Patents by Inventor Maarten Kruithof

Maarten Kruithof has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Valves and reservoirs for microfluidic systems
    Patent number: 8985547
    Abstract: A microfluidic valve assembly includes a structure defining a microfluidic fluid path and an actuator that can be moved between different positions controlling flow through the channel. In one embodiment, the actuator can be threaded into at least a portion of the structure, and can be moved rotationally between a first position, causing relatively greater constriction of a microfluidic fluid path, and a second position causing relatively lesser constriction of the fluid path. Actuating the actuator, e.g., by rotation, can deform material between the valve and the fluid path, thereby constricting at least a portion of the underlying fluid path and regulating the flow of a fluid in the fluid path. In another aspect, the invention provides a reservoir into which fluid can be placed and from which fluid can be introduced into a microfluidic system. In one embodiment, the reservoir is expandable and thereby able to store fluid under pressure for delivery to a microfluidic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Douglas B. Weibel, Andrew Lee, Scott Potenta, Adam Siegel, Maarten Kruithof, George M. Whitesides
  • VALVES AND RESERVOIRS FOR MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20100116343
    Abstract: A microfluidic valve assembly includes a structure defining a microfluidic fluid path and an actuator that can be moved between different positions controlling flow through the channel. In one embodiment, the actuator can be threaded into at least a portion of the structure, and can be moved rotationally between a first position, causing relatively greater constriction of a microfluidic fluid path, and a second position causing relatively lesser constriction of the fluid path. Actuating the actuator, e.g., by rotation, can deform material between the valve and the fluid path, thereby constricting at least a portion of the underlying fluid path and regulating the flow of a fluid in the fluid path. In another aspect, the invention provides a reservoir into which fluid can be placed and from which fluid can be introduced into a microfluidic system. In one embodiment, the reservoir is expandable and thereby able to store fluid under pressure for delivery to a microfluidic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard college
    Inventors: Douglas B. Weibel, Andrew Lee, Scott Potenta, Adam Siegel, Maarten Kruithof, George M. Whitesides