Capillary Microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip for Pump-Free Blood Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point-of-care devices for blood analysis are bulky, costly, and not suitable for disposable use due to the inclusion of external pumps and non-disposable electronic components, while lateral flow test strips lack precise control over fluid flow, limiting their application.
Innovation Solution
A compact, fully integrated lab-on-a-chip device with a silicon fluidic substrate and a CMOS chip lid that uses capillary forces to propagate fluid samples, eliminating the need for pumps and enabling precise control over fluid flow, along with integrated biosensing and optical excitation capabilities, allowing for multi-omic analysis and communication with mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If external pumps are used to propagate fluid samples, then fluid flow control is achieved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pumps with capillary forces generated by surface tension and wettability differences in the microfluidic channels. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical components while maintaining precise fluid flow control through channel geometry and surface property design.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic system is designed to propagate fluids autonomously using capillary action without external power sources or control mechanisms. The channels self-regulate fluid flow based on their inherent surface properties and geometry, eliminating the need for external pump systems.
2Reliability
If external pumps and non-disposable electronic components are included, then analysis capability is improved, but disposability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates biosensing electronics directly into the microfluidic chip substrate, creating a unified disposable unit. This merging allows the entire analysis system including fluid handling, reaction, and detection to be manufactured as a single low-cost disposable component.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic chip is designed to perform multiple functions including fluid transport, biochemical reactions, and optical/electrical detection within a single integrated platform, enabling complete analysis capability in a disposable format.
3Device complexity
If lateral flow test strips are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but fluid flow control precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface properties (wettability, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity) to specific regions of the microfluidic channels to precisely control fluid flow paths, mixing, and reaction zones. This localized property variation enables precise flow control while maintaining overall device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls fluid flow by changing physical parameters of the channel walls such as surface energy, roughness, and chemical composition, rather than using mechanical control mechanisms. This allows precise flow regulation through material property selection.
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
The device provides a low-cost, portable, and disposable solution for fluid analysis, enabling precise biochemical reactions and multi-omic analysis with reduced fabrication costs and complexity, while allowing for real-time data processing and visualization.
Implementation Method 1
a micro-fluidic component embedded in the fluidic substrate configured to propagate a fluid sample via capillary force through the micro-fluidic component
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device for analyzing a fluid sample. In one aspect, the device includes a fluidic substrate that comprises a micro-fluidic component embedded in the fluidic substrate configured to propagate a fluid sample via capillary force through the device and a means for providing a fluid sample connected to the micro-fluidic component. The device also includes a lid attached to the fluidic substrate at least partly covering the fluidic substrate and at least partly closing the micro-fluidic component. The fluidic substrate may be a silicon fluidic substrate and the lid may be a CMOS chip. In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for fabricating such a device, and the method may include providing a fluidic substrate, providing a lid, and attaching, through a CMOS compatible bonding process, the fluidic substrate to the lid to close the fluidic substrate at least partly.