidic channel;

    wherein at least one of the second predetermined width and the second predetermined depth of the second microfluidic channel is selected to establish a predetermined retention pressure for the microfludic device composed of the combination of the first, second, and third microfluidic channels; and

    wherein the fluid fed into the first microfluidic channel from the self-powered microfluidic circuit flows by capillary action into the second and third microfluidic channels and is retained therein provided a pressure within the first microfluidic channel, generated by the capillary pump the self-powered microfluidic circuit, is less than the predetermined retention pressure, and wherein when the pressure within the first microfluidic channel exceeds the predetermined retention pressure, the fluid is burst released out of the first end of the second microfluidic channel, through the third microfluidic channel, and into the first microfluidic channel for draining back into the self-powered microfluidic circuit, thereby draining the fluid from the first, second, and third microfluidic channels simultaneously without the fluid being trapped within the third microfluidic channel.

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