MICROFLUIDIC FOIL STRUCTURE FOR METERING OF FLUIDS

摘要

The invention relates to a microfluidic device for metering liquids into a microfluidic network. The microfluidic channels or chambers are at least partly formed by the introduction of suitable structures into a film above the substrate carrier, so that at least some of the flow of fluid through the network takes place above the plane of the substrate. In order to form a stable channel structure or chamber structure in the film, it is envisaged that in the edge zone between the unattached and attached portions a wedge of material is formed by the viscous flow of the film material as the film is bonded to the substrate, this wedge forming a transition between the chamber wall and the substrate and raising the chamber wall above the plane of the substrate. In one method of producing a finished microfluidic structure a flat planar film is laminated onto a flat sheet-like substrate. During the lamination a mask having at least one recess or opening is pressed onto the film and onto the substrate under pressure and/or under the effect of heat. The film is thereby brought to a temperature at which there is a viscous flow of film and/or substrate medium into the region of the recess or opening, so that a wedge of material is formed and the film bulges up in the region of the recess to form a chamber. The invention further relates to methods of metering at least one liquid in a microfluidic network, in which a capillary stop is overcome by actuating the film, the film being wetted as the capillary stop is removed.