Microfluidic system including cooling device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The acoustic particle separation method for biological entities in fluids using piezoelectric transducers generates heat, potentially damaging the biological entities, necessitating an effective cooling solution for the microfluidic device.

Innovation Solution

A compact cooling device comprising a thermoelectric heat pump, fans, and heat exchangers, with a housing structure design that allows air circulation to efficiently dissipate heat from the microfluidic device and piezoelectric transducers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high power is applied to the piezoelectric transducer to achieve effective acoustic particle separation, then the separation performance is improved, but heat is generated that may damage the biological entities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle separation performanceVSAvoidheat damage to biological entities

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cooling device as an intermediary component between the piezoelectric transducer and the microfluidic device. This cooling device includes a thermoelectric heat pump and heat exchangers that actively remove heat generated by the transducer, preventing it from damaging the biological entities while allowing the transducer to operate at high power for effective particle separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the heat generation problem from the main system by separating the heat management function into a dedicated cooling subsystem. The cooling device independently handles the thermal management, allowing the piezoelectric transducer to focus on particle separation without being constrained by heat generation issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a cooling device is added to the microfluidic system to manage heat, then the reliability of biological entity preservation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiological entity preservationVSAvoidcooling system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cooling system into modular components: a thermoelectric heat pump, multiple heat exchangers, and housing structures with integrated air passages. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently and makes the overall system easier to assemble, maintain, and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structures serve multiple functions: they enclose the cooling components, provide thermal pathways through integrated heat exchangers, and manage air circulation for cooling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If a compact cooling device is designed to cool the microfluidic device, then the heat management effectiveness is improved, but the available space for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrofluidic device coolingVSAvoidspace for microfluidic components

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested design where the cooling device components are integrated within the housing structures of the microfluidic system. The heat exchangers are positioned adjacent to the microfluidic device, and the air passages are formed within the housing cavities, allowing efficient heat management without occupying additional external space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 cooling device effectively manages heat generated by the piezoelectric transducers, preventing damage to biological entities and ensuring reliable operation of the microfluidic system for particle separation.

Implementation Method 1

The method uses acoustic radiation pressure generated by a piezoelectric transducer attached to a microfluidic device to segregate particles with different sizes or acoustic contrasts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Implementation Method 2

A microfluidic system for separating biological entities comprises a cooling device including a thermoelectric heat pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoelectric heat pump: Peltier Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12090481B2Microfluidic system including cooling device

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 APPL CELLS INC

AI summary

A microfluidic system for separating biological entities includes a cooling device including a thermoelectric heat pump, a first fan, and a first heat exchanger disposed between the first fan and the thermoelectric heat pump; a first housing structure having a first shell that encases the first fan and the first heat exchanger; a microfluidic device and one or more piezoelectric transducers attached thereto; and a second housing structure reversibly attached to the first housing structure and having a second shell that encloses therein the microfluidic device and the one or more piezoelectric transducers. When the first and second housing structures are coupled, a first air passage is formed between a side of the first heat exchanger and an end of the microfluidic device, a second air passage is formed between the first fan and the piezoelectric transducers, thereby allowing air to circulate between the first and second air passages.