Fluidic Interface Compression Applicator for Leak-Tight Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic and nano-liquid chromatography systems face significant challenges in making reliable, leak-tight fluidic connections, which are often dependent on user skill and prone to issues like leakage, clogging, and high complexity, limiting their application in real-world diagnostics and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A system for making fluidic connections using a base, a tube, a compressible material, and a moveable compression applicator that creates a direct leak-resistant seal between the tube and a fluid receiving device, allowing for controlled compression to ensure a secure and reliable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluidic connection methods are used, then user skill and expertise are required to make reliable connections, but this increases the complexity and difficulty of operation
Solution Approach 1:
A compression applicator with a constraining feature acts as an intermediary tool to facilitate the connection process. The applicator compresses the tubing against the receiver port while the constraining feature prevents over-compression and misalignment, making the connection process reliable yet simple to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the compression parameter by limiting the maximum compression force through the constraining feature. This ensures consistent, reliable connections while preventing damage from excessive compression, thereby improving both reliability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If conventional fluidic connection methods are used, then connections are prone to leakage and clogging, but this worsens the reliability of the system
Solution Approach 1:
The compression applicator with constraining feature serves as a mediator that ensures proper compression force is applied to create leak-tight seals. The constraining feature guarantees consistent compression parameters, preventing both insufficient sealing (leakage) and excessive force (clogging).
3Manufacturing precision
If complex connection procedures are used, then more precise control can be achieved, but this increases the device complexity and user skill requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The constraining feature on the compression applicator acts as a mechanical intermediary that enforces precise connection parameters. It provides physical limits for compression depth and force, ensuring manufacturing precision without requiring complex control systems or high user skill.
4Reliability
If high compression force is applied to ensure leak-tight connections, then seal quality improves, but this increases the risk of clogging and damage to the tube
Solution Approach 1:
The constraining feature establishes an optimal compression parameter range by physically limiting the maximum compression force. This ensures sufficient force for leak-tight seals while preventing excessive force that would cause tube damage or clogging, thereby resolving the contradiction between seal quality and tube integrity.
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 robust and reliable method for creating leak-tight fluidic connections, reducing the complexity and user skill requirements, and enhancing the performance and reliability of microfluidic and nano-liquid chromatography systems by minimizing dead volumes and preventing leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a moveable compression applicator mountable to the base, the moveable compression applicator capable of exerting a force on the first end of the compressible material
Implementation Method 2
a compressible material having a first end and a second end and surrounding the tube adjacent the first end of the tube
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides for fluidic connections to be established between tubes, ports, fluidic components and fluidic devices. The leak-tight connections are formed through controlled, compressive forces and can be used for both low and high pressure applications.