Foldable microfluidic devices using double-sided tape
Inventors
Cooksey, Gregory A. • Atencia-Fernandez, Francisco Javier
Assignees
National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST • United States Department of Commerce
Publication Number
US-9162226-B2
Publication Date
2015-10-20
Expiration Date
2032-05-11
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
A method and system for a folding microfluidic device comprises creating at least one folding line in a material, forming a plurality of layers of a microfluidic device in said material, and folding the material at the fold lines to create a self-aligned multilayered microfluidic device. The material can comprise a carrier material with an adhesive layer on the top and bottom surfaces.
Core Innovation
The invention discloses a method and system for fabricating foldable microfluidic devices by creating folding lines in a sheet of material to form multiple layers of microfluidic device components. The material is then folded at these lines and adhered together to create a self-aligned multilayered microfluidic device. The material can include various substances such as polymers, plastics, elastomers, paper, adhesive layers, liners, foil, porous materials, glasses, and composites, and adhesion can be achieved by methods including adhesive tapes, chemical adhesives, mechanical pressure, electrostatic attraction, melting, curable adhesives, epoxy, and urethane.
Forming the microfluidic components includes creating at least one valve in at least one layer that acts upon a fluid in an adjacent layer. The process involves removing parts of the material to form channels and components, inserting a flexible membrane, and folding the material over it to create microfluidic valves, which can be of pull-open or push-closed types. Additionally, sections of the material can be removed to fit around and seal against tubular enclosures like needles, with fold lines arranged to provide self-alignment, and slots cut to establish fluidic connections between the device and the tubular enclosure.
The invention further includes arranging fold lines to enable the folding of the material into three-dimensional shapes wherein both inside and outside surfaces of the formed object are accessible by fluid held in its walls. The fluid properties such as contents, flow rates, temperatures, viscosities, opacities, and mixings can be controlled at different positions within the three-dimensional object. Tabs are arranged on the material to provide alignment guides during folding, enhancing the self-alignment and precise assembly of layers.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims covering methods and devices for fabricating microfluidic valves and devices using foldable materials with specific features.
Method for fabricating microfluidic valves using foldable layered material
Forming valving and fluid layers separated by at least one perforated fold line in a sheet of material; forming microchannels in these layers for pneumatic pressure and fluid flow; installing a flexible membrane; folding the sheet along the fold line to enclose the membrane; and adhering the folded material. The material layers comprise substances such as double sided tape, elastomers, paper, adhesive layers, liners, foil, porous materials, glasses, and composites, and adhesion is achieved using adhesive tapes, chemical adhesive, mechanical pressure, electrostatic attraction, melting, curable adhesive, epoxy, or urethane.
Microfluidic valve types
The microfluidic valve formed by the method can be a pull-open valve or a push-closed valve, with an optional non-stick coating on the valve seat for pull-open valves using substances like Teflon, PDMS, or oil.
Forming three-dimensional microfluidic objects
Arranging perforated fold lines to create plurality of walls forming a three-dimensional shape enclosing a voided volume; folding the material along fold lines forming walls accessible to fluid on both inside and outside surfaces; manipulating fluid properties such as contents, flow rates, temperatures, viscosities, opacities, and fluid mixings at different positions of the object.
Incorporation of alignment tabs
Arranging a plurality of tabs on the material to provide an alignment guide across fold lines during folding of the material.
Method for fabricating microfluidic valves with multiple features
Configuring device as plural layers with valving and fluid layers, forming microchannels for pneumatic actuation and fluid flow, arranging tabs as alignment guides, installing a flexible membrane, folding at perforated fold lines according to alignment guides, and adhering folded material around the membrane.
Integration with tubular enclosures
Removing sections of material to fit and seal around tubular enclosures such as needles, arranging fold lines for self-alignment, and cutting slots in the last folded layer to create fluidic connections allowing fluid flow from the enclosure to the device.
Fabrication of microfluidic valves in three-dimensional shapes
Arranging fold lines to form walls of a secondary three-dimensional shape accessible by fluid held in the walls; fluid properties manipulated at different positions, including contents, flow rates, temperatures, viscosities, opacities, and mixings.
Microfluidic device construction
A device comprising at least one valving and fluid layer separated by at least one perforated folding line with microchannels for fluid and pneumatic actuation; a flexible membrane on top; tabs as alignment guides; and adhesive to bind the folded material. Layers comprise various materials and adhesive choices as detailed above; valves can be pull-open or push-closed, and valve seats can be coated to prevent sticking; three-dimensional shapes formed by fold lines allow fluid access to inside and outside surfaces.
The independent claims cover a method and device for creating self-aligned multilayered microfluidic valves and devices by folding and adhering layers with specific features such as valves, alignment tabs, three-dimensional shaping, flexible membranes, and integration with tubular enclosures, using a variety of materials and adhesion techniques.
Stated Advantages
Allows rapid, self-aligned fabrication of multilayered microfluidic devices.
Facilitates integration of complex microfluidic components such as microvalves, manifolds, and pneumatic elements.
Enables construction of three-dimensional microfluidic objects with controlled manipulation of fluid properties inside the device walls.
Improves alignment accuracy via tabs during folding, simplifying assembly of multilayer structures.
Provides methods that are time-saving, less complicated, and cost-effective compared to traditional microfluidic device fabrication.
Documented Applications
Microfluidic devices for medicine and inkjet printing requiring micrometer-sized structures.
Fabrication of microvalves and pneumatic elements within microfluidic devices.
Connector manifolds that allow rapid connection and sealing around tubular enclosures such as needles.
Three-dimensional microfluidic devices to enable fluid flow and manipulation on both inside and outside surfaces of formed volumes, with applications involving optical patterns, signal absorbance, transmittance, physical standards, or phantoms.
Interested in licensing this patent?