Microfluidic Device with Variable Volume Chambers for Broad Concentration Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Microfluidic devices face challenges in simultaneously detecting high and low concentration analytes due to dynamic range limitations, often requiring multiple sample runs or multiple chips, which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with a plurality of chambers of different volumes, allowing for the partitioning and analysis of samples using digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR), enabling detection of analytes across a broader concentration range without moving parts, and utilizing a polymeric material for cost-effective and scalable production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single microfluidic chip with uniform chamber volumes is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot simultaneously detect high and low concentration analytes due to dynamic range limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic chip is segmented into multiple chambers with different volume categories (first plurality of chambers with first volume, second plurality of chambers with second volume, etc.). This segmentation allows each chamber type to detect analytes within its optimal concentration range, enabling simultaneous detection of high and low concentration analytes across the entire chip.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the chip (different chambers) are assigned different volumes tailored to specific detection needs. Larger volume chambers are optimized for detecting low concentration analytes, while smaller volume chambers are optimized for high concentration analytes. This local quality variation allows each chamber to have optimized detection characteristics for its specific function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple chips or multiple sample runs are used to detect different concentration ranges, then the detection capability is comprehensive, but the analysis complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple chambers with different volume capabilities are merged into a single microfluidic chip. This integration allows the chip to perform multiple detection functions (detecting both high and low concentration analytes) simultaneously in one device, eliminating the need for multiple separate chips or sequential sample runs.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic chip is designed as a universal platform that can detect analytes across a broad concentration range. By incorporating chambers of various volumes, the single chip can handle diverse detection requirements (different analyte concentrations) that previously required multiple specialized chips or repeated experiments.
3Measurement precision
If multiple chips are used to cover different concentration ranges, then the detection accuracy is maintained, but the cost and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chip segments detection capabilities across multiple chamber types, allowing precise detection of different analyte concentrations within a single device. This eliminates the need to run multiple separate chips, thereby reducing overall sample and reagent consumption while maintaining detection accuracy for each concentration range.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining multiple detection capabilities into one chip, the system reduces the total quantity of samples and reagents needed. Instead of requiring multiple chips (each consuming its own set of reagents and samples), a single multi-functional chip processes all detection needs in one experiment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides devices and methods for partitioning samples and analyzing analytes. The device may comprise one or more of a first plurality of first chambers and a second plurality of second chambers. A first chamber of the first plurality of chambers may have a first volume that is different from a second volume of a second chamber of the second plurality of chambers. The first plurality of chambers may comprise at least about 100 first chambers and the second plurality of chambers may comprise at least about 100 second chambers.