Low-Dead Volume Microfluidic Component and Method

Abstract

A method is described for reducing a dead volume of a microfluidic circuit that includes, in one embodiment, a reservoir, an outlet, and a microfluidic flowpath fluidly connecting the reservoir and the outlet. The method includes providing a variable-volume fluid chamber between the reservoir and the outlet for performing a function and in fluidic communication with the microfluidic flowpath, wherein the variable-volume fluid chamber includes a total volume including a working volume and a dead volume. The working volume is a volume necessary for the variable-volume fluid chamber to perform the function and the dead volume is a volume unnecessary for the variable-volume fluid chamber to perform the function. The method includes configuring the variable-volume fluid chamber to reduce the dead volume, such that the working volume of the component is substantially the same as the total volume.

1 . A method for reducing a dead volume of a microfluidic circuit comprising a reservoir, an outlet, and a microfluidic flowpath fluidly connecting the reservoir and the outlet, the method comprising:
 providing a variable-volume fluid chamber located between the reservoir and the outlet for performing a function and in fluidic communication with the microfluidic flowpath,
 wherein the variable-volume fluid chamber comprises a total volume comprising a working volume and a dead volume, wherein the working volume comprises a volume necessary for the variable-volume fluid chamber to perform the function and the dead volume comprises a volume unnecessary for the variable-volume fluid chamber to perform the function; and 
   configuring the variable-volume fluid chamber to reduce the dead volume, such that the working volume is substantially the same as the total volume.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the configuring step results in the total volume being substantially the same as the working volume. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the variable-volume fluid chamber comprises a base surface, an inlet, and a separate outlet, and wherein the configuring step comprises:
 providing a flexible membrane wherein the base surface and the membrane define a first volume when the membrane is proximate the base surface, wherein the base surface and the membrane define a second volume when the membrane is displaced by a fluid pressure away from the base surface, and wherein the membrane is biased towards the base surface.   
     
     
         4 . A low-dead volume variable-volume fluid chamber manufactured in accordance with the method of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         5 . The low-dead volume variable-volume fluid chamber of  claim 4 , wherein the working volume comprises about 5% of the total volume.