Claims
- 1. A microfluidic device comprising:
a plurality of device layers defining a plurality of operational microfluidic structures; and a channel collapse detection structure defined in at least one device layer of the plurality of the device layers; wherein the channel collapse detection structure is not in fluid communication with any operational microfluidic structure of the plurality of operational microfluidic structures.
- 2. The microfluidic device of claim 1 wherein the channel collapse detection structure comprises a substantially linear channel having a variable width.
- 3. The microfluidic device of claim 1 wherein the channel collapse detection structure comprises a plurality of channel segments each having a different width.
- 4. The microfluidic device of claim 1 wherein the channel collapse detection structure comprises an open well.
- 5. The microfluidic device of claim 1 wherein any device layer of the plurality of device layers is a stencil layer.
- 6. The microfluidic device of claim 1 wherein any device layer of the plurality of device layers comprises a polymeric material.
- 7. The microfluidic device of claim 1 wherein each device layer of the plurality of device layers comprises an adhesiveless polymer layer.
- 8. The microfluidic device of claim 7 wherein the polymer layer comprises a vinyl-based polymer.
- 9. The microfluidic device of claim 8 wherein the polymer layer comprises a polyolefin.
- 10. The microfluidic device of claim 8 wherein the polymer layer comprises polypropylene.
- 11. A system comprising:
the microfluidic device of claim 1;an illumination source positioned to direct a signal through the channel collapse detection structure; and a detector positioned to sense the signal.
- 12. A method for detecting a manufacturing defect in a microfluidic device, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a microfluidic device having a channel collapse detection structure; and examining the channel collapse detection structure.
- 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of examining the channel collapse detection structure includes performing a visual examination.
- 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of examining the channel collapse detection structure further comprises the steps of:
positioning an illumination source adjacent the channel collapse detection structure; and positioning a detector in sensory communication with the illumination source.
- 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of examining the channel collapse detection structure further comprises the steps of:
injecting a light absorbing dye into the channel collapse detection structure; positioning an illumination source adjacent to the channel collapse detection structure; and positioning a detector in sensory communication with the illumination source.
- 16. The method of claim 12 wherein:
the channel collapse detection structure is an open channel; and wherein the step of examining the channel collapse test structure comprises measuring the depth of the open channel.
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims benefit of commonly assigned U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/454,968 filed Mar. 14, 2003 and currently pending.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60454968 |
Mar 2003 |
US |