Ultrasonic Microfluidic Flow Paths for Stable Microparticle Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid devices fail to effectively control the behavior of microparticles immediately before and after capture by standing waves, leading to insufficient concentration efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fluid device with specific flow path designs and ultrasonic wave transmission configurations that form standing waves in multiple flow paths, allowing controlled microparticle capture and release, using one or multiple ultrasonic elements to stabilize particle flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If ultrasonic waves are transmitted only to the separation flow path to form standing waves for microparticle capture, then the structure remains simple, but the microparticle concentration efficiency is insufficient due to inability to control particle behavior before and after capture
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic wave transmission is segmented into multiple independent flow paths (inflow, separation, and outflow paths). Each path can have ultrasonic waves transmitted independently to form standing waves at specific locations, allowing precise control of microparticle behavior at different stages without requiring a single complex transmission system
Solution Approach 2:
Ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the inflow path to form standing waves that pre-position microparticles into concentrated streams before they enter the separation flow path. This preliminary action ensures particles are properly oriented and concentrated, improving subsequent capture efficiency in the separation path
2Ease of operation
If standing waves are formed only in the separation flow path, then the device structure is simple, but the behavior of microparticles cannot be controlled immediately before capture or after release from nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The control of microparticle behavior is extended from a single dimension (separation flow path only) to multiple dimensions by adding ultrasonic transmission to the inflow and outflow paths. This creates a three-dimensional control space where particle behavior can be managed at entry, during separation, and at exit stages
Solution Approach 2:
The inflow and outflow paths act as intermediary zones where ultrasonic standing waves create transition regions. These intermediaries allow gradual control of microparticle concentration and behavior as they move between the inlet and separation zones, improving overall control capability
3Productivity
If multiple ultrasonic elements are used to transmit waves to multiple flow paths, then microparticle capture efficiency improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each ultrasonic element is designed to perform multiple functions: transmitting ultrasonic waves to form standing waves in its associated flow path, controlling microparticle behavior at different stages, and potentially serving as both a transmission and reflection surface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components
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
Improves microparticle capture efficiency by stabilizing their behavior through coordinated standing wave formation across flow paths, enabling high-concentration fluid output.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transmitter 60 that transmits ultrasonic waves 50 to a separation flow path 30 and at least one of an inflow flow path 20 and a first outflow flow path 40, and forms a standing wave SW1 to SW3 in each flow path 20, 30, 40 to which the ultrasonic waves 50 are transmitted
Implementation Method 2
the pressure gradient of the standing waves causes microparticles in the fluid to be captured at nodes of the standing waves
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid device 10 that separates microparticles in a fluid using ultrasonic waves, the fluid device 10 includes an inflow flow path 20 through which the fluid flows; a separation flow path 30 into which the fluid flows from the inflow flow path 20; a first outflow flow path 40 that causes the fluid to flow out from the separation flow path 30; a second outflow flow path 50 that causes the fluid to flow out from the separation flow path 30; and an ultrasonic transmitter 60 that transmits the ultrasonic waves to the separation flow path 30 and at least one of the inflow flow path 20 and the first outflow flow path 40, and forms a standing wave along a first direction in each flow path to which the ultrasonic waves were transmitted.