U.S. patent application number 10/192297 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-15 for fluidic valve having a bi-phase valve element.
Invention is credited to Bonanno, Justin J., Grodzinski, Piotr, Hui Liu, Robin, Stevens, Randall.
Application Number | 20040007275 10/192297 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30000025 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040007275 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hui Liu, Robin ; et
al. |
January 15, 2004 |
FLUIDIC VALVE HAVING A BI-PHASE VALVE ELEMENT
Abstract
A fluidic valve (125, 300, 500, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300)
switches a state of flow of a fluid in a fluid communication
channel of a fluid guiding structure (505). Heating a bi-phase
valve element (515, 1065, 1215) causes a change a state of the
bi-phase valve element from a high viscosity state to a low
viscosity state. A bi-phase valve element that clogs the fluid
communication channel can be pushed into an expanded portion (135,
320, 520, 915, 1220) of the fluid communication channel by an
application of pressure to the fluid while the bi-phase valve
element is in the low viscosity state, unclogging the fluid
communication channel. A bi-phase valve element can be pushed from
a valve element source chamber (550, 1250) into the fluid
communication channel by using a pumped fluid entering the source
chamber at a pump inlet (551) while the bi-phase valve element is
in the low viscosity state, clogging the fluid communication
channel.
Inventors: |
Hui Liu, Robin; (Chandler,
AZ) ; Bonanno, Justin J.; (Gilbert, AZ) ;
Grodzinski, Piotr; (Chandler, AZ) ; Stevens,
Randall; (Phoenix, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOTOROLA, INC.
CORPORATE LAW DEPARTMENT - #56-238
3102 NORTH 56TH STREET
PHOENIX
AZ
85018
US
|
Family ID: |
30000025 |
Appl. No.: |
10/192297 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/828 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 2400/0487 20130101;
Y10T 137/0391 20150401; B01L 2300/0816 20130101; B01L 3/502738
20130101; F16K 99/0001 20130101; B01L 2300/0645 20130101; F16K
13/10 20130101; Y10T 137/2082 20150401; B01L 2300/0636 20130101;
F16K 2099/0084 20130101; F16K 99/0036 20130101; B01L 2300/1827
20130101; F16K 99/0044 20130101; Y10T 137/2076 20150401; B01L
2300/0887 20130101; Y10T 137/2224 20150401; G01N 2035/00267
20130101; F16K 99/003 20130101; Y10T 137/2196 20150401; B01L
2400/0457 20130101; B01L 2400/0677 20130101; Y10T 137/86067
20150401; B01L 2400/0442 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/828 |
International
Class: |
F15C 001/04 |
Claims
1. A method for switching a state of flow of a fluid in a fluid
communication channel, comprising: heating a bi-phase valve element
that clogs the fluid communication channel, the heating causing a
change of state of the bi-phase valve element from a high viscosity
state to a low viscosity state; and pushing at least a portion of
the bi-phase valve element into a sink chamber of the fluid
communication channel by application of pressure to the fluid while
the bi-phase valve element is in the low viscosity state, wherein
the portion pushed into the sink chamber is sufficient to unclog
the fluid communication channel.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pressure is
generated by at least one of a gravitational force and the fluid
and a pumped fluid.
3. A method for switching a state of flow of a fluid in a fluid
communication channel, comprising: heating a bi-phase valve element
that is in a valve element source chamber fluidically coupled to
the fluid communication channel, the heating causing a change of
state of the bi-phase valve element from a high viscosity state to
a low viscosity state; and pushing at least a portion of the
bi-phase valve element from the valve element source chamber into
the fluid communication channel using a pumped fluid while the
bi-phase valve element is in the low viscosity state, wherein the
portion pushed into the fluid communication channel reverts to the
high viscosity state and clogs the fluid communication channel.
4. A method for switching a state of flow of a fluid in a fluid
communication channel of a fluid guiding structure, comprising at
least one of two sets {(a) and (b)} and {(c) and (d)}: (a) heating
a bi-phase valve element that clogs the fluid communication
channel, the heating causing a change a state of the bi-phase valve
element from a high viscosity state to a low viscosity state; (b)
pushing at least a portion of the bi-phase valve element into a
sink chamber of the fluid communication channel by an application
of pressure to the fluid while the bi-phase valve element is in the
low viscosity state, wherein the portion pushed into the sink
chamber is sufficient to unclog the fluid communication channel;
(c) heating a bi-phase valve element that is in a valve element
source chamber fluidically coupled to the fluid communication
channel, the heating causing a change a state of the bi-phase valve
element from a high viscosity state to a low viscosity state; and
(d) pushing at least a portion of the bi-phase valve element from
the valve element source chamber into the fluid communication
channel by using a pumped fluid while the bi-phase valve element is
in the low viscosity state, wherein the portion pushed into the
fluid communication channel solidifies and clogs the fluid
communication channel.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the bi-phase valve
element comprises a material that is in a high viscosity state over
an operational temperature range having an upper limit and is in a
low viscosity state at an activation temperature that is at least
10 degrees Celsius above the upper limit.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the bi-phase valve
element comprises a material that is in a low viscosity state above
80 degrees Centigrade.
7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the bi-phase valve
element comprises a paraffin material that melts at approximately
70 degrees Celsius.
8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the sink chamber of the
fluid communication channel has sufficient additional cross
sectional area in comparison to a cross sectional area of a
standard portion of the fluid communication channel to contain
essentially an entirety of a bi-phase valve element.
9. A fluidic valve for switching a state of flow of a controlled
fluid, comprising: a fliud guiding structure a fluid communication
channel having at least one fluid inlet port and one fluid outlet
port; and at least one of a bi-phase valve element source chamber
having a pump inlet, fluidically coupled to the fluid communication
channel and a bi-phase element sink chamber that is an expanded
portion of the fluid communication channel.
