SBIR Phase I: Electronically Actuated Low Power Microfluidic Pump

这项小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段研究项目将开发一种低成本、低功耗、一次性微流体电解液压泵（EHPs）。许多新兴的诊断和临床应用，如即时聚合酶链式反应（PCR）病原体分析和门诊药物输注，都需要电池供电的流体泵送系统，这种系统重量轻，功耗低，而且非常准确。不幸的是，目前的注射器和滚筒泵对于许多便携式应用来说过于笨重和耗电。该研究将开发火柴盒大小的EHPs，其泵送容量从0.1 ml到5 ml不等。此外，还将开发集成超声波传输时间流量测量系统的可编程控制系统。这种组合将产生一个原型，可以以3微升/分钟的速度提供高达5ml的体积，精度为0.1微升/分钟。这项技术还将允许开发高精度的“香烟包”大小的可穿戴药物输注系统。新兴的护理点系统通过在微流控芯片上进行PCR反应来分析可疑病原体。系统中的DNA纯化和PCR反应需要精确的流体输送，以确保可靠和可重复的病原体分析。EHP泵送系统将允许设计包含泵、预测量试剂和连接器的一次性墨盒。拟议的泵送技术的另一个潜在市场是新兴的“芯片上的动物”细胞培养系统和药物毒理学研究。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I research project will develop a low-cost, low-power, and disposable microfluidic Electrolytic Hydraulic Pumps (EHPs). Many emerging diagnostic and clinical applications, such as point-of-care Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) pathogen analysis and ambulatory drug infusion, require battery-powered fluid pumping systems that are lightweight, low power, and extremely accurate. Unfortunately, current syringe and roller pumps are too heavy and power-hungry for many portable applications. This research will develop matchbox-sized EHPs that can pump volumes ranging from 0.1 ml to 5 ml. In addition, a programmable control system that integrates an ultrasonic transit-time flow measurement system will be developed. This combination will produce a prototype that can deliver up to 5ml volumes at 3microL/minute with a 0.1microL/minute accuracy.This technology would also permit development of high-accuracy "cigarette-pack"-sized wearable drug infusion systems. Emerging point-of-care systems analyze suspected pathogens via a PCR reaction carried out on a microfluidic chip. DNA purification and PCR reactions in the system require precise fluid delivery to ensure a reliable and repeatable pathogen analysis. The EHP Pumping system would permit design of disposable cartridges containing the pump, pre-measured reagents, and connectors. Another potential market for the proposed pumping technology would be for emerging "animal-on-a-chip" cell culturing systems and drug toxicology studies.