Flow Cell Carrier Element for Hermetic Reservoir Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microfluidic flow cells face limitations in storing and handling small volumes of liquid reagents due to the need for complex venting channels and potential reagent contamination from welding or adhesive fumes during sealing.

Innovation Solution

A flow cell design where a carrier element with a vessel or capillary structure is introduced into the flow cell, allowing for hermetic sealing of a reservoir region without complex venting channels, and can be connected via force or form closure, avoiding reagent contamination during sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex venting channels are used for filling and venting storage spaces, then hermetic sealing can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehermetic sealingVSAvoidcomplexity of venting channels

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the venting function from the storage space design by introducing a separate carrier element that performs both filling and venting operations. The carrier element is inserted through an opening in the flow cell substrate, eliminating the need for complex integrated venting channels while achieving hermetic sealing through the carrier element's design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier element acts as an intermediary component between the external filling system and the storage space. It provides a temporary access path for reagent introduction and venting, then seals the opening hermetically after filling, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If welding or bonding is used to seal storage spaces, then hermetic sealing is achieved, but reagent impairment occurs due to welding heat or adhesive fumes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehermetic sealingVSAvoidreagent impairment from welding heat or adhesive fumes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier element is designed as a disposable component that is inserted, used for filling and venting, and then discarded after sealing. This eliminates the need for permanent welding or bonding structures that could contaminate reagents, as the carrier element itself becomes the seal rather than requiring separate sealing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is extracted from the storage space construction process and transferred to the carrier element. The carrier element provides the seal through its insertion and sealing mechanism rather than requiring welding or bonding of the storage space itself, thereby avoiding reagent exposure to harmful sealing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If blisters with predetermined breaking point barriers are used for reagent storage, then protection against accidental squeezing is achieved, but holding capacity cannot be reduced or enlarged as desired and lower limit is around 50 microliters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against accidental squeezingVSAvoidflexibility of holding capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the reagent storage system into a reusable flow cell with opening and a replaceable carrier element. This allows different carrier elements with various holding capacities to be used with the same flow cell, providing adaptability while maintaining the protective sealing mechanism of the flow cell structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from fixed-capacity blisters to a dynamic system where the carrier element can be removed and replaced with different capacities as needed. The flow cell structure remains static and protective, while the carrier element provides the variable capacity requirement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 the storage and handling of small reagent volumes (1-100 microliters) with reduced production complexity and minimizes reagent impairment, allowing for long-term storage and precise measurement while avoiding the need for complex sealing processes.

Implementation Method 1

has a vessel and/or capillary structure holding the liquid reagent on the carrier element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the reservoir region within the flow cell is hermetically closed off against inner cavities of the flow cell by at least one predetermined breaking point barrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHermetic sealing:

Data Source

PatentUS11426725B2Flow cell having a reagent reservoir

Publication Date: 2022.08.30 THINXXS MICROTECHNOLOGY AG

AI summary

A flow cell having at least one reservoir region containing a liquid reagent. The reservoir region is delimited by a carrier element introduced into an opening in the flow cell together with the reagent, wherein the carrier element seals off the reservoir region from the outside in a fluid-tight manner, and has a vessel and/or capillary structure holding the liquid reagent on the carrier element.