Systems and methods for optical actuation of microfluidics...

Details Systems and methods for optical actuation of microfluidics... Systems and methods for optical actuation of microfluidics...

2005-08-22

2010-06-01

Gordon, Brian R (Department: 1797)

Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing

Optical result

C436S180000, C204S603000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07727771

ABSTRACT:
The invention is related to methods and apparatus that manipulate droplets in a microfluidic environment. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention manipulate droplets by controlling the electro-wetting characteristics of a surface with light, thereby inducing a gradient in the surface tension of a droplet. The gradient in the surface tension propels the droplet by capillary force. A variety of operations, such as transporting, joining, cutting, and creating can be performed. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention obviate the need to create a relatively large and complex control electrode array. A plurality of photoconductive cells or a layer of a photoconductive material selectively couples an electrode carrying an electrical bias to otherwise floating conductive cells in response to a beam of light. The electrical bias applied to the conductive cell generates a localized electric field, which can change the contact angle of the droplet, thereby permitting the droplet to be propelled.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4915812 (1990-04-01), Parce et al.
patent: 5110727 (1992-05-01), Oberhardt
patent: 5156810 (1992-10-01), Ribi
patent: 5500188 (1996-03-01), Hafeman et al.
patent: 5622872 (1997-04-01), Ribi
patent: 5658723 (1997-08-01), Oberhardt
patent: 5919706 (1999-07-01), Tajima
patent: 6197494 (2001-03-01), Oberhardt
patent: 6294063 (2001-09-01), Becker et al.
patent: 6387707 (2002-05-01), Seul et al.
patent: 6445489 (2002-09-01), Jacobson et al.
patent: 6565727 (2003-05-01), Shenderov
patent: 6766817 (2004-07-01), da Silva
patent: 6918404 (2005-07-01), da Silva
patent: 7066586 (2006-06-01), da Silva
patent: 7312085 (2007-12-01), Chou et al.
patent: 7329545 (2008-02-01), Pamula et al.
patent: 7438859 (2008-10-01), Massaro
patent: 7439075 (2008-10-01), Fuhr et al.
patent: 2001/0001452 (2001-05-01), Moon et al.
patent: 2002/0094580 (2002-07-01), Jorgenson et al.
patent: 2002/0168290 (2002-11-01), Yuzhakov et al.
patent: 2002/0172618 (2002-11-01), Moon et al.
patent: 2003/0006140 (2003-01-01), Vacca et al.
patent: 2003/0011868 (2003-01-01), Zehner et al.
patent: 2003/0012693 (2003-01-01), Otillar et al.
patent: 2003/0224528 (2003-12-01), Chiou et al.
patent: 2004/0058450 (2004-03-01), Pamula et al.
patent: 2005/0063875 (2005-03-01), Schatz et al.
patent: 2007/0037294 (2007-02-01), Pamula et al.
patent: 2000-126606 (2000-05-01), None
Cho et al., “Towards Digital Microfluidic Circuits: Creating, Transporting, Cutting and Merging Liquid Droplets by Electrowetting-Based Actuation”, Technical Digest, MEMS 2002, 15th IEEE Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, Feb. 2002, pp. 32-35.
Ding et al., “Scheduling of Microfluidic Operations for Reconfigurable Two-Dimensional Electrowetting Arrays”, IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design on Integrated Circuits and Systems. vol. 20. No. 12. Dec. 2001. pp. 1463-1468.
Hah et al., “A Low Voltage, Large Scan MEMS Micromirror Array with Hidden Vertical Comb-Drive Actuators for WDM Routers”, Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) Conferences, 2002 TOPS vol. 20.
Ichimura et al., “Light-Driven Motion of Liquids on a Photoresponsive Surface”, Science, Jun. 2, 2002, vol. 88, pp. 1624-1626.
Sun et al., “Photoinduced Surface Wettability Conversion of ZnO and TiO2 Thin Films”, J. Phys. Chem. B, 2001, 105, pp. 1984-1990.
Voldman et al., “Holding Forces of Single-Particle Dielectrophoretic Traps”, Biophysical Journal, vol. 80, Jan. 2001, pp. 531-541.
Wang et al., “Electrical Molecular Focusing for Laser Induced Fluorescence Based Single DNA Detection”, IEEE 15th International Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Conference 2002, pp. 15-18.
http://www.cnde.iastate.edu
cce/PT—CC/Sec.4.1.1/Sec.4.1.1.html, “Surface Energy (Surface Wetting Capability)”, Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, pp. 1-4.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Systems and methods for optical actuation of microfluidics... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Systems and methods for optical actuation of microfluidics..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Systems and methods for optical actuation of microfluidics... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4228908