Rapid prototyping for Microfluidic Channels

Traditional rapid prototyping for microfluidics application typically use integrated circuit fabrication steps and micro-molding in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). These methods require chemical intensive photolithographic processes, which are expensive as well as time and labor intensive. Other prototyping methods, such as laser ablation and stereo lithography, can be used but require expensive specialized fabrication facilities and are limited in the materials used.

The inventors propose a novel rapid prototyping technique for creating mico-structures with various films. The fabrication method includes a cutting plotter to cut patterns from various types of adhesive vinyl films with varying thickness. These pressure/thermally activated adhesive films can be successively aligned to create layered microstructures such as micro-fluidic channels.

Benefits
The proposed method can be used in start-up biotech companies or research laboratories in universities. This can also replace the pricey modular microfluidics tool kits that are currently available in the market.

Stage of Development
A provisional patent application has been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
This technology is part of an active and ongoing research program and is seeking partners for development of the working product. It is available for developmental research support/licensing under either exclusive or non-exclusive terms.

Additional Info
*Daniel A. Bartholomeusz, Ronald W. Boutte and Joseph D. Andrade "Xurography: Rapid Prototyping of Micro-Structures Using a Cutting Plotter" Submitted to the IEEE Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, December (2004)

Inventor(s): Daniel Bartholomeusz, Bruce Gale, Sung Lee, Ronald Boutte, Charles Thomas, Ameya Kantak

Type of Offer: Licensing



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