10. The fluidic valve according to claim 9, further comprising at
least one bi-phase valve element, wherein the at least one bi-phase
valve element comprises a material that is in a high viscosity
state over an operational temperature range of the fluidic valve
having an upper limit and is in a low viscosity state at an
activation temperature that is at least 10 degrees Celsius above
the upper limit.
11. The fluidic valve according to claim 9, further comprising at
least one bi-phase valve element, wherein the at least one bi-phase
valve element comprises a material that is in a low viscosity state
above 80 degrees Centigrade.
12. The fluidic valve according to claim 9, further comprising at
least one bi-phase valve element, wherein the at least one bi-phase
valve element comprises a paraffin material that melts at
approximately 70 degrees Celsius.
13. The fluidic valve according to claim 9, wherein the bi-phase
element sink chamber of the fluid communication channel has
sufficient additional cross sectional area in comparison to a cross
sectional area of a standard portion of the fluid communication
channel to contain essentially an entirety of a bi-phase valve
element.
14. A fluidic system comprising the fluidic valve according to
claim 9.
15. A micro-biofluidic device comprising the fluidic valve
according to claim 9.
16. A fluidic valve having a state that can be one of opened or
closed, comprising: a fluid guiding structure; a fluid
communication channel, formed within the fluid guiding structure,
and fluidically coupling a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet
port; a valve element source chamber, formed within the fluid
guiding structure, fluidically coupled to the fluid communication
channel and having a pump inlet port; a bi-phase valve element that
is in the valve element source chamber while the fluidic valve is
in an initial state that is the opened state; and a heat source
that can change the state of the fluidic valve by heating the
bi-phase valve element.
17. The fluidic valve according to claim 16, wherein a portion of
the bi-phase valve element sufficient to block the fluid
communication channel is in the fluid communication channel during
the closed state.
18. A fluidic valve having a state that can be one of opened or
closed, comprising: a fluid guiding structure; a fluid
communication channel, formed within the fluid guiding structure,
fluidically coupling a fluid inlet port to a fluid outlet port; a
sink chamber, formed within the fluid guiding structure as an
expanded portion of the fluid communication channel; a bi-phase
valve element that is in the fluid communication channel between
the fluid inlet port and the sink chamber while the fluidic valve
is in an initial state that is closed; and a heat source that can
change the state by heating the bi-phase valve element.
19. The fluidic valve according to claim 18, wherein a portion of
the bi-phase valve element sufficient to open the fluid
communication channel is in the sink chamber during the opened
state.
20. A fluidic valve having a state that can be one of opened or
closed, comprising: a fluid guiding structure; a fluid
communication channel, formed within the fluid guiding structure,
fluidically coupling a fluid inlet port to a fluid outlet port; a
valve element source chamber, formed within the fluid guiding
structure, fluidically coupled to the fluid communication channel
and having a pump inlet port; a sink chamber, formed within the
fluid guiding structure as an expanded portion of the fluid
communication channel; a bi-phase valve element that is in the
valve element source chamber while the fluidic valve is in an
initial state; and at least one heat source that can change the
state of the fluidic valve by heating the bi-phase valve
element.
21. The fluidic valve according to claim 20, wherein the bi-phase
valve element is in the fluid communication channel between the
fluid inlet port and the sink chamber while the fluidic valve is in
a closed state.
22. The fluidic valve according to claim 20, wherein the initial
state is the opened state, and wherein the valve element source
chamber is coupled to the fluid communication channel on an inlet
side of the sink chamber.
23. The fluidic valve according to claim 20, further comprising a
blocking bi-phase valve element, wherein the initial state is the
closed state, and wherein the blocking bi-phase valve element can
be heated by at least one of the at least one heat source to change
the state.
24. The fluidic valve according to claim 23, wherein the bi-phase
valve element is in the valve element source chamber and the
blocking bi-phase valve element is in the fluid communication
channel at a location on an inlet side of the valve sink chamber
during the initial state.
25. The fluidic valve according to claim 20, comprising one or more
additional valve element chambers having corresponding additional
bi-phase valve elements therein and one or more corresponding
additional sink chambers, wherein locations of couplings of the
additional valve element source chambers to the fluid communication
channel and locations of the additional sink chambers are
alternated along the fluid communication channel.
26. The fluidic valve according to claim 25, wherein the additional
bi-phase valve element corresponding to each additional valve
element source chamber is in the valve element source chamber
during the initial state.
27. The fluidic valve according to claim 25, further comprising a
blocking bi-phase valve element in the fluid communication channel
during the initial state, which is the closed state.
28. A fluidic valve that has a state that can be one of a first
state and a second state, comprising: a fluid guiding structure; a
fluid communication channel, formed within the fluid guiding
structure, having a first branch that fluidically couples a fluid
inlet port to a first fluid outlet port, and a second branch that
fluidically couples the fluid inlet port to a second fluid outlet
port; a valve element source chamber, formed within the fluid
guiding structure, fluidically coupled to the first branch of the
fluid communication channel and having a pump inlet port; a sink
chamber, formed within the fluid guiding structure as an expanded
portion of the second branch of the fluid communication channel; a
bi-phase valve element that is in the valve element source chamber
during the first state in which fluid can only flow from the fluid
inlet port to the first fluid outlet port; a blocking bi-phase
valve element is in the second branch of the fluid communication
channel, between the sink chamber of the second branch and a
junction of the first and second branches, during the first state;
and at least one heat source that can change the state of the
fluidic valve by heating one or both of the bi-phase valve element
and the blocking bi-phase valve element.
29. The fluidic valve according to claim 28, wherein the bi-phase
valve element is in the fluid communication channel and the
blocking bi-phase valve element is in the sink chamber of the
second branch during the second state, in which fluid can only flow
from the fluid inlet port to the second fluid outlet port.
