Abstract: A micro-scale heating module for heating a micro-fluidic chip is provided. The micro-fluidic chip typically includes an inlet, an outlet and a working region between the inlet and the outlet. The micro-scale heating module includes a preheating part and a heating part. The preheating part is correspondingly disposed on the inlet of the micro-fluidic chip. The heating part connects with the preheating part and surrounds the working region of the micro-fluidic chip in order to make the temperature distribution in the working region uniform. The advantages of the micro-scale heating module include simplicity in design, large flow rate in the working region and large working surface. Therefore, the micro-scale heating module can be used in cell culture, cell-to-pharmaceutical test, biochemical test and so on.

Abstract: A gravity-driven apparatus and method control the flow order of reactants in microfluidic devices which are employed in a microfluidic chip. The gravity-driven apparatus flow order control mainly comprises a plurality of reactant chambers arranged at different heights, a plurality of flow-control microchannels, and a reaction chamber having a winding collection microchannel. Each reactant chamber has an air-in vent. Each pair of neighboring flow-control microchannels has a U-shaped structure connecting the pair of neighboring flow-control microchannels. To activate the microfluidic device, the device is placed in an inclining or standing position and the air-in vents are unsealed. This apparatus enhances the reliability of flow order control for multiple reactants. It can be built in a microfluidic chip, and does not use any actuating power or element. Therefore, it is low in energy-consumption, low in manufacturing cost and free of pollution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid flow conducting module comprising two or more inlets, one or more outlets, and a chamber that has a first and second blocks therein. Further, the chamber has a gradually wider section in the middle, and two convergent ends. One convergent end is connected to the inlets, and the other convergent end is connected to the outlets. The first block has an acute angle in the front, and is placed close to the first convergent end and the inlets. The second block has a convex surface in the front, and is placed close to the second convergent end. The fluids are injected into the chamber through the inlets, flow through the chamber, and conducted towards one or more outlets for further collection and analysis. This fluid flow conducting module has a wide range of flow speed and a simple structure. It can be used in a wide range of applications, such as cell culture, cell reaction to medicine or bio-chemical detection.

Abstract: A gravity-driven apparatus and method control the flow order of reactants in microfluidic devices which are employed in a microfluidic chip. The gravity-driven apparatus flow order control mainly comprises a plurality of reactant chambers arranged at different heights, a plurality of flow-control microchannels, and a reaction chamber having a winding collection microchannel. Each reactant chamber has an air-in vent. Each pair of neighboring flow-control microchannels has a U-shaped structure connecting the pair of neighboring flow-control microchannels. To activate the microfluidic device, the device is placed in an inclining or standing position and the air-in vents are unsealed. This method enhances the reliability of flow order control for multiple reactants. It can be built in a microfluidic chip, and does not use any actuating power or element. Therefore, it is low in energy-consumption, low in manufacturing cost and free of pollution.

Abstract: A gravity-driven apparatus and method for controlling the flow order of reactants in microfluidic devices are provided, which are employed in a microfluidic chip. The gravity-driven apparatus flow order control mainly comprises a plurality of reactant chambers arranged in a stepwise pattern, a plurality of separate microchannels, and a reaction chamber having a winding converged microchannel. Each said reactant chamber has an air vent channel. Each pair of neighboring separate microchannels has a U-shaped structure connecting the pair of neighboring separate microchannels. To activate the microfluidic chip, the microfluidic chip is placed in a declining or standing position and the air vents are unsealed. This invention enhances the reliability of flow order control for multiple reactants. It can be built in a microfluidic chip, and needs not use any activate power or element. Therefore, it is low in energy-consumption, low in manufacturing cost and free-of-pollution.

