MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF

• US 20120213975A1
• Filed: 02/17/2012
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STRATEC Consumables GmbH (Stratec SE)
• Original Assignee: Sony DADC Austria AG (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: NAISBY, Andrew John, TORELLO AREVALO, Miguel Angel, KUGLER, Josef, REITER, Wolfgang Franz
• Granted Patent: US 8,877,320 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/173
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44791 Microapparatus sample containers with integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/23 with pulse counters or frequency dividers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24521 with component conforming to contour of nonplanar surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24545 Containing metal or metal compound
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24554 including cellulosic or natural rubber component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24612 Composite web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2462 with partial filling of valleys on outer surface

Abstract

A microfluidic device comprising: a substrate having a microfluidic channel, an electrically conductive feature comprising an electrically conductive layer arranged on a primer layer and positioned with reference to the microfluidic channel, wherein the primer layer comprises: (i) an organic polymer selected from the group consisting of. (a) a homopolymer or copolymer including a vinyl lactam repeating unit, (b) a cellulose ether; (c) polyvinyl alcohol; and (d) unmodified or modified gelatin; and (ii) a porous particulate material, the organic polymer being dispersed in the porous particulate material, is provided. Methods for manufacturing the microfluidic devices and their use in a number of applications are also provided.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device comprising.

a substrate having a microfluidic channel,

an electrically conductive feature comprising an electrically conductive layer arranged on a primer layer and positioned with reference to the microfluidic channel, wherein the primer layer comprises:

(i) an organic polymer selected from the group consisting of;

(a) a homopolymer or copolymer including a vinyl lactam repeating unit,

(b) a cellulose ether,

(c) polyvinyl alcohol, and

(d) unmodified or modified gelatin,

(ii) a porous particulate material, the organic polymer being dispersed in the porous particulate material

2. A method of manufacturing a microfluidic device, the method comprising:

(A) providing a substrate having a microfluidic channel;

(B) applying a primer layer to the substrate, the primer layer comprising;

(i) an organic polymer selected from the group consisting of;

(a) a homopolymer or copolymer including a vinyl lactam repeating unit;

(b) a cellulose ether,

(c) polyvinyl alcohol, and

(d) unmodified or modified gelatin,

(ii) a porous particulate material, the organic polymer being dispersed in the porous particulate material;

(C) applying a conductive ink layer over the primer layer at a position referenced to the microfluidic channel, the conductive ink comprising electrically conductive particles dispersed in a humectant organic solvent.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the substrate further includes a conductive ink channel and wherein, in the step of applying the primer layer and/or the step of applying the conductive ink layer, the primer layer and/or the conductive ink layer are applied to the conductive ink channel

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein, in the step of applying the primer layer and/or the step of applying the conductive ink layer, the primer layer and/or the conductive ink layer are applied in solution to the conductive ink channel and are distributed through the conductive ink channel by capillary action

5. A method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the conductive ink channel has a side wall portion that joins an upper surface of the substrate at a rim and wherein the conductive ink layer is applied in the conductive ink channel so that a lateral separation exists between the rim of the conductive ink channel and the edge of the conductive ink layer

6. A method according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the microfluidic channel and the conductive ink channel are formed on an upper surface of the substrate

7. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the microfluidic channel is formed on an upper surface of the substrate and the primer layer and conductive ink layer are formed on a lower surface of the substrate.

8. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the organic polymer is a homopolymer or copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the organic polymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate

10. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the porous particulate material is selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, titania, a zeolite and barium sulphate

11. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the primer layer is applied to the substrate diluted in a hydrophilic solvent

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the hydrophilic solvent is a glycol ether or a mixture thereof.

13. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the electrically conductive particles in the conductive ink comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, palladium, silver, platinum and gold, or a mixture of any thereof.

14. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the humectant organic solvent in the conductive ink is a polyol.

15. A microfluidic device manufactured according to the method of any one of claims 2 to 14