30. A fluidic valve having a state that can be one of a first or
second state, comprising: a fluid guiding structure; a fluid
communication channel, formed within the fluid guiding structure,
having a first branch that fluidically couples a first switched
fluid port to a common fluid port, and a second branch that
fluidically couples a second switched fluid port to the common
fluid port; a valve element source chamber, formed within the fluid
guiding structure, fluidically coupled to the first branch of the
fluid communication channel and having a pump inlet port; a sink
chamber, formed within the fluid guiding structure as an expanded
portion of the second branch of the fluid communication channel; a
bi-phase valve element; a blocking bi-phase valve element; and at
least one heat source that can change the state of the fluidic
valve by heating one or both of the bi-phase valve element and
blocking bi-phase valve element.
31. The fluidic-valve according to claim 30, wherein the bi-phase
valve element is in the valve element source chamber and the
blocking bi-phase valve element is in the second branch of the
fluid communication channel near an inlet end of the sink chamber
during an initial state in which fluid can flow only between the
first switched fluid port and the common fluid port of the fluid
communication channel.
32. The fluidic valve according to claim 30, further comprising at
least one set comprising an valve element chamber, a bi-phase valve
element, and a valve sink chamber, wherein a location of the
coupling of the valve element source chamber to the fluid
communication channel and a location of the sink chamber in each
additional set are in different ones of the first and second
branches of the fluid communication channel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to mechanical valves, and
in particular to fluidic valves used for microfluidic applications
such as biological assaying.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There is a growing demand for biological fluid processing
systems that has generated a need for small fluidic valves. One
class of biological fluid processing systems consists of disposable
systems that are for single use. Many small fluidic valves are
under investigation and a few have been distributed commercially.
Most of these existing small fluidic valves couple a flexible
diaphragm to a thermopneumatic, piezoelectric, electrostatic,
electromagnetic, bimetallic, or other type of actuator. They
generally suffer from complicated design and are generally too
expensive to build. Fabrication of many existing small fluidic
valves involves bulk processes (e.g., bulk etching of silicon) and
surface processes (e.g., thin film process). Disparate materials
(e.g., thin film resistive heaters in thermopneumatic valves, piezo
material in piezoelectric valves, TiNi alloy in shape memory alloy
valves, etc.) are often used in addition to a substrate material
(e.g., Si). Not only is the fabrication process of such small
fluidic valves complicated, but the integration into complex,
microfluidic devices has also proven to be non-trivial. These types
of small fluidic valves have generally found to be undesirable for
used in single-use bio-microfluidic devices.
[0003] What is needed is a very low cost, highly reliable,
microfluidic valve for disposable, single use bio-microfluidic
devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and
not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like
references indicate similar elements, and in which:
[0005] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic representations of a fluidic
cartridge and a printed circuit board (PCB) that make up a
bio-microfluidic device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0006] FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic representations of a close-open
fluidic valve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0007] FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are schematic drawings of an
open-close-open fluidic valve 500, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic of the open-close-open
fluidic valve shown in FIG. 9, in accordance with the
open-close-open embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 9 is a simplified schematic of a toggle fluidic valve,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 10 is a simplified schematic of another toggle fluidic
valve is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIGS. 11-13 are simplified schematics of selecting fluidic
valves, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0012] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method of switching a state of
flow of a controlled fluid in a fluid communication channel, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Skilled
artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are
illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other
elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A fully integrated, micro-biological analytical device needs
to perform all analytical functions including sample preparation,
mixing steps, chemical reactions, and detection in an integrated
bio-microfluidic device. Most of the currently demonstrated
microfluidic or microarray device components pursue single
functionality other than sample preparation, and use purified DNA
as an input sample. Existing microfluidic and microarray
technologies work very well for highly predictable and homogeneous
samples common in genetic testing and drug discovery processes. One
of the biggest challenges for current biochips, however, is to
perform analysis in samples as complex and heterogeneous as whole
blood or contaminated environmental fluids. For most biochips
(including lab chips and microarray chips), sample preparation is
still performed off-chip. Embodiments of the present invention are
suitable for the sample preparation function on the micro-fluidic
level.
[0014] A fully integrated bio-microfluidic device that can both
amplify and electronically detect high abundance DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) targets (e.g., human genomic DNA from
diluted blood solution or other bodily fluids) and perform SNP
(single nucleotide polymorphisms) detection assays can benefit
greatly from embodiments of the present invention. In an example of
an integrated bio-microfluidic device, a sample preparation
bio-microfluidic module (comprising cell lysis followed by
asymmetric PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification and mixing
with hybridization reagents) made in accordance one or more
embodiments of the present invention could be integrated with an
electrochemical detection technology to provide a solution leading
to a complete sample-to-answer on-chip bio-assay. Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2, schematic representations are shown of a fluidic
cartridge 100 (FIG. 1) and a printed circuit board (PCB) 200 (FIG.
2) that make up a bio-microfluidic device when the fluidic
cartridge 100 and PCB 200 are bonded together, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. The fluidic cartridge 100
is a structure that comprises a self-contained air pump chamber
105, a hybridization buffer storage chamber 110, a polymerized
chain reaction (PCR) chamber 115, and a hybridization detection
chamber and mixing unit 120, all coupled by fluid communication
channels 130, and three paraffin bi-phase valve elements 125. The
fluid communication channels 130 have sink chambers 135, the
purpose of which is explained below. The PCB 200 contains a pump
heater 205, a valve element heater 210, temperature sensors (not
shown), a DNA heater 215, detection electrodes (16 are shown) with
DNA capture probes (detection electrodes) 220, required circuits
(not shown), and contacts for electronic connection 225. The
fluidic cartridge 100 is bonded with the PCB 200 in such a way that
the pump heater 205 is in contact with the air pump chamber 105 in
the fluidic cartridge 100 and the detection electrodes 220 sense a
solution when it is in the detection chamber 120 within the fluidic
cartridge. The pump heater 205, the valve element heater 210, and
the DNA heater (detection chamber heater) 215 are in this example
resistive patterns printed on the PCB 200. The bio-microfluidic
device in this example is approximately 2.5 centimeters by 8.5
centimeters. The fluidic cartridge 100 in this example is chambered
piece of plastic that forms a sealed fluid guiding structure when
it is bonded to the PCB 200. In an alternative embodiment, a sealed
fluid guiding structure is formed by sealing the fluidic cartridge
100, which is a chambered piece of plastic, with a thin plastic
back wall bonded to it. In the alternative embodiment, the DNA
capture probes pass through the back wall and are sealed to it.
