Patent ID: 6602791
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: B01L

Abstract:
A method of fabricating a microstructure for microfluidics applications, comprising the steps of:forming a first layer of etchable material on a suitable substrate; forming a mechanically stable support layer over said etchable material; applying a mask over said support layer to expose at least one opening in said mask; performing at anistropic etch through each said opening to create a bore extending through said support layer to said layer of etchable material; performing an isotropic etch through each said bore to form a microchannel in said etchable material extending under said support layer; forming a further layer of depositable material over said support layer until portions of said depositable layer overhanging each said opening meet and thereby close the microchannel formed under each said opening; and wherein a first sacrificial layer is deposited under said support layer, a second sacrificial layer is deposited on top of said support layer, and each said sacrificial layer is removed by etching at least in the vicinity of said microchannel after formation thereof.