Multi-Valve Fluid Cartridge for Parallel Microfluidic Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microfluidic systems face challenges in efficiently transferring and processing multiple types of fluids due to limited space and the need for frequent fluid transfers, which increases operation time and risks cross-contamination.
Innovation Solution
A fluid cartridge apparatus with a fluidic circuit and a bypass fluidic circuit, featuring two sets of wells and valves that allow independent fluid operations, enabling simultaneous processing of different fluids and minimizing cross-contamination through dedicated valve channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single flow control valve is used to select and direct multiple fluids, then device complexity is reduced, but fluid operation time increases due to sequential transfers
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid control function into multiple independent valves (first flow control valve and second flow control valve), each dedicated to specific fluid operations. This segmentation allows simultaneous independent fluid transfers, reducing total operation time while maintaining manageable device complexity through functional specialization
2Device complexity
If fluids are transferred through a common channel, then device complexity is reduced, but cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements separate fluidic circuits for different fluid operations, with dedicated channels for high-frequency and low-frequency fluid transfers. This physical segmentation eliminates cross-contamination risks by preventing different fluids from sharing common pathways, while maintaining circuit simplicity through modular design
3Device complexity
If a single valve handles all fluid transfers, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity decreases due to sequential operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple independent flow control valves that can operate simultaneously on different fluid channels. This parallel processing capability dramatically increases fluid processing throughput, with each valve optimized for specific high-frequency or low-frequency operations, while the overall valve system remains manageable through functional division
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous fluid processing by allowing multiple valves to perform transfers simultaneously without waiting for sequential completion. High-frequency and low-frequency operations proceed in parallel, maximizing productivity by eliminating idle time between fluid transfer operations
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a fluidic circuit, a bypass fluidic circuit, a first set of fluid wells, a second set of fluid wells, a first valve, and a second valve. The first valve operatively associated with the first set of fluid wells such that the first selectively fluidly connects any one of the first set of fluid wells to a first valve outlet. The second valve operatively associated with the fluidic circuit, the bypass fluidic circuit, the first valve outlet, and the second set of fluid wells such that the second valve selectively fluidly connects any one of the second set of fluid wells and the first valve outlet to the fluidic circuit or the first valve outlet to the bypass fluidic circuit.