Centrifugal Microfluidic Disk Continuous Fluidic Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal microfluidic devices are limited in handling large volumes due to non-continuous fluidic input, restricting their commercial success and application in biological and medical fields.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal microfluidic disk with a sample inlet, separation chamber, settling chamber, collection chamber, and waste outlet, connected through flow channels and a junction, allowing for continuous fluidic input and processing of large volumes, utilizing a density gradient to separate and collect cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If non-continuous fluidic input is used in centrifugal microfluidic devices, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and handling capability for large volumes are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluidic input designVSAvoidsample processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous fluidic input through a reservoir that continuously feeds sample into the centrifugal microfluidic device during rotation. This continuous supply mechanism eliminates the interruptions inherent in non-continuous input methods, enabling sustained processing of large volumes of samples while maintaining high productivity without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If centrifugal microfluidic devices are designed for continuous fluidic input, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample processing capabilityVSAvoidfluidic input design

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir component serves multiple functions: it stores the sample, provides continuous fluidic input during device rotation, and can be configured to work with various sample volumes. This multi-functional design enables continuous processing capability while avoiding the need for separate complex components for each function, thus improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 efficient separation and collection of rare cells from large biological samples, such as whole blood, with high recovery rates up to 90%, facilitating automated processing and multi-marker labeling.

Implementation Method 1

spinning the microfluidic disk to drive the fluidic sample flowing radially outward into the separation chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

separating and collecting cells in the centrifugal microfluidic disk by using the density gradient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity gradient: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9433947B2Centrifugal microfluidic disk and processing method using the same

Publication Date: 2016.09.06 NAT TAIWAN UNIV

AI summary

This invention provides a centrifugal microfluidic disk and methods for separating targets or cells and collecting the targets or cells in the centrifugal microfluidic disk by using the density gradient.