Microchip Liquid Feeding System Bubble Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In microchip fluid transport systems, the reciprocating movement of analyte solutions can lead to air bubbles forming at the gas-liquid interface, causing damping and reducing the accuracy of liquid feeding and analyte detection, especially when dealing with small sample quantities.
Innovation Solution
The system prevents air bubbles by ensuring the rear and front gas-liquid interfaces do not pass beyond the reaction field during liquid feeding, using a configuration with a mixing section and position checking sensors to manage the liquid flow and maintain effective contact between the analyte and the sensor surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the analyte liquid is fed reciprocatingly to increase contact with the sensor surface, then the detection accuracy is improved, but air bubbles are generated at the gas-liquid interface causing deterioration of liquid feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by controlling the liquid feeding amount in advance to prevent air bubbles from entering the reaction field. The system calculates the precise volume of analyte liquid needed to fill the flow path up to the reaction field boundary, and feeds exactly that amount before reciprocation begins, thereby eliminating the harmful gas-liquid interface movement that causes air bubbles while maintaining effective analyte-sensor contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of liquid feeding control from simple reciprocating motion to precise volume-controlled feeding. By monitoring the liquid feeding amount and adjusting the feeding volume to match the exact capacity of the flow path section, the system maintains a stable liquid column that prevents air bubble formation while ensuring complete coverage of the sensor surface during reciprocation.
2Quantity of substance
If the analyte liquid is fed through a very thin flow path to reduce sample quantity, then the sample consumption is reduced, but the liquid flow becomes laminar reducing contact efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing reciprocating liquid feeding motion. The analyte liquid is fed forward to contact the sensor surface, then reversed and fed backward, creating dynamic movement that enhances mixing and contact efficiency within the thin flow path. This reciprocating motion overcomes the laminar flow limitation while maintaining the advantage of using very thin flow paths for reduced sample consumption.
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 approach allows for accurate detection of analytes even with small sample quantities by preventing air bubble formation and maintaining consistent analyte contact with the sensor, thereby enhancing the reliability and precision of the microchip fluid transport system.
Implementation Method 1
by reciprocatingly feeding the analyte solution, the analyte solution is made to move reciprocatingly over the surface of a sensor
Implementation Method 2
air bubbles may be generated due the phenomenon of the analyte liquid completely overtaking air at the air-liquid interface
Implementation Method 3
air bubbles may be generated due the phenomenon of the analyte liquid completely overtaking air at the air-liquid interface
Implementation Method 4
under conditions in which a laser light (excitation light) emitted from a light source undergoes attenuated total reflection (ATR) at the surface of a thin metal film
Implementation Method 5
by causing the generation of density waves (surface plasmons) at the surface of the thin metal film and thereby enhancing the number of photons in the laser fight (excitation light) emitted from a fight source
Implementation Method 6
enhancing the number of photons in the laser fight (excitation light) emitted from a fight source by several tens of times to several hundreds of times (the electric field enhancement effect of surface plasmons)
Implementation Method 7
through this, efficiently exciting fluorescent materials in the vicinity of the thin metal film
Implementation Method 8
efficiently exciting fluorescent materials in the vicinity of the thin metal film
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a liquid feeding system for a microchip, capable of accurately detecting even a small amount of a sample, and a method for the liquid feeding system. A liquid feeding system for a microchip performs: a first liquid feeding step in which a sample liquid in a sample liquid containing section is fed in the direction to a primary containing section via a reaction field; a second liquid feeding step in which, after the first liquid feeding step, the sample liquid is fed from the primary containing section in the direction to the reaction field; and a third liquid feeding step in which, after the second liquid feeding step, the feeding of ft sample liquid from the reaction field to the primary containing section and the feeding of the sample liquid from the primary containing section to the reaction field are repeated, and the liquid feeding system for a microchip controls a pump so that a rear side gas-liquid boundary face of the sample liquid in the first liquid feeding step and the front side and rear side gas-liquid boundary faces of the sample liquid in the second and third liquid feeding steps do not pass through the reaction field.