US 12,403,476 B2
Microdroplet manipulation device
Thomas Henry Isaac, Cambridge (GB); Pedro Cunha, Cambridge (GB); Eoin Sheridan, Cambridge (GB); David Love, Cambridge (GB); Rebecca Palmer, Cambridge (GB); Douglas J. Kelly, Cambridge (GB); and Gareth Podd, Cambridge (GB)
Assigned to LIGHTCAST DISCOVERY LTD, Cambridge (GB)
Filed by LIGHTCAST DISCOVERY LTD, Cambridge (GB)
Filed on May 28, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/675,850.
Application 18/675,850 is a continuation of application No. 17/969,001, filed on Oct. 19, 2022, granted, now 12,017,224.
Application 17/969,001 is a continuation of application No. 17/466,377, filed on Sep. 3, 2021, granted, now 11,904,319, issued on Feb. 20, 2024.
Application 17/466,377 is a continuation of application No. 16/625,068, granted, now 11,135,588, issued on Oct. 5, 2021, previously published as PCT/EP2018/066573, filed on Jun. 21, 2018.
Claims priority of application No. 17177204 (EP), filed on Jun. 21, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0307881 A1, Sep. 19, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/502792 (2013.01) [B01L 3/50273 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0673 (2013.01); B01L 2300/06 (2013.01); B01L 2300/089 (2013.01); B01L 2300/12 (2013.01); B01L 2300/165 (2013.01); B01L 2300/168 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0427 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for manipulating microdroplets using optically-mediated electrowetting comprising:
a first composite wall comprising:
a first substrate;
a first conductor layer on the first substrate;
a photoactive layer on the first conductor layer having a thickness in the range 300-1000 nm and
a first dielectric layer on the photoactive layer; and
a first monomolecular anti-fouling layer on the first dielectric layer;
a second composite wall comprising:
a second substrate;
a second conductor layer on the second substrate;
a second dielectric layer on the second conductor layer; and
a second monomolecular anti-fouling layer on the second dielectric layer;
the device further comprising:
an A/C source to provide a voltage of between 10V and 50V across the first and second composite walls connecting the first and second conductor layers so as to be below the dielectric breakdown voltage of the first and second dielectric layers;
at least one source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy higher than the bandgap of a photoexcitable layer adapted to impinge on the photoactive layer to induce corresponding ephemeral electrowetting locations on the surface of the first dielectric layer; and
a microprocessor for manipulating points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer so as to vary the disposition of the ephemeral electrowetting locations thereby creating at least one electrowetting pathway along which microdroplets may be caused to move;
wherein the device is configured to performing chemical analyses carried out on multiple analytes simultaneously.