Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080249510 | MEMBRANE-BASED FLUID CONTROL IN MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES - A microfluidic device may include a substrate that defines a flow-control cavity and first and second channels in fluid communication with the flow-control cavity. A compliant membrane for regulating fluid flow through the flow-control cavity may surround at least a portion of the flow-control cavity. | 10-09-2008 |
20090044619 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING A CONTINUOUSLY FLOWING CONCENTRATION GRADIENT IN LAMINAR FLOW - The invention generally relates to combining a plurality of flow streams. In various embodiments, a first channel transports a first laminar fluid flow, a second channel transports a second laminar fluid flow, and the first and second channels enter a merging region at an acute angle to one another along separate substantially parallel planes. | 02-19-2009 |
20090078614 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING PARTICLES, CELLS, MOLECULES AND PARTICULATES - A method and apparatus for continuously separating or concentrating particles that includes flowing two fluids in laminar flow through a magnetic field gradient which causes target particles to migrate to a waste fluid stream, and collecting each fluid stream after being flowed through the magnetic field gradient. | 03-26-2009 |
20100323916 | High-Throughput Biological Screening - In one embodiment, a high-throughput flow system includes an array of wells and a separate mechanical tip positioned within each well. Each mechanical tip is separately actuated to impart a shear stress pattern. | 12-23-2010 |
20110295194 | DRUG DELIVERY APPARATUS - An implantable drug delivery apparatus for delivering a drug into a bodily fluid in a body cavity of a patient over a period of time includes a variable-volume vessel defining a working chamber for receiving a drug and recirculating a therapeutic fluid. The fluid can contain a bodily fluid, such as, for example, perilymph, and a drug. The device allows for the controlled delivery of the therapeutic fluid to a predetermined location in the bodily cavity of the patient, such as, for example, a cochlea of a human ear. | 12-01-2011 |
20120007778 | FLUIDIC CONSTRUCTS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES - In various embodiments, an actuating mechanism is employed to displace a conductor disposed within a fluidic channel, thereby reconfiguring an electronic component. | 01-12-2012 |
20120068801 | FLUIDIC CONSTRUCTS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES - In various embodiments, an inductance of an inductor is tuned by adjusting a position of a conductor and/or a magnetic material with respect to a conducting wire of the inductor, thereby changing the electro-magnetic characteristics of the conducting wire. The conductor and/or magnetic material can be disposed in a microfluidic channel and can be moved within the microfluidic channel using a suitable actuator mechanism. | 03-22-2012 |
20120149021 | Device for Filtration of Fluids Therethrough and Accompanying Method - A microfluidic device for separating target components from a source fluid includes one or more source channels connected to one or more collection channels by one or more transfer channels. The target components of the source fluid can be magnetic or bound to magnetic particles using a know binding agent. A source fluid containing magnetically bound target components can be pumped through the source channel of the microfluidic device. A magnetic field gradient can be applied to the source fluid in the source channel causing the magnetically bound target components to migrate through the transfer channel into the collection channel. The collection channel can include a collection fluid that is stagnant until a predefined volume of source fluid is processed or a predefined volume of target components accumulate in the collection channel, at which point collection fluid can be pumped into the collection channel to flush the target components out of the collection channel. The target components can be subsequently analyzed for detection and diagnosis. | 06-14-2012 |
20120264224 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MICROFLUIDIC CALORIMETER - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a microfluidic calorimeter apparatus. A microfluidic calorimeter system includes a calorimetry apparatus and a processor in connection with the apparatus. The apparatus includes a microfluidic laminar flow channel connected to two inlets for flowing fluid into the laminar flow channel. Below the laminar flow channel is a plurality of microscale temperature sensors at known positions in the channel. The processor is in connection with the discrete temperature sensors and determines a calorimetry measurement based on local temperatures derived from data output by the microscale temperature sensors and the respective positions of the sensors in the channel. | 10-18-2012 |
