Tapered Microfluidic Pipette Tip for Multi-Stage Bioanalysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic systems face challenges in performing multi-stage bioanalytical reactions efficiently, particularly with small sample volumes, due to issues like air bubble formation, pressure equalization, and complex device requirements, which are costly and prone to failure, and lack effective sample processing directly within the device.
Innovation Solution
A pipette tip with a tapered portion incorporating a microfluidic structure featuring at least two reaction chambers, where a movable tubular component forms compartments separated by hydrophobic surfaces, enabling sequential bioanalytical reactions without the need for external transfer of samples, using centrifugal forces for liquid transport and self-sealing to prevent evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flat microfluidic chip design is used, then production is simplified, but gas-liquid phase separation and bubble formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional flat 2D microfluidic chip design to a three-dimensional conical tube structure. The reaction chambers are arranged vertically along the conical surface, with reagent reservoirs positioned at different heights. This vertical arrangement in the third dimension enables natural gas-liquid phase separation and eliminates bubble formation issues inherent in flat designs, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the conical geometry.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete reaction chambers are used, then multi-step reactions are enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple reaction chambers and reagent reservoirs into a single integrated conical tube structure. The inner conical surface contains multiple recesses that serve as reaction chambers, while outer annular regions function as reagent reservoirs. This unified design eliminates the need for separate chips, plates, or multiple components, achieving multi-step reaction capability with minimal device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical tube structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the reaction vessel, contains multiple reaction chambers through surface recesses, provides reagent storage through annular reservoirs, and enables fluid transport through its geometry. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Reliability
If automated microfluidic systems are used, then manual errors are reduced, but cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conical tube design enables self-driven fluid transport through capillary forces and gravity, eliminating the need for external pumps, valves, or complex electronic control systems. Reagents automatically flow from outer reservoirs to inner reaction chambers, and reaction products can be easily removed by inversion. This self-service mechanism achieves automated operation with minimal electronic components, reducing cost and energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
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 solution allows for reliable, cost-effective, and automated multi-stage bioanalytical reactions directly within the pipette tip, reducing manual errors and eliminating the need for complex equipment, enabling precise handling and processing of small sample volumes with minimal electronic components and energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
using centrifugal forces for liquid transport
Implementation Method 2
compartments separated by hydrophobic surfaces, enabling sequential bioanalytical reactions without the need for external transfer of samples, using centrifugal forces for liquid transport and self-sealing to prevent evaporation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a tube which has a region that tapers in the direction of an end of the tube; an opening at the end of the tube for receiving a sample material; and a microfluidic structure which is arranged inside the tube in the tapering region thereof and which is connected to the opening, wherein the microfluidic structure is formed so as to carry out a multi-stage bioanalytical reaction with the sample material.