Patent ID: 6817373
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: B33Y,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of manipulating a fluid in a microfluidic device, the microfluidic device comprising a substrate having a thickness, at least one microfluidic pathway formed in the substrate, the microfluidic pathway including a passageway, the passageway including an entrance opening having a first minimum dimension, and an exit opening having a second minimum dimension that is greater than the first minimum dimension, the passageway further including a valve seat surface situated between the entrance opening and the exit opening, and a ball element in the passageway between the entrance opening and the exit opening; the method comprising:introducing a fluid into the microfluidic device and in fluid communication with the entrance opening; manipulating a fluid to unseat the ball valve element and flow from the entrance opening toward the exit opening; and causing the ball element to seat against the valve seat surface to at least partially prevent fluid from flowing in a direction from the exit opening toward the entrance opening; wherein manipulating a fluid to unseat the ball element comprises spinning the microfluidic device.