Microfluidic Test Container Without Vent Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test containers face errors due to sample solution shortages when heated to high temperatures, as vaporization leads to sample loss through vent flow channels, which are not adequately addressed by current microfluidic chip designs.
Innovation Solution
A test container with a liquid reservoir and chambers connected by flow channels, lacking a vent flow channel, where the valve switches states to manage sample transfer and heating, ensuring sufficient sample volume is maintained throughout the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vent flow channel is provided to enable smooth liquid feeding, then liquid can be fed smoothly, but vaporized sample solution escapes causing sample loss during high-temperature heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vent flow channel from the microfluidic chip structure. By extracting this harmful component that causes sample solution loss during heating, the invention eliminates the escape path for vaporized sample while maintaining liquid feeding functionality through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a closed system where the sample solution is heated in an enclosed chamber without connection to the external environment through vent channels. This inert environment prevents vaporized sample solution from escaping, effectively reducing sample loss during high-temperature processing.
2Measurement precision
If heating treatment is performed at high temperature for sample pretreatment, then sample analysis accuracy is improved, but sample solution volume decreases due to vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the vent flow channel that connects the heating chamber to the external environment, the patent prevents vaporized sample solution from escaping. This extraction of the vent channel maintains sample solution volume integrity while allowing high-temperature heating treatment for accurate analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed chamber structure creates an inert environment during heating that prevents sample solution vaporization loss. This allows high-temperature pretreatment to be performed without the harmful effect of volume reduction, maintaining both analysis accuracy and sample quantity.
3Device complexity
If the first chamber and second chamber are connected directly by a liquid flow channel, then sample transfer is simple, but sample solution shortage occurs during heating due to vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vent flow channel that would otherwise allow vaporized sample to escape during heating. This extraction ensures that even with direct chamber connection, the sample solution volume is maintained, preventing shortage and ensuring reliable test results.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed system created by removing the vent channel maintains an inert environment during heating. This prevents sample solution loss through vaporization, ensuring sufficient sample volume remains available for subsequent analysis steps.
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 configuration prevents sample solution shortages and associated errors by maintaining sample volume during heating, allowing for accurate nucleic acid testing and other biochemical analyses.
Implementation Method 1
The sample solution is transferred from the first chamber to the second chamber in order by a centrifugal force caused by a rotation of the centrifuge
Implementation Method 2
JP2019-515308A discloses that heating treatment is performed in the downstream chamber to which the sample solution is fed for pretreatment or the like of the sample solution
Data Source
AI summary
A test container, in which a sample solution is transferred from a first chamber to a second chamber in order by a centrifugal, includes a liquid reservoir portion that stores the sample solution in front of the first chamber, and a valve that includes a liquid storage portion temporarily storing the sample solution to be fed from the first chamber to the second chamber, in which a volume of the liquid reservoir portion is larger than a volume of the first chamber, the first chamber and the liquid reservoir portion are connected to each other only by a liquid flow channel through which the sample solution is fed, the first chamber and the second chamber are connected to each other only by a liquid flow channel through which a sample solution is fed, and a vent flow channel through which gas is released from the first chamber is not provided.