Microfabricated devices for the storage and selective exposure of chemicals and devices
First Claim
1. A microchip device for the controlled exposure of a secondary device, comprising:
- a substrate;
a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate;
a secondary device in each of the reservoirs, wherein the secondary device is selected from the group consisting of a sensor or sensor component, a resistive heater when a catalyst is provided in one or more of the reservoirs, and a polarizable electrode;
at least one barrier layer covering each of the reservoirs to isolate the secondary device from one or more environmental components outside the reservoirs; and
means for actively and selectively disintegrating the barrier layer to expose the secondary device with selected reservoirs to said one or more environmental components.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Microchip devices are provided which include a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs containing a secondary device, a reacting component, or a combination thereof. At least one barrier layer covers each reservoir to isolate the reservoir contents from one or more environmental components outside the reservoirs. The barrier layer can be selectively disintegrated or permeabilized to expose the isolated contents to the one or more environmental components. The secondary device preferably includes a sensor or sensing component, for example, a biosensor, or a light detection or imaging device, such as an optical fiber. Preferred reacting components include catalysts and reagent, which may be immobilized in the reservoirs.
429 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A microchip device for the controlled exposure of a secondary device, comprising:
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a substrate;
a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate;
a secondary device in each of the reservoirs, wherein the secondary device is selected from the group consisting of a sensor or sensor component, a resistive heater when a catalyst is provided in one or more of the reservoirs, and a polarizable electrode;
at least one barrier layer covering each of the reservoirs to isolate the secondary device from one or more environmental components outside the reservoirs; and
means for actively and selectively disintegrating the barrier layer to expose the secondary device with selected reservoirs to said one or more environmental components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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16. A method for controlling exposure of a secondary device within reservoirs of a microchip device to one or more environmental components outside the reservoirs, the method comprising:
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providing at a site which comprises said one or more environmental components a microchip device comprising a substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a secondary device in each of the reservoirs, wherein the secondary device is selected from the group consisting of a sensor or sensor component, a resistive heater when a catalyst is provided in one or more of the reservoirs, and a polarizable electrode, at least one barrier layer covering each of the reservoirs to isolate the secondary device from said one or more environmental components, means for actively and selectively disintegrating the barrier layer to expose the secondary device within selected reservoirs to said one or more environmental components; and
actively and selectively disintegrating said at least one barrier layer to expose the secondary device within selected one or more reservoirs to said one or more environmental components. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 20)
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Specification