Peristaltic Micropump with Single Chamber and Independent Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional peristaltic micropumps require multiple pump chambers connected by channels, leading to increased fluidic resistance and dead volume, which limits pumping efficiency and requires more sample and reagent quantities.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic component with a single main chamber and independent actuation components, utilizing a continuous elastic membrane and a sandwich-like structure with a fluidic and control substrate, minimizing dead volume and fluidic resistance while allowing for efficient fluid displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple pump chambers connected by channels are used, then the peristaltic pumping function is achieved, but the fluidic resistance increases and dead volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pump chambers into a single integrated pump chamber, eliminating the need for connecting channels. This consolidation reduces dead volume and fluidic resistance while maintaining the peristaltic pumping function through a single membrane with multiple actuation zones
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump chamber is segmented into multiple actuation zones that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the membrane to be actuated in different regions to create the peristaltic wave motion needed for pumping, achieving the pumping function without requiring multiple separate chambers
2Productivity
If multiple pump chambers connected by channels are used, then the peristaltic pumping function is achieved, but the fluidic resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pump chambers into a single integrated pump chamber, eliminating the need for connecting channels. This consolidation reduces dead volume and fluidic resistance while maintaining the peristaltic pumping function through a single membrane with multiple actuation zones
3Productivity
If a single main chamber is used, then the pumping rate increases and dead volume decreases, but the production complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single elastic membrane as the flexible element that can be actuated in multiple zones. This approach simplifies the overall structure compared to multiple rigid chambers while maintaining the complex pumping function through controlled deformation of the flexible membrane
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump chamber serves multiple functions: it acts as both the fluid containment volume and the actuation volume, while the elastic membrane serves both as a structural element and the actuating element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components 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
This design achieves a higher pumping rate with minimized dead volume, enabling the efficient transport of fluids, including gases, and reducing the need for excessive sample and reagent quantities, while simplifying production and reducing the risk of leaks.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic membrane (3) arranged between them, the fluidic substrate (2) having a pump chamber (5) on its side adjacent to the elastic membrane (3), the control substrate (4), at least on its side adjacent to the elastic membrane (3), has at least two independent actuation components (6a, 6b, 6c), each of which is at least partially arranged opposite the pump chamber (5) and can act on the elastic membrane (3)
Implementation Method 2
Macroscopic peristaltic pumps in radial and linear designs are known from medical technology and chemical analysis. With these pumps, a flexible hose is compressed from the outside in such a way that the liquid contained in it is displaced in a directed manner
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a microfluidic component (1), in particular a peristaltic micropump, at least comprising a layer structure made of a fluidic substrate (2), an actuation substrate (4) and an elastic membrane (3) arranged therebetween, characterised in that on the side adjoining the elastic membrane (3) the fluidic substrate (2) comprises a fluid chamber (5), the actuation substrate (4), at least on the side adjoining the elastic membrane (3), comprises at least two actuation components separated from each other, each of which is arranged at least partially opposite of the fluid chamber (5) and is able to act on the elastic membrane (3), and the actuation components can be actuated independently of each other, optionally by means of one or more actuators. The invention further relates to a method for producing a microfluidic component (1) and to the use thereof in a lab-on-chip system.