Patent ID: 9636676
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: B01L,B05D,C12Q,F16K,G01N,H04M,Y10T

Claim:
1. A method of actuating fluid flow within a microfluidic cartridge, the method comprising: mixing a sample and reagents in fluid within a fluid-holding reservoir; heating a valve comprising a phase-changeable material disposed in an outlet to the fluid-holding reservoir using a heater positioned adjacent to the outlet, wherein heating the valve comprises melting the phase-changeable material such that the phase-changeable material does not occlude the outlet; after melting the phase-changeable material, flowing the fluid comprising the sample and the reagents mixed therein from the fluid-holding reservoir through the outlet and into a microfluidic channel; and sensing at least one of a presence, absence, or quantity of one or more analytes within the sample, wherein the fluid-holding reservoir, the microfluidic channel, the valve, and the heater are enclosed in a microfluidic cartridge housing.