[0015] In this example, a sample input to the PCR chamber 115 is a
60 uL mixture that contains a 2 microliter sample of blood or a
purified DNA sample as well as PCR reagents that amplify the sample
in a PCR product. The hybridization buffer storage chamber 110 is
loaded with 60 uL hybridization buffer and reagents, which will mix
with the PCR product in the PCR chamber 115 following the PCR
amplification and will be subsequently pumped into the detection
chamber 120 for hybridization assay. The material structure of the
fluidic cartridge 100 is compatible with PCR amplification and is
capable of a low level of multiplexing in the single PCR chamber
115. The detection chamber 120 in this example has 16 detection
electrodes. The bio-microfluidic device of this example is for use
in conjunction with an instrument that provides required power
supply and ambient heating/cooling capabilities needed for
amplification thermal cycling, temperature monitoring, and data
acquisition.
[0016] After a user loads a sample and reagents via pipetting into
the PCR chamber 115 and the hybridization buffer storage chamber
110, the device is plugged into the instrument, in a vertical
orientation. An asymmetric PCR can then be performed in the PCR
chamber 115 using a heating block incorporated within the
instrument. After the PCR reaction is completed, the pump heater
205 in the PCB, can be activated. As a result of the localized
heating of the pump chamber 105, air in the pump chamber will
expand and act as a forward pump. At the same time, the valve
element heater 210 will melt the three bi-phase valve elements 125,
which are composed of paraffin, (needed there to initially isolate
the PCR chamber 115 from the hybridization buffer storage chamber
110 during the amplification reaction). The pressure from the
heated air in the air pump chamber 105 will cause the melted
paraffin bi-phase valve elements 125 to flow into the sink chambers
135, which are expanded portions of the fluid communication
channels 130, where the paraffin resolidifies along the walls of
the sink chambers 135 of the fluid communication channels 130,
thereby opening the fluid communication channels 130 connecting the
chambers. The pressurized air from the air pump chamber 105 can
then move the hybridization buffer into the PCR chamber 115, mixing
with the PCR product, and then move the mixed solution into the
detection chamber 120 for hybridization. During the hybridization,
the DNA heater 215 in the PCB 200 will maintain the temperature of
the reaction solution at a required level. An acoustic mixing can
be implemented in the detection chamber 120 to enhance mixing
between the solutions, and also between the target DNA in the
solution and the detection probes 220 on the electrodes. The
instrument can scan the detection electrodes at required intervals
until the hybridization is completed (signal saturation). The
bio-microfluidic device requires no user intervention between the
initial loading of sample and reagents and final assay completion,
other than loading the device into the instrument and initiating
the instrument's operation. The assay should be completed in less
than 4 hours.
[0017] Since the bio-microfluidic device is operated vertically and
the amount of fluid is on the order of tens of microliters, fluid
gravity is considered together with other forces such as liquid/gas
interface force and surface tension in the design of the fluidic
cartridge 100. For example, the surface-to-volume ratio of the
cartridge is implemented high enough so that the air/liquid surface
tension is able to hold air bubbles in place, without the bubbles
moving upward and causing unexpected effects.
[0018] The PCR chamber 115 is thermally isolated from the air pump
chamber 105 and the paraffin bi-phase valve elements 125 by, for
example the choice of plastic and the relative locations of the
functions, so that during the PCR reaction when the PCR chamber 115
is thermally cycled for 1-2 hours, the air pump chamber 105 and the
paraffin valve elements 125 remain at relatively low temperature.
The pump, valve element, and detection chamber heaters 205, 210,
215 in the bio-microfluidic device are implemented to be in good
contact with the fluidic cartridge 100 to ensure an efficient
thermal transfer. Temperature sensors are used to detect and
regulate the temperature in the PCR chamber 115 and detection
chamber 120.
[0019] The above description of a bio-microfluidic device is just
one example of a fluidic device that can benefit from one or more
embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are
described below that can be used in a wide variety of fluidic
devices.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, schematic representations of a
close-open fluidic valve 300 are shown, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. The fluidic valve 300 has two
mutually exclusive states, open and closed, and may have states of
other description (for example, "initial", "in transition"). Not
all the states are necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, the
fluidic valve 300 is shown in FIG. 3 in an initial, closed state.
