Microfluidic Flow Cell with Removable Cover for Biofilm Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microfluidic flow cells face limitations in compatibility with different microscopes, flexibility in surface choice, pressure build-up, and air bubble entrainment, leading to suboptimal conditions for biofilm analysis and diagnostics, with high costs and environmental impact due to non-reusable materials.

Innovation Solution

A microfluidic flow cell design featuring a removable cover and bottom plate, compatible with various microscopes, allowing vertical installation to prevent air bubble issues, and made from cost-effective, reusable polyethylene materials, with a larger sample chamber for reduced pressure and flexible surface options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional microfluidic flow cells are used, then biofilm analysis can be performed, but compatibility with different microscopes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroscope compatibilityVSAvoidflow cell design constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow cell is designed with a standardized microscope-compatible footprint and optical transparency that enables it to function with multiple types of microscopes (inverted, upright, confocal, widefield), making a single device universally compatible across different imaging platforms rather than requiring separate specialized chambers for each microscope type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional microfluidic flow cells are used, then biofilm analysis is possible, but pressure build-up occurs affecting biofilm integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiofilm integrityVSAvoidinternal flow cell pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The flow cell incorporates a segmented channel architecture with multiple inlet and outlet ports distributed across different regions, allowing flow to be divided into multiple pathways that reduce localized pressure buildup and prevent excessive stress on biofilm structures while maintaining adequate nutrient delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow cell inverts the conventional pressure management approach by incorporating compliance elements and flexible sealing mechanisms that allow the system to yield to pressure changes rather than resisting them, preventing pressure buildup that would damage biofilms while maintaining flow control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If conventional microfluidic flow cells are used, then flow control is achieved, but air bubble entrainment occurs disrupting analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis efficiencyVSAvoidair bubble interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flow cell design extracts and removes air bubbles from the flow path using integrated bubble traps and vent channels that separate gas phases from liquid flow, preventing bubbles from entering the sample chamber and interfering with optical analysis while maintaining continuous fluid flow for nutrient delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional microfluidic flow cells are used, then surface analysis is possible, but flexibility in surface choice is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface material flexibilityVSAvoidflow cell fabrication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flow cell separates the substrate holder from the chamber structure, allowing different material substrates (glass, plastic, coated surfaces) to be independently exchanged in the substrate holder position without requiring different chamber designs, enabling surface flexibility while maintaining standardized manufacturing of the chamber components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Reliability

If conventional microfluidic flow cells are used, then single-use operation is possible, but cost and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The flow cell design enables recovery and reuse of the main chamber structure while allowing disposal of only the consumable substrate and fluid components, significantly reducing material waste compared to single-use systems while maintaining contamination prevention through easy sterilization of reusable parts and replacement of consumables

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS20240002764A1Microfluidic flow cell and system for analyzing or diagnosing biofilms and cell cultures, and the use thereof

Publication Date: 2024.01.04 JOHANNES GUTENBERG UNIV

AI summary

Microfluidic flow cells for analyzing or diagnosing biofilms and cell cultures. The microfluidic flow cells comprise a support plate with a sample chamber formed therein, which is peripherally limited by chamber walls and a bottom, a cover plate which can be connected to the support plate in a fluid-tight manner, an inlet with an integrated inlet channel, which leads to the sample chamber via an opening, a drain with an integrated drain channel. Holding elements for fixing the support plate to a microscope stage or a holding device are attached to the front sides of the support plate. The invention further relates to systems and their use for analyzing and diagnosing biofilms and cell cultures using these microfluidic flow cells.