Microfluidic Flow Rate Stabilization via Medium Reinjection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic systems for identifying, tracking, and sorting cells or particulates lack speed and accuracy due to fluctuations in volumetric flow rates, affecting inter-particle spacing, timing, and positioning.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that control the volumetric flow rate in a microfluidic sorting system by passing a medium through a primary channel, sensing particles, and using a sorting junction with secondary channels to maintain a consistent flow rate, allowing for precise sorting and reinjection of the medium to control particle spacing and timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If particles are sorted from the primary channel into the first secondary channel, then particle sorting is achieved, but the volumetric flow rate in the primary channel fluctuates, affecting sorting speed and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers the medium that was diverted to the first secondary channel by reinjecting it back into the primary channel through the second secondary channel. This recovery process maintains the volumetric flow rate in the primary channel, ensuring stable inter-particle spacing and timing while enabling continuous high-speed sorting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a parallel secondary channel system that copies the flow path of the primary channel. The second secondary channel serves as a backup pathway to reinject medium, effectively copying the flow dynamics to maintain consistency in the primary channel during sorting operations
2Productivity
If the volumetric flow rate is increased to improve sorting speed, then productivity increases, but inter-particle spacing and timing control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the volumetric flow rate is continuously monitored and adjusted. By reinjecting medium from the second secondary channel at a rate that matches the diversion to the first secondary channel, the system maintains constant inter-particle spacing and timing even at high sorting speeds, enabling both high productivity and high precision
3Manufacturing precision
If medium is diverted to the first secondary channel for particle sorting, then particle separation is achieved, but the total volumetric flow rate decreases, affecting system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers the diverted medium by reinjecting it from the second secondary channel back into the primary channel. This prevents medium loss and maintains the total volumetric flow rate, ensuring that particle separation accuracy is achieved without sacrificing system efficiency or productivity
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 approach enhances the speed and accuracy of particle sorting by maintaining a consistent volumetric flow rate, ensuring uniform inter-particle spacing and timing, thereby improving the efficiency of the microfluidic sorting process.
Implementation Method 1
a medium pump system, wherein the medium pump system is configured to maintain a volumetric flow rate of the medium in the system
Implementation Method 2
a first sensor to sense at least a subset of particles in the plurality of particles, wherein the first sensor is positioned adjacent to the primary channel
Implementation Method 3
a sorting junction with secondary channels to maintain a consistent flow rate, allowing for precise sorting and reinjection of the medium
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods capable of identifying, tracking, and sorting particles flowing in a channel, for example, a microfluidic channel having a fluid medium. The channel and the fluid medium can have a similar refractive index such that they appear translucent or transparent when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation. The particles can have a refractive index substantially different from that of the channel and the medium, such that the particles interfere with the electromagnetic radiation. A sensor can be disposed adjacent to the channel to record the electromagnetic radiation. The sensor can be used for identifying, tracking, and sorting the particles.