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Publication Number
US-11920700-B2
Publication Date
2024-03-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
Rotary valves and methods of using, manufacturing, and storing the same are provided herein. The rotary valve includes a rotor and a stator, biased toward one another to form a fluid tight seal. In some implementations, the rotor comprises an integrated flow channel containing a porous solid support. Frequently, the interface between rotor and stator is made fluid-tight using a gasket. Some implementations of the rotary valve include a displaceable spacer to prevent the gasket from sealing against at least one of the rotor and stator prior to operation, wherein when the spacer is displaced, the gasket seals the rotor and stator together in a fluid-tight manner.
Core Innovation
The rotary valve includes a rotor having an outer face and a rotor valving face opposite the outer face, and a pair of apertures through the rotor valving face. A stator has a stator face with a plurality of stator ports in communication with a fluid passage, and the rotor valving face is spaced apart from the stator face while the rotary valve is in a storage condition. A retention element comprising a retention ring and a biasing element biases the rotor and stator towards one another.
The rotary valve is maintained in the storage condition while a portion of the retention ring is engaged with a portion of the rotor. A relative motion between the rotor and the stator disengages the portion of the retention ring engaged with the portion of the rotor to produce a fluid tight arrangement between the rotor valving surface and the stator face. The rotor-stator interface includes a gasket, and the storage condition maintains spacing between the rotor valving face and the stator face.
The disclosure further provides a rotary valve architecture for microfluidic/diagnostic devices having a rotor integrated flow channel containing a porous solid support for analyte capture/purification. A solid support chamber contains porous support materials, and fluidic connectors/selectors route fluid among stator ports. The retention element and the gap-maintaining/displaceable spacer concept prevent gasket compression/adhesion during storage, while activation by relative rotor motion enables the fluid tight seal.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provides a storage-condition rotary valve architecture with a release mechanism that disengages a retained portion to form a fluid tight arrangement, while keeping the rotor valving face spaced from the stator face during storage. The main coverage includes maintaining and releasing the storage condition via the retention element and defining fluid tight sealing by disengagement of the retention engagement.
Storage-condition spaced rotor and stator valving faces
The rotor valving face is spaced apart from the stator face while the rotary valve is in a storage condition, with the stator ports in communication with a fluid passage.
Retention element biasing rotor and stator toward one another
A retention element comprising a retention ring and a biasing element biases the rotor and stator towards one another, while the rotary valve is maintained in the storage condition.
Engaged portion maintains storage condition and disengagement enables fluid tight arrangement
A portion of the retention ring is engaged with a portion of the rotor in the storage condition, and a relative motion between the rotor and the stator disengages the portion engaged to produce a fluid tight arrangement between the rotor valving surface and the stator face.
Overall, the independent claim centers on a rotary valve that remains in a storage condition with spaced rotor and stator valving faces, is held by a retention ring/biasing arrangement, and transitions to a fluid tight arrangement by relative rotor-stator motion that disengages the retained engagement.
Stated Advantages
Enables a fluid tight arrangement between the rotor valving surface and the stator face by disengaging the retained engagement while transitioning from a storage condition.
Prevents gasket compression/adhesion during storage.
Documented Applications
Microfluidic/diagnostic devices using the rotary valve for analyte capture/purification with porous solid support integrated in rotor flow channel(s).
Biological sample processing sequences described at a conceptual level including binding, washing, elution, mixing, amplification well filling, and routing among stator ports via fluidic connectors/selectors.
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