Multi-channel chemical transport bus providing short-duration burst transport using sensors for microfluidic and other applications
View Patent ↗A controllable multiple-channel chemical transport bus providing routing and transport of fluids, gasses, aerosols, slurries and the like within a larger system. The system and methods are applicable for use in Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) technology, arid can be useful in the implementation of reconfigurable LoC devices. Routes through the bus are determined by control signals and/or sequences of control signals issued under algorithmic control. Several independent flows may occur simultaneously. The controllable multiple-channel chemical transport bus can be configured to support chemical flow durations short enough that the chemical flow at a first chemical flow port ends at a time before the chemical flow is first received at a second chemical flow port. At least one sensor detects the flow in an associated flow line, such that a controller uses at least one signal from the sensor to time fluid flow between the two flow ports.
1. An electrically-operated multi-channel chemical transport bus system, the system comprising:
a plurality of flow lines, each flow line connected to a respective flow port;
a plurality of bus lines;
a plurality of electrically operated connecting valves connecting each of the flow lines to each of the bus lines, wherein each connecting valve is connected to one of the plurality of flow lines and each one of the plurality of bus lines at associated taps;
a controller connected to the plurality of electrically operated connecting valves, the controller to selectively operate each of the plurality of connecting valves,
wherein the controller controls the connecting valves to enable a burst of chemical fluidic communication between a first flow port and at least one second flow port to allow a fluid to flow between the first flow port and the at least one second flow port, wherein the controller enables fluidic communication for a first duration during which the flow through the first port ends before the fluid reaches the at least one second flow port,
wherein at least one sensor is associated with at least one of the flow lines, wherein the at least one sensor detects the flow in the at least one flow line, and wherein the controller uses at least one signal from the at least one sensor to time the fluid flow between the first and second flow ports.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller enables fluidic communication for a second duration during which the fluid reaches the at least one second flow port.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the connecting valves is a single-pole double-throw valve.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller provides a clearing mode to clear remnants of the chemical flow.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of electrically operated isolation valves disposed in the flow lines to isolate connections of at least one of the connecting valves.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller controls the connecting valves to allow the fluid to flow between the first flow port and the at least one second flow port in a plurality of bursts of flow.