Patent ID: 8312763
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A Suspended Microchannel Resonator (SMR), comprising; an oscillating substrate, with at least one fixed end and a region of high sensitivity away from the fixed end oscillated at or near resonance during operation; and, a microfluidic system built into the substrate, comprising; a first fluid channel disposed between an inlet and an outlet port, a second channel with a separately controlled port, one end of the second channel in communication with the first channel at or near the region of high sensitivity; and a particle trap disposed in the second channel at or near the region of high sensitivity, wherein; the pressure differential between the first channel ports are adjustable to cause flow from port to port, and the pressure of the second channel port is adjustable to cause at least one of diverted flow from the first channel into the trap to trap a particle or push flow away from the trap into the first channel to release the particle, the particle's presence detectable by its effect on the resonant frequency of the SMR, allowing for trapping of the particle in the second trapping channel to measure characteristics of the particle determined from its effect on the resonant frequency while trapped.