Fluid Analysis Module With Elastic Membrane Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid analysis modules are complex, costly, and often designed as disposable items to prevent cross-contamination, especially in medical biological applications, due to their miniaturized integration of multiple functional components.
Innovation Solution
A fluid analysis module with a modular housing containing integrated fluid sensors, reservoirs, and mechanical fluid control elements, such as flow valves and feed pumps, operated by local deformation of an elastic membrane-like partition, without electronic components, allowing for mechanical control and fluid management without electronic contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multiple functional components are miniaturized and integrated into a compact fluid analysis module, then the device size and integration level are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid analysis module is divided into distinct functional areas: a sensor area with sensor plates, a fluid management area with reservoirs and channels, and a control area with actuators. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall compactness, resolving the contradiction between small size and manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic membrane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a seal between fluid chambers, a diaphragm for actuating valves and pumps, and a mechanical coupling element between the actuator and fluid control elements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, achieving compact integration without proportionally increasing complexity
2Volume of moving object
If multiple functional components are miniaturized and integrated into a compact fluid analysis module, then the device size and integration level are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve and pump control mechanisms are merged into a single elastic membrane structure that can be actuated by a common actuator. This consolidation reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps and assembly operations, lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining compact device size
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic membrane is manufactured as a thin film structure that can be produced using cost-effective techniques such as molding or lamination. This approach is more economical than manufacturing rigid, precision-machined components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while achieving the required compact form factor
3Ease of operation
If electronic components are used in the fluid analysis module, then the control precision and functionality are improved, but the risk of electronic contamination in biological samples increases
Solution Approach 1:
Electronic control signals are replaced with mechanical actuation through a magnetically coupled transmission system. The actuator uses magnetic fields to deform the elastic membrane, which mechanically controls the valves and pumps without electronic components contacting the fluid path, thereby eliminating electronic contamination risk while maintaining precise control
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic membrane serves as an intermediary between the magnetic actuator and the fluid control elements. It transmits mechanical deformation from the actuator to the valves and pumps without requiring direct physical contact or electronic connections to the fluid, thus preventing electronic contamination while enabling precise 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 solution provides a cost-effective, easily disposable, and minimally complex fluid analysis system suitable for biological fluid analysis, ensuring effective fluid management and sensor calibration without electronic components, making it suitable for biological samples like blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine.
Implementation Method 1
exclusively by local mechanical deformation of the partition wall
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid analysis module that comprises the following components and, in particular, is suitable for blood analysis: a module housing with a fluid inlet port; at least one fluid sensor that is integrated within the module housing and comprises a sensor surface that is able to be brought into a fluidic connection with the fluid inlet port; a chamber integrated within the module housing, said chamber being able to be brought into a fluidic connection with the sensor surface of the at least one fluid sensor; at least one first liquid reservoir attached within the chamber, said liquid reservoir being able to be brought into a fluidic connection with the sensor surface of the at least one fluid sensor; and at least one module housing surface, on which an elastic, fluid-tight separating wall that is embodied in membrane-like fashion is attached, at least in portions, under which separating wall at least one fluidic functional element in the style of a flow valve and at least one fluidic functional element in the style of a delivery pump are attached and embodied in such a way that the fluidic functional elements are operable in at least one of the following ways only by way of local mechanical deformation of the separating wall: a) only delivering fluid from the fluid inlet port into the chamber via the sensor surface and b) only delivering a liquid housed in the liquid reservoir from the liquid reservoir into the chamber via the sensor surface.