Microfluidic Device With Embedded Memory For Defect Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic devices lack a system to prevent human error and optimize operation, especially in cases of small defects, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a non-volatile rewritable memory within the microfluidic device to store information about its structure, faulty actuators, and usage parameters, allowing an external control unit to recognize and adapt the device's operation accordingly, thereby enabling continued use despite small defects and ensuring high-quality results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a microfluidic device is used without a memory system to store information about defects, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot adapt to small defects and requires rejection even for negligible flaws
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing information about device structure and faulty actuators in a non-volatile memory during manufacturing. This allows the control unit to retrieve and adapt to defects before the device is used, eliminating the need to reject devices with minor defects while maintaining simple operation for the end user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a non-volatile memory as an intermediary between the device hardware and the control unit. This memory component stores defect information and enables the control unit to adapt its operation, serving as a mediator that bridges the physical device and the control software to achieve defect tolerance.
2Reliability
If all devices with any defects are rejected, then high operational reliability is maintained, but manufacturing costs increase due to reduced yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by storing specific information about which actuators are faulty rather than rejecting the entire device. The control unit adapts by using only the functional actuators, allowing the device to maintain high operational reliability while reducing manufacturing waste and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by identifying and discarding only the defective actuators while recovering and utilizing the functional portions of the device. The memory stores information about which actuators to avoid, enabling the device to be reused effectively despite partial defects.
3Ease of operation
If manual management of microfluidic devices is used, then device operation is straightforward, but human errors occur that compromise diagnostic quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the control unit automatically retrieve device information and defect data from the non-volatile memory, then adapt its control strategy accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates manual errors while keeping the user interface simple, as the control unit handles the complex adaptation automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the device to automatically provide its own operational parameters and defect information to the control unit through the non-volatile memory. The device essentially manages itself by presenting the necessary information, reducing the need for manual configuration and minimizing human error.
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic device for isolating particles of at least one given type of a sample; the device is designed to be connected to an apparatus through a plurality of electrical connectors and comprises a system of microfluidic channels and a flash memory, which contains information on the structure (arrangement and geometry of the various components) of the system of microfluidic channels, a map of non-functioning parts of the device, the maximum number of uses and the maximum time of use of the device; the memory has portions allocated for storing the number of times and the time of use of the device.