Dry Microfluidic Cartridge Gas Pressure Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic assay systems require external fluids and ports for fluid management, which can lead to contamination, degradation, and increased complexity, limiting their ability to perform multiple assays quickly and efficiently, especially for point-of-care applications.
Innovation Solution
A 'dry' microfluidic cartridge system using a gas-filled chamber for controlled fluid movement and sample removal within the cartridge, eliminating the need for external liquids and ports, allowing for accurate and efficient sample handling and detection in a liquid-free environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external pumps and valves are used to control fluid movement in the cartridge, then fluid control capability is improved, but device complexity and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes pumps and valves from the cartridge structure entirely, extracting the fluid control function to the external reader device. The cartridge becomes a passive container that relies on capillary action for fluid movement, while the reader device externally controls fluid introduction and removal, thereby simplifying the cartridge design while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary gas-permeable membrane that allows gas pressure from the reader device to act on the sample fluid without direct mechanical connection. This membrane mediates the transmission of control pressure while maintaining physical separation, enabling fluid control without requiring mechanical pumps or valves within the cartridge.
2Ease of operation
If multiple ports are added to the cartridge for fluid introduction and removal, then fluid management capability is improved, but contamination risk and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sample introduction function and the fluid removal function into a single port structure. The reader device externally controls both fluid introduction and removal through this unified interface, reducing the number of ports required and minimizing contamination risk while maintaining comprehensive fluid management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the wash fluid storage and delivery function from the cartridge structure, eliminating the need for separate wash fluid ports. Instead, the reader device introduces wash fluid externally through the existing sample port, reducing the total number of ports and associated contamination risks while maintaining thorough sample removal capability.
3Ease of operation
If liquid-filled pouches are included in the cartridge for wash reagents, then sample removal capability is improved, but cartridge complexity and reagent degradation risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes liquid-filled pouches and integrated wash reagent storage from the cartridge structure. Instead, the cartridge contains only the sample and necessary reagents in a simple chamber, while the reader device externally introduces wash fluid and controls the removal process, thereby simplifying the cartridge design while maintaining effective sample removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses gas pressure as an intermediary mechanism to control fluid movement and sample removal. The reader device applies gas pressure through a gas-permeable membrane to manipulate the sample fluid and introduce wash fluid, eliminating the need for complex mechanical pumping structures within the cartridge while maintaining precise control over the sample removal process.
4Productivity
If external pumps are used to introduce wash liquid, then sample removal efficiency is improved, but liquid degradation and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wash fluid storage and delivery system from the cartridge, eliminating the need for pre-filled liquid reservoirs that are susceptible to degradation. The reader device externally introduces fresh wash fluid as needed, maintaining sample removal efficiency while ensuring liquid stability by avoiding prolonged storage within the cartridge.
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
Enables precise control of fluid movement and sample analysis without external liquids, reducing contamination risks, simplifying the system, and enabling multiple assays with a single cartridge and reader device, suitable for point-of-care testing.
Implementation Method 1
compressible, gas-filled chamber... compressing or decompressing said chamber causes gas to be expelled from or drawn into the chamber, which in turn causes movement of the liquid sample
Implementation Method 2
a sample input port for receiving the liquid sample, the sample input port connected to at least one microfluidic channel
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a microfluidic assay system and associated reading device, as well as the individual components themselves. The present invention also relates to methods of conducting assays, using a disposable system and associated reading device, as well as kits for conducting assays.