Floating Seal Bracket Flowcell Cartridge for Leak-Tight Alignment
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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 cartridge-based approach for easy replacement.
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 the microfluidic plate to float within the frame, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cartridge-based approach is used to facilitate easy replacement of flowcells, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flowcell system is divided into separate modular components: a reusable frame and a disposable cartridge containing the microfluidic plate and seals. This segmentation allows the complex sealing and alignment mechanisms to be pre-assembled in the cartridge, simplifying replacement operations while containing complexity in the modular unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed as a disposable component that is replaced rather than decontaminated. This eliminates the need for complex decontamination procedures and ensures reliable sealing performance, as each new cartridge provides fresh seals and alignment features without wear or contamination from previous use.
2Ease of manufacture
If the microfluidic plate is allowed to float within the frame, then ease of assembly is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The floating microfluidic plate design allows the component to self-align within the frame through its own weight and the geometry of the support brackets. The indexing features on the brackets engage with corresponding features on the plate, automatically establishing precise alignment without requiring external alignment tools or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The support brackets are designed with specific geometric parameters including angled surfaces and indexing features that guide the microfluidic plate into its correct position. By carefully designing these geometric parameters, the system achieves precise alignment through the floating mechanism itself, converting a potential precision problem into a self-aligning feature.
3Manufacturing precision
If indexing features are added to support brackets for precise alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing features are integrated directly into the support brackets as part of their structural design, rather than being separate alignment components. This merging of alignment functionality into the load-bearing support structure provides precise alignment without adding separate complex alignment mechanisms, maintaining structural efficiency while achieving positioning accuracy.
4Reliability
If gaskets with seals are used to prevent leakage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Gaskets with integrated seals are used to create flexible sealing solutions that conform to the mating surfaces of the frame and cartridge. The gaskets incorporate sealing elements that deform under compression to fill surface irregularities and create reliable fluid-tight seals, providing high sealing quality through the compliance of the flexible material rather than through precision rigid fitting.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge for use with chemical or biological analysis systems 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.