Microfluidic Liquid Handling Device with Common Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid handling devices using microwell plates and ink-jet heads require large apparatuses to prevent contamination between samples, which is inefficient and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A liquid handling device with multiple channels and wells connected by a common channel, allowing for independent processing of samples using rotary membrane valves and a pump to manage fluid flow without the need for extensive apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a microwell plate and dispenser or ink-jet head are used to provide common reagent to each well, then contamination between different samples is prevented, but the size of the apparatus is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate liquid handling paths into a single integrated microfluidic chip. The first channel, second channel, and processing agent channel all connect to a common channel, allowing multiple samples and reagents to be handled through a unified structure rather than requiring separate dispensers or ink-jet heads for each well.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a three-dimensional apparatus with moving components (dispensers, ink-jet heads) to a planar two-dimensional microfluidic chip structure. By flattening the liquid handling paths onto a single chip substrate, the apparatus footprint is dramatically reduced while maintaining the capability to handle multiple samples independently.
2Reliability
If separate dispensers or ink-jet heads are used for each well, then sample processing is reliable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple liquid handling functions are combined into a single microfluidic chip structure. Instead of having separate dispensers or ink-jet heads for each well, the patent integrates all liquid delivery paths (first channel, second channel, processing agent channel) into one unified device with a common channel, reducing the number of components while maintaining reliable sample processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The common channel serves multiple functions by receiving liquid from the first channel, second channel, and processing agent channel simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows a single structural element to handle different samples and reagents, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining processing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid handling device includes a plurality of first wells configured for a first sample; a first channel connected to the plurality of first wells; a plurality of second wells configured for a second sample; a second channel connected to the plurality of second wells; a plurality of processing agent wells configured for a processing agent configured to process the first sample and the second sample; a processing agent channel connected to the plurality of processing agent wells; and a common channel connected to the first channel, the second channel and the processing agent channel.