Illumina, Inc.
Digital Fluidic Cartridge With Inlet Gap Height Larger Than Outlet Gap Height

Abstract:

An electrowetting-based droplet actuator includes top and bottom substrates, a droplet-operation gap between the top and bottom substrates, the droplet-operation gap including a gradually-reduced gap height in a direction of droplet flow when in use, and spaced electrodes embedded in the bottom substrate spanning a region thereof corresponding to the gradually-reduced gap height. A method includes gradually reducing a gap height in section(s) of a droplet-operation gap between top and bottom substrates of an electrowetting-based droplet actuator, the gradually reducing being in a direction of droplet flow when in use from a large-gap inlet to a small-gap outlet (relative sizes), the large-gap inlet being larger in height, the bottom substrate including spaced electrodes embedded therein spanning a region of the bottom substrate corresponding to the gradually reduced gap height, and moving dispensed droplet(s) of liquid in the direction of droplet flow using the spaced electrodes and an applied voltage.