Microfluidic Devices with Covered Feed Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microfluidic devices face challenges with fluid evaporation and air bubble formation, which can lead to sample loss and device damage, especially during nucleic acid testing where precise temperature control is required, and existing technologies struggle to efficiently manage fluid flow and priming in small, constrained environments.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates covered fluid feed slots with smaller fluid feed holes, serpentine microfluidic channels, capillary breaks, and inertial pumps to reduce evaporation, eliminate air bubbles, and improve priming, allowing for parallel processing and reliable testing of multiple fluids in close proximity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If microfluidic devices use small-scale channels for precise fluid control, then fluid manipulation precision is improved, but fluid evaporation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of flexible shells and thin films by using a coverslip as a thin film barrier to seal the microfluidic channel. This coverslip prevents fluid evaporation from the open channel while maintaining the small-scale geometry needed for precise fluid control. The thin film structure allows the device to retain precision benefits without suffering from increased evaporation losses.
2Measurement precision
If microfluidic devices operate at small scales for precise control, then fluid control precision is improved, but air bubble formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of taking out by removing air bubbles from the microfluidic channel through a syringe. This extraction method eliminates air bubbles that form during operation at small scales, thereby maintaining both the precision benefits of small-scale operation and the reliability needed to prevent device damage from bubble expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by priming the microfluidic channel with fluid before operation using a syringe. This preliminary priming action ensures that the channel is completely filled with fluid and free of air bubbles before the device begins its precision fluid control operations, preventing reliability issues from bubble formation.
3Loss of substance
If microfluidic channels are sealed to prevent evaporation, then fluid loss is reduced, but priming difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing an open end of the microfluidic channel that allows preliminary priming operations. Fluid can be introduced through this open end using a syringe to prime the channel completely before the channel is sealed or operated. This preliminary priming action ensures the channel is properly filled while maintaining the sealed configuration that prevents evaporation during operation.
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 design significantly reduces fluid evaporation, prevents air bubble expansion, and enhances priming, making the devices more reliable for nucleic acid testing and other biochemical assays by ensuring consistent fluid flow and minimizing sample loss.
Implementation Method 1
a capillary break to prevent fluid from entering the vent chamber
Implementation Method 2
The microfluidic channel can include an inertial pump to pump fluid through the microfluidic channel
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is drawn to microfluidic devices. In one example, a microfluidic device can include a first covered fluid feed slot in fluid communication with a first microfluidic channel and a second covered fluid feed slot in fluid communication with a second microfluidic channel. The first microfluidic channel can be formed adjacent to the second microfluidic channel but not in fluid communication with the second microfluidic channel. The first covered fluid feed slot can include a first fluid feed hole for filling a fluid into the first covered fluid feed slot. The second covered fluid feed slot can also include a second fluid feed hole for filling a fluid into the second covered fluid feed slot.