Patent ID: 8021130
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: B01J,B01L,B82Y,F04B,G01N

Abstract:
1. A pump for producing low, non-pulsatile liquid flow rates, comprising: (a) a motor drive having a gear reduction for producing liquid flow rates grading from substantially between 0 nl/min and 500 nl/min, with a precision as low as approximately 0.1 nl/min; (b) a lead screw coupled to the motor drive for rotatable actuation thereby and having a thread pitch for producing liquid flow rates grading from substantially between 0 nl/min and 500 nl/min, with a precision as low as approximately 0.1 nl/min; (c) a stage engaging the lead screw and linearly translatable thereby; (d) a barrel for containing a liquid and having an internal volume ranging from approximately 5 to approximately 500 μl; (e) a plunger extending into the barrel and coupled to the stage for translation therewith; (f) a microfluidic interconnect device for removably coupling a fluid conduit with the barrel, wherein the fluid conduit places the barrel in fluid communication with a microfluidic chip; (g) a PUMP housing enclosing the motor drive, the lead screw, the stage, the barrel, the plunger, and the interconnect device; and (h) a temperature regulating device also mounted in the PUMP housing for regulating a temperature of the microfluidic chip, which is enclosed within said temperature regulating device.