Patent ID: 11859734
Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 0:
1. A microfluidic device, comprising:
a first substrate having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and an opening extending through the first substrate from the first side to the second side;
a resilient diaphragm secured to the second side of the first substrate to surround the opening of the first substrate;
an actuator secured to the first side of the first substrate as to surround the opening of the first substrate, the first substrate, the resilient diaphragm, and the actuator cooperating to form a gas-tight chamber;
a second substrate having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a channel formed in the second side, the channel having a first end and a second end, the second substrate secured to the first substrate so the second side of the first substrate and the second side of the second substrate are in face-to-face contact and at least a portion of the resilient diaphragm positioned between the first end of the channel and the second end of the channel; and
a volume of gas disposed in the gas-tight chamber to pressurize the gas-tight chamber and expand the resilient diaphragm so at least a portion of the resilient diaphragm is disposed in the channel between the first end and the second in a way to form a fluid-tight seal between the first end of the channel and the second end of the channel,
wherein upon the gas-tight chamber being depressurized, the resilient diaphragm is retractable from the channel to open the channel from the first end and the second end.