Fluid handling – Processes – Involving pressure control
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-08
2002-09-24
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Processes
Involving pressure control
C137S806000, C137S807000, C137S828000, C137S833000, C137S252000, C422S082000, C422S105000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06453928
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of devices and methods for moving fluids within fluidic systems, and more specifically to methods and devices for moving fluids in microfluidics systems and devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Microfluidics systems and devices known in the art often propel fluids such as liquids or gasses by moving the fluids through channels or passages formed within various substrates. Typically, in such microfluidics systems, the moving of the fluids may be achieved by capillary effects or by using suitable micropumps and/or other material transport devices or sub-systems. Such micropumps may operate, inter alia, by using piezoelectric effects, electrostatic effects, electro-osmotic effects, mechanical effects or electromagnetic effects. The construction of such micropumps may require costly manufacturing methods. Certain types of mechanical or electromechanical micropumps, such as, for example valve or diaphragm operated micropumps may move or propel fluids within fluidic channels by controllably and actively producing positive or negative pressure within parts of such fluidic channels in the fluidic system to induce a pressure gradient within different portions of the fluidic system for pushing or pulling fluids in a desired direction within a flow channel.
Typically, the amounts of fluids pumped by such micropumps may depend, inter alia, on the type of fluid pumped. Often, in mechanically or valve based micropumps the amount of fluid pumped may depend on the number of pump strokes. In some micropumps it may be necessary to count and calibrate pump strokes for different types of pumped fluids, or to use flow sensors or detectors for quantitating or monitoring the pumped fluid volume or the fluid's flow or position.
Integrated microfluidics systems may also be connected through suitable ports or channels to one or more external sources of positive and/or negative pressure for propelling one or more fluids within one or more flow channels included in the system.
In addition, the operation of some micropumps may involve further design considerations which take into account dead volume and pump priming. Integration of such micropumps with other components to form entire systems may therefore often be complicated, costly and cumbersome.
There is therefore a long felt need for simple methods and devices for moving or propelling fluids in microfluidics systems and other fluidic systems which may be easily integrated into, or fabricated within, or added to such systems, using standard manufacturing and/or microfabrication techniques and which may allow for controllably propelling fluids such as liquids or gasses within such fluidic systems and/or microfluidics systems and other fluidic systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is therefore provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for moving a fluid in a fluidics system. The method includes the step of providing a flow channel having a first pressure level therein. The method also includes the step of providing at least one openable closed chamber in operative communication with the flow channel. The at least one openable closed chamber has a second pressure level therewithin. The second pressure level is lower than the first pressure level. The method also includes the step of opening the at least one openable chamber for reducing the pressure within the flow channel to move a fluid disposed within the flow channel.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pressure level is the pressure level outside the fluidics system.
There is also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for moving a liquid into a fluidics system. The method includes the step of providing a flow channel. The flow channel is in operative communication with at least one inlet port. The at least one inlet port is sealingly covered with the liquid. The flow channel has a first pressure level therein. The method also includes the step of providing at least one openable closed chamber in operative communication with the flow channel. The at least one openable closed chamber has a second pressure level therewithin. The second pressure level is lower than the first pressure level. The method also includes the step of opening the at least one openable chamber for reducing the pressure within the flow channel to move the liquid into the flow channel.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pressure level is the pressure level outside the fluidics system.
There is also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for moving a fluid into a fluidics system. The method includes the step of providing a flow channel. The flow channel is in operative communication with at least one inlet port. The at least one inlet port is disposed within the fluid. The flow channel has a first pressure level therein. The method also includes the step of providing at least one openable closed chamber in operative communication with the flow channel. The at least one openable closed chamber has a second pressure level therewithin. The second pressure level is lower than the first pressure level. The method also includes the step of opening the at least one openable chamber for reducing the pressure within the flow channel to move the fluid into the flow channel.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pressure level is the pressure level outside the fluidics system.
There is also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for constructing a fluidic device. The method includes the step of providing at least one flow channel within the device. The method also includes the step of providing at least one openable closed chamber in operative communication with the at least one flow channel. The closed chamber has a first pressure level therewithin. The first pressure level is lower than the pressure level outside the fluidic device.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one openable closed chamber is configured for being controllably opened to allow pressure equalization between the at least one openable chamber and the at least one flow channel.
There is also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for moving a liquid into a fluidics system. The method includes the step of providing a flow channel having at least one inlet port. The method also includes the step of providing one or more openable closed chambers. The pressure within the one or more openable closed chambers is lower than the ambient pressure outside the fluidic system. Each chamber of the one or more openable closed chambers is configured for being controllably openable. Each chamber of the one or more openable closed chambers is in operative communication with the flow channel. The one or more openable closed chambers are configured for being controllably opened to allow pressure equalization between the flow channel and the one or more openable closed chambers. The method also includes the step of sealingly covering the at least one inlet port of the flow channel with the liquid. The method also includes the step of opening at least one chamber of the one or more openable closed chambers for moving at least a portion of the liquid into the flow channel.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of opening includes opening one or more chambers of the one or more openable closed chambers to reduce the pressure within the flow channel below the ambient pressure.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the moving of the liquid into the flow channel is controlled by varying the number of chambers open
Kaplan Shay
Shacham Amit
Chambers A. Michael
Eitan Pearl Latzer & Cohen-Zedek
Nanolab Ltd.
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