High-Pressure Pneumatic Syringe Pump Without Bulky Pressure Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peristaltic and traditional syringe pumps are inadequate for high-pressure applications required in microfluidic chips, necessitating the use of bulky pressure chambers that limit the volume of fluid that can be processed.
Innovation Solution
A high-pressure pneumatic syringe pump system with a syringe clamp mechanism that secures the syringe against unintended movements, allowing operation at pressures up to 100 psi without a pressure chamber, enabling high-pressure fluid processing without volume constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If traditional syringe pumps or peristaltic pumps are used to drive microfluidic chips, then the pumps can operate at relatively low pressure, but they cannot achieve the relatively high pressure (up to 50-100 psi) required for microfluidic applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic pressure applied to the plunger of a syringe to achieve high-pressure fluid delivery (up to 100 psi) through microfluidic chips. This pneumatic mechanism replaces traditional mechanical pumping systems, enabling the required pressure levels while maintaining reliable fluid transport through the microchannels.
2Stress or pressure
If a pressure chamber is used with peristaltic pumps or traditional syringe pumps to achieve high pressure, then the required pressure can be reached, but the volume of source material that can be treated is limited by the chamber size
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the pressure chamber component from the system by using a syringe-based pneumatic pump that generates high pressure directly. This removal of the chamber constraint allows for treatment of larger fluid volumes (e.g., 200 ml or more) without being limited by chamber capacity, while still achieving the required 50-100 psi pressure levels.
3Stress or pressure
If a pressure chamber is used to achieve high pressure for treating fluid, then the required pressure can be achieved, but the system becomes bulky and less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber is extracted from the system and replaced with a compact syringe-pneumatic mechanism. This eliminates the bulky chamber component while maintaining the ability to generate high pressure (50-100 psi), resulting in a much more compact and space-efficient system design suitable for various microfluidic applications.
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 high-pressure fluid processing in a compact form factor, allowing repeated loading and unloading of fluid volumes, and accurate dispensing at both positive and negative pressures, facilitating efficient separation of blood components in microfluidic chips.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing element on a sealing surface... configured to apply a clamping force to the top face of the syringe to form a seal against the top face with the sealing element
Implementation Method 2
a holding section connected to the sealing section with a second hinge... Movement of the holding section to the latched condition causes movement of the syringe clamp to the clamped condition by applying a closing force to the sealing section through the second hinge
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid processing system includes a syringe having a barrel and a plunger configured for movement within the barrel, a housing, a syringe support arranged on the housing configured to support the syringe, and a syringe clamp connected to the housing and configured to clamp the syringe to the syringe support. The syringe clamp is connected to the housing and includes a sealing section for sealing against the syringe and a holding section for latching the syringe clamp in a clamped condition. The sealing section is configured to apply a clamping force to a top face of the syringe to form a seal. The holding section includes a clamping surface configured to engage a clamp bearing surface of the syringe support to secure the syringe clamp in the clamped condition.