The fluidic valve 300 comprises a portion of a fluid guiding
structure 305, a fluid communication channel 310, a bi-phase valve
element 315, a sink chamber 320, a heating zone 335, and a heat
source (not shown in FIG. 3) thermally coupled to the heating zone
335. The fluid communication channel 310 fluidically couples an
inlet port 325 to an outlet port 330, although in the state shown
in FIG. 1 the fluid communication channel is blocked by the
bi-phase valve element 315. An arrow 340 with an "X" over it
indicates the presence of a controlled fluid that is under pressure
at the inlet port 325. The portion of the fluid guiding structure
305 can be a portion of a larger fluid guiding structure, such as
the one described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and the inlet
and outlet ports 325, 330 need not be at an outer surface of the
overall fluid guiding structure. The bi-phase valve element 315 is
implemented in a material that can be compound or mixture that has
a state (typically defined either as a solid state or a highly
viscous liquid state) at an operational temperature range having an
upper limit in which it will normally clog the fluid communication
channel in locations that are not the sink chamber 320 and another
state that can be described as a liquid state or a state of low
viscosity) at a switching temperature that is above the upper limit
of the operational temperature range, in which state it can be
moved by either gravity or fluid pressure, or both, to another
location in the fluid communication channel 310, either in or out
of the sink chamber 320. The operational temperature range and
switching temperature of the bi-phase valve element are preferably
compatible with the controlled fluid--that is, the controlled
fluid's characteristics of interest are not undesirably affected by
being at temperatures in the operational temperature range or the
switching temperature, for the duration such temperatures are
maintained during the operation of the fluidic valve 300. In
accordance with the embodiments of the present invention described
herein, the preferred material for the bi-phase valve element is a
paraffin material that has a solid state below approximately 70
degrees Celsius and can be melted by heating above 70 degrees. When
the paraffin is at approximately 80 degrees Celsius (which is 10
degrees above the upper limit of the high viscosity, or solid,
state of the paraffin), the paraffin is in a low viscosity liquid
state that allows it to be pushed within the fluidic guiding
structure, while remaining as essentially one bulk of material. In
an example of the close-open fluidic valve 300 implemented in
accordance with this embodiment, the fluid guiding structure is
made of plastic and the standard portions of the fluid
communication channel 310 (i.e., those portions that are not the
sink chamber 320) is a rectangular channel approximately 0.5 mm
deep (e.g., into the plane of the paper in FIG. 3) and 1 mm wide
(e.g., vertical in FIG. 3). When clogging the fluid communication
channel 310, the paraffin bi-phase valve element 315 of this
example blocks a controlled fluid that can exerts up to
approximately 40 pounds per square inch 275,790.28 Pascal) of
pressure without the blockage failing. The sink chamber 320 has
dimensions large enough to ensure that when the melted bi-phase
valve element passes therein, the additional volume in the sink
chamber 320 can hold substantially all of the bulk of the bi-phase
valve element 315 material, thereby leaving the sink chamber 320
with an opening of substantially the same cross sectional area as
the non-expanded parts (standard portions) of the fluid
communication channel 310. The heat source in this example is
formed as a resistive heating element (in the manner of heaters
205, 210, 215 illustrated in FIG. 2) that, when activated, raises
the temperature of the heating zone 335 of the fluid guiding
structure 305 to which it is attached to about 90 degrees Celsius.
The heating zone 335 is a region around the bi-phase valve element
315. The paraffin valve element 315 in this example, which melts at
approximately 70 degrees Celsius, melts about 10 seconds after the
heat source is activated and begins to flow toward the outlet port
due to pressure exerted by the fluid at the inlet port, indicated
in FIG. 3 by arrow 340.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, the valve element 315 is illustrated
after the fluid pressure has moved it into the sink chamber 320 of
the fluid communication channel, wherein gravity has moved it down
into the sink chamber 320 where it has resolidified, leaving the
fluid communication channel 310 and the close-open fluidic valve
300 in an open state, as indicated by the arrow 405 (without a
cross on it).
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, schematic drawings of an
open-close-open fluidic valve 500 are shown in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. The fluidic valve 500 has two
mutually exclusive states, open and closed, and may have states of
other description (for example, "initial", "in transition"). Not
all the states are necessarily mutually exclusive. The fluidic
valve 500 is shown in FIG. 5 in an initial, open state. The fluidic
valve 500 comprises a portion of a fluid guiding structure 505, a
fluid communication channel 510, a bi-phase valve element 515, a
sink chamber 520, two heating zones 535, 536, two heat source (not
shown in FIG. 5) thermally coupled to the heating zones 535, 536, a
valve element pump 545, a valve element source chamber 550, and a
pump inlet port 551 of the valve element source chamber 550. The
fluid communication channel 510 fluidically couples an inlet port
525 to an outlet port 530. The valve element source chamber 550 is
coupled to the fluid communication channel 510 and has essentially
the same cross sectional dimensions as the standard portions of the
fluid communication channel 510. The valve element pump 545 is
fluidically coupled to the valve element source chamber 550 at the
pump inlet port 551. In the open state shown in FIG. 5, the
bi-phase valve element 515 is in the valve element source chamber
550. An arrow 540 indicates the presence of a controlled fluid
flowing under pressure from the inlet port 525 to the outlet port
530. The portion of the fluid guiding structure 505 can be a
portion of a larger fluid guiding structure, and the inlet and
outlet ports 525, 530 need not be at an outer surface of the
overall fluid guiding structure. In the example shown in FIGS. 5-7,
the materials and characteristics of the fluid guiding structure
505, the bi-phase valve element 515, the fluid communication
channel 510 and the sink chamber 520 of the fluid communication
channel 510 are the same as those of the respective items in FIGS.
