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Fluid processing device comprising surface tension controlled valveRelated Patent Categories: Chemical Apparatus And Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, Or Sterilizing, Chemical Reactor, Bench ScaleFluid processing device comprising surface tension controlled valve description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060165565, Fluid processing device comprising surface tension controlled valve. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/092,180 filed on Mar. 29, 2005, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of Provisional Application No. 60/642,828 filed on Jan. 11, 2005, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD [0002] The present teachings relate to valves in fluid processing devices, and methods for using the same. INTRODUCTION [0003] One of the challenges encountered in fluid processing devices, particularly devices designed for high throughput operations, is how to effectively control fluid flow. A need exists to individually and independently control fluid flow in thousands of micro-channels without resorting to the fabrication of sophisticated valving systems that can make microfluidic devices very expensive. SUMMARY [0004] According to various embodiments, a device and method for controlling fluid flow in a microfluidic system is provided. In some embodiments, a surface tension controlled valving system for biological fluid is provided that can comprise a channel connected to an internal volume. The internal volume can be bound by an insulating layer resistant to the flow of the biological liquid, wherein the channel can be non-resistant to the flow of the biological liquid. A photoconductive material can be coupled to the insulating layer. An electrode can be coupled to the photoconductive material and can be configured to electrically couple with the insulating layer through the photoconductive material. A power source can be electrically coupled to the electrode. The power source can be configured to provide an electrical potential difference between the photoconductive material and the biological fluid. The photoconductive material can be activatable by light directed thereat, to provide an electrical potential difference between the insulating layer and the biological fluid. The electrical potential difference can be configured to reduce the resistance, of the insulating layer, to the flow of the biological liquid. [0005] According to various embodiments, a device for biological fluid handling is provided that can comprise a valve configured for light activation. The device can comprise a channel connected to an internal volume. The internal volume can be bound by an insulating layer resistant to the flow of the biological liquid, wherein the channel can be non-resistant to the flow of the biological liquid. A photoconductive material can be coupled to the insulating layer. An electrode can be coupled to the photoconductive material and configured to electrically couple with the insulating layer through the photoconductive material. A power source can be electrically coupled to the electrode. The power source can be configured to provide an electrical potential difference between the photoconductive material and the biological fluid. A light source can be adapted to activate the photoconductive material thereby providing the electrical potential difference between the insulating layer and the biological fluid. The electrical potential difference can be configured to reduce the resistance of the insulating layer to the flow of the biological liquid. [0006] According to various embodiments, a device for biological fluid handling is provided that can comprise means for providing the biological fluid to a valving means. The means for providing the biological fluid can be non-resistant to the flow of the biological liquid. The valving means can be resistant to the flow of the biological liquid. The device can comprise a means for electrowetting the valving means to reduce the resistance of the valving means to the flow of the biological liquid. The device can comprise a means for optically activating the means for electrowetting. [0007] According to various embodiments, a fluid processing device is provided that can comprise a plurality of reaction sites. The fluid processing device can comprise a first fluid transport manifold in fluid communication with each of the plurality of reaction sites. The fluid processing device can comprise a second fluid transport manifold in fluid communication with each of the plurality of reaction sites. The fluid processing device can comprise a plurality of surface tension controlled valves disposed between the first manifold and at least one respective reaction site of the plurality of reaction sites. Each surface tension controlled valve can be in fluid communication with the first manifold and the at least one respective reaction site. [0008] According to various embodiments, a method is provided for synthesizing oligonucleotides or other chemical structures, from component building blocks, the method can comprise introducing a first monomer into a first fluid distribution manifold of a fluid processing device, opening at least one surface tension control valve in fluid communication with both the first fluid distribution manifold and at least one respective reaction site, to form an open surface tension control valve; moving the first monomer from the first manifold, through the at least one open surface tension control valve, and into the at least one respective reaction site, and attaching the first monomer to a first structure in the at least one respective reaction site to form an extended structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Various embodiments of the present teachings are exemplified by the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The teachings are not limited to the embodiments depicted, and can include equivalent structures and methods as set forth in the following description and as would be known or recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art given the present teachings. In the drawings: [0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a channel and illustrates connecting two reservoirs; [0011] FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views illustrating the functioning of surface tension controlled valves; [0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of a surface tension controlled valve and illustrates movement of a liquid by electrowetting and illustrating in phantom the effect that actuation of a surface tension control valve can have on the shape of a drop of water; [0013] FIG. 4A illustrates a surface tension controlled valve closed to the flow of a liquid; [0014] FIG. 4B illustrates a surface tension controlled valve permitting the flow of a liquid; [0015] FIG. 5A-5C illustrates movement of a liquid by opto-electrowetting. The figure illustrates in phantom the effect that actuation of a surface tension control valve can have on the shape of a drop of water; [0016] FIG. 6A-6C illustrates moving a liquid through a channel via opto-electrowetting; [0017] FIG. 7A-7D are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of a light-activated surface tension controlled valve; [0018] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view through a portion of a device according to various embodiments and showing a light-activated surface tension control valve in a closed state; [0019] FIG. 8B is the same cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. 8A, but wherein the light-activated surface tension control valve is in an open state; Continue reading about Fluid processing device comprising surface tension controlled valve... 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