Hybrid Mobile Microfluidic Tip Cleaning and Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microfluidic systems face challenges such as high consumable costs, complexity, and risk of cross-contamination, particularly due to the need for extensive consumable materials and uncertainty in gas/liquid interface positioning during chemical and biological processes.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid mobile microfluidic system incorporating a motorized traverse, flow controller, tip-mount traverse, and tip with motion past an influencer, which can include a non-uniform magnetic field, absorbent material, or thermal interface, to minimize consumable materials and enhance process control, while also incorporating tip cleaning and normalization methods to prevent cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional microfluidic systems use extensive consumable materials, then process reliability is improved, but consumable costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the consumable microfluidic chip from the system and replaces it with a reusable head that performs the same functions. The head contains all necessary components (valves, pumps, sensors) and can be sterilized and reused, eliminating the need for expensive consumable chips while maintaining process reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable head is designed to perform multiple functions that were previously distributed across multiple consumable chips. It integrates sample processing, analysis, and data collection in a single universal platform, reducing consumable requirements while maintaining comprehensive process capability.
2Reliability
If conventional systems use extensive consumable materials, then process reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple previously separate consumable components into a single integrated reusable head. This head combines valves, pumps, sensors, and sample handling mechanisms that would otherwise require multiple separate chips and devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If tip cleaning and normalization methods are implemented, then cross-contamination is prevented, but device complexity and operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs tip cleaning and normalization actions automatically between samples before contamination can occur. The cleaning mechanism is activated as part of the automated workflow, preparing the tip for the next sample without requiring manual intervention or adding significant complexity to the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning and normalization process is integrated into the automated tip handling system, where the tip itself is cleaned and normalized through automated mechanisms. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual cleaning operations and minimizes system complexity by incorporating cleaning functions within the existing automated workflow.
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 reduces consumable costs, simplifies process control, and minimizes cross-contamination risks by utilizing a hybrid approach that integrates mechanical and fluidic motions with advanced tip handling and cleaning mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the influencer is a non-uniform magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
the influencer is an absorbent material
Implementation Method 3
the influencer is a thermal interface material in communication with a thermal source
Implementation Method 4
The thermal source may be a Peltier module
Implementation Method 5
a vibration damping element that acts on a surface region of a tip inserted into the eccentric hole
Data Source
AI summary
An objective according to some embodiments is to minimize the consumable materials needed to conduct a chemical or biological process. An objective according to other embodiments is to take full advantage of capabilities offered by a motion stage. An apparatus may include a motorized traverse, a flow controller, a tip-mount traverse, and a tip, and may also include a motion of a tip past an influencer or a motion past an actuatee. An apparatus may include a floss, a floss-advancing reel, a floss wetter, and a tip cleaning region. An apparatus may include a motor, a rotor having an eccentric bearing hole and taper that leads to the bearing hole, and a vibration damping element that acts on a surface region of a tip inserted into the eccentric hole.