Liquid Feeding in Pressure-Controlled Chambers for Bubble Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid feeding methods in fluidic devices for chemical reactions face challenges with bubble formation, which hinder efficient liquid feeding and reduce reaction efficiency, particularly in applications like PCR and microarray-based gene detection, and existing bubble removal techniques are limited to unidirectional flow or require pre-fed liquids.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic device and method that utilizes chambers with specific volume ratios and controlled pressure application to suppress bubbles, allowing for bidirectional liquid feeding without pre-fed liquids, by pressurizing and decompressing the solution through interconnected chambers to maintain solubility and prevent bubble formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If pressure is applied to remove bubbles from the solution, then bubble formation is suppressed, but liquid feeding becomes limited to one direction
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the flow path into multiple segments (first flow path and second flow path) with separate pressure application points. The first pressure application point is connected to the first flow path while the second pressure application point is connected to the second flow path, allowing independent pressure control for each segment. This enables bidirectional liquid feeding while suppressing bubbles in both directions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
A gas-permeable membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the pressure application chambers and the flow paths. The membrane allows pressure transmission to suppress bubbles while permitting controlled fluid communication. This intermediary enables the system to achieve both bubble suppression and bidirectional feeding capability without direct pressure conflicts.
2Ease of operation
If pre-fed liquid is used to maintain pressure in the flow path, then liquid feeding is enabled, but chemical reaction efficiency decreases due to probe dissociation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pressure equalization by applying pressure to both the first and second flow paths before actual liquid feeding begins. This preliminary action ensures that pressure is balanced throughout the system, eliminating the need for pre-fed liquid to maintain pressure. The chemical reactions can then proceed efficiently without probe dissociation caused by improper pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure parameters in different flow path segments independently. By changing the pressure applied to the first flow path versus the second flow path, the system can optimize conditions for both bubble suppression and chemical reaction efficiency. This parameter control eliminates the need for pre-fed liquid while maintaining reaction quality.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a sub flow path is connected to increase solution pressure, then bubbles are removed, but the method cannot support reciprocating liquid feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic pressure control where the pressure application points can be independently activated and deactivated. The first pressure application point can be activated when reciprocating feeding requires pressure in the first flow path, and the second pressure application point can be activated when pressure is needed in the second flow path. This dynamic control enables reciprocating feeding while maintaining bubble suppression capability throughout the cycle.
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 method effectively suppresses bubbles during liquid feeding, ensuring stable and efficient chemical reactions in fluidic devices, enabling rapid nucleic acid amplification and gene detection without the need for pre-fed liquids.
Implementation Method 1
pressurizing and feeding the solution so that the solution is transferred through the second chamber toward the flow path
Implementation Method 2
As the pressure applied to the solution is increased, the solubility of the gas in the solution is increased, and the air in the bubbles is dissolved in the solution to remove the bubbles
Implementation Method 3
setting the flow path to a temperature optimum for a chemical reaction by a method such as installing a fluidic device on a heater
Implementation Method 4
pressurizing and feeding the solution so that the solution is transferred through the second chamber toward the flow path
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Provided is a liquid feeding method for removing bubbles from a solution introduced into a fluidic device, wherein: the fluidic device includes a flow path of a volume v, a first chamber having a volume V1 and connected to a first side of the flow path, and a second chamber having a volume V2 and connected to a second side, being different from the first side, of the flow path; V1, V2, and v satisfy Formula (1) and Formula (2), α is a solubility of gas in the solution at a temperature of the second chamber, β is a solubility of gas in the solution at a temperature of the flow path, P0 is a pressure of a surrounding environment of the fluidic device, ΔP is a bubble internal pressure rise value, where ΔP = 4σ/d, σ is a surface tension of the solution, and d is a diameter of the flow path; and the liquid feeding method includes: disposing the solution at a first position opposite to the flow path with respect to the second chamber; pressurizing and feeding the solution so that the solution is transferred through the second chamber toward the flow path; and pressurizing and introducing the solution from the second chamber into the flow path.