Patent ID: 9358539
Filing Date: 2016-06-07
CPC Classification: B01L,F16K,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A microfluidic system, comprising: a delivery channel; a first channel section and a second channel section, wherein the first channel section and the second channel section are each downstream of and fluidly connected to the delivery channel at a junction, the second channel section having a higher hydrodynamic resistance than the first channel section; a valve comprising a control channel adjacent the first channel section and not fluidly connected to the first channel section, wherein actuation of the valve adjusts hydrodynamic resistance of the first channel section, but does not result in variation in the amount of fluid flow through the second channel section; and a membrane positioned between the first channel section and the control channel, wherein the control channel is constructed and arranged to cause deflection of the membrane, resulting in constriction of at least a portion of the first channel section such that the first channel section has a higher hydrodynamic resistance than the second channel section, wherein at least a portion of the control channel is on the same horizontal plane as the first channel section, and wherein the second channel section does not include a valve able to vary its hydrodynamic resistance; the microfluidic system further comprising a fluid containing droplets, the fluid contained within the delivery channel and flowing towards the junction into both the first channel section and the second channel section, wherein deflection of the membrane via the control channel controls the flow of droplets into the first channel section or the second channel section without preventing the flow of fluid into both the first channel section and the second channel section.