Membrane Fluidic Element for Precise Disposable Fluid Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic systems for point-of-care diagnostics and other applications face challenges in achieving accurate and reliable fluid transport, especially with small volumes, while being cost-effective and easy to connect to transport devices for single-use scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic element with a basic body and a deformable membrane that covers the outlet and inlet of channels, allowing an actuator to deform the membrane and create a movable cavity for transporting fluid between channels without direct contact with the fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a transport device is used to provide volume flow through the fluidic element, then fluid transport accuracy is improved, but the overall system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fluidic element disposable while keeping the expensive transport device separate and reusable. The fluidic element is manufactured cheaply in large quantities using injection molding, and can be easily connected to and disconnected from the transport device. This allows the expensive transport device to be used repeatedly with multiple inexpensive fluidic elements, resolving the cost contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into two separate parts: a reusable transport device and a disposable fluidic element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the transport device for precision and reusability, and the fluidic element for low cost and ease of manufacture.
2Ease of operation
If the actuator directly contacts the fluid in the channel, then fluid transport control is improved, but contamination risk and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
A deformable membrane is introduced as an intermediary between the actuator and the fluid. The membrane allows the actuator to control fluid transport through deformation (creating pressure changes and cavity movement) without direct contact between the actuator and fluid. This maintains reliable control while eliminating contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a deformable membrane (flexible thin film) to separate the actuator from the fluid while still allowing mechanical coupling for control. The membrane deforms in response to actuator movement, transmitting the control action to the fluid without requiring direct contact.
3Ease of operation
If the fluidic element is designed for single use as a disposable item, then ease of connection and reliability are improved, but manufacturing cost per unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic element is designed as a disposable item manufactured cheaply in large quantities using injection molding. The basic body is produced as a single integrated component with channels and connection features, making it inexpensive to manufacture despite being single-use. This resolves the contradiction between disposable design and manufacturing cost.
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 enables precise and reliable fluid transport with high accuracy, maintains the cost-effectiveness of disposable fluidic elements, and ensures reliable operation without the need for the actuator to come into direct contact with the fluid.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane can be deformed by an actuator towards the actuator such that a movable cavity is formed between the basic body and the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluidic system with a fluidic element and a transport device. The fluidic element comprises a basic body and a deformable membrane, the basic body comprising at least one first channel and at least one second channel for guiding a fluid, with at least one outlet being formed at one end of the first channel and at least one inlet being formed at one end of the second channel, and the membrane being connected to the basic body and covering at least the outlet of the first channel and the inlet of the second channel. The transport device comprises an actuator, the actuator being designed to deform the membrane such that a cavity is formed between the basic body and the membrane. The actuator comprises a magnetic shape memory alloy or consists thereof.