Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an accurate control of a fluid flow in a micro-fluid apparatus system. SOLUTION: A method and an apparatus of a micro fluid, focusing and/or producing a discontinuous part of an equivalent or unequivalent size in a fluid, is provided. The apparatus can be easily produced from an easily obtainable and cheap material using a simple technique. The method consists of providing a mutual connection region of the micro fluid having an upper flowing part and a lower flowing part connecting to an exit, sending a target fluid and a dispersion fluid to the mutual connection region of the micro fluid and producing the part having the substantially equivalent size, that is the discontinuous part of the target fluid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid delivery device having a new constitution, and to provide a method for manufacturing and using the device. SOLUTION: In a method and a device for storing and/or delivering fluid, at least a first fluid and a second fluid, such as chemical or biochemical reagents or rinse solutions, are maintained separately from each other, in a common vessel and transferred in series from the vessel to a reaction site to carry out a predetermined chemical or biochemical reaction. Separation can be attained, by interposing a third fluid, e.g., a gaseous fluid plug, between the first fluid and the second fluid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
A soft robot device includes at least a first thermoplastic layer and a second thermoplastic layer, wherein at least one layer is comprised of an extensible thermoplastic material; at least one layer is an inextensible layer; and at least one layer comprises a pneumatic network, wherein the pneumatic network is configured to be in fluidic contact with a pressurizing source, wherein the first and second thermoplastic layers are thermally bonded to each other.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to microfluidic systems, including valves (12) and pumps for microfluidic systems. The valves of the invention include check valves (30) such as diaphragm valves and flap valves. Other valves of the invention include one-use valves (12). The pumps of the present invention include a reservoir (40) and at least two check valves (30, 31). The reservoir (40) may be a variable volume. The present invention also relates to a flexible microfluidic system (10). The present invention additionally relates to a method of making microfluidic systems (10) including those of the present invention. The method includes forming a microfluidic system on a master (100), connecting a support (110) to the microfluidic system (10) and removing the microfluidic system (10) from the master (100). The support (110) may remain connected to the microfluidic system (10) or the microfluidic system (10) may be transferred to another substrate. The present invention further relates to a method of manipulating a flow of a fluid in a microfluidic system. This method includes initiating fluid flow in a first direction (50) and inhibiting fluid flow in a second direction (50) and may be practiced with the valves (12) of the present invention.
Abstract:
Hydrophilic threads as platforms for inexpensive, low volume, portable diagnostic systems, and methods of making the same are described. A diagnostic system includes a hydrophilic loading thread having an inlet zone at a proximal end; a testing zone at a distal end; and an intermediate zone located between the inlet zone and the testing zone, wherein the testing zone does not directly contact the inlet zone. In another aspect, a diagnostic system includes (i) a hydrophilic loading thread that includes an inlet zone at a proximal end and an intermediate zone at a distal end; and (ii) one or more additional hydrophilic threads that contact the intermediate zone of the loading thread. A method of detecting the presence or absence of an analyte in a fluid sample includes applying the sample to an inlet zone of a diagnostic system that includes a hydrophilic loading thread with an inlet zone at a proximal end; an intermediate zone; and a testing zone at a distal end; wherein the testing zone does not directly contact the inlet zone.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing flexible robotic actuators are disclosed. Thanks to the concentrical positioning of a plurality of inflatable channels, the claimed soft robot is capable of providing a radial deflection motion. A method for operating the disclosed robotic systems is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The laminated robotic actuator includes a strain - limiting layer comprising a flexible, non - extensible material in the form of a sheet or thin film, a flexible inflatable layer in the form of a thin film or sheet in facing relationship with the strain - limiting layer, wherein the inflatable layer is selectively adhered to the strain - limiting layer, and wherein a portion of an un- adhered region between the strain - limiting layer and the inflatable layer defines a pressurizable channel, and at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with the pressurizable channel. The first flexible non - extensible material has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of the second flexible elastomeric material and the flexible elastomer is non - extensible under actuation conditions.
Abstract:
A soft robotic device with a variety of sensors and/or imaging areas is described. The sensor and/or imaging area may be embedded in the soft body or the strain limiting layer of the soft robotic device, attached to the soft body or the strain limiting layer of the soft robotic device, or otherwise linked to the soft body or the strain limiting layer of the soft robotic device.