The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, system and method for a microchannel valve. The valve is configured to control or switch the flow of gasses or liquids. The valve includes a first substrate with a microchannel interrupted by a rotational element having a matching microchannel. The rotational element is attached to a second substrate in contact with the first. Actuation of the valve is achieved by rotating the second substrate relative to the first. The valve may be configured for capillary input and output, and/or for high pressure operation by means of capillary retention features. The valve may be disposed within a subassembly for maintaining contact, axial alignment, and relative rotational alignment between the first and second substrates. The present disclosure also provides a method for fabricating the valve. The present disclosure also provides ways to eliminate gaps between the two substrates.

A reconfigurable microfluidics multiplexing device for biological and chemical sample analysis which comprises: a cartridge comprising one or more sample fluid tracks (both horizontal and vertical) in a single plane, an array comprising one or more electronically programmable valves capable of being configured to alter fluid steering in the fluid tracks; a means for the array to interface with the fluid tracks; a means to control fluid flow in the fluid tracks; and a user interface to direct control of valves via control logic within the device; wherein, by the interface, valve positions are controllable and alterable.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of magnetically controlled valve and pump systems that can be used to control and facilitate fluid flow in fluidic devices. Various types of magnetically controlled valves and pumps are described as well as methods of magnetically-controlling such valves and pumps.

A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has a sample inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. In order to improve the sorter speed, accuracy or yield, the particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the sample inlet channel. This focusing element may include cavities of variable cross section along the channel length. In addition, a filtering element may also be included upstream of the focusing element.

A method of diagnosing a valve is described, which has an electrodynamic actuator, which includes a magnet arrangement for generating a magnetic field and a control element which is movable relative to the magnet arrangement and is coupled to a movably arranged coil. At least one electrical variable of the electrodynamic actuator is measured over a measurement period to detect a time course of the electrical variable. The time course of the electrical variable is evaluated over an evaluation period to determine at least one induction-dependent valve variable which is assigned to the motion profile of the electrodynamic actuator. A diagnosis module and a valve are furthermore described.

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.

Magnetic fluidic valves of the present disclosure may include a valve body having at least one cavity therein, a ferromagnetic gate transmission element disposed within the cavity, an inlet port, an outlet port, a permanent magnet configured to bias the gate transmission element to a closed position, and an electromagnetic coil configured to, upon actuation, overcome a magnetic force acting on the gate transmission element from the permanent magnet. The gate transmission element may be configured to move from the closed position blocking the inlet port to an open position unblocking the inlet port upon actuation of the electromagnetic coil. Various other fluidic systems and methods are also disclosed.

The valve is formed in a valve body housing a first path portion, a second path portion, and an coupling zone between the first and second path portions. A shutter is arranged in the coupling zone and has a shutting portion of ferromagnetic material that is deformable under the action of an external magnetic field between an undeformed position, wherein the shutter closes the coupling zone, and a deformed position, wherein the shutter at least partially frees the coupling zone. The shutting portion of the shutter is formed by a rubber membrane incorporating particles, for example of ferrite particles.

A fluid pump for pumping a fluid from an inlet toward an outlet comprises a pump body, a pump diaphragm, and a valve seat. The pump body has a first opening and a second opening. The pump diaphragm is attached to the pump body and forms a pump chamber between the pump body and the pump diaphragm. The pump chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet by the first opening and to the outlet by the second opening. The valve seat is disposed inside the pump chamber and around the second opening. The valve seat protrudes with an undeformed height from the second opening into the pump chamber in a direction toward the pump diaphragm. The valve seat has an elastic body and a gasket with a sealing surface. The pump diaphragm is deflectable and is adapted to open and close a fluidic pathway of the outlet by moving into and out of contact with the valve seat.

The valve is formed in a valve body housing a first path portion, a second path portion, and an coupling zone between the first and second path portions. A shutter is arranged in the coupling zone and has a shutting portion of ferromagnetic material that is deformable under the action of an external magnetic field between an undeformed position, wherein the shutter closes the coupling zone, and a deformed position, wherein the shutter at least partially frees the coupling zone. The shutting portion of the shutter is formed by a rubber membrane incorporating particles, for example of ferrite particles.