Deformable Chamber Fluidic System for Manual Liquid Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic systems for lab-on-a-chip applications require external pumps and complex handling steps, leading to risks of leakage, contamination, and time delays, and lack simplicity for manual operation without additional aids.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic system with a structured component featuring a chamber and channel system, sealed with a flexible or movable portion that allows manual fluid intake, discharge, and movement without external pumps, incorporating features like capillary stopping valves and reagent reservoirs for precise volume control and mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external pumps are used to manipulate fluids in lab-on-a-chip systems, then fluid intake and discharge functions are achieved, but the system requires additional fluidic interfaces and control devices, increasing complexity and risk of leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pump function directly into the chip structure by forming a deformable chamber within the substrate. The chamber's flexible bottom allows direct fluid manipulation without external pumps or fluidic interfaces, merging the pumping function into the chip itself and eliminating separate control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the pump function from external devices and embeds it within the chip substrate. By creating a deformable chamber with a flexible bottom that can be actuated from the rear side of the substrate, the patent removes the need for external pumps and their associated fluidic interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If external pumps with fluidic interfaces are connected to the fluidic system, then fluid manipulation is enabled, but the risk of leakage and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the pump function directly into the chip substrate through a deformable chamber, the invention eliminates external fluidic interfaces that could leak or contaminate the fluid path. The flexible bottom of the chamber provides a sealed, internal mechanism for fluid manipulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple handling steps are performed manually or with large automats, then fluid processing functions are achieved, but the number of steps and equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable chamber serves multiple functions: fluid intake, fluid discharge, mixing, and transport. By integrating these functions into a single chip structure with a flexible bottom, the invention reduces the number of separate handling steps and equipment needed while maintaining versatile fluid processing capabilities.
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 manual handling of fluids within the system, reducing the need for external aids and minimizing risks of leakage and contamination, while allowing multiple intakes and discharges with defined volume control.
Implementation Method 1
By moving the flexible or movable portion 6, fluids or gases can be taken in or discharged through the fluidic interface 5 and/or moved in the fluidic system
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic system includes a chamber with movable elements. The chamber is connected to a channel. The system contains at least one structured component and at least one element affixed thereto and at least one fluidic interface which can be closed by means of a cap or valve. Fluids or gases can be moved via one or more channels, and moreover can be dispensed from or taken into the system, by moving the movable element both into and out of the chamber. There is provided an additional element (filters, membranes, frits or similar elements) or integrated reagents which can be arranged in the form of an array of identical or different reagents.