Compliant Microfluidic Disk for Thermal Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic sample processing technologies face challenges in achieving uniform temperature control and rapid thermal cycling across multiple chambers, leading to inaccurate results and prolonged processing times, especially in reactions like PCR, due to high thermal mass and low thermal conductivity of traditional equipment.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic sample processing disk with a compliant annular processing ring and viscoelastic pressure-sensitive adhesive covers that conform to thermal transfer surfaces, allowing for flexible thermal management and improved thermal conductivity, ensuring precise temperature control and rapid transitions between temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional thermal cycling equipment with high thermal mass is used, then temperature stability is improved, but temperature transition rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sample processing system into multiple independent chambers that can be thermally processed separately or in groups. This segmentation allows different thermal regimes to be applied to different chambers simultaneously, enabling rapid temperature transitions for some chambers while maintaining stability in others, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature stability and transition rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic thermal control where the thermal processing conditions are actively adjusted during the reaction process. The system can rapidly change temperatures between chambers or within chambers based on real-time requirements, enabling fast temperature transitions while maintaining overall thermal stability through active control mechanisms.
2Productivity
If multiple chambers are used for parallel processing, then productivity is improved, but temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each chamber to have independent or group-specific thermal control parameters. Different chambers can be optimized for their specific reactions with tailored temperature profiles, while the system as a whole maintains uniformity through coordinated control. This enables parallel processing of multiple samples with different thermal requirements while maintaining overall temperature uniformity across the device.
3Loss of time
If rapid temperature transitions are implemented, then processing time is reduced, but temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal processing into controlled phases that can be applied to different chambers at different rates. During rapid temperature transitions, the system can apply different heating or cooling rates to different chambers based on their specific requirements, maintaining temperature uniformity even during fast transitions by coordinating the thermal response across all chambers.
4Measurement precision
If individual sample processing is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processing system into multiple independent chambers that function as separate processing units. Each chamber can process a single sample with high precision and control, while the overall system achieves high productivity by operating multiple chambers in parallel. This segmentation allows individual sample processing accuracy to be maintained while multiplying the total processing capacity through simultaneous operation of multiple chambers.
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 design enhances temperature uniformity and transition rates across chambers, reducing processing time and costs by improving thermal conductivity and flexibility, while maintaining fluidic integrity and preventing sample loss.
Implementation Method 1
viscoelastic pressure-sensitive adhesive covers that conform to thermal transfer surfaces
Implementation Method 2
improved thermal conductivity, ensuring precise temperature control
Data Source
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AI summary
Microfluidic sample processing disks with a plurality of fluid structures formed therein are disclosed. Each of the fluid structures preferably includes an input well (20) and one or more process chambers (30) connected to the input well (20) by one or more delivery channels (42, 44, 46). The process chambers (30) may be arranged in a compliant annular processing ring that is adapted to conform to the shape of an underlying thermal transfer surface under pressure. That compliance may be delivered in the disks of the present invention by locating the process chambers in an annular processing ring in which a majority of the volume is occupied by the process chambers. Compliance within the annular processing ring may alternatively be provided by a composite structure within the annular processing ring that includes covers attached to a body using pressure sensitive adhesive.