The electronically switchable MEMS valve includes a housing formed from soft magnetic material and defining a fluid flow path therethrough. A magnetic field generating member is mounted within the housing and connected to a source of electrical power. A MEMS valve portion is mounted within the magnetic field generating member, has a valve closing member movably mounted therein, and defines a portion of the fluid flow path therethrough. The valve closing element is movable between a closed position wherein the fluid flow path is blocked, and an open position wherein the fluid flow path is not blocked. When an electric current is removed from the magnetic field generating member, the valve closing element is configured to move to and remain in the one of the closed position and the open position to which the valve closing element is the closest when the electric current is removed.

A microvalve includes a first plate having a surface defining an actuator cavity. A second plate has a surface that abuts the surface of the first plate and includes a displaceable member that is disposed within the actuator cavity for movement between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member prevents fluid communication through the microvalve, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not prevent fluid communication through the microvalve. An actuator is connected to the displaceable member. The displaceable member includes a sealing portion having a plurality of elongated control arms extending inwardly from one end thereof, wherein the control arms are configured as a valve closing members for each of a plurality of fluid flow openings in the first plate.

The present invention relates to microfluidic check valves, as well as fluidic cartridges including such check valves. In particular examples, the check valve includes a pre-stressed spring formed from a planar substrate. Various characteristics of the valves, such as size, profile, opening pressure, etc., can be tuned to provide desired performance when employed within a fluidic cartridge.

A valve includes a body including an inner bore extending between a first port and a second port, a seat, and one or more restrainers and a disk that is moveable between the seat and the one or more restrainers such that a first pressure that is less than 1 pascal and applied in a first direction causes the disk to move from a first position towards a second position to permit fluid communication between the first port and the second port. A metamaterial scaffold including a structure defining a lumen, at least a portion of an outer or non-lumen surface of the structure is coated with a plurality of biological cells, and wherein the structure is composed of a metamaterial.

A valve includes a body including an inner bore extending between a first port and a second port, a seat, and one or more restrainers and a disk that is moveable between the seat and the one or more restrainers such that a first pressure that is less than 1 pascal and applied in a first direction causes the disk to move from a first position towards a second position to permit fluid communication between the first port and the second port. A metamaterial scaffold including a structure defining a lumen, at least a portion of an outer or non-lumen surface of the structure is coated with a plurality of biological cells, and wherein the structure is composed of a metamaterial.

A microvalve includes a first plate having a surface defining an actuator cavity. A second plate has a surface that abuts the surface of the first plate and includes a displaceable member that is disposed within the actuator cavity for movement between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member prevents fluid communication through the microvalve, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not prevent fluid communication through the microvalve. An actuator is connected to the displaceable member. The displaceable member includes a sealing portion having a plurality of elongated control arms extending inwardly from one end thereof, wherein the control arms are configured as a valve closing members for each of a plurality of fluid flow openings in the first plate.

The present invention relates to microfluidic check valves, as well as fluidic cartridges including such check valves. In particular examples, the check valve includes a pre-stressed spring formed from a planar substrate. Various characteristics of the valves, such as size, profile, opening pressure, etc., can be tuned to provide desired performance when employed within a fluidic cartridge.

A valve includes a body including an inner bore extending between a first port and a second port, a seat, and one or more restrainers and a disk that is moveable between the seat and the one or more restrainers such that a first pressure that is less than 1 pascal and applied in a first direction causes the disk to move from a first position towards a second position to permit fluid communication between the first port and the second port. A metamaterial scaffold including a structure defining a lumen, at least a portion of an outer or non-lumen surface of the structure is coated with a plurality of biological cells, and wherein the structure is composed of a metamaterial.

The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.

The present invention relates to microfluidic check valves, as well as fluidic cartridges including such check valves. In particular examples, the check valve includes a pre-stressed spring formed from a planar substrate. Various characteristics of the valves, such as size, profile, opening pressure, etc., can be tuned to provide desired performance when employed within a fluidic cartridge.