3-4. When the temperature of the heating zone 536 is raised
sufficiently to change the phase of the bi-phase valve element 515
to a melted phase, and the valve element pump 545 is activated, the
melted bi-phase valve element 515 is pushed into the fluid
communication channel 510 by a fluid acted upon by the valve
element pump 545, moving to a portion 511 of the fluid
communication channel 510 that is within the heating zone 536. The
melted bi-phase valve element 515 is then pushed, by a pressure
exerted by the controlled fluid and the fluid acted upon by the
valve element pump 545, into a portion 512 of the fluid
communication channel 510 that is not heated at this time, and the
bi-phase material resolidifies in the portion 512 of the fluid
communication channel 510, as shown in FIG. 6, putting the fluidic
valve 500 into a closed state, as indicated by the arrow 555 with
an X on it. Then, the fluidic valve 500 can be switched to a open
state in the manner described with reference to FIGS. 3-4 by
activating the heat source that is thermally coupled to heating
zone 535. It will be appreciated that, depending on the heat
transfer characteristics of the fluid guiding structure 505 and the
bi-phase valve element 515 and the flow rate of the melted bi-phase
valve element 515, the heat sources coupled to heating zones 535
and 536 can be combined and controlled as one heat source to reduce
the complexity of the fluidic valve 500.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 8, a simplified schematic of the
open-close-open fluidic valve 500 is shown, in accordance with the
open-close-open embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8
introduces simpler schematic symbols that are used without element
numbers to describe other embodiments of the present invention in
subsequent figures. The simpler schematic symbols in FIG. 8 have
the same reference numbers as those in FIG. 7 and represent the
same items described with reference to FIG. 7. The fluid guiding
structure (e.g., 505) is left out of FIG. 8 and is also left out of
the simplified schematics that follow FIG. 8, for simplicity. The
valve element source chamber 550 is represented by a box in the
simplified schematic of FIG. 8, but in FIG. 7 it is shown as a
fluid channel that couples the fluid communication channel 510 to
the valve element pump 545. In more detail, it is a portion of that
fluid channel that contains the bi-phase valve element 515 during
the initial state.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 9, a simplified schematic of a toggle
fluidic valve 900 is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. This embodiment is capable of providing an
open-close-open-close-open-close operation, as is evident because
it comprises three sections 905 that replicate elements (as shown)
of the open-close valve described with reference to FIG. 7, which
provide the open-close-open-close-open-close operation by
activating the heating zones of the three sections 905 in sequence.
It can also be used as fluidic valve that provides a truncated
version of the open-close-open-close-open-close operation by simply
not completing some of the operations. For example, by stopping the
sequence before heating zone 910 is activated, which changes the
operation of the toggle fluidic valve 900 to a
open-close-open-close-open operation.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 10, a simplified schematic of another
toggle fluidic valve 1000 is shown, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. This differs from the toggle
fluidic valve 900 by having an initial state that is closed. The
initial state of the toggle fluidic valve 1000 is provided by a
bi-phase valve element 1065 that is loaded into the fluid
communication channel 510 when the toggle fluidic valve is
fabricated. A corresponding heating zone 535 (coupled to a heat
source) and a corresponding sink chamber 520 are also implemented,
to allow a change of state from the initial closed state to an open
state, in the manner described above. This bi-phase valve element
1065 and the bi-phase valve element 315 of FIG. 3 are alternatively
called blocking bi-phase valve element in order to distinguish them
from the bi-phase valve elements 515 that are loaded into the valve
element source chambers 550.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 11, a simplified schematic of a selecting
fluidic valve 1100 is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. This selecting fluidic valve 1100 comprises
a portion of a fluid guiding structure (not shown in FIG. 11), a
fluid communication channel comprising a common branch 1105 that is
fluidically coupled to a first branch 1110 and a second branch
1115, a bi-phase valve element 515 loaded at time of fabrication
into a valve element source chamber 550 that is fluidically coupled
to the first branch 1110 of the fluid communication channel, a
valve element pump 545 coupled to the valve element source chamber
550, a heating zone 536 for the valve element source chamber 550, a
blocking bi-phase valve element 1065, a heating zone 535 for the
blocking bi-phase valve element 1065, a sink chamber 520, and two
heat source (not shown in FIG. 11) thermally coupled to the heating
zones 535, 536. The first branch 1110 fluidically couples a first
switched fluid port 1111 to a common fluid port 1106. The second
branch 1115 fluidically couples a second switched fluid port 1116
to the common fluid port 1106. In this example, common fluid port
1106 is an fluid inlet port for a controlled fluid and the first
and second switched fluid ports 1111 and 1116 are outlets ports for
the controlled fluid. FIG. 11 represents the selecting fluidic
valve 1100 in a first state of at least two states that the
selecting fluidic valve 1100 can assume, in which a controlled
fluid can flow from the common fluid port 1106 out through the
first switched fluid port 1111, but is blocked by the blocking
bi-phase valve element 1065 from flowing out the second switched
fluid port 1116. The blocking bi-phase valve element 1065 is placed
in the second branch 1115 of the fluid communication channel, near
an inlet end of the sink chamber 520 when the selecting fluidic
valve 1100 is fabricated. When the heating zone 536 is heated, the
bi-phase valve element 515 is melted and flows into the first
branch 1110 of the fluid communication channel, where it blocks the
flow of the controlled fluid out the first switched fluid port
1111. The bi-phase valve element is initially moved by pressure
from the valve element pump 545 and gravity, and when it reaches
the first branch 1110 of the fluid communication channel, it is
moved by a combination of the pressure from the valve element pump
545 and pressure of the controlled fluid, until it resolidifies.
When the heating zone 535 is heated, the blocking bi-phase valve
element 1065 is melted and flows into the sink chamber 520 of the
second branch 1115 of the fluid communication channel, thus opening
the flow of the controlled fluid out the second switched fluid port
1116. The blocking bi-phase valve element 1065 is moved by pressure
from the controlled fluid, and is moved to a downward area of the
sink chamber 520 by gravity while it is melted. In accordance with
a preferred version of this embodiment, the heating of zones 535
and 536 occurs essentially simultaneously, and the selectable
fluidic valve 1100 is thereby switched to a second state in which
the controlled fluid is directed to the second switched fluid port
1116.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 12, a simplified schematic of a second
selecting fluidic valve 1200, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. This selecting fluidic valve 1200 comprises
the elements of the selecting fluidic valve 1100, and further
comprises a bi-phase valve element 1215 loaded at time of
fabrication into a valve element source chamber 1250 that is
fluidically coupled to the second branch 1115 of the fluid
communication channel, a valve element pump 1245 coupled to the
valve element source chamber 1250, a heating zone 1235 for the
valve element source chamber 1250, a heating zone 1236, a sink
chamber 1220, and two heat sources (not shown in FIG. 12) thermally
coupled to the heating zones 1235, 1236. FIG. 12 represents the
selecting fluidic valve 1200 in a second state, which is the same
as the second state achieved by the operation of the selecting
fluidic valve 1100 described above. The bi-phase valve element 515
can now be moved into the sink chamber 1220 by activating the
heating source coupled to the heating zone 1235, allowing the flow
of the controlled fluid from the common fluid port 1106 to the
first switched fluid port 1111, and the blocking bi-phase valve
element 1065 can now be moved into the second branch 1115 of the
fluid communication channel, blocking the flow of the controlled
fluid to the second switched fluid port 1116. This puts the
selecting fluidic valve 1200 back into a first state.
