Fluid handling device and method of using the same

• US 9,987,630 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2015
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enplas Corporation
• Original Assignee: Enplas Corporation
• Inventors: Inoue, Hayato
• Primary Examiner(s): Sines, Brian J.
• Application Number:
  US14/791,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20160008806A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 422 50, 422 681, 422502, 422503, 422504, 422417, 422 81, 422520, 422521, 422537, 422507, 436 43, 436174, 436180
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001

Abstract

A fluid handling device includes: a first channel through which liquid flows by capillarity; a liquid reservoir which communicates with an upstream end of the first channel and stores liquid; a liquid introduction part which communicates with the liquid reservoir and includes a taper part whose diameter decreases from an opening part toward the liquid reservoir; a stop valve disposed on a downstream end of the first channel and including a step part where a cross-sectional area of the channel in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which liquid flows discontinuously increases; and a second channel which communicates with a downstream end of the first channel, the second channel being a channel through which fluid flows.

Claims

1. A fluid handling device comprising:

a first channel configured for a flow of liquid therethrough by capillarity, the first channel including an upstream end and a downstream end;

a liquid reservoir configured to store liquid, the liquid reservoir including an upstream end and a downstream end,

wherein the downstream end of the liquid reservoir being connected with the upstream end of the first channel;

a liquid introduction part including an opening part, a downstream end, and a taper part whose diameter decreases from the opening part toward the downstream end of the liquid introduction part,

wherein the downstream end of the liquid introduction part being connected with the upstream end of the liquid reservoir;

a stop valve disposed at the downstream end of the first channel, the stop valve including a step part where a cross-sectional area of the channel sharply increases, the cross-sectional area being in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which liquid flows; and

a second channel configured for a flow of liquid therethrough, and connected with the downstream end of the first channel.

2. The fluid handling device according to claim 1,

wherein the second channel includes an internal wall, and

wherein the downstream end of the first channel opens at the internal wall of the second channel.

3. The fluid handling device according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting part between the liquid reservoir and the liquid introduction part,

wherein, in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which liquid flows through the connecting part between the liquid reservoir and the liquid introduction part, an area of the downstream end of the liquid introduction part is smaller than an area of the upstream end of the liquid reservoir.

4. The fluid handling device according to claim 2, further comprising a connecting part between the liquid reservoir and the liquid introduction part,

wherein, in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which liquid flows through the connecting part between the liquid reservoir and the liquid introduction part, an area of the downstream end of the liquid introduction part is smaller than an area of the upstream end of the liquid reservoir.