Metering Head With Fluidically Separate Media Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipettes and metering systems are limited in their ability to handle different liquids and volumes, requiring multiple types for various applications, and are inflexible for automated systems, leading to complex and costly operations in microfluidic lab-on-a-chip systems.
Innovation Solution
A metering head with multiple dispensing terminals and fluidically separate media outlets allows for simultaneous or sequential dispensing of different media, including reagents and transport media, enabling flexible and automated handling of various volumes and functions, integrated with a distribution structure and sealing elements to prevent contamination and facilitate connection to microfluidic cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single multichannel pipette or pipette head is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot precisely pipette liquids with different volumes requiring different pipette types
Solution Approach 1:
The metering head is designed with multiple media inlets (first and second media inlets) and multiple dispensing terminals, allowing a single device to handle different media types and volumes. The fluid lines can be selectively connected to different media inlets, enabling the same metering head to precisely meter various liquids without requiring multiple specialized pipettes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reciprocating piston mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the pressure cannot be varied and use is limited to given volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The metering head employs dynamic pressure control through multiple fluid lines that can be selectively connected to different media inlets. This allows the pressure level to be varied during operation, enabling the system to adapt to different metering requirements without being fixed at a certain pressure level as in reciprocating piston mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If known metering systems are used, then the structure is simple, but they cannot handle different liquids or drain different liquids in individual channels at different times
Solution Approach 1:
The metering head is segmented into multiple fluidically independent channels, with each dispensing terminal having its own fluid lines that can be selectively connected to different media inlets. This segmentation allows different liquids to be handled in individual channels at different times without cross-contamination, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If microfluidic chip systems with complex infrastructure are used, then the functionality is comprehensive, but the manufacturing costs are high and production is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex fluidic handling functionality from the microfluidic chip system and relocates it to the metering head. By implementing multiple media inlets, selective fluid line connections, and multiple dispensing terminals in the metering head, the system achieves comprehensive fluidic handling capability without requiring complex chip infrastructure, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and production time.
Data Source
AI summary
A metering head for receiving and metering at least two media, having at least two media inlets, one or multiple dispensing terminals, and fluid lines connecting the media inlets to the one or multiple dispensing terminals. The one or multiple dispensing terminals each have at least two fluidically separated media outlets. A metering system, having a metering head, at least one connecting element for fluidically connecting the metering head to a carrier substrate or to a microfluidic cartridge, and optionally a connection piece, wherein the dispensing terminal is designed to receive the connecting element directly or to receive the connecting element indirectly via the connection piece.