Sealed Microfluidic Reagent Storage for Low-Residual Liquid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic devices face challenges in performing fluidic manipulations in a sealed state due to lack of sealing structures and difficulty in controlling the outflow of small amounts of liquid, particularly when using pins for reagents.
Innovation Solution
A sample processing device with a reagent storage, processing unit, and an elastic film that includes low-strength joint portions to allow fluidic manipulation in a sealed state, using a pneumatic controller to control air pressure and seal the device, allowing controlled reagent introduction with minimal residual liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device is used in a sealed state, then sealing performance is improved, but fluidic manipulation becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The joint portion is divided into a low-strength joint portion and other parts with different joint strengths. This segmentation allows the device to maintain overall sealing while enabling localized opening for fluidic manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint portion has non-uniform joint strength, with a low-strength region specifically positioned to enable controlled opening. This local quality difference allows sealing in most areas while permitting manipulation at the designated low-strength location.
2Device complexity
If a pin for reagent is used, then reagent storage is simplified, but control of small amount liquid outflow becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The low-strength joint portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the simple pin structure and precise liquid control requirements. By controlling the opening of this joint portion, one can achieve both simple storage and precise outflow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint portion transitions from a closed sealed state to an open state during operation. This dynamic behavior allows the system to switch between maintaining sealing and enabling controlled liquid outflow as needed.
3Strength
If the joint strength is uniform throughout, then structural integrity is improved, but controlled opening for reagent introduction becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The joint portion exhibits non-uniform joint strength with a specifically designed low-strength region. This local variation maintains overall structural integrity while enabling controlled opening at the low-strength location for reagent introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint structure is segmented into regions with different strengths. The low-strength joint portion is separated from other stronger parts, allowing differential behavior under stress and enabling controlled opening while maintaining overall 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
Enables fluidic manipulation and reagent introduction with minimal residual liquid in a sealed device, facilitating efficient fluid mixing and analysis operations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic film which seals the lower surface side of the processing unit
Implementation Method 2
a pneumatic controller which switches between whether the elastic film is adhered to the processing unit or the driving unit
Data Source
AI summary
To introduce a reagent with a small amount of residual liquid and enable a fluidic manipulation by deformation of an elastic film, a sealed type of sample processing device is configured with a reagent storage including a joint portion which joins an upper film and a lower film at a periphery of a storage space which stores a reagent between both films, an analysis chip including a lower surface fluid channel through which a liquid flows on a lower surface side and an upper surface fluid channel through which the liquid flows on an upper surface side, and an elastic film which seals the lower surface side of the analysis chip. A portion of the lower film is joined to the upper surface side of the analysis chip, a removed portion, in which the lower film is partially removed, is in an upper part of the upper surface fluid channel.