Microreactor System with Membrane Valves for Sterile Liquid Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic approaches fail to provide sterile closure of microreactor arrays during continuous shaking, limiting controlled liquid transport and matter transfer rates in microreactors, especially in biocatalytic reactions requiring precise pH regulation and substrate addition.
Innovation Solution
A microreactor system with membrane valves, actuated by pneumatic or piezoelectric mechanisms, allows for controlled liquid and gas transport in the nano- or pico-liter range, enabling sterile operation and 'plug and play' connectivity, integrated with a gas supply system for pH regulation and substrate delivery, using a microstructured plate with concave ball segment valves and a gas-permeable cover for efficient oxygen diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If microreactor arrays are continuously shaken to improve mixing and oxygen transfer, then matter transfer rate increases, but sterile closure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as a closure for the microreactor array. This membrane can be actuated to open and close fluid lines, allowing controlled liquid transport while maintaining sterile closure during continuous shaking operations. The flexible film enables both sterility preservation and controlled access when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual hose connections are used for liquid transport, then system assembly is simple, but operation complexity increases due to connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fluid lines directly into the microreactor array structure, merging the connection function into the device itself. This eliminates the need for separate manual hose connections during operation, simplifying both assembly and operation while maintaining liquid transport capability.
3Productivity
If microreactor volume is reduced below 10 μl to increase surface-volume ratio, then oxygen diffusion improves, but liquid handling precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic actuation through flexible membranes to control fluid flow in the microreactor system. This pneumatic approach enables precise control of liquid handling at very small volumes (below 10 μl) by applying controlled pressure differentials, achieving the required precision without mechanical complexity.
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 precise, sterile, and efficient liquid and gas handling in microreactors, facilitating controlled process parameter regulation, scalable operation, and flexible experimental conditions for biocatalytic reactions, with disposable components for reduced contamination risk.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible membrane can be actuated by means of an actuator system and can be closed and opened so that liquid or gas transport can be controlled
Implementation Method 2
actuated by pneumatic or piezoelectric mechanisms
Implementation Method 3
The surface-volume ratio increased by the volume reduction becomes greater and therefore oxygen entry into the reaction solution due to simple diffusion becomes easier
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for the individual dosing or drainage of small quantities of liquids or gases in microreactors and microreactor arrays, having a membrane and an outlet to a reaction chamber or a reactor arranged therebelow, which is surrounded by an area which forms a fluid line with the membrane, wherein the area or the membrane has an annular elevation which can be arranged around the outlet.