Microfluidic Mixer With Flexible Membrane for Zero Dead Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidics systems for fluid mixing, such as those with diaphragm regions and mixing bladders, face inefficiencies in mixing quality and require additional volume and actuation for fluid removal, leading to increased complexity and dead volume.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidics system utilizing a closed, expandable volume with a flexible membrane that creates chaotic flow patterns by transporting fluids through channels, eliminating the need for external actuation and additional volume, and allowing for efficient mixing and fluid recovery without venting or displacing fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mixing bladders and diaphragm regions are used to generate fluid movement, then mixing can be achieved, but the mixing bladders and associated means for inflating and deflating take-up volume and require additional sealing measures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the mixing bladders and their associated inflating/deflating mechanisms from the system. Instead, it uses a simple flexible membrane that passively responds to fluid pressure to achieve mixing, thereby removing the volume-consuming components while maintaining mixing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane automatically responds to fluid pressure to create mixing flow patterns without requiring external actuation mechanisms. The system uses the fluid's own pressure to drive the mixing process, eliminating the need for separate inflating and deflating means.
2Ease of operation
If mixing bladders are used to create fluid movement, then mixing is achieved, but fluid cannot be removed from the mixing chamber except by replacing with another fluid which requires another fluid source and additional sealing measures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex sealing mechanisms and additional fluid source requirements by using a simple flexible membrane that allows passive fluid removal. The membrane's flexibility enables direct connection to the fluid source and sink without requiring separate sealing systems for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane serves multiple functions: it acts as a barrier, a flow control element, and a sealing component simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sealing measures for each interface, simplifying the overall system while enabling fluid removal.
3Productivity
If a closed expandable volume is used with a flexible membrane, then chaotic flow pattern is created for efficient mixing, but the system requires precise control of fluid filling and emptying cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane automatically responds to fluid pressure to create the chaotic flow patterns needed for efficient mixing. The system uses the fluid's own pressure to drive both filling and emptying cycles, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining high mixing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes periodic filling and emptying cycles of the flexible membrane to generate chaotic flow patterns. This periodic action, driven by fluid pressure rather than complex control systems, creates the necessary mixing conditions while keeping the control mechanism simple.
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 achieves improved mixing efficiency with reduced dead volume, compact design, and the ability to recover all fluids without external actuation, enhancing mixing quality and system simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a chaotic flow pattern is created near the membrane inside the expandable volume when fluids to be mixed are transported through the channel into the expandable volume
Implementation Method 2
the flexible membrane is elastic. This embodiment has the advantage that the membrane upon expansion generates a force tending to push liquid out of the expandable volume
Data Source
AI summary
A micro fluidics system includes a closed, expandable volume for mixing a fluid, and a flexible membrane for allowing mixing in the closed, expandable volume. The system further includes a surface having at least one channel for fluidically coupling a first side of the surface to the closed, expandable volume on a second side of the surface. The channel includes a first channel opening fluidically coupling the first side of the surface to the channel and a second channel opening fluidically coupling the channel to the closed, expandable volume. The expandable volume is defined by the flexible membrane closing the second channel opening when there is no fluid in the expandable volume.