Abstract: A gravity-driven apparatus and method for controlling the flow order of reactants in microfluidic devices are provided, which are employed in a microfluidic chip. The gravity-driven apparatus flow order control mainly comprises a plurality of reactant chambers arranged in a stepwise pattern, a plurality of separate microchannels, and a reaction chamber having a winding converged microchannel. Each said reactant chamber has an air vent channel. Each pair of neighboring separate microchannels has a U-shaped structure connecting the pair of neighboring separate microchannels. To activate the microfluidic chip, the microfluidic chip is placed in a declining or standing position and the air vents are unsealed. This invention enhances the reliability of flow order control for multiple reactants. It can be built in a microfluidic chip, and needs not use any activate power or element. Therefore, it is low in energy-consumption, low in manufacturing cost and free-of-pollution.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip with a built-in gravity-driven micropump is provided. The gravity-driven micropump comprises a winding channel, an inert fluidic material placed inside the winding channel, and a suction channel that links the winding channel to the microfluidic chip. The winding channel is for the inert fluidic material to flow in. A fixed volume of high density, inert fluidic material is placed in the winding channel to act as a micropump in the bio chip. When the microfluidic chip is placed in a declining or standing position, the inert fluidic material flows along the winding channel due to the gravity. The invention provides a simple, convenient, and robust microfluid pumping source. With the built-in micropump, this invention is free-of-pollution and saves the manufacturing cost for the pipe link between the bio chip and peripheral devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for collecting fluid fractions. The present apparatus includes an inlet, a channel, a plurality of collectors, and an outlet. The inlet communicates with the collectors and the outlet through the channel. The collectors are disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The method for collecting the fluid fractions comprises two steps. First step, injecting the fluid in to the inlet for guiding the fluid to the outlet along the channel, wherein the fluid fills the collectors one by one due to the capillary attraction when passing through the collectors, and flows to the outlet after the collectors having been filled. Second step, injecting pressurized gas into the channel to drain the fluid fractions from fill the collectors respectively to a plurality of corresponding containers.

Abstract: This specification disclosed a partially closed microfluidic system and a fluid driving method. The microfluidic system is comprised of a substrate with microfluidic elements and a thin film. A feature of this structure is that the thin film is elastic and deformable. It has a single opening corresponding to a vent hole on the substrate, thus forming a partially closed microfluidic system. The substrate is designed to have several positions for micro fluid elements and deformable chambers and uses micro channels to form a complete network. Since the thin film is elastic and deformable, one is able to impose a pressure on the thin film above the deformable chambers in this partially closed microfluidic system to drive the fluid into motion. Once the pressure is released, the fluid flows back to its original configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for collecting fluid fractions are provided. The present apparatus includes an inlet, a channel, a plurality of collectors, and an outlet. The inlet communicates with the collectors and the outlet through the channel. The collectors are disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The method for collecting the fluid fractions comprises two steps. First step, injecting the fluid in to the inlet for guiding the fluid to the outlet along the channel, wherein the fluid fills the collectors one by one due to the capillary attraction when passing through the collectors, and flows to the outlet after the collectors having been filled. Second step, injecting pressurized gas into the channel to drain the fluid fractions from fill the collectors respectively to a plurality of corresponding containers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micro flowguide device comprising: a micro channel comprising at least one bubble trap to retard bubbles positioned in said bubble trap; an electrolytic bubble generating device to generate bubbles in said fluid by an electrolytic reaction; and a pressure source to supply a suited pressure to said fluid to pass through said micro channel; wherein said electrolytic bubble generating device causes bubbles to be generated at areas adjacent to said at least one bubble trap. Electrolytic bubbles are generated through a, localized electrolytic reaction enabled by the exposure of a set of DC-source-connected electrodes inside a conduit branch. Accumulated bubbles will be trapped and kept at several traps of the invented flowguide. When the backward pressure of trapped bubbles is rising to the level of forward pressure head, flow speed reduces to zero and channel branch is shut down.

Abstract: This specification disclosed a partially closed microfluidic system and a fluid driving method. The microfluidic system is comprised of a substrate with microfluidic elements and a thin film. A feature of this structure is that the thin film is elastic and deformable. It has a single opening corresponding to a vent hole on the substrate, thus forming a partially closed microfluidic system. The substrate is designed to have several positions for micro fluid elements and deformable chambers and uses micro channels to form a complete network. Since the thin film is elastic and deformable, one is able to impose a pressure on the thin film above the deformable chambers in this partially closed microfluidic system to drive the fluid into motion. Once the pressure is released, the fluid flows back to its original configuration.