A Robust Normally Closed Pneumatic Valve for Integrated Microfluidic Flow Control
Accurate fluid management in microfluidic-based point-of-care testing (POCT) devices is critical. Fluids must be gated and directed in precise sequences to facilitate desired biochemical reactions and signal detection. Pneumatic valves are widely utilized for fluid gating due to their flexibility an...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Micromachines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/1/34 |
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| author | Minggan Li Siqin Dong |
| author_facet | Minggan Li Siqin Dong |
| author_sort | Minggan Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Accurate fluid management in microfluidic-based point-of-care testing (POCT) devices is critical. Fluids must be gated and directed in precise sequences to facilitate desired biochemical reactions and signal detection. Pneumatic valves are widely utilized for fluid gating due to their flexibility and simplicity. However, the development of reliable normally closed pneumatic valves remains challenging, despite their increasing demand in advanced POCT applications to prevent uncontrolled fluid flow. Existing normally closed valves often suffer from poor reliability and lack precise control over fluid opening pressure, due to the uncontrolled stretching of the elastomer during assembly. In this study, we propose and develop a robust method for normally closed valves. By precisely controlling the pre-stretching of the elastomer, we achieve reliable valve closure and accurate control of the opening pressure. A robust normally closed valve was designed and fabricated, and its pneumatic opening pressure was systematically studied. Experimental validations were conducted to demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed design. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fe24700c783f40459225b328d2f67af8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj-art-fe24700c783f40459225b328d2f67af82025-01-24T13:41:54ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2024-12-011613410.3390/mi16010034A Robust Normally Closed Pneumatic Valve for Integrated Microfluidic Flow ControlMinggan Li0Siqin Dong1Zepto Life Technology Inc., 1000 Westgate Drive, St. Paul, MN 55114, USAZepto Life Technology Inc., 1000 Westgate Drive, St. Paul, MN 55114, USAAccurate fluid management in microfluidic-based point-of-care testing (POCT) devices is critical. Fluids must be gated and directed in precise sequences to facilitate desired biochemical reactions and signal detection. Pneumatic valves are widely utilized for fluid gating due to their flexibility and simplicity. However, the development of reliable normally closed pneumatic valves remains challenging, despite their increasing demand in advanced POCT applications to prevent uncontrolled fluid flow. Existing normally closed valves often suffer from poor reliability and lack precise control over fluid opening pressure, due to the uncontrolled stretching of the elastomer during assembly. In this study, we propose and develop a robust method for normally closed valves. By precisely controlling the pre-stretching of the elastomer, we achieve reliable valve closure and accurate control of the opening pressure. A robust normally closed valve was designed and fabricated, and its pneumatic opening pressure was systematically studied. Experimental validations were conducted to demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed design.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/1/34microfluidiclab on a chipnormally closed valvein vitro diagnostic (IVD) |
| spellingShingle | Minggan Li Siqin Dong A Robust Normally Closed Pneumatic Valve for Integrated Microfluidic Flow Control Micromachines microfluidic lab on a chip normally closed valve in vitro diagnostic (IVD) |
| title | A Robust Normally Closed Pneumatic Valve for Integrated Microfluidic Flow Control |
| title_full | A Robust Normally Closed Pneumatic Valve for Integrated Microfluidic Flow Control |
| title_fullStr | A Robust Normally Closed Pneumatic Valve for Integrated Microfluidic Flow Control |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Robust Normally Closed Pneumatic Valve for Integrated Microfluidic Flow Control |
| title_short | A Robust Normally Closed Pneumatic Valve for Integrated Microfluidic Flow Control |
| title_sort | robust normally closed pneumatic valve for integrated microfluidic flow control |
| topic | microfluidic lab on a chip normally closed valve in vitro diagnostic (IVD) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/1/34 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mingganli arobustnormallyclosedpneumaticvalveforintegratedmicrofluidicflowcontrol AT siqindong arobustnormallyclosedpneumaticvalveforintegratedmicrofluidicflowcontrol AT mingganli robustnormallyclosedpneumaticvalveforintegratedmicrofluidicflowcontrol AT siqindong robustnormallyclosedpneumaticvalveforintegratedmicrofluidicflowcontrol |