Ingestible electronic capsule

Integrated multilayered microfluidic devices and methods for making the same

Devices and methods for biochip multiplexing

Multilayered microfluidic devices for analyte reactions

Ingestible capsule video transmitting fluorescent images

Short wavelength vesel and method for making same

A patterned mirror vcsel with adjustable selective etch region

Patterned-mirrors for VCSELs are fabricated by forming a first mirror stack of a plurality of pairs of relatively high and low index of refraction layers, forming an active region of aluminum-free material on the first mirror stack, and forming a second mirror stack of a plurality of pairs of relatively high and low index of refraction layers. The second mirror stack includes first and second portions of materials selected to provide different rates of etching between the first and second portions. The second portion is selectively etched to the first portion by utilizing the first portion as an etch stop.

Microfluidic devices for high gradient magnetic separation

The present invention provides microfluidic devices that can be used to effect a number of manipulations on a sample to ultimately result in target analyte detection or quantification. The device provides at least one magnetic microchannel that is capable of separating magnetic or magnetically-labeled target analytes from non-magnetic materials. Further, a magnetic microchannel may sort materials according to their magnetic response. Alternatively, magnetic or magnetically-labeled components other than the target analytes can be retained by the magnetic microchannel and are thus removed from the target analytes. Depending on the specificity of the binding ligand, one can either separate a vast population of analytes sharing a common binding motif, or specifically retain a rare target analyte because of its recognition of a specific ligand on the magnetic particle.

Microfluidic devices with monolithic microwave integrated circuits

A microwave device has a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) disposed therein for applying microwave radiation to a microfluidic structure, such as a chamber, defined in the device. The microwave radiation from the MMIC is useful for heating samples introduced into the microfluidic structure and for effecting lysis of cells in the samples. Microfabrication techniques allow the fabrication of MMICs that perform heating and cell lysing of samples having volumes in the microliter to picoliter range.

Devices and methods for biochip multiplexing

The invention is directed to devices that allow for simultaneous multiple biochip analysis. In particular, the devices are configured to hold multiple cartridges comprising biochips comprising arrays such as nucleic acid arrays, and allow for high throughput analysis of samples.

Enhanced mixing in microfluidic devices

The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for enhancing mixing and hybridization kinetics in microfluidic assays. More particularly, the present invention is a device and method wherein changing the volume of a gas pocket within a microfluidic device enhances mixing and reaction kinetics therein. In an embodiment sonic frequency is applied to the gas pocket resulting in microstreaming phenomena, thereby resulting in enhanced mixing and reaction kinetics. In another embodiment, the gas pocket is fluidly connected to a microfluidic channel and the volume of the pocket is changed (e.g., by heating and cooling of the gas therein), which cause oscillating flow within the microfluidic channel, thereby resulting in enhanced mixing and reaction kinetics therein.

Devices and methods for biochip multiplexing

Multilayered microfluidic devices for analyte reactions

The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for conducting analyses, particularly microfluidic devices. In preferred aspects, the devic es are fabricated using ceramic multilayer technology to form devices in which parallel, independently controlled molecular reactions, such as nucleic acid amplification reactions including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be performed. Additionally, the devices can include and comprise micro-gas chromatographs similarly fabricated from ceramics.

Integrated multilayered microfluidic devices and methods for making the same

A multilayered microfluidic device having a substantially monolithic structure is formed by sintering together a plurality of green-sheet layers. The substantially monolithic structure has an inlet port for receiving fluid, an outlet port for releasing fluid, and an interconnection between the inlet port and the outlet port. The substantially monolithic structure may also include a variety of components to enable useful interaction with the fluid, such as electrically conductive pathways, heaters, fluid sensors, fluid motion transducers, and optically transmissive portions. The components are preferably fabricated using thick-film or green-sheet technology and are preferably co-fired with and sintered to the green-sheet layers to become integral with the substantially monolithic structure. By using an adhesive to bind the green-sheet layers together, the multilayered microfluidic device may be fabricated without the application of high pressures. Selection of an adhesive with a polymer that decomposes at a higher temperature than the binder present in the green-sheet layers promotes stability of the interfaces during the firing process and promotes void-free sintering within the interfacial regions.

