Integrated Microfluidic Pump Safety Valve Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional micropumps face issues with unwanted free flow in both directions, especially in backward direction, leading to leakage, and require additional components increasing space and cost, with large dead volume and inefficiency in preventing backward free flow.

Innovation Solution

A microfluidic pump arrangement with integrated safety valves at the outlet, utilizing a single surface for valve seats and lids, and a contiguous silicone diaphragm for sealing, minimizing dead volume and cost, and effectively preventing backward and forward free flows without additional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional silicon check valves are used to prevent backward free flow, then free flow protection is achieved, but the leakage rate cannot be reduced below 0.1 μl/hour

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefree flow protectionVSAvoidleakage rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the valve seat and valve lid into a single integrated safety valve arrangement that is directly integrated with the microfluidic pump outlet. This merging eliminates the need for separate conventional check valves and their associated fittings, achieving both tight sealing (≤0.1 μl/hour leakage) and compact design. The integrated structure allows for precise manufacturing and optimal sealing contact between the valve lid and seat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If additional separate check valve components are added to prevent free flow, then free flow protection is improved, but space requirements and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefree flow protectionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety valve arrangement is directly integrated with the microfluidic pump outlet, merging multiple functions (pump outlet, valve seat, and valve lid) into a single compact structure. This eliminates the need for separate check valves and fluidic fittings, reducing component count and simplifying the overall device while maintaining effective free flow protection in both backward and forward directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated safety valve arrangement serves multiple functions: it acts as both the pump outlet and the valve mechanism, provides free flow protection in both backward and forward directions, and maintains compact design. The single integrated structure performs what would traditionally require multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional pump arrangements with separate components are used, then assembly is straightforward, but dead volume becomes relatively large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoiddead volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the safety valve arrangement directly with the microfluidic pump outlet and patterning the valve seat and lid on the same substrate surface, the patent eliminates the need for separate components and fluidic fittings. This integration dramatically reduces dead volume while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard microfabrication techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 integrated safety valve arrangement effectively prevents unwanted flow in both directions, reducing leakage to 0.1 μl/hour, achieving a compact and cost-effective design suitable for applications like implantable drug delivery systems and micropumps for tires.

Implementation Method 1

wherein the first fluid region is adjacent to the first valve lid, and wherein a pressure in the first fluid region has a closing effect on the first safety valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

wherein the second fluid region is adjacent to the second valve lid, and wherein a pressure in the second fluid region has a closing effect on the second safety valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9546651B2Pump arrangement comprising a safety valve arrangement

Publication Date: 2017.01.17 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

AI summary

A pump arrangement includes a microfluidic pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The pump arrangement further includes a safety valve arrangement having first safety valve, the first safety valve being arranged between the pump outlet and an outlet of the pump arrangement and including a first valve seat and a first valve lid. The outlet of the pump arrangement and a first fluid region are formed in a first part of the pump arrangement, wherein the first valve lid is formed in a second integrated part of the pump arrangement, and wherein the first valve seat, the pump outlet and the pump inlet are patterned in a second surface of a third integrated part of the pump arrangement. The first fluid region is adjacent to the first valve lid, wherein a pressure in the first fluid region has a closing effect on the first safety valve.