Microfluidic Chip Layout With Bypass Flow to Prevent Seal Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic chips face challenges in efficient and cost-effective production due to complex structures, high precision requirements, and increased risk of liquid leakage and contamination, making them difficult to manufacture and assemble, while also limiting their ability to perform simultaneous multi-indicator detection with precision.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic chip design featuring a chip body with micro flow channels on both sides, a liquid storage tank with a through hole for direct liquid flow, and a waste liquid tank with an air-permeable channel, utilizing a gland for sealing and a hydrophobic/hydrophilic design to prevent leakage and contamination, simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a three-layer structure with upper layer plate member, lower layer plate member and double sided adhesive is used to form liquid storage pouch, then the chip can store and release reagents, but the machining precision requirements increase and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the liquid storage pouch and microchannel structures into a single integrated component formed by injecting liquid through a puncture hole in the lower layer plate member, eliminating the need for separate upper and lower plate members with mated microchannels. This integration reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining reagent storage and delivery functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the liquid storage pouch function from the traditional three-layer structure and implements it as a single-layer injection-molded component. The liquid storage pouch is formed directly in the lower layer plate member, removing the need for separate upper plate member and double sided adhesive layer, thereby simplifying the overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If a micro valve design with squeezable valve area is used to control reagent release, then reagent release can be controlled, but the machining difficulty increases and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the micro valve component entirely and replaces it with a direct injection system where liquid is forced through a puncture hole in the lower layer plate member. This eliminates the need for separate valve mechanisms while maintaining controlled reagent release through the puncture hole design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the liquid storage pouch, valve control, and microchannel functions into a single integrated injection-molded component. The liquid storage pouch is formed with a puncture hole that serves as both the release mechanism and the microchannel entrance, eliminating the need for separate micro valve structures.
3Productivity
If multiple mated microchannel structures are designed in upper and lower plate members, then liquid flow control is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate microchannel structures into a single integrated microchannel system formed by injecting liquid through a puncture hole in the lower layer plate member. This eliminates the need for mated microchannels in upper and lower plate members, reducing structural complexity and improving manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the liquid flow path into distinct functional zones within the single lower layer plate member: the liquid storage pouch, the puncture hole, and the microchannel. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of each component while maintaining overall flow control functionality.
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
The design reduces the chip's size, simplifies production, minimizes leakage and contamination risks, and enhances the ability to perform simultaneous multi-indicator detection with precision, improving yield rates and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid storage tank is provided with a through hole I, with one opening of the through hole I being located on the inner surface of the liquid storage tank, and the other opening of the through hole I communicating with the micro flow channel, thereby allowing the liquid in the liquid storage tank to flow into the main micro flow channel
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a gland for sealing and a hydrophobic/hydrophilic design to prevent leakage and contamination
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a gland for sealing and a hydrophobic/hydrophilic design to prevent leakage and contamination
Implementation Method 4
a waste liquid tank with an air-permeable channel
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic chip for analyte detection, which is provided with a liquid storage tank (121), the liquid storage tank (121) is internally provided with a through hole I (141), one opening of the through hole I is located in the liquid storage tank, and the liquid in the liquid storage tank passes through the through hole I to bypass the outer boundary (12511) of the portion where the inner surface of the liquid storage tank contacts the sealing member, thereby avoiding leakage due to a possible gap in a sealed position when the liquid flows through the sealed position. At the same time, the design can reduce the processing precision requirement, save cost, etc.