Variable Volume Container Fluid Delivery for Microfluidics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for delivering fluids to microfluidic devices face challenges such as contamination, bubble formation, and the use of pressurized gases leading to metabolic issues in biological samples, as well as the need for high-quality water and the risk of fire or explosion hazards with conventional cleaning compositions.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-regulated variable volume container with a flexible wall that isolates fluids from atmospheric gases and non-biological surfaces, maintaining a sterile environment and allowing for continuous adjustment of fluid volume to generate a fluid stream, and compositions using water, alcohol, and ketones for cleaning and disinfection that reduce contamination and fire risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pressurized gases are used to deliver fluids to microfluidic devices, then fluid delivery is achieved, but contamination and bubble formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful element (atmospheric gases) from the fluid delivery system by using a closed container system. The fluid is delivered from a sealed container through a needle or catheter, eliminating contact with atmospheric gases that cause contamination and bubble formation while maintaining effective fluid delivery to the microfluidic device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary barrier (sealed container with needle/catheter) between the fluid source and the microfluidic device. This intermediary system allows fluid transfer without direct exposure to atmospheric gases, preventing contamination and bubble formation while enabling continuous fluid delivery.
2Reliability
If conventional cleaning compositions are used to clean microfluidic devices, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but fire or explosion hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning composition by using water, alcohol, and ketone mixtures with controlled ratios. This composition modification maintains cleaning effectiveness while reducing flammability compared to conventional organic solvent-based cleaners, thereby eliminating fire or explosion hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite cleaning composition comprising water, alcohol, and ketone in specific proportions. This composite formulation combines the cleaning properties of alcohol and ketone with the safety of water, achieving effective cleaning while significantly reducing fire hazards associated with pure organic solvents.
3Reliability
If high-quality water is used to prevent contamination, then purity is improved, but cost and availability become constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary filtration and treatment to standard water sources before use in the microfluidic system. By pre-filtering water through 0.22-micron or 0.45-micron filters and using inline filtration during operation, the system achieves high purity without requiring expensive pre-treated water sources, making the system more cost-effective and easier to implement.
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 effectively prevents contamination, minimizes bubble formation, maintains the integrity of biological samples, and reduces the risk of fire hazards while ensuring consistent fluid delivery and efficient cleaning of microfluidic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a variable volume container (1) having a flexible wall (2) which can act on an amount of fluid (3) within the variable volume container (1) in response to an amount of pressure (4) exerted on an exterior surface (5) of the flexible wall (2) by an amount of gas (6)
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions (3) and methods of using such compositions (3) to condition, clean, or disinfect the flow path of a conduit (8) of a microfluidic devices (16), such as flow cytometers or liquid chromatographs.