Multi-channel chemical transport bus with bus-associated sensors for microfluidic and other applications
View Patent ↗A controllable multiple-channel chemical transport bus routes and transports 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, and 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. Adaptations of Clos, Banyan, and other related multi-stage switching architectures in the flow topology can be supported. Sensors are placed at various locations along bus path segments. Information gathered by the sensors can be used for one or more of controlling measured flows, clearing operations, cleaning operations, and control of the timing flow transport. The sensors can be of one or more types such as presence sensors, flow sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, conductivity sensors, optical sensors, ion sensors, and affinity sensors.
1. An electrically-operated multi-channel chemical transport bus system, the system comprising:
a plurality of microfluidic flow lines, each flow line connected to a respective flow port;
a plurality of microfluidic bus lines, each bus line connecting to at least two flow lines selected from the plurality of flow lines, wherein each bus line is only connected to a flow port through a flow line selected from the plurality of flow 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 flow line and one bus at associated taps;
at least one sensor associated with at least one of the flow lines, wherein the at least one sensor is located along a bus line segment between the associated tap and the associated flow port; and
a controller connected to the at least one sensor, wherein the controller selectively operates each of the plurality of connecting valves, wherein the controller controls the connecting valves to selectively enable communication between a first flow port and a second flow port and disable communication between a third flow port and both of the first and second flow ports in a first configuration, and
wherein the controller controls the connecting valves to selectively enable communication between a third flow port and the first flow port and disable communication between the second flow port and both of the first flow port and the third flow port.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the connecting valves is a single-pole double-throw valve.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller controls the connecting valves to selectively enable and disable communication among the first flow port, the second flow port and at least a third flow port.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller provides a clearing mode to clear remnants of a chemical flow.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the system comprises a Clos network topology adapted to chemical flow paths.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the system comprises a Banyan network topology adapted to chemical flow paths.
7. 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.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a presence sensor.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a flow sensor.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a conductivity sensor.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is an optical sensor.
14. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is an ion sensor.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is an affinity sensor.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a rate of flow of a fluid flowing in the associated flow line.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect presence of a substance in the associated flow line.
18. An electrically-operated multi-channel chemical transport bus system, the system comprising:
a plurality of microfluidic flow lines, each flow line connected to a respective flow port;
a plurality of microfluidic bus lines, each bus line connecting to at least two flow lines selected from the plurality of flow lines, wherein each bus line is only connected to a flow port through a flow line selected from the plurality of flow 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 flow line and one bus at associated bus line taps;
a plurality of sensors associated with at least one of the flow lines, wherein the at least two of the plurality of sensors are placed on either proximate side of a respective one of the bus line taps; and
a controller connected to the at least one sensor, wherein the controller selectively operates each of the plurality of connecting valves, wherein the controller controls the connecting valves to selectively enable communication between a first flow port and a second flow port and disable communication between a third flow port and both of the first and second flow ports in a first configuration, and
wherein the controller controls the connecting valves to selectively enable communication between a third flow port and the first flow port and disable communication between the second flow port and both of the first flow port and the third flow port.