Microfluidic Substrate Centrifugal Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic chips face challenges in achieving high detection accuracy due to difficulties in controlling fluid injection amounts in reaction chambers, leading to inaccurate detection results.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic substrate with a flow channel structure that includes a conveying flow channel, recovery assembly, and multiple detection assemblies. The conveying flow channel has an input and output end, with detection assemblies featuring first and second fluid tanks connected by micro flow channels. The recovery assembly includes a waste liquid tank and a second micro flow channel, configured to block fluid at a critical rotational speed, ensuring accurate fluid introduction into detection assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the microfluidic chip uses a conventional flow channel structure without selective blocking, then the device complexity is reduced, but the fluid injection amount cannot be controlled accurately, leading to poor detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel is segmented into multiple sections with different blocking characteristics. The first micro flow channel has a first critical rotational speed for blocking fluid, while the second micro flow channel has a second critical rotational speed. This segmentation allows selective fluid routing based on rotational speed, enabling accurate fluid injection control without requiring complex external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic control of rotational speed to achieve different fluid flow states. By adjusting the rotational speed of the microfluidic chip, the system can selectively block or allow fluid flow through different micro flow channels. This dynamic approach enables precise control of fluid injection amounts into reaction chambers, improving detection accuracy while maintaining relatively simple chip structure.
2Reliability
If the fluid flow path is not controlled with selective blocking, then the device complexity is low, but the fluid may preferentially enter the waste liquid tank instead of the reaction chamber, reducing detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary micro flow channels with specific blocking characteristics between the fluid source and the reaction chamber. These intermediary channels act as controlled gateways that selectively allow or block fluid flow based on rotational speed. The first micro flow channel ensures fluid reaches the reaction chamber at appropriate rotational speeds, while the second micro flow channel prevents premature entry into the waste liquid tank, thereby ensuring reliable fluid injection control.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple micro flow channels with different blocking speeds are introduced, then the fluid injection amount can be controlled accurately, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the micro flow channels, specifically their critical rotational speeds for blocking fluid. By designing the first and second micro flow channels with different geometric characteristics (different critical rotational speeds), the system achieves precise control over fluid injection timing and amount. This parameter-based approach allows accurate fluid management while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple, as the complexity is embedded in the channel geometry rather than requiring complex external control systems.
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 design ensures that fluid is completely introduced into detection assemblies, preventing preferential entry into waste liquid tanks, thus enhancing detection accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A critical rotational speed of the first micro flow channel for blocking a fluid is set as a first rotational speed, and the second micro flow channel is configured to block the fluid at the first rotational speed
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a microfluidic substrate, and a microfluidic chip. The substrate includes a flow channel structure, the flow channel structure includes a conveying flow channel including an input end and an output end; a recovery assembly including a waste liquid tank, and a second micro flow channel in communication with the waste liquid tank and the output end of the conveying flow channel; and multiple detection assemblies each including a first fluid tank, a first micro flow channel and a second fluid tank. The first fluid tank communicates with the conveying flow channel, and a reagent is provided in at least one second fluid tank. A critical rotational speed of the first micro flow channel for blocking a fluid is set as a first rotational speed, and the second micro flow channel is configured to block the fluid at the first rotational speed.