Claims
- 1. A cover slip mixing apparatus comprising:
a support; a flexible cover slip positioned over and forming a chamber between the support and the cover slip; and a device positioned with respect to the support and cover slip for applying a force against the cover slip and flexing the cover slip toward the support, the flexing cover slip providing a mixing action of a material located in the chamber.
- 2. A cover slip mixing apparatus comprising:
a support; a flexible cover slip positioned over and forming a chamber between the support and the cover slip; a magnetizable component disposed on the cover slip; and a magnet disposed at a location supplying a magnetic field to the magnetizable component such that the magnetic field passing through the magnetizable component produces a force against the cover slip and flexes the cover slip toward the support, the flexing cover slip providing a mixing action of a material located in the chamber.
- 3. A cover slip mixing apparatus comprising:
a support; a flexible cover slip positioned over and forming a chamber between the support and the cover slip; and an electromechanical device contactable with the cover slip to mechanically produce a force against the cover slip and flex the cover slip toward the support, the flexing cover slip providing a mixing action of a material located in the chamber.
- 4. A method of mixing a solution in a chamber formed between a flexible cover slip and a support comprising
applying a force against the cover slip and flexing the cover slip toward the support, the flexing cover slip providing a mixing action of a material located in the chamber.
- 5. A method of mixing a solution in a chamber formed between a flexible cover slip and a support comprising
producing a force against the cover slip with a magnetic field passing through a magnetizable component disposed on the flexible cover slip, the force flexing the cover slip toward the support to provide a mixing action of a material located in the chamber.
- 6. A method of mixing a solution in a chamber formed between a flexible cover slip and a support comprising
mechanically producing a force against the cover slip with an electromechanical device contactable with the cover slip, the force flexing the cover slip toward the support to provide a mixing action of a material located in the chamber.
- 7. A microfluidic device for conducting a fluid comprising:
a substrate; a fluid path disposed in the substrate and adapted to conduct the fluid; a flexible cover positioned over the substrate and the fluid path; and a device positioned with respect to the substrate and the cover, the device being operable to apply forces to the cover and flex the cover to act on the fluid in the fluid path.
- 8. A microfluidic device for conducting a fluid comprising:
a substrate; a fluid path disposed in the substrate and adapted to conduct the fluid; a flexible cover positioned over the substrate and the channel; and a device positioned with respect to the substrate and the cover, the device being operable to apply forces to the cover and flex the cover to move the fluid in the channel.
- 9. The microfluidic device of claim 8 wherein the fluid path is comprised of an inlet channel, a pumping chamber and an outlet channel and the device is located proximate the pumping chamber.
- 10. A microfluidic device for conducting a fluid comprising:
a substrate; a fluid path disposed in the substrate and adapted to conduct the fluid; a cover positioned over the substrate and the channel; and a magnetizable component disposed on the cover, the device being operable to apply a force against the cover and flex the cover to move the fluid in the channel. a magnet disposed at a location supplying a magnetic field to the magnetizable component such that the magnetic field passing through the magnetizable component produces forces against the cover and oscillates the cover to act on the fluid in the fluid path.
- 11. The microfluidic device of claim 10 wherein the fluid path comprises:
a plurality of inlet channels adapted to be fluidly connected to respectively different fluid sources; a pumping chamber fluidly connected to the plurality of inlet channels and adapted to receive the fluids from the different fluid sources; and an outlet channel fluidly connected to the pumping chamber.
- 12. The microfluidic device of claim 11 wherein the forces produced on the cover oscillate the cover over an area above the pumping chamber.
- 13. The microfluidic device of claim 12 wherein the magnetizable component is located adjacent the pumping chamber and the magnetic field oscillates the cover to mix the fluids in the pumping chamber.
- 14. The microfluidic device of claim 12 wherein the magnetizable component is located adjacent the pumping chamber and the magnetic field oscillates the cover to pump the fluids from the fluid sources into the pumping chamber.
- 15. The microfluidic device of claim 12 wherein the magnetizable component is located adjacent the pumping chamber and the magnetic field oscillates the cover to pump the fluids from the pumping chamber through the outlet channel.
- 16. The microfluidic device of claim 15 wherein the outlet channel is a serpentine channel.
- 17. The microfluidic device of claim 12 wherein the magnetizable component is attached to an outer directed surface of the cover.
- 18. The microfluidic device of claim 12 wherein the magnetizable component covers an area on the cover smaller than a cross-sectional area of the pumping chamber.
- 19. A method of operating a microfluidic device comprising
providing a microfluidic device comprising
a substrate having a fluid channel disposed therein, and a cover disposed over the substrate and the channel; applying forces to the cover; and oscillating the cover in response to the forces to act on a fluid in the channel.
- 20. A method of operating a microfluidic device comprising:
providing a microfluidic device comprising
a substrate having a fluid channel disposed therein, a cover disposed over the substrate and the channel, and a magnetizable component mounted on the cover; producing forces on the cover with a magnetic field passing through the magnetizable component, the forces oscillating the cover to act on a fluid disposed in the fluid channel.
- 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the fluid channel comprises a plurality of inlet channels fluidly connected to respectively different fluid sources, a pumping chamber fluidly connected to the plurality of inlet channels and an outlet channel fluidly connected to the pumping chamber, the method further comprising oscillating the cover to mix the fluids in the pumping chamber.
- 22. The method of claim 20 further comprising oscillating the cover to pump the fluids from the fluid sources into the pumping chamber.
- 23. The method of claim 20 further comprising oscillating the cover to pump the fluids from the pumping chamber through the outlet channel.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/336,282, entitled “Cover Slip Mixing Apparatus and Method”, filed Oct. 25, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60336282 |
Oct 2001 |
US |