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:
Mar. 06, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 21, 2007
William Bedingham, Woodbury, MN (US);
Christopher R. Kokaisel, St. Paul, MN (US);
Jeffrey C. Pederson, Minneapolis, MN (US);
William Bedingham, Woodbury, MN (US);
Christopher R. Kokaisel, St. Paul, MN (US);
Jeffrey C. Pederson, Minneapolis, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
Processing devices that include one or more process arrays with thermal transfer structures that can be used alone or in conjunction with gravity/rotation to transport fluids within a microfluidic system. The thermal transport function can be accomplished by changing the temperature of one or more chambers to create a vacuum to draw fluids in selected directions within the process array. The methods and apparatus of the present invention may provide the ability to move fluids in a direction that is against the direction of gravity or any centrifugal forces generated by rotating a processing device using the thermal transfer structures. In other words, fluids may be moved against the direction of gravity or towards the axis of rotation using the thermally-activated vacuum.