Microfluidic Platform Residual Sample Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic devices using centrifugal force for sample analysis face issues with sample sticking to the surface and subsequent contamination of the apparatus and interior elements during rotation, potentially leading to erroneous results and secondary infections.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sloped portion and guide structure around the sample inlet to direct residual samples into a receptacle, preventing overflow and contamination, and using a residual sample receptacle to collect excess samples, thereby isolating them from the main sample chamber and preventing external exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pipet or syringe is used to inject sample into the inlet hole, then the sample can be introduced into the microfluidic device, but the sample may be stuck around the inlet hole and contaminate the apparatus surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful residual sample from the inlet hole area by introducing a suction hole that extends from the inlet hole through the platform bottom. This suction hole creates a negative pressure zone that actively removes residual sample from the inlet hole and surrounding areas, preventing contamination of the apparatus surface and interior elements during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (suction hole with negative pressure) between the sample injection process and the potential contamination. The negative pressure generated by the suction hole acts as a mediator that prevents residual sample from sticking to the inlet hole and migrating to the apparatus surface, thereby eliminating the harmful effect without interfering with the normal sample injection operation.
2Productivity
If the microfluidic device is rotated to move sample through microfluidic structures, then biochemical reactions can be performed, but residual sample on the surface may contaminate interior elements such as light source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts residual sample from the inlet hole area using the suction hole that extends through the platform bottom. The negative pressure generated by this suction hole continuously removes residual sample before it can be thrown onto the apparatus surface during rotation, thereby preventing contamination of interior elements like light sources while maintaining full rotational processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs a preliminary action by creating negative pressure through the suction hole before and during the sample injection and rotation processes. This preliminary negative pressure field prevents residual sample from adhering to the inlet hole and migrating to the apparatus surface, ensuring that when the device rotates for biochemical reactions, no contamination occurs to interior elements.
3Reliability
If sample containing disease-causing agents is injected, then disease analysis can be performed, but residual sample may cause secondary infection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts residual sample containing disease-causing agents from the inlet hole area using the suction hole extending through the platform bottom. The negative pressure generated by this suction hole actively removes and contains residual sample, preventing it from contaminating the external environment and causing secondary infections, while maintaining the reliability of disease analysis through the microfluidic device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary containment mechanism (suction hole with negative pressure) between the residual sample and the external environment. This intermediary system prevents residual sample containing pathogens from escaping the controlled environment of the microfluidic device, thereby eliminating secondary infection risk while preserving the reliability of disease analysis operations.
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 effectively prevents residual samples from contaminating the apparatus and interior elements during rotation, ensuring accurate results and reducing the risk of secondary infections by containing and isolating the residual samples.
Implementation Method 1
a sample injected into the apparatus for analyzing sample based on centrifugal force is moved in a direction away from a rotation center of the microfluidic device by centrifugal force
Implementation Method 2
a sloped portion inclined downward in the radial outward direction between the sample inlet hole and the opening
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
A apparatus for analyzing sample to prevent a sample from being stuck to a surface of the apparatus for analyzing sample in the course of being injected into the apparatus for analyzing sample. The apparatus for analyzing sample includes a platform having a disk shape. The platform includes chambers and channels, a sample inlet hole which is formed in an outer surface the platform and through which a sample is injected into the platform; an opening which is formed in the outer surface of the platform and through which a residual of the sample, present on the outer surface of the platform around the sample inlet hole, is introduced into a receiving space isolated from the chambers and channels; and a barrier which is formed on the outer surface of the platform around a portion of the opening to prevent the residual of the sample from moving past the opening in a radial outward direction of the platform.