Microfluidic Cassette with Integrated Sensor for Fluid Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensing devices for fluid attributes, such as blood, are often large, complex, and expensive, limiting their effectiveness and efficiency in diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic diagnostic testing chip with integrated micro-electromechanical systems and microfluidics that facilitates testing with a smaller amount of fluid and reagents, using a microfluidic reservoir, channel, and sensor to analyze fluid properties, and a portable electronic device for data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensing devices are used for fluid testing, then measurement capability is achieved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (electrical, optical, mechanical sensors) and microfluidic operations into a single integrated chip device. This merging of previously separate components into one unified platform achieves comprehensive fluid testing capability while reducing overall system complexity and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention nests microfluidic channels, reservoirs, and sensing elements within a compact chip structure. Smaller functional components are embedded within the chip's three-dimensional architecture, allowing complex testing capabilities to be contained in a miniaturized format that reduces device footprint while maintaining full functionality.
2Measurement precision
If traditional sensing devices are used for fluid testing, then diagnostic capability is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chip incorporates on-chip reagent reservoirs and mixing chambers that automatically perform sample preparation and reagent mixing without external equipment. This self-contained design eliminates the need for separate laboratory instruments and manual preparation steps, reducing both device cost and operational complexity while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing chip is designed with multiple sensing zones and configurable channels that can detect various fluid attributes (electrical properties, optical properties, mechanical properties). This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform multiple diagnostic tests, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and thereby lowering overall system cost.
3Measurement precision
If traditional fluid testing methods are used, then comprehensive analysis is achieved, but fluid and reagent consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional planar testing to three-dimensional microfluidic channel structures with vertical stacking. This dimensional transformation allows multiple testing functions to be packed into a compact volume, enabling comprehensive fluid analysis while minimizing the total volume of reagents and samples required.
Solution Approach 2:
The chip divides the fluid sample path into multiple segmented channels and testing zones, each optimized for specific measurements. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different fluid attributes simultaneously, achieving comprehensive analysis with smaller total fluid volumes compared to sequential traditional methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid testing cassette may comprise a microfluidic channel having a constriction and a micro-fabricated integrated sensor within the constriction. In one implementation, the constriction is less than or equal to 30 μm. In one implementation, the cassette further comprises a nozzle connecting the microfluidic channel to the discharge reservoir, wherein a thermal resistor expels fluid within the microfluidic channel into the discharge reservoir.