Disposable Microfluidic Cassettes with Integrated Ejectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical and biological testing often require large sample sizes and high reagent volumes, leading to increased costs and complexity, with sample multiplexing being time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
Disposable microfluidic cassettes with integrated microfluidic networks and ejectors, along with analytical systems that enable programmable automation for reagent dispensing and sample manipulation, allowing for reduced sample volumes and parallel processing in microfluidic channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large sample sizes and high reagent volumes are used for medical and biological testing, then testing accuracy and reliability are improved, but costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system is divided into multiple independent microfluidic channels, each capable of processing small sample volumes independently. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple samples, maintaining overall testing reliability while reducing the sample volume required per channel and enabling automated high-throughput analysis that reduces complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple microfluidic channels and processing steps are integrated into a single compact microfluidic device structure. The nested integration of sample introduction, reagent mixing, incubation, and detection functions within one device reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliable testing through preserved functional integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sample multiplexing is performed manually, then multiple samples can be analyzed, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic device enables continuous automated processing of multiple samples through integrated fluidic pathways and control mechanisms. Samples are continuously introduced, processed, and analyzed without manual intervention between steps, eliminating idle time and labor while maintaining the ability to handle multiple sample types and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control of fluid flow, reagent dispensing, and processing parameters through automated mechanisms. This dynamic control allows the device to adaptively process different sample configurations and multiplicities without manual reconfiguration, dramatically reducing both time and labor requirements while preserving versatile multiplexing capabilities.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional macrofluidic systems are used, then large sample volumes can be processed, but surface tension and fluidic resistance dominate microfluidic behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed with specific microfluidic parameters optimized for low-volume operation, including channel dimensions, surface properties, and pressure gradients tailored to dominate over surface tension effects at the microscale. These parameter optimizations enable reliable fluid control in small volumes without requiring complex external control systems, as the microfluidic geometry itself provides the necessary control mechanisms.
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 minimizes sample and reagent volumes, reduces testing time and costs, and facilitates efficient automation of complex analytical procedures, enhancing the throughput of multiplexed sample analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the ejector includes a piezoelectric ejector
Implementation Method 2
the ejector includes a thermal ejector
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable microfluidic cassette can include a substrate and an engagement feature associated with the substrate to removably join the cassette with a cassette-receiver of an analytical system. A microfluidic network can be carried by the substrate. The microfluidic network can include a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a sample manipulation portion fluidly coupling the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. An ejector can be associated with the microfluidic network to move fluid out of the disposable microfluidic cassette via the fluid outlet.