Microfluidic Chip Interface for Automated Fluid Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automated capillary electrophoresis for sample analysis is hindered by difficulties in handling and delivering small fluid volumes to microfluidic chips, and manual fluid transfer leads to inefficiencies and contamination on the chip surface, disrupting fluid flow and electrical measurements.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic and electrical interface system that includes a microchip tray, electrical bus, fluid manifold assembly with pumps, and precise dispensing and aspiration tubes to manage fluid flow and electrical connections, ensuring fluid is directed within the chip without spilling and maintaining electrical integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual fluid transfer is used to introduce samples into the microchip, then fluid handling is simple, but fluid spills and contamination on the chip surface occur, disrupting fluid flow and electrical measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary fluid delivery system consisting of a micropipette mounted on a positioning stage that precisely delivers fluid to the chip's reservoir. This intermediary mechanism bridges the gap between manual handling and automated precision, eliminating spills while maintaining operational simplicity through the use of a controllable micropipette system with x-y-z positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical fluid transfer with an automated micropipette positioning system controlled by motors or piezoelectric actuators. This substitution eliminates human error in fluid delivery while maintaining the simplicity of the fluid handling process through automated control, thereby improving measurement reliability without sacrificing ease of operation.
2Productivity
If electrical probes are used to apply voltage to the channels, then electrophoretic flow is induced, but electrical contact stability is difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing spring-loaded electrical contacts that are pre-positioned and spring-loaded to maintain constant pressure against the chip's electrical terminals. This preliminary setup ensures stable electrical contact is established before electrophoresis begins, eliminating contact instability during the process while maintaining high electrophoresis efficiency through reliable voltage delivery.
3Manufacturing precision
If automated fluid delivery is implemented, then fluid handling precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the automated fluid delivery system into modular components: a micropipette module, a positioning stage with x-y-z control, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall interface design, achieving high fluid delivery precision without excessive system complexity through modular architecture.
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 system reliably and reproducibly transfers fluids and establishes electrical contact, preventing surface contamination and enabling precise fluid handling and analysis, enhancing the accuracy of capillary electrophoresis by maintaining fluid flow paths and electrical measurements.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolyte pump for filling and flushing wells with background electrolyte from source; a sample pump for filing and flushing fluid well with sample solution from source
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum pump for aspirating the wells
Implementation Method 3
these fluids flow through a network of channels by capillary action, external pressure or electro-osmotic flow
Implementation Method 4
Voltages between a few hundred volts and greater than one thousand volts may be applied to the channels using electrical probes, for inducing electrophoretic and/or electro-osmotic flow useful for introducing small amounts of the sample fluid into the carrier channel
Implementation Method 5
charged substances in the sample will separate in the carrier channel as a consequence of differences in electrophoretic mobility
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Microfluidic chip interface for providing fluid communication with external fluid sources and external fluid waste containers, and for providing electrical contact with voltage sources and voltage and current measuring devices, is described. The microchip is first placed into electrical communication with at least one electrical source and at least one electronic measurement device, and reversibly secured in place. The fluid manifold is removed from fluid communication with the microchip during electrical measurements.