Capacitive pumping and flow control
First Claim
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1. A pump system comprising:
- a chamber having at least one elastic surface;
a first inlet valve in communication with and configured to deliver a first fluid to the chamber;
a second inlet valve in communication with and configured to deliver a second fluid to the chamber;
an outlet valve in communication with and configured to release either or both of the first or second fluid from the chamber; and
at least one assay surface within the chamber containing a capture agent for an analyte present in the first fluid and substantially absent from the second fluid,wherein the chamber;
dilates in response to either or both of the first or second fluid exerting a pressure on the at least one elastic surface;
contains a quantity of either or both of the first or second fluid when so dilated; and
discharges the quantity of either or both of the first or second fluid through the opened outlet valve.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to devices and methods for pumping and controlling the flow of a fluid. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to capacitive pumping and flow control devices and methods. In one embodiment, the invention provides a pump system having an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and a chamber between and in communication with each of the inlet valve and the outlet valve, the chamber having at least one elastic surface, wherein the chamber will dilate in response to a fluid exerting a pressure on the elastic surface, contain a quantity of the fluid when so dilated, and discharge the quantity of the fluid through the opened outlet valve.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A pump system comprising:
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a chamber having at least one elastic surface; a first inlet valve in communication with and configured to deliver a first fluid to the chamber; a second inlet valve in communication with and configured to deliver a second fluid to the chamber; an outlet valve in communication with and configured to release either or both of the first or second fluid from the chamber; and at least one assay surface within the chamber containing a capture agent for an analyte present in the first fluid and substantially absent from the second fluid, wherein the chamber; dilates in response to either or both of the first or second fluid exerting a pressure on the at least one elastic surface; contains a quantity of either or both of the first or second fluid when so dilated; and discharges the quantity of either or both of the first or second fluid through the opened outlet valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification