Patent ID: 6830936
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: B01F,B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of repeatedly measuring a known volume of a fluid in a miniature fluidic system, comprising:providing a microfabricated device having at least first and second chambers connected by at least one common channel disposed therein, wherein said first and second chambers are in fluid connection with at least one vent port and at least one pressure inlet, and wherein at least one of said chambers is a volumetric chamber having a known volume; providing a diaphragm valve constructed in communication with said at least one chamber and constructed to create a pressure differential in said device for displacing fluid; filling said volumetric chamber with said fluid to create a first aliquot of said fluid by actuating said diaphragm valve using an external source to generate said pressure differential in said device; transporting said first aliquot of said fluid to said at least second chamber by actuating said diaphragm; and repeating said filling and transporting steps by applying said pressure differential from said diaphragm valve using said external source and by employing said at least one vent port.