Microfluidic Recirculation Mixing for Homogeneous Liquid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid analysis techniques face issues of inhomogeneous mixing, limited automation, and inefficient use of samples and reagents, with sequential injection methods producing non-homogeneous solutions and requiring large volumes of effluents.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a piston pump, multi-way valve, and recipient with specific duct connections for fluid communication, allowing liquids to be recirculated for mixing and rinsing, using back-and-forth movements to achieve homogeneous solutions and automate the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sequential injection with helical mixing tube is used, then analysis time is reduced and sample volume is reduced, but mixing homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic back-and-forth movement of the piston pump to reciprocate the liquid mixture between the pump chamber and the recipient cavity. This periodic action creates repeated expansion and compression cycles that enhance mixing homogeneity while maintaining rapid analysis throughput, resolving the contradiction between fast analysis and poor mixing.
2Extent of automation
If spectrophotometric cell with temporal measurement configuration is used, then automated continuous analysis is enabled, but spatial measurement capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the recipient cavity to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the mixing chamber and the spectrophotometric measurement cell. This multi-functionality allows the system to perform both automated temporal analysis and spatial measurements within the same device, eliminating the need for separate measurement configurations and enabling versatile analytical capabilities while maintaining automation.
3Productivity
If sample is completely mixed with carrier liquid in sequential injection, then continuous flow analysis is achieved, but sample recovery for subsequent analysis becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recirculation system where the liquid mixture is repeatedly transferred between the pump chamber and the recipient cavity. This recirculation allows the sample to be recovered and reused for multiple analysis cycles or different measurement techniques, preventing complete consumption of the sample while still enabling continuous automated analysis through the cyclic process.
4Reliability
If large volumes of effluents are generated in conventional analysis, then complete sample processing is ensured, but environmental impact and waste disposal increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system allows effluents and unused sample portions to be recovered and reused in subsequent analysis cycles rather than being discarded. This reduces the total volume of waste effluents generated while ensuring complete sample processing is maintained through multiple passes of the same liquid volume, thereby reducing environmental impact and waste disposal requirements.
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 device ensures homogeneous mixing with low sample and effluent volumes, reduces analysis time, and increases automation, minimizing human intervention and improving measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
move a respective one of said liquids from this inlet duct towards the chamber by the action of a movement of said piston in a first direction
Implementation Method 2
the valve being able to selectively occupy sampling positions each establishing a fluidic communication between a respective one of said inlet ducts and the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic device and a method for mixing liquids by moving the liquids back-and-forth between a chamber of a piston pump and a cavity of a spectrophotometric measuring cell. The disclosure also relates to physicochemical analysis of a mixture directly within the microfluidic device wherein the mixture is obtained using the method described herein. The disclosure also relates to a device and a method for sampling liquids remotely.