Microfluidic Device With Elastic Membrane For Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microfluidic devices require precise pressure control for reliable operation, but existing systems often rely on complex and costly external pressure generators, which can be unstable and increase manufacturing and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device design that uses a membrane with a predetermined displacement volume, allowing it to maintain constant pressure within the cavity by expanding and reducing volume, independent of external pressure fluctuations, enabling reliable and cost-effective pressure control without the need for complex external generators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external pressure generators are used to control pressure in microfluidic devices, then pressure control is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pressure control function from external pressure generators and relocates it into the microfluidic device itself through elastic membranes with predetermined displacement volumes. This eliminates the need for complex external pressure generation equipment while maintaining reliable pressure control within the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic device performs its own pressure control function through integrated elastic membranes that automatically regulate pressure based on their predetermined displacement volumes. The device serves itself by using internal elastic elements to generate and maintain required pressure levels without external assistance.
2Stress or pressure
If external pressure generators are used, then pressure can be supplied, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive external pressure generators with inexpensive elastic membranes that are integrated directly into the microfluidic device. These membranes are simple, disposable components that eliminate the need for costly external pressure generation equipment, significantly reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.
3Stress or pressure
If external pressure generators are used, then pressure control is possible, but stability decreases due to external fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic membranes with predetermined displacement volumes act as feedback mechanisms that automatically adjust to maintain stable pressure. When external pressure fluctuates, the membranes expand or contract to compensate, ensuring that the pressure within the microfluidic device remains stable and不受 external variations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pressure levels are required, then microfluidic functions can be performed, but the number of external pressure generators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements different pressure levels at different locations within the microfluidic device by using multiple elastic membranes with different predetermined displacement volumes. Each membrane is tailored to provide the specific pressure level required for its local function, eliminating the need for multiple external pressure generators.
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 design enhances the reliability and cost-effectiveness of pressure control within the microfluidic system, allows for precise pressure specification, and reduces the number of interfaces and potential errors, while enabling both low and high pressure operations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic membrane (2) arranged between the two polymer layers (1, 3) such that, depending on the pressure applied to the channel (4a), the elastic membrane (2) expands substantially completely into the displacement volume (7a, 7b)
Implementation Method 2
the membrane does expand and thus change the pressure in the cavity, but not beyond a predetermined value. The expansion of the membrane reduces the total volume of the cavity, thereby increasing the pressure in the cavity
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising at least two layers arranged one above the other, a membrane which is arranged between the two layers, a cavity in one of the two layers, and a channel in the other of the two layers. The membrane is arranged so as to be expandable between the cavity and the channel, said membrane being expandable into at least one specified displacement volume. The invention likewise relates to a method for producing a microfluidic device, to a use of a microfluidic device, and to a microfluidic system.