BioMicro Systems Inc announced the allowance of the U.S. patent, "Fluid Circuit Components Based Upon Passive Fluid Dynamics." The patent describes a method of controlling the flow of tiny amounts of fluid through hair-sized channels formed in plastic, glass or silicon microchips in order to perform more accurate and less costly chemical and biological sample processing. Passive Fluid Control differs from active systems that require sound, electricity or mechanical valves to control the movement of fluid.

BioMicro developed its proprietary Passive Fluid Control (PFC) technology with Myriad Genetics Inc. Myriad has assigned worldwide rights to the methods covered by this patent to BioMicro under a patent assignment agreement. BioMicro applies its microfluidics technology to simplify complex, multi-step laboratory procedures in order to accelerate life science research and greatly reduce the time and cost associated with developing new life-saving drugs. PFC's simplicity allows access to broader market opportunities than more complicated fluid control methods.

"This patent reinforces the research at the core of BioMicro's Passive Fluid Control technology program and provides strong protection for BioMicro's innovations in the field of microfluidics," said Dr. Michael McNeely, Chief Executive Officer. "We expect our technology to accelerate drug development and improve processing techniques in the fields of genomics and diagnostics."

"Fluid Circuit Components Based Upon Passive Fluid Dynamics" is fundamental to BioMicro's proprietary PFC analysis method of controlling the flow of fluids through microchannels. PFC simplifies complex, multi-step procedures by pumping samples and biochemical reactants into functional 'building block-like' components. These building blocks conduct the functions of mixing, incubation, division, consolidation, immobilization, washing and other processing steps common to many analytical procedures. By combining these building blocks in various ways, PFC circuits can perform a broad spectrum of simple to sophisticated fluid handling procedures.

Using PFC, BioMicro researchers can control the flow of fluid through the microchannels by restrictions or narrowings purposely placed into the channels. These restrictions or narrowings act as passive valves. Unlike actual valves, which require moving parts, the passive valves are static and their function does not depend upon their motion. PFC's simplification of traditional laboratory analysis procedures allows for cost effective multi-step sample processing, rapid prototyping and easy integration into existing systems.