Patent ID: 8173071
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: A61B,B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for measuring osmolarity of a fluid, comprising: a chip comprising a layered structure comprising a mixture comprising silica, alumina, and magnesia; at least one micro-fluidic circuit disposed in the chip and formed in at least two layers of the layered structure; and at least one electrical circuit disposed in communication with the at least one micro-fluidic circuit structured to measure an electrical property of a fluid contained within the at least one micro-fluidic circuit, wherein the electrical property is used in determining the osmolarity of the fluid, wherein the at least one micro-fluidic circuit comprises the at least one electrical circuit comprises a first electrode disposed in the tunnel at a first location, at least one via comprising electrically conductive material extending through a third layer of the layered structure and electrically connected to the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed in the tunnel at a second location; further comprising a determiner comprising a correlating device that automatically correlates the measured electrical property to an osmolarity value of the fluid, wherein the at least one via comprises first and second vias at a first downstream location of the tunnel relative to the third hole, further comprising third and fourth vias at a second downstream location of the tunnel relative to the third hole and electrically connected to the second electrode, and fifth and sixth vias within a perimeter of the third hole, wherein the third via is electrically connected to the fifth via to measure the electrical property between the fifth via and the second electrode; and the second via is electrically connected to the sixth via to measure the electrical property between the sixth via and the first electrode.