01903nas a2200253   4500008004100000245007800041210006900119260000800188520096500196100002401161700001601185700002101201700001901222700002201241700002001263700002301283700002001306700001901326700002001345700001801365700002001383700001501403856023101418       2002                        eng d00aUnited {States} {Patent}: 6454945 - {Microfabricated} devices and methods0 aUnited States Patent 6454945 Microfabricated devices and methods  csep3 aThis invention provides microfabricated systems for extraction of desired particles from a sample stream containing desired and undesired particles. The sample stream is placed in laminar flow contact with an extraction stream under conditions in which inertial effects are negligible. The contact between the two streams is maintained for a sufficient period of time to allow differential transport of the desired particles from the sample stream into the extraction stream. In a preferred embodiment the differential transport mechanism is diffusion. The extraction system of this invention coupled to a microfabricated diffusion-based mixing device and/or sensing means allows picoliter quantities of fluid to be processed or analyzed on devices no larger than silicon wafers. Such diffusion-based mixing or sensing devices are preferably channel cell systems for detecting the presence and/or measuring the quantity of analyte particles in a sample stream.1 aWeigl, Bernhard, H.1 aYager, Paul1 aBrody, James, P.1 aHoll, Mark, R.1 aForster, Fred, K.1 aAltendorf, Eric1 aGalambos, Paul, C.1 aKenny, Margaret1 aSchutte, David1 aHixson, Gregory1 aZebert, Diane1 aKamholz, Andrew1 aWu, Caicai  uhttp://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=25&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=%22Weigl%3B+Bernhard%22.INNM.&OS=IN/%22Weigl;+Bernhard%22&RS=IN/%22Weigl;+Bernhard%2202085nas a2200133   4500008004100000245013400041210006900175260000800244520141100252100002001663700001601683700002101699856023101720       2000                        eng d00aUnited {States} {Patent}: 6159739 - {Device} and method for 3-dimensional alignment of particles in microfabricated flow channels0 aUnited States Patent 6159739 Device and method for 3dimensional   cdec3 aThe present invention provides a sheath flow module made from a first plate of material having formed therein a laminar fluid flow channel; at least two inlets, each inlet joining the laminar flow channel at a junction, the first inlet junction being wider than the second inlet junction, and an outlet from the flow channel. A second plate, e.g. a transparent cover plate, seals the module and allows for optical measurements. A first inlet allows for introduction of a first fluid into the flow channel. The first fluid is the sheath fluid. A second inlet allows for introduction of a second fluid into the sheath fluid while it is flowing through the flow channel. The second fluid is the center fluid. Because the second inlet junction is narrower than the first inlet junction, the center fluid becomes surrounded on both sides by the sheath fluid. After all fluids have been introduced and sheath flow has been achieved, the depth of the flow channel can be decreased, leading to vertical hydrodynamic focusing. Optionally, the width of the flow channel can be decreased, leading to horizontal hydrodynamic focusing. The decrease in depth and width can be gradual or abrupt. The device of the present invention can function in two modes, the sheath flow mode and the particle injector mode, depending on the relative densities of the sheath fluid, the center fluid, and any particles in either fluid.1 aWeigl, Bernhard1 aYager, Paul1 aBrody, James, P.  uhttp://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=31&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=%22Weigl%3B+Bernhard%22.INNM.&OS=IN/%22Weigl;+Bernhard%22&RS=IN/%22Weigl;+Bernhard%2201808nas a2200229   4500008004100000245009000041210006900131260000800200520092700208100002401135700001601159700002101175700001901196700002001215700001901235700002001254700001801274700002001292700001501312700002001327856023101347       1999                        eng d00aUnited {States} {Patent}: 5972710 - {Microfabricated} diffusion-based chemical sensor0 aUnited States Patent 5972710 Microfabricated diffusionbased chem  coct3 aA channel-cell system is provided for detecting the presence and/or measuring the presence of analyte particles in a sample stream comprising: a) a laminar flow channel; b) two inlets in fluid connection with the laminar flow channel for respectively conducting into the laminar flow channel (1) an indicator stream which may comprise an indicator substance which indicates the presence of the analyte particles by a detectable change in property when contacted with the analyte particles, and (2) the sample stream; c) wherein the laminar flow channel has a depth sufficiently small to allow laminar flow of the streams and a length sufficient to allow particles of the analyte to diffuse into the indicator stream to the substantial exclusion of the larger particles in the sample stream to form a detection area; and d) an outlet for conducting the streams out of the laminar flow channel to form a single mixed stream.1 aWeigl, Bernhard, H.1 aYager, Paul1 aBrody, James, P.1 aHoll, Mark, R.1 aKenny, Margaret1 aSchutte, David1 aHixson, Gregory1 aZebert, Diane1 aKamholz, Andrew1 aWu, Caicai1 aAltendorf, Eric  uhttp://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=36&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=%22Weigl%3B+Bernhard%22.INNM.&OS=IN/%22Weigl;+Bernhard%22&RS=IN/%22Weigl;+Bernhard%2201613nas a2200145   4500008004100000245009000041210006900131260000800200520094800208100001601156700002401172700002101196700001901217856023101236       1998                        eng d00aUnited {States} {Patent}: 5716852 - {Microfabricated} diffusion-based chemical sensor0 aUnited States Patent 5716852 Microfabricated diffusionbased chem  cfeb3 aA channel-cell system is provided for detecting the presence and/or measuring the presence of analyte particles in a sample stream comprising: a) a laminar flow channel; b) two inlet means in fluid connection with said laminar flow channel for respectively conducting into said laminar flow channel (1) an indicator stream which may comprise an indicator substance which indicates the presence of said analyte particles by a detectable change in property when contacted with said analyte particles, and (2) said sample stream; c) wherein said laminar flow channel has a depth sufficiently small to allow laminar flow of said streams and a length sufficient to allow particles of said analyte to diffuse into said indicator stream to the substantial exclusion of said larger particles in said sample stream to form a detection area; and d) outlet means for conducting said streams out of said laminar flow channel to form a single mixed stream.1 aYager, Paul1 aWeigl, Bernhard, H.1 aBrody, James, P.1 aHoll, Mark, R.  uhttp://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=39&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=%22Weigl%3B+Bernhard%22.INNM.&OS=IN/%22Weigl;+Bernhard%22&RS=IN/%22Weigl;+Bernhard%22