Microfluidic Sample Delivery and Mixing for Point-of-Care Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining biological cell counts in blood samples are expensive, bulky, and require skilled operation, with delayed results due to the need for milliliter-scale samples and extensive sample dilution, making them unsuitable for low-volume point-of-care settings.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a sample delivery component that includes a reagent chamber, sample chamber, and delivery channel for mixing reagents with blood samples, combined with a detachable testing cassette containing a micro-fabricated integrated sensor, allowing for efficient analysis of fluid samples in a microfluidic channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard flow cytometry or automated hematology analyzer methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a sample delivery component with reagent and sample chambers, and a testing cassette with microfluidic reservoir and sensor. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables point-of-care portability while maintaining laboratory-grade precision for biological cell count analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
A microfluidic channel serves as an intermediary between the sample delivery component and the sensor, enabling precise control of fluid flow and reagent-sample mixing at micro-scale. This intermediary mechanism translates macro-scale sample input into controlled micro-scale analysis, achieving both simplicity and precision.
2Measurement precision
If milliliter-scale blood samples are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended analysis duration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of sample volume from milliliter-scale to microliter-scale analysis. By reducing the sample volume requirement and using microfluidic channels, the analysis time is dramatically reduced while maintaining precision through optimized micro-scale fluid dynamics and sensor detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables continuous flow of sample through the microfluidic channel directly to the sensor without interruption or delay. The sample delivery component continuously provides reagents and samples to the testing cassette, eliminating the time delays associated with traditional batch processing methods.
3Measurement precision
If extensive sample dilution is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sample preparation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent chamber pre-contains diluted reagents ready for immediate use with the sample. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex dilution steps during actual sample analysis, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through pre-optimized reagent concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges the sample delivery component with the testing cassette into an integrated system where reagent mixing with sample occurs automatically within the microfluidic channel. This combination eliminates separate dilution steps and sample preparation operations, simplifying the overall process while maintaining analytical precision.
4Measurement precision
If traditional sampling methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to user exposure to biohazardous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic channel and sealed chambers act as intermediaries between the user and the biohazardous sample. Users only interact with the external sample port, while the sample is contained within sealed microfluidic structures throughout the analysis process, dramatically reducing exposure risk while maintaining analysis precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs disposable sealed chambers and microfluidic components that are discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for cleaning and reuse of contact surfaces, reducing the risk of biohazard exposure to users while maintaining consistent measurement precision across all analyses.
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
Enables low-cost, accurate, and rapid analysis of biological fluids, reducing the need for large sample volumes and minimizing user exposure to biohazardous materials, while providing results quickly and efficiently for point-of-care diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
a delivery channel extending from the reagent chamber and in fluid communication with the sample chamber and an output port, wherein the delivery channel is conducive to mixing the at least one reagent and the fluid sample to form a mixture
Implementation Method 2
a micro-fabricated integrated sensor in a microfluidic channel extending from the microfluidic reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
Examples herein provide a device. The device includes a sample delivery component, which includes: a reagent chamber to contain at least one reagent; a sample chamber to contain a fluid sample; and a delivery channel extending from the reagent chamber and in fluid communication with the sample chamber and an output port, wherein the delivery channel is conducive mixing the at least one reagent and the fluid sample to form a mixture before the mixture reaches the output port and be discharged therefrom. The device includes a testing cassette detachable from the delivery component, which includes: an input port in fluid communication with a microfluidic reservoir, the input port to receive the discharged fluid sample from the output port; and a micro-fabricated integrated sensor in a microfluidic channel extending from the microfluidic reservoir.