Self-Aligning Fluid Connector with Elastomeric Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for connecting microfluidic devices face challenges such as leakage, contamination, and difficulty in high-pressure applications due to adhesive bonding, press fitting, and open pipetting techniques, which limit reconfigurability and scalability in microfluidic systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector device with a conformal recess and reconnectable fitting that provides a self-aligning, high-pressure seal using a force applying element, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and eliminating the need for adhesives, featuring a coupling substrate with one or more conformal recesses and a reconnectable fitting that can withstand pressures over 1000 bars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive bonding is used to connect tubing to microfluidic ports, then the connection is permanent and reliable, but the device loses reconfigurability and the bonding solvents may contaminate the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: a male connector with external threading and a female connector with internal threading. This segmentation allows the connection to be made through screwing rather than permanent bonding, enabling both reliability through mechanical engagement and reconfigurability through easy disconnection and reconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection transitions from a static permanent bond to a dynamic reversible connection. The threaded mechanism allows the connection to be assembled and disassembled multiple times while maintaining reliability during operation, and the elastomeric seal provides dynamic adaptation to pressure changes and misalignment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If press fitting is used to connect tubing to microfluidic ports, then the connection is reconfigurable, but the connection cannot withstand high pressure and requires very low tolerance alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric seal is pre-compressed when the male and female connectors are assembled, creating a reliable seal before pressure is applied. This preliminary sealing action ensures that high pressure can be withstood without leakage, while the threaded connection maintains reconfigurability.
Solution Approach 2:
An elastomeric seal is used instead of a rigid press-fit interface. The flexible elastomeric material deforms to accommodate slight misalignments and tolerances while maintaining a tight seal under high pressure, combining the benefits of reconfigurability with high-pressure reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If open pipetting is used to introduce fluid into microfluidic ports, then the connection is simple and reconfigurable, but leakage and spills cause contamination and fluid is delivered discretely rather than continuously
Solution Approach 1:
A threaded connector with elastomeric seal acts as an intermediary between the external fluid delivery system and the microfluidic device. This intermediary provides a sealed, reliable connection that eliminates the leakage and contamination problems of open pipetting while maintaining simplicity and reconfigurability.
Solution Approach 2:
The open mechanical pipetting system is replaced with a sealed mechanical connection system. The threaded connector with elastomeric seal provides continuous, leak-free fluid delivery while allowing easy reconfiguration, eliminating the harmful effects of discrete delivery and contamination.
4Reliability
If adhesive bonding is used to connect microfluidic components, then the joint is permanent and reliable, but assembly and repair become labor and time intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic system is segmented into modular components with standardized threaded connectors. This segmentation allows individual components to be easily assembled and disassembled without requiring labor-intensive adhesive bonding, significantly reducing assembly and repair time while maintaining connection reliability through the threaded mechanism.
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 reliable, low fluid dead volume seal that minimizes contamination and allows for easy reconfiguration and scalability, enabling efficient fluid transfer in microfluidic systems while maintaining high-pressure integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The port is formed with an elastomeric material and has a conical external geometry. The conical external geometry is pressed into the conical recess to deform the elastomeric material and form a conformal seal.
Implementation Method 2
The conical external geometry is pressed into the conical recess to deform the elastomeric material and form a conformal seal.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid connector device is provided. The fluid connector device includes a coupling substrate having a conformal recess, a reconnectable fitting disposed in the recess to provide a first passageway, and a force applying element operatively coupled to the reconnectable fitting, or the coupling substrate, or both the reconnectable fitting and the coupling substrate to at least partially provide a sealing force between the reconnectable fitting and the coupling substrate, wherein at least one of the force applying element, the reconnectable fitting, and the coupling substrate comprises one or more degrees of freedom for self alignment of the reconnectable fitting and the conformal recess.