Microfluidic Substrate With Inclined Sidewalls for Low-Concentration DNA Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic chips face challenges in efficiently detecting low concentrations of circulating tumor DNA due to steep sidewalls that hinder sample solution entry and stability, leading to reduced detection efficiency and increased waste.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic substrate with inclined sidewalls and a hydrophobic layer is designed, featuring through holes and blind holes with specific geometries to facilitate sample solution entry and retention, improving injection efficiency and minimizing sample loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If microcavities have steep sidewalls, then manufacturing precision is improved, but sample solution entry and retention are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The microcavity sidewall is designed with asymmetric geometry, featuring an upper portion and a lower portion with different slopes. The lower portion has a gentler slope to facilitate sample solution entry, while the upper portion maintains steeper characteristics for precise liquid retention. This asymmetric design resolves the contradiction between manufacturing precision and sample solution accessibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If microcavities have steep sidewalls, then manufacturing precision is improved, but sample solution retention is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric sidewall geometry with differentiated upper and lower portions enables the microcavity to simultaneously achieve precise manufacturing tolerances and reliable sample solution retention. The lower gentle slope allows complete filling, while the upper steeper portion prevents spillage during detection operations.
3Productivity
If sample solution entry is facilitated, then injection efficiency is improved, but sample loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric sidewall design enables efficient sample solution entry through the gentler lower slope while the upper portion's geometry prevents excessive spillage during injection and detection processes. This resolves the contradiction between injection efficiency and sample conservation.
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 enhances the ability to detect low concentrations of nucleic acids by ensuring efficient sample filling and retention within microcavities, improving detection sensitivity and reducing sample waste.
Implementation Method 1
the microfluidic substrate further comprises a hydrophobic layer. The hydrophobic layer is on a first surface and a second surface of the microfluidic substrate which are opposite
Implementation Method 2
a tangent plane at each of at least some points on a sidewall of each microcavity forms a non-perpendicular angle with a reference plane where the microfluidic substrate is located
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a microfluidic substrate and a microfluidic chip including the microfluidic substrate. The microfluidic substrate includes a plurality of microcavities arranged in an array, at least some of the plurality of microcavities are through holes, and a tangent plane at each of at least some points on a sidewall of each microcavity forms a non-perpendicular angle with a reference plane where the microfluidic substrate is located.