Enhanced Microfluidics PDMS Pneumatic Valve

This invention significantly improves the resistance of pneumatic valves in microfluidic arrays to >500 GΩ (an order of magnitude improvement) with fast opening and reasonable closing times as well as good stability. The result is greatly improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) resulting in higher analytical throughput at lower cost.

Background:
Microfluidic arrays are used for electrophysiological recordings in a variety of research and diagnostic analyses, particularly drug screening. Improvements in microfluidic array operations lead to increased speed and lower cost in testing and research and development applications.  

Applications:

  • Lab-on-a-chip
  • Drug development, cellular, DNA and proteomic research
  • Tunable microlens arrays and optofluidic microscopes
  • Fuel cells


Advantages:

  • Improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
  • Higher throughput analytics leading to lower costs


Status: issued U.S. patent #11,247,205

Patent Information: