Microfluidic Probe Head Spacer Insertion Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

In microfluidic applications, retrieving substances from surfaces can lead to diffusion of analytes away from their initial recovery volume, causing cross-contamination between sequentially recovered segments of liquid, which complicates diagnostics and pharmaceutical research.

Innovation Solution

A microfluidic probe head with a spacer insertion unit that creates separate liquid volumes by inserting spacers into a fluid channel, using hydrodynamic flow confinement to confine and separate the target substances, preventing mixing and cross-contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If substances are retrieved sequentially from different areas without spacers, then the retrieval process is simple and continuous, but analytes diffuse away from their initial recovery volume causing cross-contamination between sequentially recovered segments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of cross-contaminationVSAvoidstructure of fluid channel

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid channel is segmented into distinct sections by inserting spacers that physically divide the continuous liquid flow into separate liquid volumes. Each spacer creates a boundary between sequentially recovered analytes, preventing diffusion-based cross-contamination while maintaining the continuous operation of the retrieval system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If spacers are inserted into the fluid channel to separate liquid volumes, then cross-contamination is prevented, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation of liquid volumesVSAvoidmanufacturing of spacer insertion unit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer insertion unit is designed to automatically insert spacers at predetermined positions within the fluid channel without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the spacing and positioning of separators, reducing manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need for precise manual assembly while ensuring consistent separation of liquid volumes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If spacers are inserted frequently to separate each liquid volume, then cross-contamination is prevented, but the insertion time and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation of analytesVSAvoidspacer insertion time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer insertion unit operates continuously as liquid flows through the channel, inserting spacers at regular intervals without interrupting the flow or requiring stopping the retrieval process. This maintains continuous operation while ensuring each analyte is separated, eliminating idle time between separations and maximizing throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution effectively prevents the spreading and mixing of liquid volumes, minimizes dilution of target substances, and retains temporal and spatial information about the substances, allowing precise allocation and analysis of target substances.

Implementation Method 1

using hydrodynamic flow confinement to confine and separate the target substances, preventing mixing and cross-contamination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic flow confinement: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

Interfacial transport of molecules or small particles between adjacent fluids often takes place through diffusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS10549276B2Microfluidic probe head for providing a sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A microfluidic probe head for providing a sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers, the separate liquid volumes including a respective target substance associated with a respective target area, the microfluidic probe head including an inlet and an outlet; a first fluid channel fluidly connected to the inlet, the first fluid channel configured for delivering an injection liquid from the inlet to a respective target area; a second fluid channel fluidly connected to the outlet, the second fluid channel configured for delivering liquid volumes from the respective target area to the outlet; and a spacer insertion unit fluidly connected to the second fluid channel, the spacer insertion unit configured for inserting spacers into the second fluid channel between the liquid volumes to provide the sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers.