Description:
A rapid two-step fabrication method for 2D, 3D, and enclosed microfluidic devices using porous-media materials and polymeric films
Background
Microfluidic analytical devices are widely used in various clinical, diagnostic, and forensic applications, and can be used in the field to test for analytes of interest. Most current methods for the fabrication of porous substrate microfluidic devices utilize techniques to create barriers within the substrates by using hydrophobic materials. These methods can often be expensive and time-consuming, requiring layers of the device to be formed separately and then carefully aligned and bonded together.
Technology Description
This technology provides new fabrication methods that utilize porous-media materials (cellulose filter, nitrocellulose membrane, or glass microfiber filter) as a substrate and polymeric films (e.g., Parafilm, polyethylene and polypropylene films) as a supporting material to create microfluidic devices. The porous-media materials are biocompatible with biomolecules; the fabricated devices are therefore well-suited for biomedical diagnostics.
Utilizing the differences in optical and thermal properties of the porous-media materials and the polymeric films with lasers (e.g., 455 nm diode laser and 10.6 µm CO2 laser), 2D, 3D, and enclosed devices can be produced. These microfluidic devices are simpler, faster, and lower cost to produce with this method than previous methods and can be more precisely defined.
Further Details:
Features & Benefits
- Rapid, simple production in just two steps, enabling mass production
- Less waste and lower materials cost than other methods involving liquid reagents and chemicals
- The laser involved in fabrication can be precisely controlled, resulting in well-defined microstructures
- Versatile fabrication method: Various kinds of porous-media materials, polymeric films, and lasers can be used for device fabrication
- Polymeric films are resistant to many chemical substances, allowing these devices to be used in a larger variety of applications
Applications
- Point-of-care testing
- Moisture-sensitive applications, such as chromatography
- Diagnostics and forensics, such as immunoassays
- Precision medicine
Opportunity
Oregon State University is seeking a licensee or development partner. Currently, both non-exclusive and exclusive licensing deals are available for all applications.
Status
Patent application publication US 2022/0088593 A1