Multi-valve microfluidic devices and methods

Abstract

Multi-valve autoregulatory microfluidic devices and methods are described. The described devices and methods offer improved performance and new means of tuning autoregulatory effects in microfluidic devices.

1 . A method of controlling a microfluidic device throughput comprising:
 providing an origin of a fluid;   providing a sink of the fluid;   providing a flow channel containing the fluid; the flow channel coupling the origin and the sink;   applying a pressure difference between the origin and the sink; and   constricting the flow channel at a plurality of points on the flow channel by applying forces to the plurality of the points on the flow channel, wherein   the forces are dependent on a throughput of the fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a plurality of valves communicated to the flow channel wherein the forces applied to the plurality of the points on the flow channel are generated by creating pressure differentials across the plurality of valves. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising varying a controllable width of each of the plurality of the valves to control the forces applied to the plurality of the points on the flow channel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising providing a detour channel connecting the flow channel to the plurality of valves. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising providing a multi-layer chip and a plurality of vias wherein
 the flow channel and the detour channel are located in a same layer;   the plurality of valves are located in an adjacent layer; and   the detour channel is connected to the plurality of valves through the plurality of vias.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising providing a multi-layer chip, a detour split and a via wherein
 the detour channel and the plurality of valves are located in the same layer;   the flow channel is located in an adjacent layer;   the detour split connects the flow channel to the detour channel through the via; and   the detour channel is connected to the plurality of the valves.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of valves comprise membranes with non-uniform widths and/or thicknesses. 
     
     
         8 - 15 . (canceled)