Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.V.

Remco Den Dulk

Menno Willem Jose Prins

Reinhold Wimberger-Friedl

Pieter Jan Van Der Zaag

Albert Hendrik Jan Immink

Roel Penterman

Marius Iosif Boamfa

Thea Van Der Wijk

Menno W J Prins

Matthias Irmscher

Joost Hubert Maas

Dirkjan Bernhard Van Dam

Maatje Koets

Albert H J Immink

Michel J M Bruyninckx

The present invention discloses microfluidic devices with a valve-like structure (3), through which magnetic particles can be transported with minimal transport of fluids. This allows sequential processing of the magnetic particles.

Multi-compartment device with magnetic particles

The invention relates to a valve () for controlling a passage of particles from a first region () to a second region (), wherein the valve () comprises a valve material () having a modifiable degree of penetrability and a valve region () comprising the valve material (), wherein the valve region () and the valve material () are adapted such that the particles have to penetrate the valve material () if the particles pass the valve () for being transferred from the first region () to the second region (). The degree of opening of the valve () can easily be controlled by modifying the degree of penetrability of the valve material (), for example, by modifying the temperature of the valve material (). Moreover, by penetrating the valve material () the particles can be separated from other elements like a fluid containing the particles.

Valve with material having modifiable degree of penetrability

A method and apparatus for extracting magnetic particles from a sample includes placing the sample near a liquid carrier, which is immiscible with it, in a configuration stable under the influence of gravity. The magnetic particles are moved by a magnetic field from the sample and into the carrier. The magnetic particles are non-wetting with respect to the carrier and will therefore form agglomerates in the carrier.

Magnetic sample purification

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus () for the enrichment of magnetic particles () in a sample fluid. The sample fluid is provided in a sample cartridge () between a first pole () and a second pole () of an actuator magnet (). A minimal magnetic flux as well as a minimal magnetic gradient are then established inside the sample fluid, wherein their values depend on the particular magnetic particles () and the sample fluid under consideration. In a preferred embodiment, the first pole () has a single tip (T).

Apparatus for the enrichment of magnetic particles

The present invention relates to a hydrophobic valve for liquids having an appreciable surface tension comprising magnetic particles, said device comprising at least two planar solid substrates with a functionalized surface each, wherein at least a first solid substrate has a patterned surface comprising at least two hydrophilic areas separated from one another by at least one hydrophobic area, wherein the said two planar substrates are disposed with a distance to one another in a sandwiched, parallel fashion, in such way that said functionalized surfaces are facing one another, said valve further comprising a magnetic actuator.

Hydrophobic valve

A microfluidic device includes chambers for performing chemical, biochemical, or physical processes and a flow path connecting the chambers. A magnetic particle is moved through the chambers which are separated by a valve-like structure that enables passing-through of the magnetic particle from one chamber to another. At least one delaying structure delays movement of the magnetic particle along the flow path.

Growing community of inventors

Eindhoven, Netherlands

Remco Den Dulk