Deformable Membrane Microfluidic Pumping and Valving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nucleic acid amplification and detection apparatus are typically large, complex, and costly, making them inefficient for diagnostic testing in various fields such as environmental, agricultural, and medical diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic test assembly featuring a substrate with open reservoirs and fluidic channels, a deformable membrane, and a rigid covering that allows actuators to control fluid movement, enabling efficient sample processing, reagent handling, and nucleic acid amplification with optical output detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional nucleic acid amplification and detection apparatus are used, then reliable diagnostic testing can be performed, but the apparatus become large, complex, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic system is divided into separate functional modules: a disposable test cartridge containing the sample well, reagent reservoirs, and fluidic channels, and a separate readout device. This segmentation allows the complex amplification and detection functions to be contained in a simple, easy-to-use cartridge while maintaining reliable diagnostic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
A deformable membrane acts as an intermediary component between the rigid cover and the fluidic system. This membrane enables controlled fluid manipulation through simple actuation while isolating the complex fluid handling functions from the user interface, thereby reducing operational complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional nucleic acid amplification and detection apparatus are used, then reliable diagnostic testing can be performed, but the apparatus become large and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The test cartridge is designed as a disposable, single-use component that contains all necessary reagents and fluidic pathways. This eliminates the need for expensive, complex reusable equipment while maintaining diagnostic reliability, as each cartridge is pre-configured with the exact components needed for accurate testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The test cartridge employs a nested structure where the deformable membrane is positioned between the rigid cover and the substrate, with fluidic channels embedded within the substrate. This nested arrangement maximizes functional density within a compact form factor, reducing both size and cost while preserving diagnostic capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If manual sample processing is used, then simple operation is maintained, but sample preparation and reagent handling are inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable membrane enables the system to perform fluid handling operations automatically through simple actuation. When actuated, the membrane automatically pumps reagents from reservoirs to the sample well and controls fluid flow through the channels, eliminating the need for manual sample preparation while maintaining operational simplicity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic actuation of the deformable membrane to control fluid flow through the microfluidic channels. This hydraulic/pneumatic mechanism enables efficient automated reagent delivery and sample processing while requiring only simple actuator control from the user, thereby improving productivity without complicating the operation.
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 solution provides a compact, user-friendly, and cost-effective diagnostic test system that simplifies sample preparation and nucleic acid amplification, enabling efficient diagnostic testing with controlled temperature management and optical detection of genetic markers.
Implementation Method 1
each pumping portion being disposed over a corresponding one of the reservoirs and being configured so that when it is displaced by a corresponding actuator, it is displaced into the corresponding reservoir to pump fluid from the corresponding reservoir through at least a corresponding one of the fluidic channels
Implementation Method 2
one or more of the portions of the deformable membrane act as valve portions, each valve portion being configured so that when it is displaced, it blocks fluid flow through a corresponding reservoir or fluidic channel
Implementation Method 3
the rigid covering being configured to allow respective actuators external to the diagnostic test assembly to displace corresponding portions of the deformable membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic test assembly, including: a substrate having formed therein a plurality of mutually spaced open reservoirs and fluidic channels; a deformable membrane attached to the substrate to cover the open reservoirs and fluidic channels; a rigid covering disposed over the deformable membrane, the rigid covering being configured to allow respective actuators external to the diagnostic test assembly to displace corresponding portions of the deformable membrane; wherein at least some of the portions of the deformable membrane act as pumping portions, each pumping portion being disposed over a corresponding one of the reservoirs and being configured so that when it is displaced by a corresponding actuator, it is displaced into the corresponding reservoir to pump fluid from the corresponding reservoir through at least a corresponding one of the fluidic channels; and wherein one or more of the portions of the deformable membrane act as valve portions, each valve portion being configured so that when it is displaced, it blocks fluid flow through a corresponding reservoir or fluidic channel; and wherein movement of fluid within the diagnostic test assembly can be controlled by controlling displacements of the portions of the deformable membrane.