PRESSURE-BASED CONTROL OF FLUID VOLUMES AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

摘要

The present technology is directed to capillarity-based devices for performing chemical processes and associated system and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a device can include a first porous element having a first pore size and configured to receive a fluid at its proximal portion, and a second porous element having a second pore size greater than the first pore size and configured to receive a fluid at its proximal portion. The first porous element can be positioned across the second porous element such that an overlapping region exists between the porous elements where the porous elements are in fluid communication. Before delivery of the fluid to the second porous element, the fluid pressure at the overlapping region is greater than the capillary pressure of the second porous element such that a fluid delivered to the first porous element wicks through its overlapping portion without wetting the second porous element.

主权项

1. A method for controlling fluid flow through a fluidic network including a first porous element and a second porous element, wherein each of the first and second porous elements have a proximal portion and a distal portion, the method comprising:
delivering a first fluid to the proximal portion of the first porous element, wherein the first porous element is positioned across the second porous element such that an overlapping region exists between the first and second porous elements, and wherein
the overlapping region includes an overlapping portion of the first porous element and an overlapping portion of the second porous element,the overlapping region is between (a) the proximal and distal portions of the first porous element, and (b) the proximal and distal portions of the second porous element, andthe first and second porous elements are in fluid communication with one another at the overlapping region; and pulling the first fluid distally along the first porous element and through its overlapping portion, wherein the first fluid moves through the overlapping region without wetting the overlapping portion of the second porous element; after at least a portion of the first fluid has moved through the overlapping region, delivering a second fluid to the proximal portion of the second porous element; mixing the first and second fluids at the overlapping region; and pulling the first and second fluids into the distal portion of the second porous element.