SBIR Phase I: Shape Variations in the Development of Miniature Micropumps

这项小型企业创新研究第一阶段的研究计划的目标是技术创新，将推进微型生物分析、芯片实验室应用和蛋白质组学的电喷雾质谱方法的实施。提出了设计和制造具有多种形状的微型、独立的非机械泵。每个微型泵的占地面积小于1 in2，并且能够控制精确的流量，从nL/min到microL/min。控制ePump的非机械性质和操作原理为泵设计提供了不同寻常的自由度，扩展到包括广泛的泵形状和尺寸。提供无脉冲流，这种新型泵将与广泛的分析溶剂和解决方案兼容。目标是一种微型泵，可以在一系列形状中实施，可以很容易地适应OEM分析系统中的受限空间。提出的独立泵的市场机会存在于研究和商业色谱，微流体，蛋白质组学和样品导入。药物输送和静脉治疗也有更多的机会。这种独特的微型泵将推动生物技术在许多方面的发展，包括芯片实验室、微总量分析系统和护理点设备。通过提高诊断和测量系统的可携带性和普遍可及性，将实现对公共卫生的直接影响。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I research proposal targets technical innovations that will advance the implementation of micro-scale bioassays, lab-on-a-chip applications, and electrospray mass spectrometry approaches to proteomics. It is proposed to design and fabricate miniature, stand-alone non-mechanical pumps with a diversity of shapes. Each micropump will have a footprint of less than 1 in2 and be capable of controlled, precise flow rates from nL/min to microL/min. The non-mechanical nature and operating principles that govern the ePump afford an unusual degree of freedom in pump design, extending to include a wide range of pump shapes and sizes. Delivering pulse-free flow, this new type of pump will be compatible with a broad range of assay solvents and solutions. The target is a miniature pump that can be implemented in a range of shapes that can be readily adapted to the constrained spaces within OEM assay systems. Market opportunities for the proposed stand-alone pumps exist in research and commercial chromatography, microfluidics, proteomics, and sample introduction. Additional opportunities are represented for drug delivery and IV therapy. The unique miniature pumps will advance biotechnology on a number of fronts including lab-on-a-chip, micro-total analysis systems, and point-of-care devices. A direct impact on public health will be realized by increased portability and general accessibility of diagnostic and measurement systems.