Electromagnetic Micro-Pumps for Portable Organ-on-Chip Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-organ microphysiological systems (MPS) face challenges with robustness, long-term reliability, and compatibility due to poor hardware design, leading to issues with fluid directionality, media depletion, and the need for complex setup processes, especially in sterile environments, and lack of portable and low-power pumping solutions.
Innovation Solution
Development of on-platform electromagnetic (EM) pumps with low energy consumption and injection-molded, single-use platforms integrated with EM actuators, which provide constant flowrate and valve sealing against varying back-pressure, and scalable designs for EM actuators suitable for meso- or micro-scale use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional pneumatic diaphragm micro-pumps are used in multi-organ MPS platforms, then fluid pumping capability is achieved, but device complexity and setup effort increase significantly due to multiple pneumatic connections and clamping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pneumatic control system from the pump structure itself, making pneumatic connections external rather than integrated. This allows the pump hardware to be simpler while maintaining pumping capability through externally applied pressure differentials, reducing the number of internal pneumatic connections and clamping points.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump design uses a universal diaphragm structure that can be actuated by external pneumatic pressure from a centralized control system. This multi-functional approach allows the same pump hardware to work with different pneumatic control configurations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If removable inserts are used in multi-MPS devices to support certain tissue cultures, then culture compatibility is improved, but fluid flow control and perfusion support become difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing inserts with specific local features (such as localized perfusion channels or attachment points) that provide culture compatibility where needed, while the overall pump structure maintains reliable fluid flow control through its diaphragm actuation mechanism. Different regions of the system have different properties optimized for their specific functions.
3Power
If external pressure and vacuum sources are used to operate pneumatic diaphragm micro-pumps, then pumping function is achieved, but portability and power consumption become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pneumatic system (requiring external pressure/vacuum sources) with an electromagnetic actuation system. The electromagnetic pump uses electrical energy to directly actuate the diaphragm, eliminating the need for external pneumatic infrastructure and improving portability while maintaining pumping capability.
4Ease of operation
If complex hardware designs are used to achieve robust fluid directionality and recirculation control, then fluid flow control is improved, but robustness and long-term reliability decrease due to more failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm pump operates through periodic actuation cycles, creating predictable periodic fluid flow patterns. This periodic action naturally establishes fluid directionality through the rhythmic pumping motion, eliminating the need for complex continuous control mechanisms and reducing failure points while maintaining reliable fluid directionality control.
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 EM pumps simplify setup and assembly, reduce user effort, and enhance the reliability and compatibility of MPS systems by providing efficient and sterile fluid management, enabling better study of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes.
Implementation Method 1
The pump may include a diaphragm in the pump chamber and at least one electromagnetic actuator positioned below the pump chamber and in communication with the diaphragm. The actuator may be actuated to pump fluid through the pump chamber.
Implementation Method 2
The pump may include a diaphragm in the pump chamber and at least one electromagnetic actuator positioned below the pump chamber and in communication with the diaphragm. The actuator may be actuated to pump fluid through the pump chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
On-platform pumps provide greater flexibility and design freedom and are a key feature of organs-on-chip platforms. On-platform electromagnetic (EM) pumps have been developed for use with the organ-on-chip platforms. The EM pump uses electrical energy, which may be supplied by a battery, making the pump portable. The EM pump uses an EM actuator having a low energy consumption. The actuator's low energy consumption is achieved by a latching design which requires only a short pulse of energy to switch its state and where springs store some of the actuator kinetic energy, which is then recovered in the reverse stroke. This further reduces the energy consumption of the actuator. Also provided are injection-molded, single-use platforms with onboard diaphragm micro-pumps and various valve and pump geometries. The EM actuators easily integrate with these platforms, demonstrating pumping at a constant flowrate, no measurable temperature rise, and valve sealing against varying back-pressure.