Active-Control Microfluidic Chip for Uniform Multi-Branch Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-fluidic chips face challenges in achieving precise quantification due to large coefficients of variation, uneven fluid velocities, and limited flux, which restricts simultaneous detection of multiple items and accurate fluid monitoring, especially with whole blood samples.
Innovation Solution
A multi-flux micro-fluidic chip with active fluid flow control, featuring a chip body with fluid inflow and reaction-quantification cavities, waste liquid cavities, and a fluid path distribution cavity, equipped with valve devices and anti-backflow mechanisms to control fluid velocity and prevent backflow, allowing for even distribution of fluid into multiple branches for simultaneous detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive micro-fluidic relying on capillary force is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but uniform fluid velocities cannot be achieved due to different viscosities of different samples
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive capillary force mechanism with an active pressure-driven flow control system. A pressure control device is introduced to regulate fluid flow through the microfluidic chip, enabling uniform fluid velocities across different samples with varying viscosities. This substitution of mechanical drive mechanism allows precise control while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If active micro-fluidic with pressure drive is used, then uniform fluid velocities are achieved, but valve control and backflow prevention measures are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pressure control device with the microfluidic chip structure, merging the fluid drive mechanism and flow control functions into a unified system. The pressure control device is connected to the chip's fluid inlet, and integrated valve structures are incorporated within the chip architecture to control fluid direction and prevent backflow. This integration reduces overall system complexity compared to separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure control as an intermediary mechanism between the fluid source and the microfluidic reactions. The pressure control device acts as a mediator that regulates flow rates and enables precise control of fluid movement through the chip channels, allowing uniform velocities without requiring complex external pumping systems for each channel.
3Productivity
If one fluid path is divided into multiple fluid path branches, then multiple items can be detected simultaneously improving flux, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single fluid inlet path into multiple parallel fluid path branches within the chip structure. Each branch leads to separate reaction zones or detection areas, enabling simultaneous processing of multiple samples or multiple analytical reactions. This segmentation of the fluid path allows the system to handle multiple items concurrently, significantly improving throughput and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic chip is designed with a universal fluid distribution network that can route fluid to multiple different reaction zones and detection areas. The same pressure control mechanism and fluid path structure serve multiple functions: sample delivery, reagent distribution, and waste removal across all branches. This multi-functionality allows the system to detect multiple items simultaneously without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
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
Enables the detection of multiple items simultaneously by evenly dividing fluid paths into ten branches, ensuring controlled fluid velocity and precise quantification, improving the chip's flux and allowing for quantitative sample addition, thus enhancing the micro-fluidic process.
Implementation Method 1
Power for active micro-fluidic includes centrifugal force drive, electric wetting drive and pressure drive (electrolytic pumps, compressed air pumps, chemical decomposition pumps and direct pressure differential drive)
Implementation Method 2
in order to control the fluid velocity at will, besides the thrust, valve control and backflow prevention measures for preventing backflow of fluid after pressure relief are also indispensable
Data Source
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Figure 4b~5
AI summary
This invention is disclosed a multi-flux micro-fluidic chip based on active fluid flow control, including a chip body, wherein the chip body includes a fluid inflow cavity, reaction-quantification cavities and waste liquid cavities, and the fluid inflow cavity is communicated with an external air path; the multi-flux micro-fluidic chip based on active fluid flow control further includes a fluid path distribution cavity disposed at a middle position of the chip body; the number of the reaction-quantification cavities is two or more, and the two or more reaction-quantification cavies are distributed on two sides of the fluid path distribution cavity in rows to form a first row of reaction-quantification cavities and a second row of reaction-quantification cavities respectively; and the reaction-quantification cavities are communicated with a fluid outlet of the fluid path distribution cavity through respective fluid path branches, and a fluid inlet of the fluid path distribution cavity is communicated with a fluid outlet of the fluid inflow cavity and an external fluid path, which making it possible to detect multiple items at the same time, and greatly improving the flux of the micro-fluidic chip.