Microfluidic Blood Flow Paths for Coagulation Monitoring Under Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for monitoring blood coagulation, anti-platelet therapy, anticoagulation therapy, hemophilia therapy, surgical bleeding, and trauma bleeding lack the ability to simulate in vivo conditions and operate effectively under full coagulation, including thrombin and fibrin generation.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with a priming circuit and microfluidic flow paths that facilitate laminar flow, allowing for the application of pressure to prime the system and enable monitoring under biologically relevant conditions, featuring a smaller outlet cross-sectional area and check valves to control fluid flow, with integrated reagents for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microfluidic flow path with smaller outlet cross-sectional area is used, then flow control precision is improved, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic device is divided into multiple independent flow paths (first flow path, second flow path, third flow path) that can be controlled separately. Each flow path has its own outlet with smaller cross-sectional area, allowing precise flow control for each path while maintaining overall system functionality. The segmentation enables independent adjustment of flow resistance in each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet regions of each flow path are designed with locally different cross-sectional areas to optimize flow control. The first outlet has a different cross-sectional area than the second outlet, and so on, allowing each outlet to be tailored for its specific flow control requirements while managing pressure drops locally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If check valves are added to control fluid flow direction, then flow control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valves are extracted as separate, discrete components that can be independently installed in each flow path. This allows the flow control functionality to be added without redesigning the entire microfluidic structure, and valves can be selectively placed only where flow direction control is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valves serve multiple functions: they control flow direction, prevent backflow, and enable independent operation of each flow path. A single valve design can be replicated across multiple flow paths, providing universal flow control capability throughout the device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow paths are integrated into a single device, then monitoring versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple independent flow paths (first, second, third flow paths) that can monitor different samples or conditions simultaneously. Each path maintains its own inlet, outlets, and control mechanisms, allowing versatile monitoring capabilities while keeping each path relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple flow paths are merged into a single integrated microfluidic device structure, sharing common components such as the chamber body, substrate, and potentially common reagent reservoirs. This consolidation provides versatile monitoring capabilities in one device while reducing the overall complexity compared to using separate devices for each flow path.
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
Enables accurate monitoring of platelet function, coagulation, and drug response under flow conditions, providing insights into bleeding and thrombosis risks, and supporting clinical applications in oncology, transplant therapy, and hematology.
Implementation Method 1
low resistance to laminar flow in the microfluidic flow path relative to the outlet
Implementation Method 2
the check valve is a single check valve in fluidic communication with a plurality of microfluidic flow paths
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for measuring blood. The microfluidic devices of the present invention include an inlet port adapted and configured to receive a fluid sample, a microfluidic flow path in fluidic communication with the inlet port, an outlet in fluidic communication with the microfluidic flow path, the outlet: having a smaller cross-sectional area than the microfluidic flow path; and adapted for communication with a pressure sink. The microfluidic devices further include a priming circuit in fluidic communication with the microfluidic flow path such that when a priming fluid is applied under pressure to the priming circuit, the priming fluid will flow through the microfluidic flow path to the inlet port due to low resistance to laminar flow in the microfluidic flow path relative to the outlet.