Microfluidic system including a bubble valve for regulating fluid flow through a microchannel
First Claim
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1. A microfluidic device, comprising:
- a microchannel having an interior bounded by a side wall, an inlet, a switching region, and a plurality of outlet channels downstream of the switching region, the microchannel formed in a microfluidic chip substrate and configured to accommodate a flow of liquid through the microchannel;
a valve located in the switching region comprising a sealed reservoir, a side passage extending between the reservoir and the interior of the microchannel via an aperture in the side wall, the side passage configured to accommodate a volume of liquid between the interior of the microchannel and the reservoir; and
an actuator integrated in the microfluidic chip, the actuator configured to increase an internal pressure of the reservoir and move at least a portion of the volume of the liquid from the side passage into the microchannel to deflect a portion of the liquid flowing through the microchannel.
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Abstract
A microfluidic system includes a bubble valve for regulating fluid flow through a microchannel. The bubble valve includes a fluid meniscus interfacing the microchannel interior and an actuator for deflecting the membrane into the microchannel interior to regulate fluid flow. The actuator generates a gas bubble in a liquid in the microchannel when a sufficient pressure is generated on the membrane.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device, comprising:
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a microchannel having an interior bounded by a side wall, an inlet, a switching region, and a plurality of outlet channels downstream of the switching region, the microchannel formed in a microfluidic chip substrate and configured to accommodate a flow of liquid through the microchannel; a valve located in the switching region comprising a sealed reservoir, a side passage extending between the reservoir and the interior of the microchannel via an aperture in the side wall, the side passage configured to accommodate a volume of liquid between the interior of the microchannel and the reservoir; and an actuator integrated in the microfluidic chip, the actuator configured to increase an internal pressure of the reservoir and move at least a portion of the volume of the liquid from the side passage into the microchannel to deflect a portion of the liquid flowing through the microchannel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification