PROGRAMMABLE TRACKING PRESSURE REGULATOR FOR CONTROL OF HIGHER PRESSURE IN MICROFLUIDIC CIRCUIT

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a programmable high-precision pressure regulator suitable for controlling small pressure differentials in microfluidic circuits.;SOLUTION: The regulator for precision control of pressure based on a means of measuring pressure differentials is provided. More specifically, the present invention provides a pressure control that tracks a relatively high background pressure, and applies a positive or negative offset to create the small pressure differentials that can be utilized to transport fluids within a capillary network. The present invention is also directed to a method of controlling microfluidic elements (doughnut cavities and the like) with a high degree of precision. In high performance liquid chromatography applications, this is accomplished using tracking pressure regulators to measure and respond to the difference between a liquid pump pressure and a regulated pneumatic pressure.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT