US 12,215,023 B2
Microfluidic devices and associated methods
Arum Han, College Station, TX (US); Jose A. Wippold, Bryan, TX (US); Adrian R. Guzman, Houston, TX (US); Can Huang, Houston, TX (US); and Dimitra Stratis-Cullum, Laurel, MD (US)
Assigned to THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, College Station, TX (US)
Filed by The Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX (US)
Filed on Oct. 7, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/065,471.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/916,726, filed on Oct. 17, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/911,924, filed on Oct. 7, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0221676 A1, Jul. 22, 2021
Int. Cl. B81C 1/00 (2006.01); C08F 2/48 (2006.01); G03F 7/00 (2006.01)
CPC B81C 1/00031 (2013.01) [C08F 2/48 (2013.01); G03F 7/0037 (2013.01); B81C 2201/034 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A microfluidic device, comprising:
a vacuum chamber defined by a gas permeable membrane; and
a microfluidic channel formed in the microfluidic device and defined by a floor and a ceiling positioned vertically above the floor, wherein the microfluidic channel is in communication with the vacuum chamber:
wherein the microfluidic channel comprises at least one fluid inlet configured to receive a fluid flow and at least one fluid outlet: and
wherein the ceiling of the microfluidic channel is sloped relative to both a horizontal plane and the floor in the direction of the permeable membrane whereby the sloped ceiling is configured to direct one or more air bubbles suspended in the fluid flow towards the permeable membrane to form an air bubble trap of the microfluidic device.