Patent ID: 11857965
Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
Field: Chemical engineering (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC B  F | IPC B  F

Claim 12:
13. A method of directing fluids, comprising:
flowing a fluid through a fluid flow microfluidic channel formed in a substrate, wherein a microfluidic valve is positioned in fluid communication with the fluid flow microfluidic channel such that the microfluidic valve initially allows or blocks fluid flow through the fluid flow microfluidic channel, wherein the microfluidic valve comprises a sealing layer over the fluid flow microfluidic channel and a flexible blister layer over the sealing layer, wherein the flexible blister layer includes a blister formed as a distended portion with a blister volume between the flexible blister layer and the sealing layer; and
actuating the microfluidic valve by puncturing the sealing layer by pressing on the blister, wherein the microfluidic valve is a normally-open valve, wherein flowing fluid through the fluid flow microfluidic channel is performed before actuating the microfluidic valve, and wherein actuating the microfluidic valve stops the fluid flow.