Microfluidic Arrangement Using Immiscible Liquid Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwell plates face challenges in miniaturization due to the need for solid walls, which occupy a significant surface area and hinder the addition of liquids to small wells, limiting flexibility and biological compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A method of creating a microfluidic arrangement by dividing a continuous body of a first liquid into sub-bodies using a second immiscible liquid, where surface tension holds the sub-bodies separated, allowing for flexible and high-density arrangements without mechanical or chemical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid walls are used to separate wells in microwell plates, then well separation and structural stability are improved, but surface area is reduced and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses liquid walls (second liquid) instead of solid walls to separate wells. The liquid walls are formed by injecting a second liquid (e.g., oil) through a nozzle to create barriers between droplets of the first liquid (e.g., water-based solution). This hydraulic approach replaces the solid structural walls with fluid-based separation, reducing surface area occupation while maintaining well separation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the separation medium from solid to liquid. By using a liquid second phase with different density and immiscibility properties, the system achieves well separation without the need for solid wall structures. The liquid walls can be dynamically formed and removed, providing flexibility in well configuration and surface area utilization.
2Reliability
If solid walls are used to define small wells, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing precision and ease of operation deteriorate due to difficulty in adding liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses liquid walls formed by injecting a second liquid through a nozzle to define well boundaries. This approach eliminates the need for precise tip positioning near solid walls, as the liquid walls are formed by the injection process itself. The liquid barriers are flexible and do not create meniscus issues that would trap air, making liquid addition straightforward and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid walls are formed in advance by injecting the second liquid to create separation barriers before adding the first liquid and biological material. This preliminary formation of liquid boundaries ensures stable well definition without requiring subsequent precise manipulation near solid walls, simplifying the overall operation.
3Productivity
If high density well arrangements are created with solid walls, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and material compatibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs liquid walls formed by controlled injection of a second liquid to create high-density well arrangements. The liquid barriers can be dynamically formed in closely spaced configurations without the need for complex solid wall structures. This hydraulic approach enables higher well density while reducing structural complexity, as the liquid walls are formed by simple injection processes rather than complex manufacturing of solid partitions.
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 enables the formation of extremely small sub-bodies with high density, efficient space filling, and easy addition of liquids, while improving biological and chemical compatibility, and reducing the complexity and time required for sample preparation.
Implementation Method 1
surface tension stably holds the plurality of sub-bodies of the first liquid separated from each other by the second liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement a continuous body of a first liquid is provided in direct contact with a substrate. A second liquid is provided in direct contact with the first liquid and covering the first liquid. The first liquid is in direct contact exclusively with the second liquid and the substrate. The second liquid is forced through the first liquid and into contact with the substrate in selected regions of the substrate in order to divide the continuous body of the first liquid into a plurality of sub-bodies of the first liquid that are separated from each other by the second liquid. The first liquid is immiscible with the second liquid. Surface tension stably holds the plurality of sub-bodies of the first liquid separated from each other by the second liquid.