Centrifugal Fluidic Module for Precise Liquid Aliquoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current centrifugal microfluidic systems lack an effective method for precise aliquoting of liquids, particularly for generating defined liquid volumes that can be further processed, as existing structures are limited in their ability to handle varying liquid volumes and require precise measurement and separation steps.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic module with multiple measuring and compression chambers, connected via fluid overflows, that utilizes centrifugal force to drive liquid into measuring chambers, compressing a compressible medium, and then expands to discharge at least 80% of the liquid through outlet channels when the rotation frequency is reduced, allowing for precise aliquoting and further processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single compression chamber with overflow structure is used (Godino et al.), then the device can handle limited liquid volumes, but it cannot perform precise aliquoting or separate excess fluid volume
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the compression chamber into multiple radially outer sections (first section for defined partial volume, second section for excess fluid) and uses multiple measuring chambers (left and right sections). This segmentation allows the system to handle varying liquid volumes while performing precise aliquoting by separating the measurement function from the overflow handling function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wide inlet channels are used in the metering structure, then the device can accommodate larger liquid volumes, but the metered volume becomes highly dependent on the input volume
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet system is segmented into wide inlet channels for volume accommodation and narrow fluid overflows for precise metering. The measuring chambers are also segmented with defined geometries that ensure precise volume measurement independent of input volume variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid overflow structures act as intermediaries between the wide inlet channels and the measuring chambers. These overflows ensure that only the precisely defined volume enters the measuring chambers, while excess fluid is diverted to the second radially outer section, thereby decoupling the inlet channel dimensions from the metered volume accuracy.
3Volume of stationary object
If the overflow structure is contained within the compression chamber, then the device can be compact, but metering only works if the overflow chamber is not full
Solution Approach 1:
The compression chamber is segmented into radially inner and radially outer sections, with the overflow structure positioned at the interface. The first radially outer section handles defined volumes while the second radially outer section accommodates excess fluid, ensuring that metering reliability is maintained regardless of whether the overflow chamber is full or not.
4Productivity
If multiple aliquoting steps take place in parallel, then the processing throughput increases, but each aliquoting step requires precise measurement and separation
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses multiple measuring chambers (left and right sections) and multiple compression chambers arranged in parallel, each with its own fluid overflow and outlet channel. This segmented parallel architecture enables simultaneous aliquoting of multiple liquid volumes while maintaining precise measurement and separation in each channel independently.
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 precise and efficient aliquoting of liquids, ensuring that at least 80% of the liquid in the measuring chambers is discharged, facilitating accurate measurement and processing of aliquots, and allowing for the parallel processing of multiple liquid volumes.
Implementation Method 1
upon rotation of the fluidic module about a center of rotation, a liquid is centrifugally driven via the first fluid inlet channel into the first measuring chamber and via the second fluid inlet channel into the second measuring chamber, so that a compressible medium previously present in the first measuring chamber and in the second measuring chamber is compressed
Implementation Method 2
upon a reduction in the rotational frequency and a resulting expansion of the compressible medium, at least 80% of the liquid present in the first measuring chamber is driven out of the first measuring chamber via the first fluid outlet channel and at least 80% of the liquid present in the second measuring chamber is driven out of the second measuring chamber via the second fluid outlet channel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B~3C
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a fluidic module. The fluidic module has a first measurement chamber, a second measurement chamber, a first fluid inlet duct connected to the first measurement chamber, a second fluid inlet duct connected to the second measurement chamber, a first fluid outlet duct connected to the first measurement chamber, and a second fluid outlet duct connected to the second measurement chamber. The fluidic module is designed such that, when the fluidic module is rotated about a center of rotation, a liquid is driven centrifugally via the first fluid inlet duct into the first measurement chamber and via the second fluid inlet duct into the second measurement chamber, such that the liquid driven into the first measurement chamber and the liquid driven into the second measurement chamber causes a compressible medium already present in the first measurement chamber and in the second measurement chamber to be compressed. The fluidic module is furthermore designed such that, when the rotational frequency is reduced, with resulting expansion of the compressible medium, the liquid present in the first measurement chamber is driven out of the first measurement chamber via the first fluid outlet duct and the liquid present in the second measurement chamber is driven out of the second measurement chamber via the second fluid outlet duct.