Microfluidic Diagnostic Chip With Valve Dosing for Bubble-Free Reagent Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic devices face challenges in easy fluid handling and manipulation, as well as the simple application of reagents, which complicates the analysis of fluid samples in high-throughput environments like pathology laboratories.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with a fluid control valve system that allows for precise transfer of fluid volumes between a preparation chamber, microchannels, and a rinse reservoir, featuring a cylindrical body with dosing cups and a machine interface for rotational control, minimizing air bubble capture and enabling efficient fluid handling and reagent application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional microfluidic devices use channels, valves, pumps, and reservoirs for fluid handling, then fluid routing capability is achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple fluid handling functions (reservoir, valve, pump, and channel) into a single microfluidic chip structure. The microfeatures are formed directly in the chip substrate, combining what would traditionally be separate components into one integrated device, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining full fluid routing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic chip performs multiple functions within a single device: fluid storage in reservoirs, fluid transport through channels, fluid control via integrated valves, and analyte detection. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for external separate components, improving ease of operation without sacrificing functionality
2Measurement precision
If preprocessing steps are added to improve biomarker detection, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic chip is pre-configured with integrated preprocessing functions including mixing chambers, separation channels, and concentration mechanisms. These preprocessing steps are built into the chip structure itself, allowing them to occur automatically as part of the sample flow path without requiring separate manual operations, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing overall processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The chip enables continuous processing where sample introduction, preprocessing, and detection occur in an uninterrupted flow through the microchannels. The integrated design eliminates discrete transfer steps between separate devices, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the analysis process to reduce time loss while achieving precise biomarker detection
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a microfluidic device (1) comprising a first fluid source, in particular comprising a preparation chamber (5); at least one covered channel (31); and fluid control means, in particular comprising a fluid control valve (57), configured to transfer a specific volume of fluid from the first fluid source to the or each covered channel (31). It also refers to a diagnostic device (101) for determining the presence of a target analyte in a fluid sample, wherein the first fluid source is provided in the form of a preparation chamber (5, 105); the at least one covered channel (31, 131) is provided in the form of a microchannel, wherein the or each microchannel comprises a fluid inlet (37, 137) and a fluid outlet (39) and a capture surface for selective capturing the target analyte, preferably provided by a channel ceiling (35); and the fluid control means is configured to transfer of a specific volume of fluid from the first fluid source to the or each microchannel.