Microfluidic devices with separable actuation and fluid-bearing modules
First Claim
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1. A fluid transport/containment apparatus comprising:
- a fluid-bearing module including a substrate and fluid transport/containment elements therein, wherein at least one of the fluid transport/containment elements has a predefined microfluidic dimension; and
an actuation module including actuation elements, the actuation module being detachably secured to the fluid-bearing module such that the actuation elements are operatively interfaced with the fluid transport/containment elements,the actuation module remaining an integral unit when detached from the fluid-bearing module,wherein the at least one fluid/transport containment element has a predefined depth of less than 25 microns.
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Abstract
A fluid transport/containment apparatus includes a fluid-bearing module and an actuation module. The fluid-bearing module includes a substrate and fluid transport/containment elements distributed therein, with one or more of the fluid transport/containment elements having microfluidic dimensions. The actuation module is detachably secured to the fluid-bearing module such that the actuation elements are operatively interfaced with the fluid transport/containment elements.
107 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A fluid transport/containment apparatus comprising:
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a fluid-bearing module including a substrate and fluid transport/containment elements therein, wherein at least one of the fluid transport/containment elements has a predefined microfluidic dimension; and an actuation module including actuation elements, the actuation module being detachably secured to the fluid-bearing module such that the actuation elements are operatively interfaced with the fluid transport/containment elements, the actuation module remaining an integral unit when detached from the fluid-bearing module, wherein the at least one fluid/transport containment element has a predefined depth of less than 25 microns.
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2. A fluid transport/containment apparatus comprising:
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a fluid-bearing module including a substrate and fluid transport/containment elements therein, wherein at least one of the fluid transport/containment elements has a predefined microfluidic dimension; and an actuation module including actuation elements, the actuation module being detachably secured to the fluid-bearing module such that the actuation elements are operatively interfaced with the fluid transport/containment elements, the actuation module remaining an integral unit when detached from the fluid-bearing module, further comprising a fluid-impermeable layer disposed between the substrate and the actuation module, wherein the fluid-impermeable layer comprises stainless steel.
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3. A fluid transport/containment apparatus comprising:
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a fluid-bearing module including a substrate and fluid transport/containment elements therein, wherein at least one of the fluid transport/containment elements has a predefined microfluidic dimension; and an actuation module including actuation elements, the actuation module being detachably secured to the fluid-bearing module such that the actuation elements are operatively interfaced with the fluid transport/containment elements, the actuation module remaining an integral unit when detached from the fluid-bearing module, wherein the fluid transport/containment elements comprise a main flow channel and a variable volume cell that meet at a junction, at least one of the main flow channel and the variable volume cell having microfluidic dimensions; and wherein the actuation elements comprise a pair of valves positioned adjacent to the main flow channel at opposite sides of the junction, the valves of the pair being selectably controllable to open and close the main flow channel at the opposite sides of the junction, the actuation module including means for changing a volume of the variable volume cell such that, in conjunction with selectively controlling the valves of the pair, a pump is provided. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification