PDMS Micro-fluid Vessel Sealing via Elastic Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro-fluid reaction vessels face challenges with evaporation during reactions due to open inlet and outlet holes, require costly glass and silicon materials, and have high manufacturing costs, as well as inefficiencies in closing the micro-channel for biochemical reactions.
Innovation Solution
A micro-fluid reaction vessel with an upper plate made of elastomer, such as PDMS, that is elastically restorable and closable by pressure, combined with a silicon lower plate, featuring a micro-channel design that can be sealed using a clamping member, reducing manufacturing costs and enabling efficient biochemical reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the upper plate is made of glass and the lower plate is made of silicon with etched micro-channels, then the structural integrity and precision are improved, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the upper plate from rigid glass to elastic PDMS, and changes the micro-channel formation method from expensive silicon etching to affordable PDMS molding. This parameter change maintains the micro-channel precision while dramatically reducing manufacturing costs, making the device economically viable for widespread use
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a mold to copy the micro-channel structure onto the PDMS upper plate. Instead of directly etching expensive silicon, a master mold is created once and then used to replicate the micro-channel pattern onto multiple PDMS plates through casting, significantly reducing per-unit manufacturing costs while maintaining structural precision
2Ease of operation
If inlet hole and outlet hole are opened for fluid flow, then the ease of operation is improved, but evaporation of fluid occurs during reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary sealing of the inlet and outlet holes using O-rings or adhesive tape before initiating the biochemical reaction. This preliminary action prevents fluid evaporation during the reaction process while still allowing convenient fluid loading through the holes before sealing, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and evaporation prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces O-rings or adhesive tape as intermediary sealing elements between the inlet/outlet holes and the environment. These intermediaries allow fluid to pass through during loading while preventing evaporation during the reaction, thus mediating between the need for open holes and the need for sealed containment
3Productivity
If micro-channel is kept open for fluid flow, then the productivity is improved, but sealing during reaction becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the micro-channel sealing dynamic rather than static. The elastic PDMS upper plate can be deformed by applying pressure to close the micro-channel during reaction, and returns to its original open state when pressure is released. This dynamic sealing mechanism simplifies the overall device structure by eliminating complex mechanical seals or valves, while still enabling effective sealing when needed
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 provides a cost-effective, reliable, and efficient micro-fluid reaction vessel that prevents evaporation and allows for precise biochemical reactions, including PCR, with reduced manufacturing costs and improved analysis through fluorescence detection.
Implementation Method 1
The micro-channel is closable by pressure applied to the upper plate and elastically restorable when the pressure is removed
Implementation Method 2
a lower plate adhered to the upper plate
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-fluid reaction vessel includes an upper plate formed of an elastomer, a lower plate adhered to the upper plate, a micro-chamber and a micro-channel formed on an inner surface of the upper plate facing the lower plate and an inlet hole and an outlet hole formed in the upper plate and through which a fluid flows into or out of, respectively. The micro-channel is constructed to be closed by pressure applied to the upper plate and elastically restored when the pressure is not applied. A micro fluid reaction method uses the micro fluid reaction vessel and a method of manufacturing forms the microfluid reaction vessel.