Microfluidic Pump and Valve Chips for Stable Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic pumps and valves in fluidic cartridges have deficiencies and inadequacies that require further improvement for effective control and sensing in organs-on-chips applications.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic system with a tilted-actuator pump design, featuring a support plate, fluidic chip with a network of channels, and an actuator with compression structures and a motor shaft that tilts to rotate relative to the fluidic chip, allowing for precise control of fluid flow by switching between open and closed states, and incorporating features like rolling ball actuators and spiral peristaltic pumps to minimize flow transients and fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing pumps and valves are used in fluidic cartridges, then basic fluid control is achieved, but flow transients and fluctuations occur that reduce precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic compression structures including rolling balls, rotating rollers, and flexible membranes that continuously adapt to fluid pressure changes. These dynamic elements respond to flow variations in real-time, absorbing pressure transients and maintaining stable flow rates, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and flow stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the pumping and valving mechanism by using compliant materials and variable compression forces. The compression structures can dynamically adjust their mechanical properties (stiffness, contact pressure) to compensate for flow fluctuations, improving both precision and reliability simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If microfluidic pumps and valves are integrated in fluidic cartridges, then system integration is achieved, but further improvement and refinement are required for effective control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs multi-functional compression structures that can serve both as pumps and valves depending on their position and operation mode. The same rolling ball or rotating roller mechanism can create forward flow (pumping) or block flow (valving), reducing the need for separate dedicated components and simplifying the overall system while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements nested integration where compression structures are embedded within the fluidic chip layers. The mechanical actuation elements are housed within cavities in the fluidic chip, creating a compact nested arrangement that achieves high control effectiveness without proportionally increasing external system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If compression structures are added to control fluid flow, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into unified compression structures. The rolling balls and rotating rollers simultaneously perform pumping, valving, and flow regulation functions that would traditionally require separate components. This consolidation achieves precise flow control while minimizing the number of discrete parts and overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression structures are designed to be self-regulating, where the fluid pressure itself assists in the operation of the mechanism. The flexible membranes and rolling elements automatically adjust their compression based on backpressure, eliminating the need for complex external control systems and reducing device complexity while maintaining precision.
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 enables efficient and precise control of fluid flow, reducing flow transients and fluctuations, and allowing for reliable operation in microfluidic systems, enhancing the performance of pumps and valves in organs-on-chips applications.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator having a plurality of compression structures configured to roll against the fluidic chip to control the fluidic channel to switch locally between an open state and a closed state
Implementation Method 2
each of the compression structures is a roller
Implementation Method 3
spiral peristaltic pumps
Data Source
AI summary
Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.