Assay Cartridge Gravity Fluid Fractioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microfluidic chips for biochemical analysis require complex external pressure control, making them inconvenient for routine medical testing, especially in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge with a cartridge body containing holding and fractioning compartments and flow channels, allowing fluid manipulation through rotation, enabling fluid to spill and overflow between compartments, with analysis areas for mixing and reagents, and a motorized mechanism for controlled rotary motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external pressure control is used to manipulate fluid in microfluidic chips, then fluid flow control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge uses its own weight and gravity to drive fluid flow through the microfluidic channels, eliminating the need for external pumps or pressure controllers. The fluid naturally flows from upper compartments to lower compartments through gravity-induced pressure differences, making the system self-powered and suitable for point-of-care use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed with specific compartment heights and orientations so that when held in the correct orientation, the fluid levels in different compartments naturally equalize through gravity, enabling automatic fluid distribution without external control mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If microfluidic chips are designed with multiple compartments and flow channels, then fluid manipulation capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge incorporates a rotatable section that can be rotated to different orientations to dynamically control fluid flow between compartments. By rotating the cartridge, users can selectively connect different compartments through flow channels, enabling versatile fluid manipulation through simple rotational motion rather than complex valve control.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is divided into multiple compartments (holding compartment, first fractioning compartment, second fractioning compartment, analysis area) that can be independently controlled through rotation, allowing separate manipulation of different fluid portions while maintaining overall system simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If complex external control machinery is used, then precise fluid control is achieved, but suitability for remote locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses gravity as the driving force, which is always available and requires no external infrastructure. The cartridge self-regulates fluid flow based on its orientation and compartment design, providing precise control without requiring external power sources or control systems that would be difficult to deploy in remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex external mechanical pressure control systems with a simple gravity-based flow system. The microfluidic channels and compartment geometry itself provide the control mechanism, eliminating the need for external pumps, valves, and pressure regulators.
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
Simplifies fluid manipulation and assay processes, making them suitable for point-of-care or field hospital environments without the need for complex machinery, allowing for efficient and accurate biochemical analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a predetermined quantity of fluid can be held in the holding compartment when the cartridge body is held in a first orientation, and can be poured from the holding compartment to the first fractioning compartment by rotating the cartridge body about a predefined rotation axis to a second orientation, to spill the fluid from the holding compartment to the first fractioning compartment through a first one of the flow channels
Data Source
AI summary
In one arrangement, a cartridge includes a cartridge body defining a holding compartment, first and second fractioning compartments, and a number of flow channels formed within the cartridge body. A predetermined quantity of fluid can be held in the holding compartment when the cartridge body is held in a first orientation, and can be poured from the holding compartment to the first fractioning compartment by rotating the cartridge body about a predefined rotation axis to a second orientation, spilling the fluid from the holding compartment to the first fractioning compartment through one of the flow channels. The first fractioning compartment is such that when the cartridge body is in the second orientation, not all of the fluid can be contained in the first fractioning compartment, and fluid that overflows the first fractioning compartment flows through a second flow channel to the second fractioning compartment.