Fluid control in multichannel structures by electrocapillary pressure

We demonstrate control of fluid motion in three-dimensional structures with thousands of microchannels. Fluids are manipulated via an electrocapillary pressure, originating from electrostatic control of the solid/fluid interfacial tension in the microchannels. Reversible fluid displacement has been achieved for all channel orientations with respect to gravity. The velocities of several centimeters per second are nearly two orders of magnitude higher than the velocities demonstrated by other electrofluidic actuation principles

Microfluidic system based on actuator elements

The present invention provides a microfluidic system comprising at least one microchannel (IS) having an inner wall Q (17). The microfluidic system comprises attached to the inner wall (17) of the at least one microchannel (IS) a plurality of ciliary M actuator elements (lOa-d) and at least one floating current wire (14a-d) present in the at least one microchannel (IS) for applying a o magnetic field to the plurality of ciliary actuator elements (lOa-d) for changing their shape and/or orientation. The present invention > also provides a method for the manufacturing of such micro fluidic systems and to a method for controlling a fluid flow through a ~ microchannel (IS) of such a micro fluidic system

Ultrasonic transducer chip assembly, ultrasound probe, ultrasonic imaging system and ultrasound assembly and probe manufacturing methods

Disclosed is an ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising an ultrasonic transducer chip (100) having a main surface comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements (112) and a plurality of first contacts (120) for connecting to said ultrasound transducer elements; a contact chip (400) having a further main surface comprising a plurality of second contacts (420); an backing member (300) comprising ultrasound absorbing and/or scattering bodies (310), said backing member comprising a first surface (302) on which the transducer chip is mounted and a second surface (306) on which the contact chip is mounted; and a flexible interconnect (200) extending over said backing member from the main surface to the further main surface, the flexible interconnect comprising a plurality of conductive tracks (210), each conductive track connecting one of said first contacts to a second contact. An ultrasound probe including such an assembly, an ultrasonic imaging system including such an ultrasound probes and manufacturing methods of such an assembly and probe are also disclosed.Delft University of Technolog

A new package for silicon biosensors

A new concept is presented for packaging of silicon biosensor chips in disposable cartridges for medical diagnostic applications. Manufacturing of these devices requires connection and packaging techniques for fluidic, mechanical and electrical functions. The presented packaging concept consists of a Molded Interconnection Device (MID), a mm2-sized silicon biosensor chip, a flexfoil, and a fluidic part. The device shows reliable electrical interconnection between sensor chip and readout electronics. Also the fluidic pathway is proved to be reliable during operation. The packaging concept allows easy further integration of electrical and mechanical functions

A new package for silicon biosensors

A new concept is presented for packaging of silicon biosensor chips in disposable cartridges for medical diagnostic applications. Manufacturing of these devices requires connection and packaging techniques for fluidic, mechanical and electrical functions. The presented packaging concept consists of a Molded Interconnection Device (MID), a mm2-sized silicon biosensor chip, a flexfoil, and a fluidic part. The device shows reliable electrical interconnection between sensor chip and readout electronics. Also the fluidic pathway is proved to be reliable during operation. The packaging concept allows easy further integration of electrical and mechanical functions

Packaging of silicon sensors for microfluidic bio-analytical applications

A new industrial concept is presented for packaging biosensor chips in disposable microfluidic cartridges to enable medical diagnostic applications. The inorganic electronic substrates, such as silicon or glass, are integrated in a polymer package which provides the electrical and fluidic interconnections to the world and provides mechanical strength and protection for out-of-lab use. The demonstrated prototype consists of a molded interconnection device (MID), a silicon-based giant magneto-resistive (GMR) biosensor chip, a flex and a polymer fluidic part with integrated tubing. The various processes are compatible with mass manufacturing and run at a high yield. The devices show a reliable electrical interconnection between the sensor chip and readout electronics during extended wet operation. Sandwich immunoassays were carried out in the cartridges with surface functionalized sensor chips. Biological response curves were determined for different concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the packaged biosensor, which demonstrates the functionality and biocompatibility of the devices. The new packaging concept provides a platform for easy further integration of electrical and fluidic functions, as for instance required for integrated molecular diagnostic devices in cost-effective mass manufacturing

Packaging of silicon sensors for microfluidic bio-analytical applications

A new industrial concept is presented for packaging biosensor chips in disposable microfluidic cartridges to enable medical diagnostic applications. The inorganic electronic substrates, such as silicon or glass, are integrated in a polymer package which provides the electrical and fluidic interconnections to the world and provides mechanical strength and protection for out-of-lab use. The demonstrated prototype consists of a molded interconnection device (MID), a silicon-based giant magneto-resistive (GMR) biosensor chip, a flex and a polymer fluidic part with integrated tubing. The various processes are compatible with mass manufacturing and run at a high yield. The devices show a reliable electrical interconnection between the sensor chip and readout electronics during extended wet operation. Sandwich immunoassays were carried out in the cartridges with surface functionalized sensor chips. Biological response curves were determined for different concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the packaged biosensor, which demonstrates the functionality and biocompatibility of the devices. The new packaging concept provides a platform for easy further integration of electrical and fluidic functions, as for instance required for integrated molecular diagnostic devices in cost-effective mass manufacturing