Microfluidic Processor with Environmental Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic processors face economic and technical challenges in integrating sample handling processes efficiently, leading to high manufacturing costs and error-prone manual handling, which limits their widespread adoption in biochemical and pharmaceutical applications.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic processor with integrated active elements that utilize changes in volume, swelling degree, material composition, strength, and viscosity, activated by environmental parameters like solvent presence and temperature, to automate process steps without auxiliary energy, enabling timely, qualitative, and quantitative processing of chemical and biochemical processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sample handling is performed manually or with special apparatus outside the chip, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but time consumption increases and error probability rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges sample handling functions directly into the microfluidic chip by integrating active fluidic elements (pumps and valves) manufactured as part of the chip structure itself, eliminating the need for separate external apparatus and achieving both automation and time efficiency while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control
2Volume of moving object
If solid-state actuators like piezo-actuators are used for miniaturization, then individual element miniaturization is achieved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of fluidic actuators by using elastic deformable walls instead of rigid solid-state actuators, allowing the system to achieve miniaturization while reducing complexity through simpler material properties and manufacturing processes that are compatible with standard plastic-based microfluidic fabrication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex solid-state piezoelectric or shape memory actuator systems with a simpler elastic membrane-based fluidic system that uses pressure differentials and elastic deformation principles, thereby achieving miniaturization without the associated complexity and cost of solid-state actuators
3Ease of manufacture
If converters based on aggregate state changes are integrated, then compatibility with plastic manufacturing is achieved, but thermal stress and mechanical stress on processing media increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active fluidic elements from the rigid plastic chip structure by implementing them as separate elastic membranes or deformable walls that can be integrated into the plastic-based microfluidic channels, allowing compatibility with plastic manufacturing while avoiding the thermal stress problems associated with melting or freezing elements
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 solution allows for automated, energy-efficient processing of complex biochemical processes, reducing errors and costs, making it possible for non-experts to perform examinations and enabling the production of inexpensive, disposable LOC devices suitable for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the active elements act by changes in their volume, swelling degree, material composition, their strength and/or viscosity
Implementation Method 2
the active elements act by changes in their volume, swelling degree, material composition, their strength and/or viscosity
Implementation Method 3
the process is enabled by action of a substantially non-directional collectively acting environmental parameter, in particular, the presence of a solvent and/or environmental temperature
Implementation Method 4
the process is enabled by action of a substantially non-directional collectively acting environmental parameter, in particular, the presence of a solvent and/or environmental temperature
Data Source
AI summary
In a microfluidic processor with integrated active elements for handling process media, the active elements act by changes in their volume, swelling degree, material composition, their strength and/or viscosity. The procedures to be performed are defined already by the constructive configuration of the microfluidic processor by an appropriate logic connection of the individual active elements defined in their function, by the sequence of the temporal activation of the individual elements, and with respect to their processing speed and their precision. The process is enabled by action of a substantially non-directional collectively acting environmental parameter, in particular, the presence of a solvent or environmental temperature or both.