Absorbent Liquid Containment in Microfluidic Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microfluidic systems face challenges in reducing costs, simplifying fluid manipulations, and improving efficiency in chemical and biological analyses, particularly in sample introduction, reagent storage, and reaction processes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of microfluidic systems with liquid containment regions and fluidic connectors that allow for the separation and controlled flow of reagents, using absorbent materials to manage fluid flow without disrupting upstream flow rates, and enabling long-term storage and efficient mixing of reagents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If absorbent material is added to manage liquid flow, then liquid containment and waste absorption are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid waste absorptionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent material is integrated directly into the microfluidic channel structure, merging the liquid containment function with the absorption function into a single unified component rather than separate elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it absorbs liquid waste, maintains liquid containment, and can be positioned to control flow without disrupting upstream operations, eliminating the need for separate waste management systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If liquid containment regions are implemented, then sample waste is minimized and reagent stability is maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent material's physical or chemical parameters (such as absorbency capacity, porosity, or position) are optimized to achieve effective liquid containment and reagent stability while remaining compatible with standard microfluidic manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent material is designed as a disposable component that can be easily manufactured and replaced, simplifying the overall system manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable reagent stability during use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Loss of substance

If fluid flow control is implemented downstream of reaction area, then liquid containment is improved, but upstream flow rate stability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid containmentVSAvoidflow rate stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent material acts as an intermediary element that decouples the downstream liquid containment function from the upstream flow control, absorbing excess liquid without creating backpressure that would disrupt upstream flow rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid containment function is extracted from the main flow path and implemented through the absorbent material positioned downstream, allowing independent optimization of containment effectiveness without affecting upstream productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces costs, simplifies operations, and enhances the reliability and efficiency of chemical and biological analyses by minimizing sample waste, maintaining reagent stability, reducing cross-contamination, and facilitating easy sample introduction and efficient reagent mixing.

Implementation Method 1

absorbing at least a portion of the first liquid and/or the second liquid with an absorbent material contained in a liquid containment region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS9795697B2Liquid containment for integrated assays

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 OPKO DIAGNOSTICS LLC

AI summary

Microfluidic systems including liquid containment regions and methods associated therewith for performing chemical, biological, or biochemical analyzes are provided. Liquid containment regions of a microfluidic device may include regions that capture one or more liquids flowing in the device, while allowing gases or other fluids in the device to pass through the region. This may be achieved, in some embodiments, by positioning one or more absorbent materials in the liquid containment region for absorbing the liquids. This configuration may be useful for removing air bubbles from a stream of fluid and/or for separating hydrophobic liquids from hydrophilic liquids. In certain embodiments, the liquid containment region prevents any liquid from passing through the region. In some such cases, the liquid containment region may act as a waste area by capturing substantially all of the liquid in the device, thereby preventing any liquid from exiting the device. This arrangement may be useful when the device is used as a diagnostic tool, as the liquid containment region may prevent a user from being exposed to potentially-harmful fluids in the device.