Fluidic Card Serpentine Microfluidic Channel Biochip Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biochip assays in fluid baths require large volumes of fluid, leading to energy inefficiency and contamination risks, especially when handling infectious samples.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic card assembly with a serpentine microfluidic channel and a seal that integrates a biochip, allowing for controlled fluid delivery directly onto the biochip surface, reducing fluid volume and minimizing contamination risks through a sealed chamber design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If large volumes of fluid are used to immerse the biochip in open containers, then the biochip is easily accessible by pipette and reactions can proceed, but energy consumption increases and contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fluid environment into discrete microfluidic channels that deliver fluid precisely where needed on the biochip surface, rather than immersing the entire biochip in large volumes of fluid. This segmentation allows targeted fluid delivery to specific reaction zones while minimizing overall fluid volume and energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microfluidic channels as intermediary structures between the fluid reservoir and the biochip surface. These channels act as mediators that transport and deposit fluid directly onto the biochip in controlled amounts, eliminating the need for large immersion volumes while maintaining operational accessibility.
2Reliability
If large volumes of fluid are used to immerse the biochip, then reactions can proceed adequately, but heating and agitation require relatively large amounts of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid delivery into segmented microfluidic channels that target specific reaction zones, allowing heating and agitation energy to be concentrated only where reactions occur rather than being distributed across large fluid volumes, thereby maintaining reaction effectiveness while reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by delivering fluid and applying thermal energy locally at the biochip surface through microfluidic channels, rather than uniformly across large fluid volumes. This localized approach maintains adequate reaction conditions at the biochip interface while minimizing overall energy requirements.
3Ease of operation
If open-topped containers are used for fluid baths, then biochip access is easy, but the biochip is susceptible to contamination and hazardous to user health
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic channels serve as intermediary structures that enable fluid delivery to the biochip while forming a closed system. This intermediary architecture allows operational access to the biochip through the channel interfaces while the enclosed channel structure prevents contamination and contains hazardous vapors, eliminating the exposure risks associated with open containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sealed microfluidic channel structures that act as flexible barriers between the fluid reservoir and the external environment. These sealed channels provide a physical barrier that prevents contamination of the biochip and contains hazardous substances, while still allowing controlled fluid delivery and biochip access through the channel interfaces.
4Ease of operation
If microfluidic channels with serpentine form are used, then controlled fluid delivery is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs serpentine (curved) microfluidic channels instead of straight channels to achieve controlled fluid delivery across the biochip surface. The curved serpentine path increases the fluid travel distance and contact time with the biochip surface, improving delivery control and reaction efficiency, while the curved geometry can be integrated into compact device layouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The serpentine channel design utilizes two-dimensional routing within the microfluidic plane to achieve extended fluid paths and improved control. By routing channels in serpentine patterns across the device surface, the system achieves enhanced fluid delivery control without requiring additional vertical layers or complex three-dimensional structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic card assembly comprising a fluidic card housing (1) and a biochip (3) located in the fluidic card housing. The fluidic card housing (1) includes a chamber (2) with a base wall, into which at least one fluidic channel extends. The biochip (3) is at least partially located in the chamber. A seal (7) is provided for sealing the biochip in the chamber (2) when the biochip is urged into the chamber. The fluidic channel has a serpentine form.