Needle-septum Interface for Fluidic Analyzer Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic analyzers face challenges in maintaining leak-free and reliable interfaces between instruments and disposable cartridges, which are crucial for chemical and biological analysis, often leading to inefficiencies and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of various interface mechanisms, including needles with septums, plungers with flexible membranes, and pressure sources, to induce and control fluid flows within cartridges, ensuring leak-free and controlled fluid dynamics while preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a removable cartridge interface is used in fluidic analyzers, then ease of operation and replaceability are improved, but reliability and leak-free operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A septum is introduced as an intermediary sealing element at the needle-cartridge interface. The septum provides a reliable seal between the needle and cartridge, preventing fluid leakage while allowing repeated needle insertions and removals. This mediator component resolves the contradiction by maintaining seal integrity without compromising cartridge replaceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed as a disposable component with a built-in septum. This approach allows the entire cartridge assembly to be replaced rather than attempting to seal the interface repeatedly. The disposable nature ensures consistent sealing performance while maintaining ease of operation through simple cartridge replacement.
2Productivity
If a needle pierces through a septum to induce fluid flow, then fluid flow control is improved, but risk of contamination and loss of sterile barrier deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The septum serves as a sterile barrier that mediates between the external environment and the internal flow channel. It allows the needle to pierce through and induce controlled fluid flow while maintaining the sterile seal, thus preventing contamination. The septum's permeability to the needle while maintaining fluid tightness resolves the contradiction between flow control and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is extracted as a separate, movable component that temporarily pierces the septum to establish fluid communication. After use, the needle can be withdrawn and the septum reseals, maintaining the sterile barrier. This extraction approach allows flow induction without permanent compromise to the sterile seal.
3Productivity
If the needle tip extends too deep into the flow channel, then fluid flow induction is improved, but risk of mechanical damage and backflow deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A stopping mechanism is introduced as an intermediary feature on the needle that prevents excessive penetration. The stopping mechanism engages with the flow channel wall or cartridge structure to limit needle insertion depth, ensuring sufficient flow induction while preventing mechanical damage. This mediator feature resolves the contradiction by providing controlled penetration depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is designed with a stopping mechanism that provides partial penetration - enough to effectively induce fluid flow but not so deep as to cause damage. The stopping mechanism prevents excessive action by physically limiting insertion depth, thus resolving the contradiction between flow induction efficiency and structural integrity.
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
These mechanisms enable precise control over fluid flow rates and prevent backflow, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of fluidic analyzers by maintaining aseptic conditions and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
A septum is disposed in or over the opening and is secured to at least a portion of the cartridge with a fluid tight seal. The septum may be adapted to provide a relatively fluid tight seal around the first needle when the first needle pierces and extends through the septum.
Implementation Method 2
The septum may be adapted to reseal the opening after withdrawal of the first needle from the septum.
Implementation Method 3
With the first needle situated in the opening of the first flow channel and through the septum, the instrument may induce a flow in the first needle, which in turn, induces a flow in the first flow channel of the cartridge.
Implementation Method 4
The instrument may have a moving mechanism that moves at least an end of the plunger into engagement with the resilient and/or flexible membrane of the cartridge so as to deform the resilient and/or flexible membrane, which changes the volume of a fluid chamber on the cartridge, which in turn, induces a flow in the flow channel of the cartridge.
Data Source
AI summary
Instrument-cartridge interfaces for fluidic analyzers that have an instrument and a removable cartridge are disclosed. For example, and in one illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a needle that is adapted to penetrate a septum on a removable cartridge. In another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a plunger that is adapted to deform a deformable membrane on a removable cartridge. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a nozzle that is adapted to mate and seal with a flow channel on a removable cartridge. Techniques for detecting the flow rate in a flow channel on a removable cartridge, as well as the position of fluid in a flow channel of a removable cartridge, are also disclosed.