Integrated multilayered microfluidic devices and methods for making the same

A multilayered microfluidic device having a substantially monolithic structu re is formed by sintering together a plurality of green-sheet layers. The substantially monolithic structure has an inlet port for receiving fluid, an outlet port for releasing fluid, and an interconnection between the inlet po rt and the outlet port. The substantially monolithic structure may also include a variety of components to enable useful interaction with the fluid, such as electrically conductive pathways, heaters, fluid sensors, fluid motion transducers, and optically transmissive portions. The components are preferably fabricated using thick-film or green-sheet technology and are preferably co-fired with and sintered to the green-sheet layers to become integral with the substantially monolithic structure. By using an adhesive t o bind the green-sheet layers together, the multilayered microfluidic device m ay be fabricated without the application of high pressures. Selection of an adhesive with a polymer that decomposes at a higher temperature than the binder present in the green-sheet layers promotes stability of the interface s during the firing process and promotes void-free sintering within the interfacial regions.

Vertical cavity surface emitting laser having continuous grading

A first stack of distributed Bragg mirrors having alternating layers of aluminum gallium arsenide differing in concentrations of an aluminum are disposed on a surface of a substrate with a first plurality of continuous gradient layers positioned between the alternating layers of differing aluminum concentrations to dynamically move the aluminum concentration from one of the alternating layer to another alternating layers. A first cladding region is disposed on the first stack of distributed Bragg mirrors. An active region is disposed on the first cladding region with a second cladding region being dispose on the active region. A second stack of distributed Bragg mirrors having alternating layers of aluminum gallium arsenide differing concentrations of aluminum are disposed on the second cladding region with a second plurality of continuous gradient layers being positioned between the alternating layers of differing aluminum concentrations to dynamically change the aluminum concentration from one of the altering layers to another alternating layers.

Fluidic valve having a bi-phase valve element

A fluidic valve ( 125, 300, 500, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300 ) switches a state of flow of a fluid in a fluid communication channel of a fluid guiding structure ( 505 ). Heating a bi-phase valve element ( 515, 1065, 1215 ) causes a change a state of the bi-phase valve element from a high viscosity state to a low viscosity state. A bi-phase valve element that clogs the fluid communication channel can be pushed into an expanded portion ( 135, 320, 520, 915, 1220 ) of the fluid communication channel by an application of pressure to the fluid while the bi-phase valve element is in the low viscosity state, unclogging the fluid communication channel. A bi-phase valve element can be pushed from a valve element source chamber ( 550, 1250 ) into the fluid communication channel by using a pumped fluid entering the source chamber at a pump inlet ( 551 ) while the bi-phase valve element is in the low viscosity state, clogging the fluid communication channel.

Multi-layered ceramic micro-gas chromatograph and method for making the same

A micro-gas chromatograph column is formed by texturing a channel into a plurality of green-sheet layers, which are then sintered together to form a substantially monolithic structure. A thick-film paste may be added to the channel textured in the green-sheet layers to provide a porous plug sintered in the micro-gas chromatograph column in the substantially monolithic. A thermal conductivity detector is formed in the substantially monolithic structure by depositing a conductive thick-film paste on the surface of one of the green-sheet layers to define a resistor in an exit channel of the micro-gas chromatograph column.

Microfluidic devices with monolithic microwave integrated circuits

A microwave device has a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) disposed therein for applying microwave radiation to a microfluidic structure, such as a chamber, defined in the device. The microwave radiation from the MMIC is useful for heating samples introduced into the microfluidic structure and for effecting lysis of cells in the samples. Microfabrication techniques allow the fabrication of MMICs that perform heating and cell lysing of samples having volumes in the microliter to picoliter range.