Membrane Touch Micro-Reagent Cartridge for Portable Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-reagent delivery systems require external actuators, increasing instrumentation size, mass, and energy consumption, making them unsuitable for mobile or handheld chemical diagnostic devices and limiting their ability to store reagents on board for out-of-laboratory use.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained micro-reagent cartridge with a membrane touch fluid injector, featuring a sealed chamber and a rupturable valve region, allowing for manual or automated actuation of fluid pumping without external pumps, enabling storage and delivery of reagents within the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional external actuators (pneumatic pumps, syringe pumps, centrifuge devices) are used for micro-reagent delivery, then fluid pumping efficiency is improved, but device size, mass, and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for traditional external actuators (pneumatic pumps, syringe pumps, centrifuge devices) by implementing an integrated membrane touch pump system directly within the cartridge. This removal of external components significantly reduces device mass while maintaining fluid pumping capability through the membrane deformation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the pumping function with the cartridge structure itself by integrating the membrane touch pump within the cartridge body. The membrane layer is bonded between the base layer and top layer, combining storage, pumping, and delivery functions into a single integrated unit, eliminating separate actuator components.
2Productivity
If traditional external actuators are used for micro-reagent delivery, then fluid pumping capability is improved, but device complexity and instrumentation footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex external instrumentation by extracting the pumping function and implementing it through a simple membrane touch mechanism integrated into the cartridge. This eliminates the need for external pneumatic systems, syringe pumps, or centrifuge devices, significantly reducing instrumentation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane touch pump is designed to be self-contained within the cartridge, requiring no external control systems or power sources. The pumping action is achieved through direct mechanical deformation of the membrane by user input, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating complex instrumentation requirements.
3Ease of operation
If traditional open reservoir systems are used, then fluid delivery is simplified, but reagent contamination risk increases and on-board storage capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible intermediate membrane layer that is bonded to seal the fluid receiving cavity, creating a closed system. This thin film barrier prevents contamination while allowing controlled fluid delivery through the membrane touch pump mechanism, eliminating the need for open reservoir systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates open reservoir systems and external reagent loading mechanisms by integrating a sealed storage cavity within the cartridge. Reagents are pre-loaded and hermetically sealed, removing the need for external reservoir connections and eliminating contamination risks associated with open systems.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional sealed chamber systems with breakable webs are used, then on-board reagent storage is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible intermediate membrane layer that is bonded between the base and top layers to seal the fluid receiving cavity. This continuous thin film sealing method is simpler to manufacture than breakable web systems, as it requires standard lamination processes rather than precise breakable structure fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is constructed as a planar laminate structure comprising a base layer, intermediate membrane layer, and top layer bonded together. This composite structure integrates storage and pumping functions while using conventional lamination techniques, simplifying manufacturing compared to complex breakable web systems.
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 cartridge is lightweight, low-energy, and compact, enabling portable chemical diagnostic devices to operate independently with stored reagents, reducing contamination risks and eliminating the need for external reagent reservoirs, thus facilitating in-field applications.
Implementation Method 1
application of pressure to the flexible region causes an increase of pressure within the fluid reservoir pump chamber
Implementation Method 2
depression of the deformable flexible region actuates the fluid reservoir pump chamber to rupture the rupturable valve region and effects movement of fluid from the pump chamber to the fluid conduit
Data Source
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AI summary
A planar micro-reagent cartridge comprises a base layer having a fluid receiving cavity formed in a top surface thereof and a fluid disposed within the cavity, and intermediate layer and a top layer. The intermediate membrane layer is bonded to the base layer to seal the fluid receiving cavity and form a fluid reservoir pump chamber. The intermediate layer comprises a resiliently deformable flexible region that overlies the fluid receiving cavity and is configured to be depressed in response to application of pressure, and a rupturable valve region that overlies the fluid receiving cavity. A top layer is bonded to the intermediate layer, the top layer having an opening that exposes the deformable flexible region of the intermediate membrane layer and at least one channel that together with the intermediate membrane layer forms a fluid conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with the rupturable valve region of the intermediate layer. In use, depression of the deformable flexible region actuates the fluid reservoir pump chamber to rupture the rupturable valve region and pump fluid into the capillary.