Fluidic Analyzer Cartridge Interface Sealing Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic analyzers face challenges in maintaining leak-free and reliable interfaces between instruments and disposable cartridges, which are crucial for chemical and biological analysis, often leading to inefficiencies and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of various interface mechanisms, including septums, needles, plungers, and pressure sources, that create fluid-tight seals and controlled flow pathways within the cartridges, allowing for precise fluid management and analysis while preventing leaks and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fluid interfaces are used between instrument and cartridge, then fluid transfer is enabled, but leaks and contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
A septum is introduced as an intermediary component between the needle and the cartridge flow channel. The needle pierces the septum to establish fluid communication, while the septum maintains the seal integrity of the cartridge opening. This mediator enables reliable fluid transfer without compromising the sealed environment of the cartridge.
2Ease of operation
If needles are used to pierce septums for fluid access, then fluid flow is enabled, but seal integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The septum is designed with resilient properties that provide a cushioning effect. When the needle is withdrawn, the septum material elastically deforms and reseals around the needle tract, preventing fluid leakage. This beforehand cushioning through material elasticity ensures seal integrity is restored after fluid access is complete.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If disposable cartridges are used for analysis, then contamination is reduced, but interface reliability becomes critical
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is designed as a disposable single-use component that is discarded after one analysis run. This eliminates cross-contamination between samples and removes the need for cleaning or sterilization. The interface components (septum, flow channels) are integrated into this disposable cartridge, ensuring that any potential contamination sources are discarded with the cartridge.
4Reliability
If complex interface mechanisms are implemented to prevent leaks, then seal reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The septum is constructed from flexible elastomeric material that forms a thin film barrier. This flexible membrane can be easily pierced by the needle and subsequently reseals through elastic recovery. The simplicity of this thin film approach achieves reliable sealing without requiring complex mechanical interlocks or multiple sealing components.
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
These mechanisms ensure leak-free and reliable fluid interactions, enabling accurate and controlled fluid flow, which enhances the efficiency and reliability of chemical and biological analyses, reducing contamination risks and improving the overall performance of fluidic analyzers.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient and/or flexible membrane may be disposed in or over the opening and secured to at least a portion of the cartridge via a fluid tight seal
Implementation Method 2
The instrument may have a plunger that is in registration with the resilient and/or flexible membrane of the cartridge when the cartridge is received by the instrument. The instrument may further have a moving mechanism that moves at least an end of the plunger into engagement with the resilient and/or flexible membrane of the cartridge so as to deform the resilient and/or flexible membrane
Implementation Method 3
The instrument may have a pressure source that is at least selectively in fluid communication with a nozzle. The pressure source may be any type of pressure source that produces either positive or negative pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Instrument-cartridge interfaces for fluidic analyzers that have an instrument and a removable cartridge are disclosed. For example, and in one illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a needle that is adapted to penetrate a septum on a removable cartridge. In another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a plunger that is adapted to deform a deformable membrane on a removable cartridge. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a nozzle that is adapted to mate and seal with a flow channel on a removable cartridge. Techniques for detecting the flow rate in a flow channel on a removable cartridge, as well as the position of fluid in a flow channel of a removable cartridge, are also disclosed.