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. 18, 2014
Filed:
Sep. 04, 2012
Stephen R. Quake, San Marino, CA (US);
Marc A. Unger, South San Francisco, CA (US);
Hou-pu Chou, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Todd A. Thorsen, Pasadena, CA (US);
Axel Scherer, Laguna Beach, CA (US);
Stephen R. Quake, San Marino, CA (US);
Marc A. Unger, South San Francisco, CA (US);
Hou-Pu Chou, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Todd A. Thorsen, Pasadena, CA (US);
Axel Scherer, Laguna Beach, CA (US);
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.