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micro impedance pump for fluid logic, mixing and separationRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Motor Driven, Electric Or Magnetic Motor, Collapsible Wall Pump, Diaphragm Type, Piezoelectric Drivenmicro impedance pump for fluid logic, mixing and separation description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080025853, micro impedance pump for fluid logic, mixing and separation. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Applications 60/819,871, filed Jul. 10, 2006 and 60/842,758, filed Sep. 7, 2006. The disclosure of the prior applications are considered part of (and are incorporated by reference in) the disclosure of this application. BACKGROUND [0002] A valveless microimpedance pump is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,385. This pump enables pumping fluid using fluidic differences between conduit types, and pumps without using one way valves or the like. SUMMARY [0003] An embodiment describes a modular plug and play micropump which can be used to drive and control microfluidic systems. [0004] An embodiment is planar in format and modular. [0005] An embodiment uses rigid materials, and a planar format for microfluidic applications. [0006] An embodiment uses rigid and/or flexible micro impedance pumps formed by masking and depositing metals, micromachining and/or etching. [0007] An embodiment uses both flexible and rigid materials. [0008] An embodiment uses an embedded actuator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a pump device on a modular chip; and [0010] FIG. 2 shows a pump device which has two actuators. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0011] An embodiment uses an impedance pump of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,385, the disclosure of which are here with incorporated by reference. [0012] According to an embodiment, a modular plug-and-play type micropump is used within a microfluidic system. The device is planar and can be integrated into different kinds of technologies including Web on-chip technology or the like. The channels can have characteristic dimensions, for example, on the order of a micron. Therefore, this can easily be integrated into current lab-on-chip technologies. Integration of a compact pump into current microfluidic systems creates the potential for true lab on chip devices where not only the channels have characteristic dimensions on the order of a micron but also the components on which they operate. [0013] The impedance pump is formed as shown in FIG. 1. A substrate 199 can be a semiconductor substrate, e.g., a semiconductor chip, or micromachined substrate or circuit board. All of the parts described herein are formed on that substrate. [0014] A flexible lumen 100 includes a first part 105 with a first fluidic characteristic and a second part 110 with a second fluidic characteristic. The lumen extends along an axis of the substrate. The lumen 100 is asymmetrically excited by an excitation part 120, which can be a pincher that constricts at least a part of the outer cross section of the lumen, to form a pressure wave. First part 105 of the lumen 100 has a different fluidic characteristic than second part 110 of the lumen. For example, the different fluidic characteristic between the two parts can be compliance, geometry, or any other physical property which creates a site for wave reflection. Moreover, there can be multiple different parts, in addition to the two parts shown in FIG. 1. [0015] The wave reflection sites, comprised of a mismatch in impedance at the interface of different materials 108 and/or by a change in geometry, is excited asymmetrically with respect to the fluidic system to drive flow. [0016] The actuator 120 is controlled by a controller 125 which can operate according to a prestored procedure. The controller 125 can carry out excitation over a specific range of frequencies to create constructive wave interactions based on reflections from the reflection area 108. The constructive wave interaction creates a pressure gradient to drive the flow. In an embodiment, the contoller seeks resonance or other optimum characteristics in the constructive wave interference. [0017] The controller can alternatively be off chip, in which case, an input line is substituted for the controller 125. [0018] Other fluidic parts shown generically as 130 can also be added, which can include diffusers, valves and other such flow rectifiers. These can increase performance as desirable. The other fluidic parts 130 can be passive or car also be controlled by the controller 125. [0019] In the embodiment, the impedance pump is planar, with all of the structure on the same plane defining a plane of the substrate. The lumen may be tubular, for example, and the actuator 120 may be pinchers either surrounding the lumen, or on positions on the plane defined by the substrate. Continue reading about micro impedance pump for fluid logic, mixing and separation... Full patent description for micro impedance pump for fluid logic, mixing and separation Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this micro impedance pump for fluid logic, mixing and separation patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like micro impedance pump for fluid logic, mixing and separation or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Economical tide/wave/swell/wind/solar powered high pressure fluid pump Next Patent Application: Peristaltic pump Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the micro impedance pump for fluid logic, mixing and separation patent info. 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