Locking Cartridge Manifold for Pneumatic Microfluidic Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic systems for cell culture, such as Organ-On-A-Chip (OOAC), face challenges in achieving unidirectional, stress-scaled, and volume-scaled liquid flow, with poor flow stability and inaccurate chemical environment simulation, leading to abnormal cell development and inefficient nutrient delivery.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a manifold and cartridge system with pressure control units, liquid level detection, and magnetic agitation capabilities, allowing controlled gas pressure and flexible reservoir connections for unidirectional, stress-scaled, and volume-scaled liquid flow, along with injection and sampling functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If peristaltic pumps are used for medium circulation, then fluid delivery is achieved, but flow stability is poor and responsiveness is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic pressure control to drive liquid flow through the microfluidic device, replacing mechanical peristaltic pumps. Gas pressure is applied to the reservoir to push liquid through the channels, achieving stable and responsive flow control without the mechanical complexity of pump systems.
2Ease of operation
If culture medium is used as a static bath for cell immersion, then simple operation is achieved, but shear stress conditions are unrealistic and chemical environment control is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic pressure to create controlled unidirectional flow of culture medium through the cell culture chamber, mimicking physiological conditions such as blood flow shear stress. The flow rate and volume can be precisely controlled by adjusting gas pressure, ensuring realistic chemical environment while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Quantity of substance
If large amount of liquid medium is used in the bath, then cell immersion is simple, but chemicals are diluted and realistic environment is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic pressure system enables precise control of liquid volume and flow rate through the microfluidic channels. By applying controlled pressure to a smaller volume of medium, the system achieves realistic chemical environment conditions without the dilution problem inherent in large-volume static baths.
4Quantity of substance
If small amount of liquid medium is used in the bath, then chemical environment control is improved, but liquid saturation with cell wastes occurs quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic pressure system drives continuous unidirectional flow of culture medium through the cell culture chamber, enabling efficient removal of cell wastes and nutrients. This flow regime allows for extended culture durations by continuously renewing the chemical environment, preventing saturation issues that occur in static or small-volume systems.
5Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional flow is used in the system, then medium recirculation is achieved, but cell development becomes abnormal due to lack of unidirectional flow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic pressure system inherently provides unidirectional flow by applying pressure to push liquid through the channels in one direction. The flow direction is controlled by the pressure gradient, ensuring consistent unidirectional flow conditions that support proper cell development while maintaining the ability to recirculate medium through the system.
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
Enables precise control of liquid flow in OOAC systems, ensuring realistic cell culture conditions, enhancing cell development and simplifying operation through flexible use and secure continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
the gas lines of the pressure control unit are connected to the gas inlets of the one or more reservoirs and are configured to control gas pressure in the one or more reservoirs
Implementation Method 2
magnetic agitation capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding a fluidic system with liquid medium, the apparatus comprising a manifold and a cartridge:wherein the cartridge comprises one or more reservoirs, each reservoir comprising:at least one gas inlet, andat least one liquid inlet or outlet;wherein the manifold comprises:a pressure control unit comprising one or more gas lines;wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one connection configured to be connected to an inlet and/or an outlet of the fluidic system;wherein:in a locked position, the cartridge is pressed against the manifold and the gas lines of the pressure control unit are connected to the gas inlets of the one or more reservoirs and are configured to control gas pressure in the one or more reservoirs; andin an unlocked position, the cartridge is removable from the manifold.