Fluid Delivery Head Array for Reconfigurable Surface Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems require movement of the probe relative to the surface for fluid pattern application, limiting versatility and the number of patterns they can produce, and lack versatility in producing different fluid surface patterns.
Innovation Solution
A fluid delivery system with a fluid delivery head featuring a two-dimensional array of surface openings, including aspiration and injection openings, arranged in repeating patterns with symmetries, allowing for reconfigurable fluid surface patterns without the need for immersion fluids or co-planar surfaces, and enabling simultaneous application of multiple fluid phases with controlled hydrodynamic confinement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an open-space microfluidic delivery system with a probe head is used, then fluid can be delivered in a controlled manner, but the probe head must move relative to the surface to create fluid patterns, limiting versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The probe head is segmented into multiple independent surface openings (injection and aspiration openings) arranged in specific geometric patterns. Each opening can be independently controlled to inject or aspirate fluid, allowing the creation of complex fluid patterns without moving the probe head. This segmentation enables simultaneous multi-point fluid delivery across different locations on the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point sequential fluid delivery approach to a two-dimensional array of surface openings. By arranging injection and aspiration openings in geometric patterns (e.g., triangular, square, hexagonal lattices), the system can create fluid patterns in two dimensions simultaneously, eliminating the need for probe movement and greatly increasing pattern versatility.
2Device complexity
If a specific probe head configuration is used, then fluid delivery is simple, but the number of fluid surface patterns that can be produced is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The probe head is designed with a universal geometric lattice structure where surface openings can be dynamically configured to perform multiple functions. The same physical structure can generate different fluid patterns by varying which openings are active and their flow rates, allowing one probe head to replace multiple specialized probes for different pattern types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the state and flow rate of each surface opening independently. By changing the operational state (injection/aspiration/off) and flow rate of individual openings in real-time, the system can adapt the fluid pattern output without any physical reconfiguration of the probe head structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If immersion fluid and co-planar surfaces are used for hydrodynamic confinement, then fluid patterns can be formed, but the system requires additional fluids and precise surface alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the requirement for immersion fluid from the system. Instead of using immersion fluid between the probe head and surface to achieve hydrodynamic confinement, the system uses the geometric arrangement of injection and aspiration openings themselves to confine and direct fluid flow, simplifying the system requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric lattice structure of surface openings serves its own confinement function without requiring external immersion fluid. The alternating injection and aspiration openings create inherent flow directionality and confinement zones that guide fluid delivery directly onto the surface, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating additional fluid requirements.
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 system enables the creation of spatially controlled, reconfigurable, and predictable fluid surface patterns with minimal dead space, suitable for both wet and dry surfaces, and supports real-time adjustment of fluid parameters for precise fluid pattern generation.
Implementation Method 1
present methods and systems do not necessitate the use of an immersion fluid and/or a co-planar surface for producing hydrodynamic confinement
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of fluid delivery for providing a surface fluid pattern. The system includes a fluid delivery head for fluid flow therethrough. The fluid delivery head includes a fluid delivery surface having surface openings defined therein and arranged across the fluid delivery surface as a two-dimensional array. The surface openings include at least one aspiration opening through which fluid can be provided to the fluid delivery surface and at least one injection opening through which fluid can be moved away from the fluid delivery surface.