Rotating Microfluidic Chip for Parallel Pathogen Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic devices face limitations in simultaneously processing multiple samples on a single chip due to spatial constraints and require extensive manual operation for sample injection and device assembly, which hampers rapid field diagnosis of pathogens.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with a rotating body featuring microfluidic structures at predetermined intervals, including a pretreatment unit for sample and solution sharing, a storage unit for separating and storing pretreated samples and solutions, and a detection unit for target material distribution and detection, all controlled by a sample analysis apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple microfluidic structures are disposed on a single chip to process multiple samples simultaneously, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to spatial limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independent microfluidic structures (first, second, third microfluidic structures) that can be disposed on a single chip. Each structure contains complete functional units (inlet, outlet, channel, reaction chamber), allowing parallel processing of multiple samples while maintaining modular simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Each microfluidic structure is designed with universal functional components that can handle different sample types and diagnostic tests. The standardized design of inlet channels, outlet channels, and reaction chambers allows the same structural template to be replicated multiple times for simultaneous multi-sample processing
2Ease of operation
If manual operation is required for sample injection and device assembly, then the ease of operation deteriorates, but the device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic device is designed with self-aligning features where the microfluidic structures automatically position themselves relative to the inlet and outlet channels of the cartridge. The structures include built-in connection interfaces that facilitate automatic fluid pathway establishment when the cartridge is assembled, reducing the need for manual alignment and complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge serves as an intermediary component that integrates multiple microfluidic structures with the sample injection system. The cartridge's standardized interface mediates between the external sample source and the internal microfluidic structures, enabling automated sample distribution to multiple channels without requiring complex external control systems
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
Enables efficient and automated analysis of multiple samples without manual intervention, improving the speed and accuracy of pathogen diagnosis in field settings by leveraging the rotational motion to move samples and solutions through the microfluidic structure.
Implementation Method 1
the rotating body may stop or rotate so that the solution in the solution chamber is not moved to the capture filter until the solution is shared in each solution chamber in another microfluidic structure
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a microfluidic device and a sample analysis apparatus using the microfluidic device. According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided microfluidic device comprising: a rotating body; at least one microfluidic structure disposed at a predetermined interval in a rotating body; and a waste chamber which is formed further outside the at least one microfluidic structure in the rotating body in the radial direction and connected with at least one microfluidic structure, wherein the microfluidic structure includes a solution chamber which receives a solution injected through a solution inlet and shares the received solution with other adjacent microfluidic structures through the first sharing channel, a sample chamber which is located further outside the solution chamber in the rotating body in the radial direction and receives a sample injected through an air vent opened outside, and a siphon channel which has one end connected to the sample chamber and the other end connected to the waste chamber to deliver the sample and the solution to the waste chamber. According to another exemplary embodiment, there is provided microfluidic device comprising: a rotating body; and at least one microfluidic structure disposed at a predetermined interval in the rotating body, wherein the microfluidic structure includes a pretreatment unit which shares a solution injected through a solution injected through a solution inlet with another adjacent microfluidic structure through a sharing channel and performs a pretreating process for a sample injected through a sample inlet and the solution; and a distribution unit which is located outside the pretreatment unit in a radial direction in the rotating body and distributed with the target material in the sample pretreated through the pretreatment unit to perform detection for the distributed target material.