Standardized cartridge interface for microfluidic assay
This invention is a standardized, plug-and-play packaging system for microfluidic chips — the tiny lab-on-a-chip devices used for biological testing, diagnostics, and drug research. The system bundles a microfluidic chip together with a circuit board inside a protective cartridge, with openings for fluid access and electrical connections. The key innovation is a clean, reliable interface that lets the chip communicate electrically with external instruments while keeping the fluidics accessible. Think of it as a universal cartridge format that makes swapping or reading microfluidic chips as simple as inserting a memory card.
What you could build
A standardized cartridge and interface system sold to diagnostic instrument makers, pharmaceutical research labs, and point-of-care device manufacturers who need a reliable, reusable or single-use format for deploying microfluidic assays — analogous to a standardized reagent cartridge for existing benchtop analyzers.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based life sciences instrument companies, biodefense contractors, and NIH/DARPA-funded research labs near Northern Virginia and Richmond would find this relevant for next-generation diagnostic platform development.
Readiness: Concept
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Masoud Agah, Nipun Thamatam
- Filed
- Patent pending — filed March 13, 2025
- Status
- Application
- Publication number
- US20260108878A1
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology. Email us for an introduction prosim@harbor.capital.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.