Floating Flowcell Cartridge Sealing for Reusable Microfluidic Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic flowcells are difficult to decontaminate after sample analysis, leading to frequent replacement and increased costs, as access to the flow channels is challenging, necessitating a more efficient design for easy maintenance and alignment with analysis devices.
Innovation Solution
A flowcell cartridge design featuring a floating microfluidic plate and support brackets with indexing features and gaskets that allow for precise alignment and sealing with the analysis device, preventing rolling of seals and ensuring a liquid-tight connection, while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a traditional fixed flowcell design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flowcell cannot be easily decontaminated and must be frequently replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The flowcell is divided into separable components: a microfluidic plate with flow channels, a support bracket, and a frame. This segmentation allows the microfluidic plate to be removed and replaced independently for decontamination while retaining the support structure, resolving the contradiction between ease of decontamination and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket is designed to float relative to both the microfluidic plate and the frame, creating a dynamic, movable connection rather than a fixed rigid structure. This floating mechanism enables easy removal and reinstallation of the microfluidic plate for decontamination purposes.
2Ease of operation
If the flowcell is designed for easy replacement, then decontamination becomes feasible, but alignment precision with the analysis device may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Indexing features (protrusions and recesses) are pre-formed on the support bracket and microfluidic plate during manufacturing. These pre-configured mechanical guides ensure that when the components are assembled, they automatically align with each other and with corresponding features on the analysis device, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket acts as an intermediary component between the microfluidic plate and the frame. It provides a stable mounting interface with indexing features that ensure precise positioning, while still allowing the microfluidic plate to be easily removed and reinstalled through the floating connection mechanism.
3Reliability
If a secure sealing mechanism is implemented, then liquid-tight connection is achieved, but the complexity of assembly and disassembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible gasket with an O-ring seal is used to create the liquid-tight connection between the support bracket and the microfluidic plate. The flexible nature of the gasket allows it to deform during assembly to ensure proper sealing, while still permitting relatively easy disassembly by overcoming the sealing force, thus achieving reliable sealing without excessive assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex mechanical fasteners or welded connections to achieve sealing, the design uses a simple gasket that relies on elastic deformation and compression to create the seal. This inverts the approach from rigid mechanical sealing to flexible elastic sealing, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the flowcell is made as a laminated stack, then manufacturing is simplified, but access to flow channels for decontamination becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The laminated stack structure is segmented into a microfluidic plate (containing the flow channels) and a separate support bracket assembly. This segmentation allows the microfluidic plate to be independently removed from the stack, providing direct access to the flow channels for decontamination while maintaining the manufacturing simplicity of the laminated construction method.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge for use with chemical or biological analysis systems, as well as methods of using the same, is provided. The cartridge may include a floating microfluidic plate that is held in the cartridge using one or more floating support brackets that incorporate gaskets that may seal against fluidic ports on the microfluidic plate. The floating support brackets may include indexing features that may align the microfluidic plate with the seals.