Swappable Electrode Boards for Digital Microfluidics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital microfluidics systems are not flexible enough to accommodate different assays and are costly due to complex electrode array designs, and they lack the ability to easily replace damaged components without specialized tools.
Innovation Solution
A digital microfluidics system with swappable electrode boards and disposable cartridges, where each swappable board is designed for specific assays and can be easily replaced, reducing the need for complex integrated PCBs and allowing for the use of generic cartridges for multiple assays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex integrated PCB design is used to accommodate different assays, then the system can perform multiple functions, but the manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: a reusable base unit and disposable cartridges. Each cartridge is designed for a specific assay type with dedicated electrode arrays, allowing the system to perform multiple assays without requiring a complex integrated PCB. The segmentation enables simple, dedicated designs for each cartridge while maintaining overall system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of disposable cartridges through standardized interfaces. This allows a single base unit to perform multiple different assays by simply changing the cartridge, eliminating the need for complex integrated PCB designs while maintaining assay flexibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized tools are required for component replacement, then precise control is achieved, but the ease of operation and ease of repair deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge and base unit are designed with self-aligning features such as mechanical guides, recesses, and protrusions that automatically ensure precise alignment during insertion. This allows users to replace cartridges without specialized tools while maintaining manufacturing precision, as the design itself provides the alignment function rather than requiring external tooling.
3Reliability
If expensive components are integrated into disposable cartridges, then reliability is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to frequent cartridge replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable cartridges with integrated electrode arrays that are designed to be inexpensive and single-use. This allows frequent cartridge replacement without significant cost, maintaining reliability by ensuring each cartridge is fresh and contamination-free, while minimizing the loss associated with replacement since the cartridges are designed to be economical.
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 approach provides flexibility and lower manufacturing costs by allowing multiple assays to be performed with the same system, enabling easy replacement of boards without specialized tools and maintaining the simplicity of the cartridge design, while protecting the electrode array from contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a central control unit for controlling the selection of individual electrodes of this electrode array and for providing them with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting
Data Source
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AI summary
A digital microfluidics system (1) for manipulating samples in liquid droplets within disposable cartridges (2) that comprise a bottom layer (3), a top layer (4), and a gap (6) between the bottom and top layers (3,4) is disclosed. The digital microfluidics system (1) comprises a base unit (7) with cartridge accommodation sites (8); and a central control unit (14) for controlling the selection of individual electrodes (10) of electrode array(s) (9) and for providing these electrodes (10) with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets within said cartridges (2) by electrowetting. The digital microfluidics system (1) further comprises board accommodation sites (40) that are located at the cartridge accommodation sites (8) of the base unit (7) and that each can take up a swappable electrode board (41) comprising an electrode array (9) and electrical board contact elements (42) that are individually connected to electrodes (10) of the electrode array (9). Each board accommodation site (40) comprises electrical base unit contact elements (43) that are connected to the central control unit (14) and that are configured to engage with the electrical board contact elements (42) of a swappable electrode board (41) that is placed at said board accommodation site (40). Also disclosed are a selection of disposable cartridges (2), swappable electrode boards (41), and methods for manipulating samples in liquid droplets (23) that adhere to a hydrophobic surface (17).