Claims
- 1. A microfluidic system, comprising:
a first microchannel formed in a substrate; a first communication port coupling the first microchannel to a surface of the substrate; and a capping module having a microfluidic element for performing a microfluidic function, wherein the capping module is adapted to be stacked on the substrate and placed in communication with the microchannel to introduce the microfluidic function into the microfluidic system.
- 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second communication port connecting a second microchannel to a surface of the substrate.
- 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the capping module includes a chamber for coupling the first microchannel to the second microchannel.
- 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the microfluidic element comprises a membrane.
- 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the microfluidic element comprises a valve for regulating fluid flow through the microchannel.
- 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the microfluidic element comprises a pressure sensor.
- 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the microfluidic element comprises a microfluidic pump.
- 8. The system of claim 2, wherein the capping module further includes a membrane for selectively blocking said communication port, and an actuator assembly for controlling a position of the membrane.
- 9. A capping module for a microfluidic system, comprising:
a substrate; and a microfluidic element disposed on the substrate for performing a microfluidic function, wherein the capping module is adapted to be stacked on a microfluidic system having a microchannel formed therein so that the microfluidic element is disposed in communication with the microchannel to introduce the microfluidic function into the microfluidic system.
- 10. The capping module of claim 9, further comprising a chamber formed in the substrate, wherein the chamber is placed in fluid communication with the microchannel when the capping module is stacked on the microfluidic system.
- 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the microfluidic element comprises a membrane.
- 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the microfluidic element comprises a valve.
- 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the microfluidic element comprises a pressure sensor.
- 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the microfluidic element comprises a microfluidic pump.
- 15. A microfluidic system, comprising:
a microchannel formed in a substrate; a communication port connecting the microchannel to a surface of the substrate; and a capping module having a recess and a membrane covering the recess to form a chamber, wherein the cap is adapted to be assembled on the substrate such that the membrane covers the communication port.
- 16. A method of fabricating a microfluidic system, comprising the steps of
etching a half-channel in a first substrate, bonding a second substrate to enclose the half-channel, forming a microchannel fabricating communication ports in one of said first and second substrate to connect the microchannel to an exterior surface said one of said first and second substrate; and bonding a capping structure having a microfluidic element to one of said first and second substrate.
- 17. A method of fabricating a fluidic circuit, comprising
providing a substrate having a microchannel formed therein and one or more communication ports connecting the microchannel to an exterior surface of the substrate; and stacking a capping element having a microfluidic element on the substrate to cover the communication port.
- 18. A microfluidic system, comprising:
a substrate having a plurality of microchannels formed therein, wherein each microchannel includes one or more communication ports for connecting the microchannel to a surface of the substrate; and a plurality of microfluidic capping modules, each having associated therewith a microfluidic element for performing a microfluidic function, one or more of said microfluidic capping modules for placement on the substrate in fluid communication with one or more of the microchannels to incorporate the associated microfluidic function into the system.
- 19. In a microfluidic system, a microfabricated filtration system, comprising:
a membrane for separating a substance into a first and second component; a first flow path for transmitting a substance; a first reservoir disposed above the membrane and in communication with the first flow path for receiving the substance; a second reservoir disposed below the membrane for receiving the first component of the substance; an second flow path for receiving the second component of the substance; and a first flow source in communication with the first fluid path for inducing a flow in the substance.
- 20. In a microfluidic system, a microfabricated filtration system, comprising:
a substrate; a first flow path in the substrate for conveying a substance; a second flow path intersecting the first flow path for receiving and conveying a filtered component of the substance; a recess formed in the substrate in communication with the second flow path; a membrane for separating the substance into the filtered component and a retained component disposed above the recess to define a filtrate chamber; a cap disposed above the membrane to define a retentate chamber; a third flow path for receiving and conveying the retained component of the substance.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/409,489 filed Sep. 9, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/410,685, filed Sep. 13, 2002 the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60409489 |
Sep 2002 |
US |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
60410685 |
Sep 2002 |
US |
Child |
10329018 |
Dec 2002 |
US |