Disposable Microfluidic Cartridge for Sterile Nanoparticle Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic mixer systems require laborious setup and risk cross-contamination due to reusable metal housings, and lack simplified sterile access, making them inefficient for small-scale nanoparticle production.
Innovation Solution
A disposable microfluidic cartridge with integrated microfluidic structure and fittings, providing a sterile, pre-sterilized platform for mixing solutions, reducing assembly complexity and minimizing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If reusable metal housing systems are used, then device durability is improved, but assembly complexity and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable microfluidic cartridges that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex assembly and disassembly of reusable metal components. Each cartridge is pre-assembled with integrated microfluidic channels and mixing elements, providing durability for its intended lifespan while avoiding the contamination risks associated with reusable systems.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If reusable metal housing systems are used, then device durability is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Single-use disposable cartridges eliminate cross-contamination between experiments since each cartridge is used only once and then discarded. The cartridges are designed to be sterilizable or supplied in sterile packaging, ensuring no contamination risk while maintaining sufficient durability for the duration of a single experiment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the microfluidic device into separate disposable cartridges that can be independently sterilized or packaged in sterile conditions. This segmentation allows each cartridge to be treated as an isolated sterile unit, preventing contamination between different experimental runs while the cartridges themselves maintain adequate durability.
3Ease of manufacture
If integrated microfluidic structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple microfluidic functions (fluid transport, mixing, and reaction zones) into a single monolithic cartridge structure. This merging of functions into one integrated component simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need to assemble multiple separate parts, while the internal complexity of the microfluidic channels is managed through injection molding or similar single-step fabrication processes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed towards a disposable microfluidic cartridge configured for use in a system for the small scale production of nanoparticles used in scientific research or therapeutic applications. The system can be used to produce a wide variety of nanoparticles, including but not limited to lipid and polymer nanoparticles, carrying a variety of payloads. The system provides for a simple workflow which in certain embodiments can be used to produce a sterile product.