Low-Dead Volume Microfluidic Component and Method

• US 20100282766A1
• Filed: 05/06/2009
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CeQur SA
• Original Assignee: CeQur SA
• Inventors: Arndt, Heiko
• Application Number:
  US12/436,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20100282766A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/666
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1405 Patient controlled analgesia [PCA]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14252 with needle insertion means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/20 having means for promoting or enhancing the flow, actively or passively
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/141 with capillaries for restricting fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/152 pressurised by contraction of elastic reservoirs containers for dispensing contents by contraction of an elastic bag provided therein, in general B65D83/0061
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/006 Micropumps F04B43/043 and F04B43/095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

A method is described for reducing a dead volume of a microfluidic circuit that includes, in one embodiment, a reservoir, an outlet, and a microfluidic flowpath fluidly connecting the reservoir and the outlet. The method includes providing a variable-volume fluid chamber between the reservoir and the outlet for performing a function and in fluidic communication with the microfluidic flowpath, wherein the variable-volume fluid chamber includes a total volume including a working volume and a dead volume. The working volume is a volume necessary for the variable-volume fluid chamber to perform the function and the dead volume is a volume unnecessary for the variable-volume fluid chamber to perform the function. The method includes configuring the variable-volume fluid chamber to reduce the dead volume, such that the working volume of the component is substantially the same as the total volume.

Claims

1. A method for reducing a dead volume of a microfluidic circuit comprising a reservoir, an outlet, and a microfluidic flowpath fluidly connecting the reservoir and the outlet, the method comprising:

providing a variable-volume fluid chamber located between the reservoir and the outlet for performing a function and in fluidic communication with the microfluidic flowpath,

wherein the variable-volume fluid chamber comprises a total volume comprising a working volume and a dead volume, wherein the working volume comprises a volume necessary for the variable-volume fluid chamber to perform the function and the dead volume comprises a volume unnecessary for the variable-volume fluid chamber to perform the function; and

configuring the variable-volume fluid chamber to reduce the dead volume, such that the working volume is substantially the same as the total volume.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuring step results in the total volume being substantially the same as the working volume.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the variable-volume fluid chamber comprises a base surface, an inlet, and a separate outlet, and wherein the configuring step comprises:

providing a flexible membrane wherein the base surface and the membrane define a first volume when the membrane is proximate the base surface, wherein the base surface and the membrane define a second volume when the membrane is displaced by a fluid pressure away from the base surface, and wherein the membrane is biased towards the base surface.

4. A low-dead volume variable-volume fluid chamber manufactured in accordance with the method of claim 3.

5. The low-dead volume variable-volume fluid chamber of claim 4, wherein the working volume comprises about 5% of the total volume.