Microfluidic Circuit Dead Volume Reduction via Segmented Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microfluidic circuits face challenges with lengthy fill times and undelivered medication due to excess dead volume in components like reservoirs, valves, and pressure sensors, which increases the total volume of the system and hinders efficient fluid delivery.
Innovation Solution
The method involves configuring microfluidic flow components, such as constant-volume fluid chambers, valves, and pressure sensors, to reduce dead volume by incorporating volume reduction elements, ensuring the working volume is substantially equal to the total volume, thereby minimizing unnecessary fluid storage and enhancing fluid flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the total internal volume of microfluidic components is increased to accommodate manufacturing access requirements, then ease of manufacture is improved, but dead volume increases leading to longer fill times and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The component internal volume is segmented into two distinct regions: a working volume for fluid flow and a manufacturing access volume. The working volume is minimized to reduce dead volume and fill time, while the manufacturing access volume is provided as a separate region with dedicated access ports, allowing manufacturing requirements to be met without increasing the working volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing access requirements are extracted from the working volume. Separate access ports are provided specifically for manufacturing operations, isolating the manufacturing function from the fluid flow function. This allows the working volume to be minimized for productivity while maintaining manufacturing capability through the separate access ports.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the total volume of the microfluidic circuit is increased to accommodate all components, then device functionality is improved, but dead volume increases resulting in medication loss
Solution Approach 1:
Each component's internal volume is segmented into working volume and dead volume. The working volume is optimized for fluid flow functionality, while the dead volume is minimized by providing access ports that allow direct manufacturing access without requiring large internal volumes. This segmentation enables the circuit to accommodate all necessary components for full functionality while minimizing overall dead volume and medication loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal volume parameter of each component is optimized by changing the design approach from maximizing internal capacity to minimizing dead volume. Access ports are strategically positioned to provide manufacturing access without requiring large internal volumes, thereby changing the volume parameter to reduce medication loss while maintaining device functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If access ports are provided for manufacturing all components, then ease of manufacture is improved, but dead volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
Access ports are strategically positioned at specific locations within each component where they provide manufacturing access with minimal impact on the working volume. The local geometry around each access port is optimized to minimize dead volume accumulation, allowing manufacturing access while maintaining small overall component volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
Access ports are positioned in three-dimensional space at optimal locations that minimize interference with the working volume. By strategically placing access ports in different spatial dimensions and orientations, the design achieves manufacturing accessibility without requiring increased component volume, thereby reducing dead volume while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for reducing a dead volume of a microfluidic circuit that includes, in one embodiment, a reservoir, an outlet, and a microfluidic flowpath fluidly connecting the reservoir and the outlet. The method includes providing a microfluidic flow component between the reservoir and the outlet for performing a function and in fluidic communication with the microfluidic flowpath, wherein the microfluidic flow component includes a total volume including a working volume and a dead volume. The working volume is a volume necessary for the microfluidic flow component to perform the function and the dead volume is a volume unnecessary for the microfluidic flow component to perform the function. The method includes configuring at least one of the reservoir, the microfluidic flowpath, and the microfluidic flow component to reduce the dead volume, such that the working volume of the component is substantially the same as the total volume.