Pipe joints or couplings – Packed – Frictional retention upon insertion
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-30
2001-08-14
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3629)
Pipe joints or couplings
Packed
Frictional retention upon insertion
C285S338000, C285S379000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273478
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to microfabricated fluidic devices, particularly to miniature fluidic connectors, and more particularly to miniature (milli to micro) connectors utilizing a molded ring or seal set in a ferrule cartridge for introducing fluids or gases to microfabricated fluidic devices or interconnecting various microfluidic devices.
While the ability to fabricate micron-scale mechanical and fluidic structures out of silicon, glass, and plastic is advancing rapidly, one of the main challenges continues to be interfacing these microfabricated devices to each other and to the outside, macroscopic world. Very little effort has been directed to meet this need. For example, institutions performing leading-edge microfluidics research are still connecting devices using epoxy, which is permanent, can cause channel clogging, and cannot withstand significant pressures or other mechanical loading. There is great promise for miniature deployable microfluidic systems which monitor the environment for airborne toxicants, and hand-held medical diagnostic instruments incorporating microfluidic chips. However, introducing fluid samples and reagents into the microfluidic device is challenging, especially when multiple inputs are required.
The invention of the above-referenced application Ser. No. 09/090,769 directly addressed this need in a manner which is easy to connect and disconnect without the problem of tube twisting during installation. The present invention involves an improvement over that of the above-referenced application by use of a molded ring or seal set into a ferrule cartridge, with or without a compression screw. Also, the present invention utilizes no adhesives to make the connection, thus providing a means for quick and easy exchange of microfabricated components. Further, the miniature connectors of the present invention have a low dead volume, are helium leak-tight, can withstand high pressures, and have a small footprint, allowing for multiple connections to be made in a very small area, thereby retaining the advantages of miniaturization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide miniature connectors for introducing fluids, either liquid or gaseous, into microfluidic devices.
A further object of the invention is to provide a fluidic connector which is easy to connect and disconnect multiple times, and no tools are required to connect and disconnect tubing.
A further object of the invention is to provide a miniature fluidic connector which allows for ease of design and manufacture of the packaging required for microfluidic devices.
A further object of the invention is to provide fluidic connectors applicable to many types of microfluidic devices without redesign, making the connector suitable as a standard approach for interfacing microfluidic devices to larger fluidic components and to each other.
A further object of the invention is to provide a miniature connector which uses standard tubing, allowing for adaptation to systems using standard connection systems, such as HPLC connectors.
Another object of the invention is to provide a miniature fluidic connector using no epoxy or adhesive, has a small footprint, is helium leak-tight, and is suitable for high pressure (hundreds to thousands of psi) applications where the inner diameters of the tubing and microfluidic device are small (mm to &mgr;m).
Another object of the invention is to provide miniature fluidic connectors that utilize stiff tubing wherein the tubing tip is inserted into or butted up against the microfluidic device and a molded ring set into a ferrule engage with a formed end of the tubing to create a leakproof seal and mechanically lock the tubing in place.
Another object of the invention is to provide microfluidic interconnects utilizing a molded ring set into a ferrule cartridge, with or without a compression screw.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. Basically, the present invention involves microfluidic interconnects utilizing a fluidic connector suitable for introducing or removing gas or liquids to or from microfluidic devices. The connector interfaces one microfluidic device with another, or with a larger fluidic component and is adaptable to many types of microfluidic devices, making it an excellent candidate for a standard connector. The connector can withstand hundreds to thousands of psi pressure. The connector is easy to assemble and disassemble, requiring no tools or adhesives, uses standard tubing, is extremely compact, can be used to make multiple connections in a small area, and requires only simple packaging of the microfluidic device. The present invention is suitable for making fluidic connections to microfluidic devices used for many applications, such as portable and/or deployable counter-biological warfare systems, including PCR and flow-cytometer-based instruments; devices for sequencing or manipulating DNA; handheld, portable, or bench-top microfluidic-based medical diagnostic instruments; microfluidic devices for drug discovery, chemical analysis, and environmental monitoring; micro-channel heat sinks; and fluid droplet ejectors such as ink jet print heads.
The miniature connector of the present invention is made using machining, molding, or otherwise forming the end of a stiff tubing, such as polyetheretherbetone (PEEK), so that the tip of the tubing may insert into or butt up against the microfluidic device and such that a ferrule and molded ring or seal may engage with a formed (grooved) end of the tubing to create a leakproof seal and mechanically lock the tubing in place. The connector can be incorporated into a design having multiple connections which are made simultaneously using an array of tubes held by a plug-in strip or a polar manifold type connector. The molded ring is set in a ferrule cartridge with or without a compression screw.
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Benett William J.
Krulevitch Peter A.
Carnahan L. E.
Nicholson Eric K.
The Regents of the University of California
Thompson Alan H.
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