Modular Microfluidic Mounting with Compression Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mounting and connecting microfluidic devices, particularly glass, glass-ceramic, and ceramic devices, lack adaptability and reliability in providing fluid interconnections.
Innovation Solution
A modular system using end-butting compression-sealing fluid connectors and clamping structures that apply controlled compression to microfluidic devices, with device frames to hold and position these structures, minimizing torsion and bending, and allowing for flexible arrangement and protection within a system frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing mounting methods (stacking devices directly, fixing metal/polymer couplers with adhesive, or pressing multiple-port connectors with compression seals) are used, then device assembly is simplified, but reliability and adaptability of fluid interconnection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated clamping structure with compression element as an intermediary component between the fluid connector and the microfluidic device. This mediator applies controlled compression to create reliable compression seals at the fluid interfaces without requiring adhesives or complex stacking arrangements, thereby improving fluid interconnection reliability while maintaining assembly simplicity.
2Reliability
If compression is applied to microfluidic devices for sealing, then fluid connection reliability is improved, but mechanical stress and potential device damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping structure is designed to apply compression locally and selectively at the fluid connector interfaces rather than distributing stress across the entire microfluidic device. The compression element contacts only the specific regions where fluid sealing is required, creating reliable seals while minimizing mechanical stress on the device body and reducing the risk of device damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression element provides controlled compression with adjustable compression force parameters. By optimizing the compression parameter, the system achieves sufficient sealing pressure for reliable fluid connections while maintaining the compression force within safe limits to prevent device damage, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and mechanical stress.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid mounting structures are used to hold devices firmly, then device stability is improved, but adaptability and flexibility of configuration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping structure incorporates a movable compression element that can be dynamically adjusted during assembly and operation. This dynamic component allows the system to adapt to different device configurations and positioning requirements while maintaining stable fluid connections, thereby achieving both device stability and configuration flexibility simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping structure with adjustable compression element serves multiple functions: it provides stable device holding, enables flexible configuration adaptation, ensures reliable fluid sealing, and allows for easy assembly and disassembly. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability by integrating both capabilities into a single versatile mounting system.
4Reliability
If multiple compression points are applied to ensure sealing, then fluid connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of sealing, clamping, and compression application into a single integrated clamping structure. Rather than using multiple separate components for each compression point, the design combines these functions into one unified mechanism that achieves reliable fluid connections through coordinated compression, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 system provides reliable, adaptable, and chemically resistant fluid interconnections with minimal mechanical stress on microfluidic devices, enabling efficient and flexible mounting and connection configurations.
Implementation Method 1
Each clamping structure including an individually moveable compression-providing element structured to provide a controlled amount of compression
Data Source
AI summary
A modular mounting and connection or interconnection system for microfluidic devices (20) includes a plurality of end-butting compression-sealing fluid connectors or adapters (32), and one or more clamping structures (54, 56) each structured to hold one of the fluid connectors (32) in compression against a planar surface of a microfluidic device (20), and to press against the device, on another directly opposing planar surface thereof, either a contact pad (48) or another of the fluid connectors (32), with each clamping structure (54,56) including an individually moveable compression-providing element such as a compression screw (36) structured to provide a controlled amount of compression. The system desirably further includes one or more device frames (58) each structured so as to receive and hold a microfluidic device (20) with one or more of the clamping structures (54, 56) attached, the device frame (58) being structured to retain the device (20) and attached clamping structures (54, 56) by constraining only one or two of the clamping structures (54,56) in a manner such that no torsion or bending is applied to the device (20), and one or more system frames (70) structured so as to receive and hold a plurality of device frames (58) in proximity to each other in a three-dimensional array, such that volumes of desired fluid interconnections between devices (20) can be minimized.