Microfluidic device for the manipulation of a non-magnetic liquid

Abstract

This invention relates to a microfluidic device for the manipulation of a non-magnetic liquid, comprising at least one cell comprising: an enclosure ensuring the confinement of a magnetic liquid ( 5 ), immiscible with the non-magnetic liquid ( 7 ) to be manipulated, magnetic means ( 6 ) associated with the enclosure and permitting local application to the magnetic liquid of a magnetic field whose energy profile has a depression, giving rise to at least one volume for reception of the non-magnetic liquid, by forcing the magnetic liquid back, the magnetic field being displaceable to permit a manipulation of the non-magnetic liquid between means for introduction ( 3 ) and means for evacuation ( 4 ).

1 . A microfluidic device for the manipulation of a non-magnetic liquid, comprising at least one cell comprising: 
 an enclosure ensuring the confinement of a magnetic liquid, immiscible with the non-magnetic liquid to be manipulated,    means for the introduction of the non-magnetic liquid into the enclosure,    means for the evacuation of the non-magnetic liquid from the enclosure,    magnetic means associated with the enclosure and permitting the local application to the magnetic liquid of a magnetic field whose energy profile has a depression, giving rise to at least one volume for reception of the non-magnetic liquid, by forcing the magnetic liquid back, the magnetic field being displaceable to permit a manipulation of the non-magnetic liquid between said means for introduction and said means for evacuation.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for introduction of the non-magnetic liquid comprise at least one inlet orifice.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for evacuation of the non-magnetic liquid comprise at least one outlet orifice.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic means comprise at lest one permanent magnet and/or at least one fixed or movable electromagnetic element.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises a flat enclosure, constituted from two parallel plates confining the magnetic liquid in the form of a sheet.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the magnetic means are supported by at least one of the two plates and/or integrated with at least one of the two plates.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the plates has its face internal to the cell treated to facilitate the manipulation of the non-magnetic liquid and/or of the magnetic liquid.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the magnetic means comprise a writeable magnetic material.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the magnetic means comprise at least one tubular permanent magnet with its axis perpendicular to the sheet of magnetic liquid and its magnetization perpendicular to the sheet of magnetic liquid.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the magnetic means comprise two mutually parallel magnetized bars, with magnetization perpendicular to the sheet of magnetic material.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , furthermore comprising means for conjointly displacing the two magnetized bars between at least a first position and a second position.  
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the means for conjointly displacing the two magnetized bars cause a displacement by rotation and/or by translation of the two magnetized bars.  
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the two magnetized bars possess means causing at least one localized restriction of the receiving volume for the non-magnetic liquid, the means for conjointly displacing the two magnetized bars causing, by the displacement of these bars, the propulsion of the non-magnetic liquid contained in the receiving volume.  
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , comprising at least two adjacent cells, means for evacuation of the non-magnetic liquid from one cell communicating with means for introduction of the non-magnetic liquid of the adjacent cell.  
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein two adjacent cells possess a common plate.  
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the magnetic means comprise at least one matrix of electromagnetic elements which are individually addressable and/or switchable.