Device with rotary valve for the manipulation of liquids
Inventors
Gärtner, Claudia • Böttcher, Heiko • Klemm, Richard
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9726301-B2
Publication Date
2017-08-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention describes a device consisting of a rotor, a holding-down device, and a base plate. The base plate is normally a fluidic system, a planar fluidic system for example or a fluidic system with several fluidic ports for a directed guidance of liquids or gases through different channels, channel systems, cavities or tubing, for the combination liquid and gas streams, or for prevention of liquid flows.
Core Innovation
A microfluidic system is provided with a base plate, a holding-down device, and a rotor located between the holding-down device and the base plate. The rotor, the holding-down device, and the base plate are made of plastic, and the rotor is pressed onto the base plate by the holding-down device. The rotor is formed as a single piece comprising fluidic structures, and the base plate has a planar fluidic system with openings from one or more channels.
The holding-down device is fixed on an upper surface of the base plate by adhesive bonding or welding, while neither the holding-down device nor any mechanical support structures for fixing the holding-down device protrude into the base plate. The base plate openings open out into the fluidic structures of the rotor mounted on the base plate, so directed flow of liquids or gases is provided in different channels, channel systems, cavities, or tubing.
This arrangement facilitates coupling or inhibits any flow of liquids or gases through the different fluidic structures. The microfluidic system includes embodiments with single-plate or multi-plate/multi-level interconnection of fluidic systems, and a rotor disc or higher structure with through-holes.
Holding-down components clamp and seal the rotor with initial tension for permanent leak-tight valve operation while allowing controlled rotation and metering/connecting/disconnecting of fluidic paths. Additional features include counter structures and mechanical stops for defined rotation positions, actuator coupling via openings, optional gripping or visual position marks, and the possibility of liquid and/or solid substances located in the rotor and/or base plate structures or materials.
Claims Coverage
The provided content includes three independent claims that share the same overall claim structure. Across these claims, the coverage centers on a plastic base plate, a plastic holding-down device fixed to an upper surface, and a rotor as a single-piece plastic body with integrated fluidic structures pressed between them, with base-plate openings that direct liquids or gases to facilitate coupling or inhibit flow between fluidic paths.
Plastic microfluidic system with rotor clamped between base plate and holding-down device
A microfluidic system comprising a base plate, a holding-down device, and a rotor, wherein the rotor is located between the holding-down device and the base plate, and the rotor, the holding-down device and the base plate are made of plastic, with the rotor pressed onto the base plate by the holding-down device.
Rotor formed as a single piece with integrated fluidic structures
The rotor is formed as a single piece comprising fluidic structures.
Holding-down device fixed to base plate without protruding support into the base plate
The holding-down device is fixed on an upper surface of the base plate by adhesive bonding or welding, wherein neither the holding-down device nor any mechanical support structures for fixing the holding-down device on the upper surface of the base plate protrude into the base plate.
Directed flow via openings from one or more base plate channels into rotor fluidic structures
The base plate possesses openings from one or more channels, which open out into the fluidic structures of the rotor mounted on the base plate, in order to guarantee a directed flow of liquids or gases in different channels, channel systems, cavities, or tubing, to facilitate their coupling or to inhibit any flow of liquids or gases.
Holding-down device fixed on base plate by welding only
The holding-down device is fixed on an upper surface of the base plate by welding.
Holding-down device does not protrude into the base plate
The holding-down device does not protrude into the base plate.
The independent claim coverage is anchored in a plastic microfluidic system where a single-piece plastic rotor with fluidic structures is clamped between a base plate and a holding-down device, with the holding-down device fixed (adhesive bonding or welding, or welding-only in some claims) and without protruding into the base plate. Base-plate openings align with the rotor’s fluidic structures to provide directed flow of liquids or gases to facilitate coupling or inhibit flow across different channel systems, cavities, or tubing.
Stated Advantages
Guarantee a directed flow of liquids or gases in different channels, channel systems, cavities, or tubing to facilitate their coupling.
Inhibit any flow of liquids or gases between different channels, channel systems, cavities, or tubing.
Provide permanent leak-tight valve operation while allowing controlled rotation and metering/connecting/disconnecting of fluidic paths.
Facilitate coupling or inhibit any flow of liquids or gases.
Documented Applications
Coupling or inhibiting flow of liquids or gases through different channels, channel systems, cavities, or tubing in a microfluidic system.
Use as a rotary microfluidic turning valve device with controlled rotation and metering/connecting/disconnecting of fluidic paths.
Applicability to gases as well as liquids.
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