Microfluidic Valve Chip With Flexible Membrane Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic devices for cell culture have limitations in miniaturization, actuator size, and flexibility in internal conduit and chamber configuration, leading to increased costs, larger disposable elements, and issues with air bubbles and cell testing.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic chip with a deformable sealing layer made of flexible, elastic, and insulating material, combined with a method involving plasma cleaning, application of amine and hydroxyl radical-containing compounds, and sealing under controlled pressure and temperature, allowing for high miniaturization and flexible configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional fabrication methods are used for microfluidic chips, then the chips can be produced with standard sizes, but the minimum size of culture housings cannot be reduced below 1 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The chip is divided into multiple culture housings (e.g., 9 housings) that can be fabricated on a single chip substrate. This segmentation allows each housing to be miniaturized below 1 mm while maintaining manufacturability through standardized batch fabrication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional planar layouts to three-dimensional stacked configurations with multiple layers. This enables vertical integration of micro-chambers and conduits, achieving miniaturization in the Z-dimension while maintaining horizontal footprint efficiency.
2Reliability
If minimum separation between consecutive actuators is maintained, then actuator functionality is ensured, but the device volume becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing membrane is designed with dynamic flexibility to accommodate actuator movement. The membrane can deform elastically to allow actuators to function with reduced separation distances, as the membrane itself provides the sealing action rather than requiring fixed rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sealing membrane is used to replace rigid sealing structures. This thin film allows for compact actuator spacing while maintaining effective sealing, as the membrane can conform to small movements and deformations without requiring large clearance volumes.
3Quantity of substance
If larger chip sizes are used, then more fluid can be used, but the probability of air bubbles increases which are incompatible with live cell testing
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid system is segmented into multiple small micro-chambers rather than one large chamber. This segmentation reduces the total air volume that can form bubbles while maintaining sufficient fluid quantity across all chambers collectively, and smaller chambers make bubble detection and removal easier.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses vertical stacking of multiple micro-chamber layers to increase total fluid capacity without increasing horizontal chip footprint. This three-dimensional configuration reduces the surface area exposed to air, minimizing air bubble formation while maintaining adequate fluid volumes for cell culture.
4Productivity
If molds are used for fabrication, then mass production is enabled, but flexibility in configuring internal conduits and chambers is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The chip design uses standardized modular components and interface structures that can be configured in different arrangements. The universal sealing membrane and actuator interfaces allow the same basic fabrication process to produce chips with varying internal configurations for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables configuration flexibility by allowing parameter changes in the fabrication process, such as varying chamber dimensions, conduit paths, and component locations within standardized molds. This permits customization of chip internals while maintaining compatibility with mass production molding techniques.
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 solution enables the production of microfluidic chips with dimensions smaller than tenths of a micrometer, overcoming the limitations of existing systems by allowing for effective miniaturization, flexible configuration, and reduced costs, while minimizing the risk of air bubbles and improving cell testing compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
application of a plasma cleaning treatment to the micro-structured layer or layers and to the deformable sealing layer
Implementation Method 2
application of material that comprises a compound that includes amine (—NH2) and hydroxyl (—OH) free radicals to the micro-structured layer or layers and to the deformable sealing layer
Implementation Method 3
application of pressure and temperature to the structure of the micro-structured layer or layers and to the deformable sealing layer, for the purpose of sealing said layers
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a chip equipped with a plurality of compact microfluidic valves with multiple inlets and outlets, actuated by means of a flexible membrane system. The chip preferably comprises a deformable sealing layer made of at least one flexible, elastic, and insulating material; a structure formed by a succession of one or several microstructured layers, wherein said structure comprises one or several micro-chambers, one or several microfluidic channels, and one or several fluidic inlets and outlets; and wherein said structure is installed on a base substrate. The invention likewise relates to a microfluidic device that comprises the aforementioned chip, to a method for the fabrication of the chip, and to the uses associated with the chip and the microfluidic device.