Microfluidic Network Pressurization for Air Bubble Purging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Preparing microfluidic devices for use is challenging due to surface tension and fluid properties that dominate at the microscale, leading to difficulties in removing air and resulting in high error rates from air bubbles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sequential pressurization of discrete fluidic networks in a microfluidic device to purge trapped air, altering the conventional purging order and applying differential pressures to facilitate air perfusion into adjacent networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional purging methods are used to remove air from microfluidic devices, then air bubbles can be removed, but the preparation time is excessive and error rates remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional purging approach by introducing liquid first to displace air, then using pressure differential to force the liquid-air interface through the network. This reversal of the traditional air-first approach enables complete air removal while reducing preparation time and eliminating measurement errors associated with air bubbles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies hydraulic pressure differentials to drive the purging process. By controlling pressure across different regions of the microfluidic network, the liquid is forced to advance through channels and chambers, carrying trapped air with it. This pneumatic-hydraulic control enables precise and efficient air removal throughout the device.
2Ease of operation
If liquid is introduced to displace air in microfluidic networks, then air bubbles are purged, but trapped air may remain in certain regions and perfuse into adjacent networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microfluidic network into distinct regions and addresses them in a specific sequence. By dividing the complex network into manageable segments and systematically purging each one with controlled liquid introduction and pressure application, complete air removal is achieved without leaving trapped bubbles that could perfuse into adjacent regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by introducing liquid to specific regions before applying pressure. This preliminary liquid introduction ensures that channels are filled and air is displaced to predictable locations before pressure differential is applied to force complete air removal, preventing trapped air from remaining or perfusing into adjacent networks.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for preparing a microfluidic device for operation are presented. In some embodiments, an interface network is pressurized via a liquid to purge at least a portion of a gas present in the interface network while another portion of the gas remains trapped in at least one region of the interface network and is perfused at least partially into sample chambers. The sample chambers can be pressurized via a liquid to purge at least a portion of a gas present in the sample chambers while another portion of the gas remains trapped in at least one region of the sample chambers and is perfused at least partially into assay chambers. The assay chambers can be pressurized via a liquid to purge at least a portion of a gas present in the assay chambers into a containment network, which can be pressurized for at least partially purging the containment network.