Capillary Fluid Handling Apparatus for Gas-Free Liquid-Liquid Interface Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid handling apparatuses for forming liquid-liquid interfaces and metering small amounts of liquid for electrophoresis are complex, large, and require pressurizing means, leading to complications and inefficiencies in operation, especially in preventing gas from entering the system.
Innovation Solution
A fluid handling apparatus utilizing capillary action to form liquid-liquid interfaces without the need for valve structures or external pressure control, allowing for the movement of fluids through flow passages with varying cross-sectional areas to create interfaces and meter desired volumes of liquids for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If shut-off valves and pressurizing means are used to form liquid-liquid interfaces and control fluid flow, then precise metering and interface formation are achieved, but the apparatus structure becomes complicated and large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical valve structures and pressurizing means with capillary forces generated by the flow passage structure itself. The connecting portion with reduced cross-sectional area creates capillary pressure that automatically controls fluid flow and interface formation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical shut-off valves and external pressurizing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow passage structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it meters fluid flow, forms liquid-liquid interfaces, and eliminates gas pockets through its own capillary action. The connecting portion's geometry self-regulates fluid behavior without requiring external control systems, making the apparatus self-sufficient and compact.
2Reliability
If vacuum equipment and pressure control means are used to remove gas and control fluid movement, then gas interference is eliminated and electrophoresis is improved, but the apparatus becomes large and analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary flow passage structure proactively prevents gas pocket formation during the fluid loading process. By designing the connecting portion with reduced cross-sectional area, the system automatically excludes gas pockets before electrophoresis begins, eliminating the need for post-loading vacuum treatment and reducing total analysis time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces vacuum equipment and pressure control systems with capillary-driven fluid dynamics. The flow passage geometry itself controls gas removal and fluid movement, eliminating large vacuum pumps and pressure controllers while maintaining reliable gas-free electrophoresis conditions.
3Quantity of substance
If stop valves with abrupt flow passage area reduction are used to dam liquid streams, then liquid metering is achieved, but the apparatus structure is complicated and requires large components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the metering function from separate valve components and integrates it directly into the flow passage structure. The connecting portion's reduced cross-sectional area serves as the metering element, eliminating standalone stop valves and their associated complexity while maintaining precise liquid metering capability.
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 simplifies the apparatus structure, miniaturizes the system, and enables efficient and accurate analysis by electrophoresis without gas interference, reducing the time required for sample analysis and eliminating the need for vacuum equipment and pressure control.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid handling apparatus with flow passages that utilize capillarity to form liquid-liquid interfaces without the need for pressure control or vacuum equipment
Implementation Method 2
to meter a very small amount of liquid between the connecting portions and/or to move a charged material in a metered liquid by electrophoresis
Data Source
AI summary
When a first liquid fed into a first flow passage 6 moves therein toward a connecting portion 10 due to capillarity, gas in the first flow passage 6 is pushed by the moving first liquid to be exhausted to the external environment via a third flow passage 14 and an external environment communication passage 8, so that the first liquid moves to the end of a fifth flow passage 16, which is formed in the connecting portion 10, on the side of a second flow passage 7 due to capillarity. Then, when a second liquid fed into the second flow passage 7 moves therein toward the connecting portion 10 due to capillarity, gas in the second flow passage 7 is pushed by the moving second liquid to be exhausted to the external environment via a fourth flow passage 15 and the external environment communication passage 8, so that a liquid-liquid interface level between the first and second liquids is formed in the connecting portion 10.