Microfluidic Circuit Diverging Walls Surface Tension Drop Formation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic processes for digital PCR are costly, complex, and result in significant sample loss due to the need for extensive equipment and expertise, as well as inefficient drop production and analysis, particularly when balancing fluid flows and requiring carrier fluid for drop formation.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic process using diverging microchannel walls and surface tension to form and move drops independently of carrier fluid flow, allowing for treatment and analysis within a single circuit without the need for carrier fluid flow, enabling homogeneous drop formation and maximizing sample utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If carrier fluid flow is used to produce drops from the sample solution, then drops can be formed and transported, but significant sample loss occurs due to transitory phase drops and transfers between vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the carrier fluid from the drop formation process, allowing drops to be formed solely from the sample solution without being mixed with or dependent on carrier fluid flow. This eliminates the need to discard transitory phase drops and reduces sample loss during transfers.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample solution itself performs the drop formation function through its own surface tension properties when confined between diverging walls, without requiring external carrier fluid assistance. The solution autonomously forms homogeneous drops from the start of the process, maximizing utilization of the precious sample.
2Reliability
If numerous equipment items are used for drop production, thermocycling, and analysis, then digital PCR can be performed, but the process becomes costly and complex requiring extensive expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges drop production, thermocycling, and analysis functions into a single integrated microfluidic circuit. The diverging wall structure that forms drops also serves as the reaction chamber for thermocycling, and the circuit design enables direct optical analysis without transfers, reducing equipment requirements and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic circuit performs multiple functions: the diverging walls simultaneously confine the sample and induce drop formation, the enclosed space serves as the thermocycling reaction chamber, and the circuit structure enables direct optical access for analysis. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate equipment for each step.
3Manufacturing precision
If carrier fluid flow is used for drop production, then drops can be formed, but the first drops during transitory phase have unsuitable sizes requiring discarding
Solution Approach 1:
The diverging wall geometry is pre-configured to immediately confine and shape the sample solution into uniform drops from the moment of introduction. This preliminary confinement action ensures that all drops, including the first ones, have suitable homogeneous sizes without requiring a transitory phase that would need to be discarded.
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 process simplifies and reduces costs by allowing for quicker, more effective digital PCR with minimal operator training, reducing sample loss, and enabling all or almost all the sample to be treated and analyzed efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
detaching drops of the solution in a carrier fluid, caused by the divergence of the microchannel walls, coupled with the effects of the surface tension of the solution
Implementation Method 2
moving at least a portion of the drops in the carrier fluid to at least one drop storage zone in the microfluidic circuit, caused by the divergence of the microchannel walls, coupled with the effects of the surface tension of the drops
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter of the present invention is a microfluidic process for treating and analysing a solution containing a biological material, comprising a step of introducing the solution into microchannels of a microfluidic circuit (1), a step of forming drops of this solution, under the effect of modifications of the surface tension of the solution, a step of moving the drops to one or more drop storage zones(s) (130), under the effect of modifications of the surface tension of the drops, a step of treating the drops and a step of analysing the drops.