Injection molding techniques for forming a microfluidic structure having at least one flash free aperture

摘要

Injection molding techniques to form a microfluidic structure or substrate having at least one flash-free aperture. A method comprises injecting a polymeric material into a cavity of a mold. The mold includes at least one pin extending a length into the cavity wherein the length is greater than a depth of the cavity such that the pin is compressed when the mold is closed. Material injected into the cavity is shut off from the space occupied by the pin and consequently, undesirable flash is avoided. The mold is opened and the substrate is removed from the mold. The pin may be integral with the mold, discrete, or be comprised of individual components which can be combined together when the mold is closed to form a solid body. Preferably, the length of the pin is at least about 60 microns greater than the depth of the cavity.