Connectors for pneumatic devices in microfluidic systems
In one embodiment, a removable pneumatic connector, comprises a body having a plurality of bores passing through, each bore surrounded by a sealing member on an inner surface of the body. A plurality of gas lines may be placed within a corresponding bore. A vacuum port is disposed on the inner surface of the body, and an outer seal on the inner surface of the body surrounds the sealing members and the vacuum port. A vacuum line may be placed within the vacuum port, and configured to deliver negative pressure to the vacuum port. A vacuum holding area is created in the volume between the outer seal and each of the sealing members when the inner surface of the body is placed against a substrate. When the vacuum line is activated, a vacuum is created within the vacuum holding area, creating a positive seal between the body and the substrate.
1. A removable pneumatic connector, comprising:
a body having a plurality of bores passing through, each bore surrounded by a sealing member on an inner surface of the body;
a vacuum port disposed on the inner surface of the body; and
an outer seal on the inner surface of the body surrounding the sealing members and the vacuum port;
wherein the outer seal and each of the sealing members are configured to create a vacuum holding area in the volume between the outer seal and each of the holding members when the inner surface of the body is placed against a substrate.
2. The removable pneumatic connector of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of gas lines, wherein each line of the plurality of gas lines is placed within a corresponding bore.
3. The removable pneumatic connector of claim 2 , further comprising a vacuum line placed within the vacuum port.
4. The removable pneumatic connector of claim 3 , wherein the vacuum line is configured to deliver negative pressure to the vacuum port, such that a vacuum is created within the vacuum holding area.
5. The removable pneumatic connector of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member surrounding each bore and the outer seal have a similar compressibility ratio.
6. The removable pneumatic connector of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member surrounding each bore comprises an O-ring, and the outer seal comprises a gasket.