Surface tension controlled valves

Abstract

The present teachings relate to surface tension controlled valves used for handling biological fluids. The valves controlled by optically actuating an electro-wetting circuit.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A valving system comprising
 a first insulating layer;   a second insulating layer;   a channel located between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer;   a valve connected to the channel, the valve comprising
 an internal volume 
 an insulating layer defining the internal volume and configured to be resistant to the flow; 
 a photoconductive material located adjacent to the insulating layer; 
 one electrode located adjacent to the valve; 
   a power source in communication with the electrode and configured to activate the electrode,   
     wherein the channel is continuous with the internal volume of the valve. 
   
   
       22 . The system according to  claim 21 , further comprising a conductive layer located between the insulating layer and the photoconductive material. 
   
   
       23 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the channel is connected to at least one reservoir. 
   
   
       24 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein said reservoir is chosen from wells and channels. 
   
   
       25 . The system according to  claims 21  wherein the channel is connected to at least a first reservoir and a second reservoir 
   
   
       26 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein the valving system is configured to control the flow of the liquid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir. 
   
   
       27 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the insulating layer comprises a hydrophobic material. 
   
   
       28 . A device for fluid handling comprising:
 a valve comprising an internal volume, the valve configured for light activation;   a channel located between a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer wherein the channel is connected to the internal volume of the valve;   an insulating layer located on at least a portion of the valve internal surface, wherein the insulating layer is configured to be resistant to the flow of a biological liquid;   a photoconductive material located adjacent to the insulating layer;   one electrode electrically coupled to the photoconductive material;   a power source electrically coupled to the electrode, wherein the power source is configured to provide an electrical potential difference across the insulating layer; and   a light source configured to activate the photoconductive material to provide an electrical potential difference across the insulating layer,   wherein the electrical potential difference is configured to reduce the resistance of the insulating layer to the flow of the biological liquid.   
   
   
       29 . The device according to  claim 28 , wherein the light source is a collimated light source. 
   
   
       30 . The device according to  claim 29 , wherein the collimated light source is at least one of lasers, lamps, or light emitting diodes. 
   
   
       31 . The device according to  claim 28 , wherein the device comprises an array of mirrors, wherein the light source is directed by the array of microfabricated mirrors. 
   
   
       32 . The device according to  claim 28 , wherein the light source is a laser beam. 
   
   
       33 . The device according to  claim 32 , comprising a galvo-mirror, wherein the laser beam is directed by the galvo-mirror. 
   
   
       34 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the light source is configured to direct a beam of light to the photoconductive material substantially axially. 
   
   
       35 . The device according to  claim 28 , wherein the channel comprises a waveguide for the light. 
   
   
       36 . The device according to  claim 35 , wherein the channel comprises walls and wherein the walls of the channel are the waveguide. 
   
   
       37 . The device according to  claim 35 , wherein the channel is the waveguide. 
   
   
       38 . A device for fluid handling, the device comprising:
 means for providing a fluid to a valving means wherein the valving means includes an insulative layer resistant to the flow of a fluid;   means for electrowetting the valving means to reduce the resistance of the insulating layer to the flow of the biological liquid wherein the means for electrowetting the valving means includes a layer of photoconductive material connected to the insulative layer; and   means for optically activating the means for electrowetting.   
   
   
       39 . The device according to  claim 38 , wherein the means for optically activating comprises means for selectively positioning light onto a portion of the valving means.