Vertical Cartridge Gravity-Driven Fluid Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-detection devices require electricity to drive sample processing and typically use larger sample volumes, as they are designed for flat-plane operations, limiting their efficiency in processing small fluid samples.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge system that processes fluid samples vertically without electricity, featuring a receiving chamber with a round bottom, reaction chambers, fluid channels, and air passages, allowing gravity-driven flow, and includes a heating module and moving module for temperature control and vertical movement, enabling efficient analysis of minimal sample volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electricity is used to drive sample processing in micro-detection devices, then sample processing can be achieved, but energy consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge design allows the sample to drive its own processing through gravity-induced flow. The vertical arrangement of chambers and channels enables automatic sample movement from the receiving chamber through reaction chambers without external pumping, making the system self-driven and eliminating the need for electrical power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional flat-plane horizontal sample processing to a vertical three-dimensional configuration. By stacking chambers and channels vertically, the sample flows downward under gravity, utilizing the vertical dimension to eliminate the need for horizontal micro-pumps and electrical driving mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If flat-plane sample processing is used, then device structure is simple, but larger sample volumes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vertical stacking configuration where multiple reaction chambers and fluid channels are arranged in the vertical dimension rather than spreading out horizontally. This three-dimensional arrangement compresses the sample path into a compact vertical space, reducing the required sample volume while maintaining functional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge design nests multiple functional components within each other vertically - reaction chambers are stacked with fluid channels connecting them in series, and air passages are integrated within the same vertical space. This nested arrangement maximizes functional density within a minimal sample volume.
3Productivity
If micro-pumps are coupled to microfluid channels to drive sample flow, then sample processing is enabled, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for external micro-pumps by designing the sample flow path to be self-driven through gravity. The vertical configuration ensures that sample naturally flows from higher to lower chambers, and the air passages provide pressure balance to facilitate continuous flow without mechanical pumping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses air passages connected to reaction chambers to create pressure differentials that drive fluid flow. By controlling air pressure in the passages, the system regulates sample movement through the vertical channel network without requiring mechanical pumps, utilizing pneumatic principles instead.
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
Enables efficient, electricity-free processing and analysis of small fluid samples using a minimal amount of sample, facilitating vertical sample processing and reducing the need for additional force or energy, thus improving sample analysis efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the process of the sample in the cartridge is self-driven or without the need of electricity to drive the process in the cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a cartridge and a system including the same for vertically processing a fluid sample. The cartridge includes a case and a cover for covering the case, in which the case includes a receiving chamber having a round bottom, a plurality of reaction chambers downstream to the receiving chamber, a plurality of fluid channels connecting the plurality of reaction chambers to the round bottom of the receiving chamber; and a plurality of air passages downstream to the reaction chambers and respectively connected thereto; in which the receiving chamber includes an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, and a baffle plate disposed underneath the inlet and above the round bottom. The system includes the present cartridge, a heating module for elevating the temperature of the reaction chambers, a moving module for moving the cartridge vertically, and optionally a detection module for detecting the reaction products in the reaction chambers.