Miniaturized fluid manipulation system
AssigneeTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
InventorsChin-Hua Wen, Jui-Cheng Huang
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Abstract
A fluidic testing platform and methods of its operation are described. The fluidic cartridge includes a first fluidic channel and a wheel assembly coupled to the first fluidic channel. The wheel assembly includes a center portion coupled to the first fluidic channel and designed to deliver fluid through one or more second fluidic channels that radiate outward from the center portion. The wheel assembly also includes a third fluidic channel arranged in a closed loop and one or more capillaries coupled to an outer surface of the third fluidic channel and arranged to radiate outward from the center portion. The wheel assembly is designed to rotate such that fluid is forced outward from the center portion through the one or more capillaries.
Claims20
A fluid delivery device, comprising:
- a first fluidic channel having an inlet and an outlet;
- and
- a wheel assembly coupled to the outlet of the first fluidic channel, the wheel assembly comprising:
- a center portion coupled to the outlet of the first fluidic channel and configured to deliver fluid through one or more second fluidic channels that radiate outward from the center portion;
- a third fluidic channel arranged in a closed loop, wherein each of the one or more second fluidic channels are coupled to an inner surface of the third fluidic channel;
- a waste reservoir physically connected to an outer surface of the third fluidic channel, wherein the waste reservoir and the third fluidic channel are configured to rotate at a same angular speed;
- and
- one or more capillaries coupled to the outer surface of the third fluidic channel and arranged to radiate outward from the outer surface of the third fluidic channel, wherein the wheel assembly is configured to rotate such that fluid is forced outward from the center portion through the one or more capillaries.
A fluidic testing platform, comprising:
- a first chamber configured to hold a first fluid;
- a second chamber configured to hold a second fluid;
- a multi-way valve configured to select between a fluid path from the first chamber and a fluid path from the second chamber;
- a first fluidic channel coupled to an output of the multi-way valve;
- a wheel assembly coupled to the first fluidic channel, the wheel assembly comprising:
- a center portion coupled to the first fluidic channel and configured to deliver fluid through one or more second fluidic channels that radiate outward from the center portion,
- a third fluidic channel arranged in a closed loop, wherein each of the one or more second fluidic channels are coupled to an inner surface of the third fluidic channel, and
- one or more capillaries coupled to an outer surface of the third fluidic channel and arranged to radiate outward from the outer surface of the third fluidic channel, wherein the wheel assembly is configured to rotate such that fluid is forced outward from the center portion through the one or more capillaries;
- and
- a reference electrode disposed between an inlet of the first fluidic channel and a static portion of the center portion.
A method of delivering fluid to a sensor, the method comprising:
- flowing a fluid through a first channel and into a center portion of a wheel assembly;
- rotating the wheel assembly at an angular speed such that the fluid is forced outward from the center portion of the wheel assembly;
- moving the fluid through one or more capillaries arranged on an outer surface of the wheel assembly, wherein the moving occurs due to the rotation of the wheel assembly;
- forming a droplet of fluid at an end of one of the one or more capillaries;
- lowering the wheel assembly towards a substrate having the sensor, such that the droplet makes contact with the sensor;
- and
- rotating a waste reservoir at the angular speed of the wheel assembly to retrieve a portion of the fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.