Micro Flow Channel Actuator for Homogeneous Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro flow channel test devices suffer from low reaction efficiency due to laminar flow and incomplete mixing of tested chemicals with reactants, leading to ineffective antigen-antibody reactions, even when the fluid is reciprocated to re-enter the reaction zone.
Innovation Solution
A test device with a micro flow channel and an actuator that homogenizes the density distribution of tested chemicals by oscillating the fluid within the channel, ensuring even distribution and increased interaction with reactants fixed in the reaction part, enhancing reaction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tested fluid is reciprocated in the micro flow channel to improve reaction efficiency, then the tested chemical can be sent closer to the reaction part, but the flow remains laminar and the tested chemical does not blend in the tested fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vibration element that vibrates the tested fluid in the micro flow channel, creating turbulent flow conditions that promote mixing of the tested chemical with the reactant. This mechanical vibration disrupts the stable laminar flow pattern, enabling effective blending and contact between reactants while maintaining the micro flow channel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow regime parameter from laminar to turbulent by introducing vibration. This parameter change transforms the flow characteristics, allowing the tested fluid to mix effectively with the reactant while maintaining controlled flow conditions through the micro flow channel during reciprocation.
2Productivity
If the micro flow channel depth is reduced to improve reaction efficiency, then the tested chemical can be closer to the reaction part, but the fluid sending pressure rises excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration element creates turbulent flow that enhances mixing efficiency without requiring reduced channel depth. This allows the micro flow channel to maintain sufficient depth for acceptable fluid sending pressure while still achieving effective contact between the tested chemical and reactant through vibration-induced turbulence.
3Stress or pressure
If the flow rate is reduced to prevent excessive pressure rise, then the fluid moves in laminar flow, but the tested chemical does not blend in the tested fluid even when reciprocated
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration element transforms the laminar flow caused by low flow rate into turbulent flow, enabling effective mixing of the tested chemical with the tested fluid. This allows the system to maintain low flow rates for acceptable pressure while achieving turbulent mixing through vibration-induced flow instability.
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 method significantly improves the reaction efficiency by ensuring that antigens in the tested fluid react more effectively with antibodies, even in conventional-sized micro flow channels, by promoting turbulent-like mixing without increasing pressure or channel depth.
Implementation Method 1
The method significantly improves the reaction efficiency by ensuring that antigens in the tested fluid react more effectively with antibodies, even in conventional-sized micro flow channels, by promoting turbulent-like mixing without increasing pressure or channel depth.
Implementation Method 2
In such a fluid sending system, the fluid moves in laminar flow because Reynolds number is low. Accordingly, even by reciprocating a tested fluid in the fluid sending system, a tested chemical does not blend in the tested fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A test device having a micro flow channel including a reaction part where a reactant that is reactive to a tested chemical dispersed in a tested fluid is fixed, and at least one actuator for actuating the tested fluid to move in at least one of two opposite sides of the micro flow channel so as to homogenize a density distribution of the tested chemical in the tested fluid. The tested fluid is sent in the micro flow channel a plurality of times.