Modular Microfluidic Chip Parallel Assays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microfluidic analysis solutions require multiple test chips to evaluate different test conditions and reactants, making it inefficient for implementing multiple parallel tests with varying conditions.

Innovation Solution

A microfluidic test chip with multiple parallel evaluation branches and sub-branches, each with consistent volume and flow rates, allowing for modular and parallel execution of assays using techniques like fluorescent imaging and impedance analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple test chips are used to evaluate different test conditions and reactants, then different assays can be performed, but the number of chips increases and testing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to evaluate different test conditions and reactantsVSAvoidtesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The microfluidic chip is divided into multiple parallel evaluation branches, each capable of performing different assays simultaneously. This segmentation allows the single chip to function as multiple test chips would, evaluating different test conditions and reactants in parallel without requiring multiple separate chips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple assay functions are merged into a single microfluidic chip by integrating multiple parallel evaluation branches with different reactants and test conditions. This consolidation reduces the number of separate chips needed while maintaining the ability to perform diverse assays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parallel evaluation branches with different volumes are used, then different assays can be performed, but flow rate consistency across branches becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to perform different assaysVSAvoidflow rate consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each evaluation branch is designed with locally optimized geometry and volume characteristics that ensure consistent flow rates specific to that branch's assay requirements. The channel dimensions, branch lengths, and volumes are tailored to each branch's specific testing needs while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250108370A1Modular Microfluidic Analyte Screening with Multiple Parallel Assays and Multiple Shear Rates

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THE AS REPRESENTED BY THE SEC OF THE ARMY

AI summary

A microfluidic test chip that may provide multiple parallel assays on a modular base that is able to be used for fluorescent imaging and analysis is described. The microfluidic test chip may provide multiple parallel evaluation branches. Each parallel evaluation channel may have the same volume as each other parallel evaluation channel. Each parallel evaluation channel may include multiple sub-branches. Each sub-channel may have the same volume as each other sub-channel. In this way, consistent flow rates may be provided across each parallel evaluation channel and sub-channel. Each parallel evaluation sub-channel may include multiple evaluation zones. Each evaluation zone may be associated with different evaluation attributes, such as flow rate, reactant type, etc.