US2002098097A1PendingUtilityA1

Magnetically-actuated micropump

42
Priority: Jan 22, 2001Filed: Jan 22, 2001Published: Jul 25, 2002
Est. expiryJan 22, 2021(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Angad Singh
B01L 2300/0816B01L 2400/0439B01L 2200/10B01L 2400/0481B01L 2400/0638B01L 2200/143B01L 3/50273B01L 7/52B01L 3/5027F04B 43/046B01L 2400/0605
42
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Claims

Abstract

A microfluidic pump having a substrate with a pump chamber and at least one channel in communication with the pump chamber for transporting a substance into or out of the pump chamber. A flexible diaphragm overlies the pump chamber, and a magnetic member is attached to the diaphragm. A magnet, such as an electromagnet, is positioned to attract and repel the magnetic member, thereby actuating the diaphragm, and causing a substance to be drawn into or out of the channel. A uni-directional or bi-directional check valve can be positioned in the channel to prevent backflow into the pump chamber. A control system can be coupled to the pump to adjust actuation rate of the diaphragm.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A microfluidic pump comprising: 
 a substrate including a chamber;    at least one channel in communication with the chamber;    a flexible diaphragm forming a wall of the chamber; and    a magnetic member attached to the diaphragm.    
     
     
         2 . The pump of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a check valve positioned in the channel.  
 
     
     
         3 . The pump of  claim 2  wherein the check valve is unidirectional.  
     
     
         4 . The pump of  claim 2  wherein the check valve includes a flap having one end movably attached to one sidewall of the channel.  
     
     
         5 . The pump of  claim 1  further comprising an electromagnet positioned to attract and repel the magnetic member.  
     
     
         6 . The pump of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 a current source coupled to supply electric current to the electromagnet.  
 
     
     
         7 . The pump of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 a control system coupled to adjust the current output by the current source.  
 
     
     
         8 . The pump of  claim 1  further comprising a protective layer covering the top of the diaphragm.  
     
     
         9 . The pump of  claim 1  further comprising a protective layer covering the bottom of the substrate.  
     
     
         10 . The pump of  claim 5  wherein the electromagnet is positioned adjacent the magnetic member.  
     
     
         11 . The pump of  claim 5  wherein the electromagnet is positioned separate from the magnetic member.  
     
     
         12 . A microfluidic pump comprising: 
 a substrate including a pump chamber;    at least one channel in communication with the pump chamber;    a flexible diaphragm overlying the pump chamber; and    means for actuating the flexible diaphragm.    
     
     
         13 . The pump of  claim 12  wherein the means for actuating the flexible diaphragm includes an electromagnet.  
     
     
         14 . The pump of  claim 12  wherein the means for actuating the flexible diaphragm includes a permanent magnet.  
     
     
         15 . The pump of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a current source coupled to supply electric current to the electromagnet.  
 
     
     
         16 . The pump of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a control system coupled to adjust the current output by the current source.  
 
     
     
         17 . The pump of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 a check valve positioned in the channel.  
 
     
     
         18 . The pump of  claim 12  wherein the substrate is a polymer material.  
     
     
         19 . The pump of  claim 12  wherein the substrate is injection molded.  
     
     
         20 . The pump of  claim 12  wherein the channel and the pump chamber are embossed in the substrate.  
     
     
         21 . A system for transporting a substance, the system comprising: 
 a substrate including a pump chamber;    at least one channel in communication with the pump chamber;    a flexible diaphragm forming a wall of the pump chamber;    means for actuating the flexible diaphragm; and    a control system coupled to control the means for actuating the flexible diaphragm.    
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the means for actuating the flexible diaphragm includes an electromagnet.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the means for actuating the flexible diaphragm includes a permanent magnet.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising: 
 a current source coupled to supply electric current to the electromagnet.  
 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 a check valve positioned in the at least one channel.  
 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the substrate is a polymer material.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the substrate is injection molded.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the channel and the pump chamber are embossed in the substrate.  
     
     
         29 . A method for transporting a substance using a pump system, wherein the pump system includes a chamber, at least one channel in communication with the chamber, a flexible diaphragm forming a wall of the chamber, and a magnetic member attached to the diaphragm, the method comprising: 
 attracting the magnetic member to cause the substance to flow into the chamber; and    repelling the magnetic member to cause the substance in the chamber to flow out of the chamber.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the pump system further includes a check valve positioned in the channel, the method further comprising: 
 opening the check valve while attracting the magnetic member; and    closing the check valve while repelling the magnetic member.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the check valve is unidirectional.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the check valve includes a flap having one end movably attached to one sidewall of the channel.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the pump system further includes an electromagnet positioned to attract and repel the magnetic member, the method further comprising: 
 adjusting current supplied to the electromagnet to control attracting and repelling the magnetic member.    
     
     
         34 . A method of fabricating a pump system for transporting a substance, the method comprising: 
 forming a pump chamber in a substrate;    positioning at least one channel in communication with the pump chamber;    forming at least a portion of a wall of the pump chamber with a flexible diaphragm; and    attaching a magnetic member on the flexible diaphragm.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  further comprising: 
 positioning a magnet to attract and repel the magnetic member.  
 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the magnet is an electromagnet, the method further comprising 
 coupling a control system to control current to the electromagnet.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34  further comprising: 
 positioning a check valve in the at least one channel.  
 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34  further comprising: 
 using a polymer material for the substrate.  
 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34  further comprising: 
 injection molding the substrate.  
 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34  further comprising: 
 embossing the pump chamber in the substrate.  
 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 34  further comprising: 
 positioning a protective layer over the pump system.  
 
     
     
         42 . The pump of  claim 34  further comprising: 
 positioning a protective layer under the pump system.

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