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Publication Number
US-10471427-B2
Publication Date
2019-11-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A fluidic manifold cartridge includes a plurality of source fluid inlets and fluid outlets. A plurality of fluid input flow channels are provided. Each fluid inlet is in fluid communication with a fluid input flow channel. Each fluid input flow channel directs fluid from the fluid inlet past a plurality of valves. A plurality of fluid output flow channels are in fluid communication with a fluid outlets. Each valve includes a valve seat, a portion of membrane, and a control fluid opening. Each valve has an open and closed condition. The valve in the open condition directs fluid from a fluid input flow channel to a fluid output flow channel. The control fluid opening directs control fluid to move the membrane so as to change the valve between the open and closed conditions. Systems and methods for fluidic manifold are also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a cartridge for a fluidic manifold system for directing the flow of source fluids. The cartridge includes a valve seat layer having a plurality of valve seats and a plurality of control fluid openings in fluid connection with the valve seats. The valve seats define a fluid flow path from an inlet location to an outlet location, and the cartridge uses a flexible membrane layer positioned proximal and adjacent to the valve seat layer. The flexible membrane layer is operable under the influence of a control fluid moving through the control fluid openings to flex against the valve seats and thereby permit fluid flow from the inlet location to the outlet location of the valve seats.
The cartridge further includes a fluid input channel layer adjacent to the flexible membrane layer and on an opposite side of the flexible membrane layer from the valve seat layer. The fluid input channel layer comprises a plurality of elongated slots defining fluid input channels, where each elongated input channel intersects with the inlet locations of valve seats associated with that input channel. The elongated fluid input channels direct fluid to the inlet locations of the associated valve seats, and the fluid input channel layer further comprises fluid output openings aligned with the outlet locations of the valve seats.
A fluid via layer adjacent to the fluid input channel layer includes fluid output vias in fluid connection with the fluid output openings and a plurality of fluid input vias in fluid communication with the elongated fluid input channels to permit fluid to flow through the fluid via layer to the fluid input channels. A fluid output channel layer adjacent to the fluid via layer includes slots defining elongated fluid output channels for receiving fluid from the fluid output vias, and each elongated fluid output channel communicates with a plurality of the fluid output vias.
The fluid output channel layer further includes a plurality of fluid input openings in fluid communication with the fluid input vias for permitting passage of input fluid through the fluid output channel layer. A fluid inlet/outlet layer adjacent to the fluid output channel layer includes a plurality of fluid inlet openings and a plurality of fluid outlet openings that are in fluid communication with the fluid input openings and the fluid output channels, respectively. The cartridge provides a switching architecture in which fluid from any fluid input opening can be directed to any fluid output opening.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to a layered cartridge architecture that directs source-fluid flow from any fluid input opening to any fluid output opening using valve seats and a control-fluid-actuated flexible membrane. Across the independent claim and its dependents, the main inventive features are the valve seat layer with control fluid openings, the flexible membrane flexing against the valve seats under control fluid, and the specific multi-layer fluid input/output channel and via structures with aligned inlet/outlet locations enabling any-to-any routing.
Layered cartridge architecture with valve seats and control fluid openings
A valve seat layer having a plurality of valve seats, and a plurality of control fluid openings in fluid connection with the valve seats, where the valve seats define a fluid flow path from an inlet location to an outlet location.
Control-fluid-actuated flexible membrane flexing against valve seats
A flexible membrane layer proximal and adjacent to the valve seat layer, operable under the influence of a control fluid moving through the control fluid openings to flex against the valve seats and thereby permit fluid flow from the inlet location to the outlet location of the valve seats.
Elongated input/output channels, aligned valve inlets/outlets, and fluid vias enabling any-to-any routing
A fluid input channel layer with elongated slots defining fluid input channels that intersect inlet locations of valve seats associated with each input channel, and fluid output openings aligned with outlet locations of the valve seats; a fluid via layer with fluid output vias connected to the fluid output openings and fluid input vias connected to the elongated fluid input channels; and a fluid output channel layer with elongated fluid output channels receiving fluid from the fluid output vias, plus a fluid inlet/outlet layer with fluid inlet openings and fluid outlet openings such that fluid from any fluid input opening can be directed to any fluid output opening.
Liquid source fluid implementation
The cartridge is configured such that the fluid flowing through it is a liquid.
Gas control fluid implementation
The cartridge is configured such that the control fluid is a gas.
Perifusion system implementation
The fluidic manifold system is configured to function as a perifusion system.
The claim set covers a cartridge that directs source fluid by flexing a flexible membrane against valve seats using control fluid through control fluid openings, combined with a multi-layer channel/via structure that aligns input channels with valve seat inlet locations and aligns valve outlet locations with output vias/channels and final inlet/outlet openings to enable directing fluid from any fluid input opening to any fluid output opening. Dependent claims further constrain the source fluid to a liquid, the control fluid to a gas, and the system use to perifusion.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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