Diffusion-Bonded Multi-Channel Fluidics for Low-Dead-Volume LC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid chromatography systems face issues with unswept volumes, carryover, poor peak shape, leakage, and significant installation time due to numerous tubing connections and varying tube volumes caused by manufacturing tolerances, affecting chromatographic results and system contamination.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel fluidic device, such as a stator array, is fabricated using a diffusion bonding process to integrate internal fluid channels within a single block, eliminating the need for external tubing connections and reducing manufacturing tolerances, thereby improving volume accuracy and reducing contamination points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves are coupled with tubes to achieve desired fluidic path configuration, then fluidic flexibility is improved, but the number of connections increases leading to leakage, contamination, and installation time issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple valve bodies and their internal fluidic channels into a single monolithic structure fabricated from a block of material. This merging eliminates the need for external tube connections between valves, reducing the number of connection points while maintaining the ability to achieve various fluidic path configurations through the integrated design of internal channels and valve elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the fluidic system into distinct functional zones within the monolithic structure, with each valve having its own dedicated region and internal channel network. This segmentation allows each valve to operate independently with optimized fluidic paths while being part of an integrated assembly, reducing the need for inter-connecting tubes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tube connections are used to establish fluidic paths, then fluidic flexibility is improved, but the chance of leakage and system contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple valves and their fluidic paths into a single monolithic structure, the patent eliminates external tube connections that serve as potential leakage and contamination points. The integrated design ensures that fluidic paths are contained within the solid structure, improving reliability by removing interfaces where leaks could occur.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual installation of tubing is performed, then system assembly is completed, but significant installation time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple valve bodies and internal channels into a single pre-assembled monolithic structure. This eliminates the manual installation step of connecting multiple separate tubing components, as the fluidic paths are already formed within the integrated structure during manufacturing, significantly reducing installation time.
4Ease of manufacture
If tube inner diameter manufacturing tolerances are large, then tube fabrication is easier, but tube volume varies substantially affecting chromatographic results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tube connection system with a monolithic structure where fluidic channels are formed directly within the solid material. This substitution eliminates the need for separate tubing components with variable inner diameters, as the channels are precision-formed within the integrated structure, ensuring consistent fluidic path volumes while maintaining ease of manufacture through the single-piece construction.
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 solution enhances chromatographic performance by minimizing unswept volumes, reducing leakage, and achieving precise volume control, resulting in consistent chromatographic measurements across different sample channels.
Implementation Method 1
A multi-channel fluidic device, such as a stator array, is fabricated using a diffusion bonding process to integrate internal fluid channels within a single block
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Described is a multi-channel fluidic device that includes a diffusion-bonded body having a device surface and a plurality of fluid channels. Each fluid channel includes a channel segment defined in a plane that is parallel to the device surface and parallel to each of the planes of the other channel segments. The plane of each channel segment is at a depth below the device surface that is different from the depth below the device surface for the other planes. Each channel segment may have a volume equal to the volume of each of the other channel segments. One of the fluid channels may include a plurality of channel segments serially connected to each other and each defined in a plane that is different from the planes of the other channel segments.