The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2007
Filed:
Nov. 01, 2006
John R. Gilbert, Brookline, MA (US);
Bernard Bunner, Watertown, MA (US);
Sebastian Böhm, Inverness, GB;
Manish Deshpande, Canton, MA (US);
John R. Gilbert, Brookline, MA (US);
Bernard Bunner, Watertown, MA (US);
Sebastian Böhm, Inverness, GB;
Manish Deshpande, Canton, MA (US);
Cytonome, Inc., Boston, MA (US);
Abstract
A latching microregulator for regulating liquid flow on micro-scale levels comprises a substrate having an inlet port and an outlet port, a valve element defining a valve chamber for opening and closing the inlet port, and an actuator assembly for actuating the valve element. The valve chamber is configured to contain a volume of fluid, and the inlet port and the outlet port are in fluid communication with the valve chamber to provide a liquid flow path through the chamber. The actuator assembly comprises a cantilever beam for moving the valve element between an open position and a closed position, an actuator, such as a piezoelectric element, for moving the cantilever beam, and a latch, such as a permanent magnet, for securing the cantilever beam in the closed position. A flow regulation system comprises a plurality of fluid channels of varied flow conductance and a plurality of latching microregulators for selectively blocking or allowing flow through each of the fluid channels.