[0028] By now, it will be appreciated that the controlled fluid can
be switched between the first and second switched fluid ports 1111
and 1116 (i.e., the first and second states) any finite number of
times by adding to the selecting fluidic valve 1100 at least one
set comprising a valve element chamber, a bi-phase valve element,
and a valve sink chamber. For each set, the location of the
coupling of the valve element source chamber to the fluid
communication channel and the location of the sink chamber in each
additional set are in different ones of the first and second
branches of the fluid communication channel. Furthermore, the
location of the coupling of the valve element source chamber to the
fluid communication channel and the location of the additional sink
chamber within each branch of the fluid communication channel are
alternated along the branch. Other operations are also possible
with these configurations, such as a state in which flow of the
controlled fluid is closed to both switched fluid ports 1111, 1116
or opened to both switched fluid ports 1111, 1116.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 13, a simplified schematic of a third
selecting fluidic valve 1300 is shown, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. This selecting fluidic valve
1300 comprises a portion of a fluid guiding structure (not shown in
FIG. 13), a fluid communication channel comprising a common branch
1105 that is fluidically coupled to a first branch 1110 and a
second branch 1115, a bi-phase valve element 515 loaded at time of
fabrication into a valve element source chamber 550 that is
fluidically coupled to the first branch 1110 of the fluid
communication channel, a valve element pump 545 coupled to the
valve element source chamber 550, a heating zone 536 for the valve
element source chamber 550, a blocking bi-phase valve element 1065,
a heating zone 535 for the blocking valve element 1065, a sink
chamber 520, and two heat source (not shown in FIG. 11) thermally
coupled to the heating zones 535, 536. The first branch 1110
fluidically couples a first switched fluid port 1111 to a common
fluid port 1106. The second branch 1115 fluidically couples a
second switched fluid port 1116 to the common fluid port 1106. In
this example, common fluid port 1106 is an fluid outlet port for
one of a first and second controlled fluids, the first switched
fluid port 1111 is a fluid inlet port for the first controlled
fluid, and switched fluid port 1116 is a fluid inlet port for the
second controlled fluid. FIG. 13 represents the selecting fluidic
valve 1300 in a first state of at least two states that the
selecting fluidic valve 1100 can assume, in which the first
controlled fluid can flow from the first switched fluid port 1111
to the common fluid port 1106, while the second controlled fluid is
blocked by the blocking bi-phase valve element 1065 from flowing
from the second switched fluid port 1116 to the common fluid port
1106. The blocking valve element 1065 is placed in the second
branch 1115 of the fluid communication channel, near an inlet end
of the sink chamber 520 when the selecting fluidic valve 1100 is
fabricated. The initial location of the blocking bi-phase valve
element 1065 and heating zone 535 in the selecting fluidic valve
1300 are spatially opposite the end of the sink chamber near which
the blocking valve element 1065 and heating zone 535 are located in
the initial state of selecting fluidic valve 1100. When the heating
zone 536 is heated, the bi-phase valve element 515 is melted and
flows into the first branch 1110 of the fluid communication
channel, where it blocks the flow of the controlled fluid out the
first fluid port 1111. The bi-phase valve element is initially
moved by pressure from the valve element pump 545 and gravity, and
when it reaches the first branch 1110 of the fluid communication
channel, it is moved by a combination of the pressure from the
valve element pump 545 and pressure of the controlled fluid, until
it resolidifies. When the heating zone 535 is heated, the blocking
bi-phase valve element 1065 is melted and flows into the sink
chamber 520 of the second branch 1115 of the fluid communication
channel, thus opening the flow of the second controlled fluid from
the second switched fluid port 1116 to the common fluid port 1106.
The blocking bi-phase valve element 1065 is moved by pressure from
the second controlled fluid, and is moved to a downward area of the
sink chamber 520 by gravity while it is melted. In accordance with
a preferred version of this embodiment, the heating of zones 535
and 536 occurs essentially simultaneously, and the selectable
fluidic valve 1100 is thereby switched to a second state in which
the controlled fluid is selected from the second switched fluid
port 1116.
[0030] It will be appreciated that the first and second states can
repeated a finite number of times by adding one or more sets
comprising a valve element chamber, a bi-phase valve element, and a
valve sink chamber in a manner analogous to that described above
with reference to FIG. 12.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 14, a flow chart of a method of switching
a state of flow of a controlled fluid in a fluid communication
channel is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. The method allows combinations of a step 1405 of heating
one or more bi-phase valve elements, a step 1410 of pushing at
least a portion of one bi-phase valve element into an expanded
portion of the fluid communication channel, and a step 1415 of
pushing at least a portion of one bi-phase valve element into the
fluid communication channel.
[0032] In the step 1405 of heating, a bi-phase valve element is
heated and the heating causes a change of state of the bi-phase
valve element from a high viscosity state to a low viscosity
state.
