Vertical Microfluidic Cartridge With In-Plane Oil Pressure Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microfluidic devices require an out-of-plane oil reagent container to generate the pressure head for bubble-free filling, increasing the device's overall height and complicating assembly and manufacturing due to additional components.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic cartridge with an in-plane oil/immiscible reagent container positioned along the Z-axis generates the pressure head, allowing for a single actuator plate and simplified assembly, while maintaining the device's dimensions in the Y-axis, and utilizing a single rotational motion for sample-to-answer nucleic acid amplification tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an out-of-plane oil reagent container is used to generate pressure head, then bubble-free filling of the primary channel is achieved, but the overall height of the microfluidic device increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional out-of-plane oil reagent container configuration to an in-plane configuration where the oil reagent container is positioned within the same plane as the primary channel. This dimensional change allows the pressure head to be generated without increasing the overall device height, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining bubble-free filling capability through optimized pressure differential design
2Reliability
If an out-of-plane oil reagent container is used to generate pressure head, then bubble-free filling of the primary channel is achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil reagent container with the primary channel structure by positioning the oil reagent container in the same plane as the primary channel. This integration eliminates the need for separate out-of-plane container structures and reduces the total number of components required, while maintaining the pressure differential necessary for bubble-free filling through the optimized spatial arrangement
3Manufacturing precision
If the height of the oil reagent container is increased to generate pressure head, then controlled filling of the primary channel is achieved, but the device dimensions in the Y-axis increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the oil reagent container from an out-of-plane configuration to an in-plane configuration within the same Y-axis plane as the primary channel. This dimensional reorganization allows the pressure head to be generated through horizontal positioning rather than vertical height, maintaining controlled filling precision while preventing increase in the device's Y-axis dimensions
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 reduces the number of components and assembly steps, simplifies manufacturing, and enables efficient sample-to-answer processing with reduced height and complexity, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an oil/immiscible reagent container positioned at a height along a Z axis sufficient to generate a pressure head required to drive the flow of the oil into the microfluidic cartridge
Implementation Method 2
magnetic beads that are moved through said primary channel and resuspended sequentially in said plurality of wells
Data Source
AI summary
A sample-to-answer microfluidic system and method including vertical microfluidic device and automated actuation mechanisms, such as, but not limited to, automated mechanical and/or magnetic actuation, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the sample-to-answer microfluidic system includes a vertically oriented microfluidic device and a rotating actuator in relation to the microfluidic device, and wherein the microfluidic device and the rotating actuator are operating in the XZ plane. Additionally, methods of using the sample-to-answer microfluidic system are provided.