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Microfluidic Peristaltic Pump with Integrated Pneumatic Digital Logic Controller

Technology Benefits

In contrast to typical microfluidic systems that require both the microfluidic chip and external control machinery, this invention enables the microfluidic chip to function autonomously without external controllers. This achieves simpler and more portable systems that may also have a significant advantage in manufacturing cost due to monolithic integration.

Technology Application

This pump can be used to control liquid handling on point-of-care medical diagnostic devices. It can also be used to provide recirculation within flow chambers for DNA hybridization or antibody binding. This may be useful, for example, in DNA sequencing machines.

Detailed Technology Description

Currently, microfluidic devices often require unwieldy off-chip pneumatic and electronic components to control the actuation of valves and pumps on-chip. These components interface to the chip through a maze of tubing and wiring. While effective in laboratory settings, this approach is disadvantageous in applications where simplicity and portability are key, such as point-of-care diagnostics.This invention allows pumping to be controlled by an on-chip circuit, negating the need for off-chip controllers. In many cases, the only off-chip connection required is a single line to a static vacuum source to provide power. Multiple pumps can be combined on chip with additional logic circuitry to create integrated liquid-handling systems capable of executing metering, mixing, incubating, and washing operations, under the control of on-board pneumatic digital logic circuitry. The system consists of a self-oscillating circuit that provides a set of synchronized periodic waveforms, which in turn drive a bank of valves in specific patterns to achieve fluid pumping.

Supplementary Information

Patent Number: US20140079571A1
Application Number: US14029286A
Inventor: Hui, Elliot E. | Duncan, Philip N. | Nguyen, Transon V.
Priority Date: 18 Sep 2012
Priority Number: US20140079571A1
Application Date: 17 Sep 2013
Publication Date: 20 Mar 2014
IPC Current: F04B001900 | F16K009900
US Class: 417392
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
Title: MICROFLUIDIC OSCILLATOR PUMP
Usefulness: MICROFLUIDIC OSCILLATOR PUMP
Summary: Microfluidic pump for transporting fluid from a region of the microfluidic device to another region of the microfluidic device. Can also be used in a liquid-handling chip.
Novelty: Microfluidic pump for transporting fluid from region to another region of microfluidic device, has fluid valves connected to node of microfluidic oscillator circuit that has odd number of inverter logic gates implemented by pneumatic valves

Industry

Biomedical

Sub Category

Medical Device

Application No.

20140079571

Others

State Of Development

Prototype pumps as well as an integrated chip that can perform metering, mixing, incubation, and washing operations have been successfully demonstrated.

Tech ID/UC Case

23082/2013-232-0

Related Cases

2013-232-0

*Abstract

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a microfluidic peristaltic pump that does not require off-chip controllers for actuation, but rather is driven by on-chip pneumatic circuitry.

*IP Issue Date

Mar 20, 2014

*Principal Investigator

Name: Siavash Ahrar

Department:

Name: Philip Duncan

Department:

Name: Elliott Hui

Department:

Name: Transon Nguyen

Department:

Country/Region

USA