[0033] In the step 1410 of pushing at least a portion of one of the
bi-phase valve elements into an expanded portion of the fluid
communication channel, at least a portion of a bi-phase valve
element that clogs the fluid communications channel while in the
high viscosity state is pushed, while in the low viscosity state,
from a standard portion of the fluid communication channel to the
expanded portion of the fluid communication channel. The pushing is
caused by application of pressure to the fluid while the bi-phase
valve element. The pressure is generated by gravitational force or
a controlled fluid that is under pressure or a fluid that is pumped
for the express purpose of moving the bi-phase valve element, or
any combination of these forces. The portion pushed into the
expanded portion of the communication channel is sufficient to
unclog the fluid communication channel, permitting the flow of the
controlled fluid through the portion of the communication channel
that was clogged.
[0034] In the step 1415 of pushing at least a portion of a bi-phase
valve element into the fluid communication channel, at least a
portion of the bi-phase valve element is pushed from a valve
element source chamber into the fluid communication channel using
an application of pressure to the bi-phase valve element, while the
bi-phase valve element is in the low viscosity state. The pressure
is generated by a gravitational force or a controlled fluid under
pressure or a fluid that is pumped for the express purpose of
moving the bi-phase valve element, or any combination of these
forces. The portion of the bi-phase valve element pushed into the
fluid communication channel reverts to the high viscosity state and
clogs the fluid communication channel, blocking flow of the
controlled fluid through the portion of the fluid communication
channel that is clogged.
[0035] The expanded portion of the fluid communication channel has
sufficient additional cross sectional area in comparison to a cross
sectional area of a standard portion of the fluid communication
channel to contain essentially the entirety of the bi-phase valve
element.
[0036] It will be appreciated that the types of valves described
herein can be designed for controlling organic fluids such as blood
samples or DNA samples, using a wax bi-phase valve element that has
a phase change temperatures that is compatible with the fluid and
that does not undesirably become mixed with the controlled fluid.
The description "a phase change temperatures that is compatible
with the fluid" means that over the temperature range used to
change and maintain the phase of the bi-phase valve element, the
fluid being controlled by the fluidic valve remains in a liquid
state and essential characteristics of the controlled fluid are not
damaged. For example, if the fluid is a blood sample taken for
testing of biological organisms, then the temperature range must be
such that the biological organisms are not damaged." For different
fluids that need to be controlled, the material for the bi-phase
valve element can be one of a variety of paraffins (e.g.,
container, mould, dipping and microcrystalline, gel) and other
waxes (e.g., soy wax, carnuba wax) having a variety of phase change
temperatures and other properties of importance. There may exist
inorganic bi-phase materials that are appropriate when used with
other fluids and fluid guiding structures. For example, a low
melting temperature metal alloy may be appropriate for a one time
emergency valve in a engine control that controls the power
steering fluid. Among the variety of possible bi-phase valve
element materials, some may be used at temperatures at which the
material is not clearly ever in a solid, but is in a high viscosity
state at a low operational temperature such that it can effectively
clog the fluid communication channel at parts that are not the
expanded portion, and at a high operational temperature is in a low
viscosity state that allows it to be moved by the pressure of the
controlled fluid and/or gravity.
[0037] It will be further appreciated that although the heat
sources have been described above as being resistive patterns, the
heat source could be of any other type. Two examples are peltier
heaters and chemical heaters. Chemical heaters could be implemented
as two chemicals in two chambers that become connected using a
fluidic valve of the type described herein. Thus, a small peltier
heater could activate a large area chemical heater, or a chemical
heater could activate another chemical heater in a delayed
fashion.
[0038] It will be further appreciated that the shape and
orientation of the expanded portions (e.g., 320, 520) of the fluid
communication channels (e.g., 310, 510) are not constrained to that
implied by the illustrations in FIGS. 3-8. For example, a sink
chamber could have a circular cross section and the standard
portions of the fluid communication channel could couple to the
sink chamber at the axis of the sink chamber cross section. Also,
the transition between the sink chamber and the other parts of the
fluid communication channel could be gradual instead of abrupt (as
represented in FIGS. 3-5). Such configuration differences of the
sink chamber (circular cross section, gradual transition) could be
appropriate in situations where gravity is not relied upon to guide
the melted (low viscosity) phase of the bi-phase material while it
is changing to the resolidified (high viscosity) phase. It may also
be appropriate for the sink chamber to be at a bend of a fluid
communication channel.
[0039] While gravity has been described above as a force that is
involved in moving the controlled fluids in desired directions, it
will be appreciated that with an appropriate combination of small
communication channels and correspondingly small co-axial sink
chambers, along with a bi-phase valve element material chosen for
appropriate capillary characteristics, the bi-phase valve element
material may be moved contrary to the direction of the
gravitational force and may be moved away from a central flow
portion of the sink chambers. It will be further appreciated that
in some instances, such as moving a bi-phase valve element from a
valve element source chamber into a communication channel, the
pressure of the controlled fluid may not be needed to accomplish
the desired relocation of the bi-phase valve element. In the
foregoing specification, the invention has been described with
reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill
in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can
be made without departing from the scope of the present invention
as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification
and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a
restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of present invention.
[0040] It will be appreciated that a fluidic valve implemented in
accordance with the embodiments of the present invention can be
beneficially used in a fully integrated bio-microfluidic device,
for example, one that can both amplify and electronically detect
high abundance DNA targets (e.g., human genomic DNA from diluted
blood solution or other bodily fluids) and perform SNP detection
assays, as well as many other types of fluidic systems. By
appropriate arrangement of the elements of the present invention, a
low cost single use or multiple use valve arrangement can be
implemented.
[0041] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However,
the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s)
that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or
become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical,
required, or essential features or elements of any or all the
claims. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any
other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements
but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, method, article, or apparatus.
* * * * *