Microfluidic Device with Removable Seals for Sensor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic devices require complex setup and are prone to errors, with risks of drying out and damage from excessive flowrates, especially in compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device designed to be supplied in a 'ready to use' state with pre-inserted amphiphilic membranes and nanopores, maintained in a wet condition, featuring a bridgeable barrier and removable seals to facilitate easy activation and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device is supplied in a 'ready to use' state with pre-inserted amphiphilic membranes and nanopores, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for precise manufacturing and sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The amphiphilic membranes with nanopores are pre-inserted into the device during manufacturing, and the device is pre-filled with liquid to maintain the sensor in a wet state. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to perform complex setup procedures, directly improving ease of operation while the manufacturing complexity is absorbed in the production phase.
2Reliability
If the sensor is maintained in a wet condition, then the reliability is improved by reducing the risk of drying out, but the device complexity increases due to the need for liquid retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal is used to enclose the sensing chamber and retain liquid around the sensor, maintaining the wet condition necessary for sensor reliability. The flexible nature of the seal allows it to conform to the chamber geometry while effectively preventing liquid leakage, achieving reliable wet maintenance without complex rigid retention structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes hydraulic principles by filling the sensing chamber with liquid that remains retained through the flexible seal. This liquid retention mechanism ensures the sensor remains in a wet state, improving reliability by preventing drying out while avoiding the need for complex active retention systems.
3Ease of operation
If a removable seal is used to facilitate activation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into a removable seal component and a sensing chamber. This segmentation allows the seal to be easily removed by users to activate the device while the manufacturing precision requirements are concentrated in the integration interface between the seal and chamber, which can be optimized during production.
4Duration of action of moving object
If the device is designed to prevent drying out, then the duration of action is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sealing and retention features
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible seal creates a closed enclosure that retains liquid around the sensor for extended periods, significantly improving the duration of action by preventing drying out. The simplicity of the flexible seal design avoids adding substantial complexity while achieving long-term liquid retention.
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 device maintains the sensor in a wet state, reducing the risk of drying out and damage, while simplifying the user experience by allowing activation with a single action, ensuring reliable performance and extended sensor life.
Implementation Method 1
a removable seal, configured to enclose the upstream portion and, when a liquid is provided in the upstream portion, inhibit flow of the liquid before removal of the seal
Implementation Method 2
a bridgeable barrier between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, configured to facilitate flow of the liquid from the upstream portion to the downstream portion upon removal of the seal
Implementation Method 3
Sensors such as disclosed by WO99/13101 and WO88/08534 are provided in the dry state and a liquid test sample applied to the device is transported to the sensor region within the device by capillary flow
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic device for analysing a test liquid comprises: a sensor provided in a sensing chamber; a sensing chamber inlet channel and a sensing chamber outlet channel, each connecting to the sensing chamber for respectively passing liquid into and out of the sensing chamber, and a reservoir forming a sample input port to the microfluidic device, the reservoir being in fluid communication with the sensing chamber inlet channel; a liquid collection channel; a barrier between an end of the sensing chamber outlet channel and the liquid collection channel; a first seal, covering the sample input port; a second seal, covering the end of the sensing chamber outlet channel, thereby preventing liquid from flowing from the sensing chamber, over the barrier, into the liquid collection channel; wherein the microfluidic device is filled with a liquid from the first seal at the sample input port to the second seal at the end of the sensing chamber outlet channel, such that the sensor is covered by liquid and unexposed to a gas or gas/liquid interface; and wherein the first and second seals are removable to cause the liquid to flow between the reservoir and the end of the sensing chamber outlet and over the barrier.