20130048565 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BLOOD SEPARATION BY MICROFLUIDIC ACOUSTIC FOCUSING - Systems and methods for cleansing blood are disclosed herein. The methods include acoustically separating undesirable particles bound to capture particles from formed elements of whole blood. After introducing the capture particles to whole blood containing undesirable particles, the whole blood and capture particles are flowed through a microfluidic separation channel. At least one bulk acoustic transducer is attached to the microfluidic separation channel. A standing acoustic wave, imparted on the channel and its contents by the bulk acoustic transducer, drives the formed elements and undesirable particles bound to capture particles to specific aggregation axes. After aggregating the particles, the formed elements exit the separation channel through a first outlet and are returned to the patient. The undesirable particles, bound to the capture particles, exit through a second outlet and can be discarded to saved for later study. | 02-28-2013 |
20130053823 | Drug Delivery Apparatus - An implantable drug delivery apparatus for delivering a drug into a bodily fluid in a bodily cavity of a patient over a period of time includes a drug supply reservoir to supply drug into a delivery channel and an actuator for delivering the drug to a predetermined location in the bodily cavity of the patient, such as, for example, a cochlea of a human ear. The drug is loaded into the delivery channel while producing substantially negligible flow at an outlet of the delivery channel. | 02-28-2013 |
20140209542 | EXTRACORPOREAL CLEARANCE OF ORGANOPHOSPHATES FROM BLOOD ON AN ACOUSTIC SEPARATION DEVICE - Systems, methods, and compositions for removing organophosphate toxins from blood are disclosed herein. The compositions include a lipid-based capture particle that displays BChE that binds to the toxin. The methods include acoustically separating toxins bound to lipid-based capture particles from blood factors of whole blood. | 07-31-2014 |
20140273276 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MICROFLUIDIC CALORIMETER - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a microfluidic calorimeter apparatus. A microfluidic calorimeter system includes a calorimetry apparatus and a processor in connection with the apparatus. The apparatus includes a microfluidic laminar flow channel connected to two inlets for flowing fluid into the laminar flow channel. Below the laminar flow channel is a plurality of microscale temperature sensors at known positions in the channel. The processor is in connection with the discrete temperature sensors and determines a calorimetry measurement based on local temperatures derived from data output by the microscale temperature sensors and the respective positions of the sensors in the channel. | 09-18-2014 |
20150017737 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING PLASMA FROM BLOOD AND DELAYED WETTING - Devices and methods are disclosed herein for separating a supernate from a suspension. The apparatus consists of a sample zone, a controllable gate, and an analysis zone. The sample zone holds the suspension. The analysis zone passively transports a supernate formed from the suspension by capillary transport. A controllable gate prevents the suspension in the sample zone from flowing into the analysis zone. The controllable gate can be triggered after the supernate has separated from the suspension to allow the supernate to flow into the analysis zone. | 01-15-2015 |
20150070123 | METHODS FOR FORMING CHIP-SCALE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - A method of forming a planar, low loss electrical component such as an inductor or transmission line is provided. A channel can be formed on a top surface of a substrate. A threading plate can be positioned on an upper surface of the channel. A wire or fiber can be introduced through the substrate, the channel, and the threading plate. The wire or fiber can then be guided into the channel using the threading plate. The substrate and the threading plate can then be removed. | 03-12-2015 |
20150126411 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR HIGH-THROUGHPUT TESTING - The systems and methods described herein relate to a high-throughput flow apparatus. The apparatus is used with an array of wells, and is configured to impart a predetermined shear stress on cells cultured within each of the wells of the array of wells. The apparatus includes a plurality of mechanical tips. The plurality of mechanical tips each includes a head with a hemispheroid shape. The apparatus also includes a motor associated with at least one of plurality of mechanical tips. The motor is configured to drive the plurality of mechanical tips to impart the shear stress pattern in each of the wells. | 05-07-2015 |
20150157837 | DRUG DELIVERY APPARATUS - An implantable drug delivery apparatus for delivering a drug into a bodily fluid in a bodily cavity of a patient over a period of time includes a drug supply reservoir to supply drug into a delivery channel and an actuator for delivering the drug to a predetermined location in the bodily cavity of the patient, such as, for example, a cochlea of a human ear. The drug is loaded into the delivery channel while producing substantially negligible flow at an outlet of the delivery channel. | 06-11-2015 |
20160003229 | ELECTROMAGNETICALLY-ACTUATED MICROFLUIDIC FLOW REGULATORS AND RELATED APPLICATIONS - A variable, closed-loop apparatus for regulating a microfluidic flow that employs a low-power deflection assembly, which is surface-mounted over a flexible membrane overlying a chamber integrated into a microfabricated platform. A flexible membrane, movable between two positions, sealingly overlies the chamber. One of the positions of the membrane restricts the flow through the chamber to a greater degree than the other position. A deflection assembly disposed on the substrate over the membrane unidirectionally deflects the membrane, thereby regulating the flow through the chamber. | 01-07-2016 |