Insertable Centrifuge Cassette Valves for Hot Plate Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The incorporation of wax elements into valves during the manufacture of centrifuge cassettes limits manufacturing methods, as wax elements deform or are compromised under the heat and pressure of hot plate welding, making it incompatible with this efficient manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
The development of Normally Open Valves (NOVs) and Normally Closed Valves (NCVs) with molded interference seal members, valve seal posts, and valve ribs, which can be inserted into fluidic channels after the cassette halves have been joined via hot plate welding, ensuring compatibility with the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wax elements are incorporated into valves during cassette manufacture, then valve functionality is achieved, but hot plate welding cannot be used due to deformation and compromise of wax elements under heat and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into separate components: the valve body with interference seal members is inserted into the cassette after the cassette halves are welded together. This separates the welding process from the valve incorporation process, allowing hot plate welding to be used without exposing wax elements to damaging heat and pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cassette halves are welded together in advance using hot plate welding before the valve is inserted. This preliminary action completes the welding process while the valve is still separate, avoiding exposure of wax elements to welding heat and pressure, then the valve is inserted into the pre-welded cassette.
2Productivity
If wax elements are used in valves, then valve operation is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes limited and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the valve into insertable components with interference seal members, the manufacturing process can use efficient hot plate welding for the cassette halves while separately handling valve assembly, improving overall productivity and manufacturing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference seal members act as intermediaries that enable the valve to be inserted into the pre-welded cassette, facilitating compatibility between the hot plate welding process and valve incorporation without requiring wax elements to withstand welding conditions.
3Reliability
If valves are formed into fluid channels during manufacture, then sterile fluidic channels are maintained, but the valve construction becomes incompatible with hot plate welding
Solution Approach 1:
The cassette halves are welded together in advance while maintaining sterile fluidic channels, and then the valve is inserted into the pre-welded assembly. This sequence preserves sterility while enabling hot plate welding compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is extracted from the manufacturing process and inserted after welding, rather than being formed into the fluid channels during welding. This separation allows hot plate welding to be used while maintaining sterile fluidic channel integrity through post-welding valve insertion.
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
This solution allows for the use of hot plate welding in the manufacturing of centrifuge cassettes while maintaining the integrity and functionality of the valves, ensuring sterile fluidic channels and operation within high G-fields.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for actuating the at least one molded valve
Implementation Method 2
a centrifuge cassette including molded Normally Open Valves (NOVs) and Normally Closed Valves (NCVs)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a centrifuge cassette assembly (800) for separating a fluid and related method of manufacture. The cassette assembly includes a first chamber, a second chamber (308), a fluidic channel (808) creating a fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber, at least one molded insertion valve (600, 700) configured to control the flow of fluid in the fluidic channel and a heating element (802) for actuating the at least one molded valve. Further provided are Normally Open Valves (NOVs) (700) and Normally Closed Valves (NCVs) (600) which are capable of insertion into, and which control the fluid flow of, the centrifuge cassette assembly.