Micro fluid transfer system

Abstract

A micro fluid transfer system for transferring fluid within a micro-environment, wherein the micro fluid transfer system comprises: (a) an elongate body having first and second ends and an outer surface; (b) a plurality of bores formed within the elongate body, the bores extending along at least a portion of a length of the elongate body for carrying fluid therein; and (c) at least one interconnecting slot intercepting at least two of the plurality of bores within the elongate body at a strategic, pre-determined location and orientation so as to fluidly connect the at least two bores and to define a plurality of potential fluid passageways through the elongate body. The micro fluid transfer system further comprises at least one access slot intercepting one of the plurality of bores within the elongate body at a strategic, pre-determined location and orientation so that the access slot and the bore are in fluid communication with one another, the access slot further defining additional potential fluid passageways within the elongate body. The micro fluid transfer system further comprises at least one rod disposed within each of the plurality of bores, the rod being selectively positioned to define a particular pre-determined fluid passageway and subsequent fluid flow path and to manipulate and control fluid flow through the fluid flow path.

1 . A micro fluid transfer system for transferring fluid within a micro-environment,: said micro fluid transfer system comprising:
 an elongate body having first and second ends and an outer surface;   a plurality of bores formed within said elongate body, said bores extending along at least a portion of a length of said elongate body for carrying fluid therein; and   at least one interconnecting slot formed through said outer surface of said elongate body intercepting at least two of said plurality of bores within said elongate body at a strategic, pre-determined location and orientation so as to fluidly connect said at least two bores and to define a plurality of potential fluid passageways through said elongate body.   
   
   
       2 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one access slot intercepting one of said plurality of bores within said elongate body at a strategic, pre-determined location and orientation so that said access slot and said bore are in fluid communication with one another, said access slot further defining additional potential fluid passageways within said elongate body. 
   
   
       3 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one rod disposed within each of said plurality of bores, said rod being selectively positioned to define a particular pre-determined fluid passageway and subsequent fluid flow path and to manipulate and control fluid flow through said fluid flow path. 
   
   
       4 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 3 , wherein said rod is caused to oscillate back and forth within said bore to selectively open and close said interconnect and access slots, to control fluid flow through said fluid passageways, and to redefine said fluid flow path. 
   
   
       5 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 3 , wherein said rod comprises a pumping rod configured to provide a pumping function within said elongate body. 
   
   
       6 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 3 , wherein said rod comprises a valving rod configured to provide a valving function within said elongate body. 
   
   
       7 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 3 , wherein said rod comprises an elongate body having a substantially constant cross-section. 
   
   
       8 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 3 , wherein said rod comprises an elongate body having a first end with a substantially similar cross-section as that of a second end and an intermediate section connecting said first and second ends and comprising, at least in part, a pre-determined segment comprising a recess having a reduced cross-section relative to said cross-section of said first and second ends, said recess being configured to open said intermediate and access slots upon being positioned thereabout to facilitate fluid flow through said slots. 
   
   
       9 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for actuating said rods, said means selected from the group consisting of a magnetic source, a solenoid, and an electromechanical system. 
   
   
       10 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 2 , further comprising a housing configured to enclose and contain said elongate body, said housing comprising:
 an interior portion configured to receive said elongate body;   a plurality of seals sealing said housing to said elongate body to prevent inadvertent fluid flow between said housing and said elongate body; and   at least one fluid passageway formed in said housing and in fluid connection with said elongate body for passing fluid through said housing.   
   
   
       11 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 10 , wherein said seals are placed adjacent said interconnect and access slots to define a fluid passageway out of said elongate body. 
   
   
       12 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein said elongate body is made of a material selected from the group consisting of glass, quartz, silicon, and ceramic. 
   
   
       13 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein said interconnect slot is formed on an orientation, with respect to said plurality of bores, selected from the group consisting of orthogonal, transverse, and oblique. 
   
   
       14 . The micro fluid transfer system of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one access slot is formed on an orientation, with respect to said plurality of bores, selected from the group consisting of orthogonal, transverse, and oblique. 
   
   
       15 . A micro fluid pump comprising:
 an elongate body having an outer surface and a plurality of bores formed therein that extend along at least a portion of a length of said elongate body for carrying fluid therein;   at least one interconnecting slot formed through said outer surface and intercepting at least two of said bores at a strategic, pre-determined location and orientation so as to fluidly interconnect said at least two bores;   at least one access slot formed through said outer surface and intercepting one of said bores at a strategic, pre-determined location and orientation so as to be in fluid communication with said bore, said plurality of bores, said interconnecting slot, and said at least one access slot function to define a plurality of fluid passageways through said elongate body;   at least one rod slidably disposed within each of said plurality of bores, respectively, said rod comprising at least one recess therein for facilitating fluid flow about a selected fluid flow path upon being selectively positioned within said bore; and   means for actuating said at least one rod to displace said rod into a position to define a particular, pre-determined fluid flow passageway and fluid flow path and to pump fluid through said pre-determined fluid flow passageway.   
   
   
       16 . The micro fluid pump of  claim 15 , further comprising repositioning said at least one rod to define another pre-determined fluid flow passageway and fluid flow path. 
   
   
       17 . The micro fluid pump of  claim 15 , wherein said pre-determined fluid flow passageway is defined by said rods being selectively positioned to seal said interconnect and access slots. 
   
   
       18 . A method of manufacturing a micro fluid transfer system, said method comprising:
 forming an elongate body having first and second ends;   forming a plurality of bores within said elongate body, said bores extending along at least a portion of a length of said elongate body for carrying fluid therein; and   forming an interconnect slot within said elongate body to intercept and fluidly interconnect at least two of said plurality of bores, thus defining a plurality of potential fluid passageways through said elongate body.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising forming at least one access slot within said elongate body that intercepts and fluidly connects one of said plurality of bores, said access slot further defining additional potential fluid passageways. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising forming at least one rod configured to fit within each of said plurality of bores, respectively, and to be selectively positionable to manipulate fluid flow through said plurality of potential fluid passageways. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising forming at least one recess within said rod to facilitate a valving function of said rod, said recess defining a reduced cross-sectional area along a partial length of said rod. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said recess is formed according to one or more microfabrication processes selected from the group consisting of machining, chemical etching, photolithographic etching, plasma etching, wet chemical etching, dry etching, laser machining, and air abrasion. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising operably coupling a solenoid to each of said first and second ends of said elongate body to selectively control the bi-directional movement of said rods within said bores, wherein said rods comprise, at least in part, a metallic component coupled thereto. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising coupling a magnetized member to each end of said rods to actuate movement of said rods by magnet. 
   
   
       25 . A method for transferring fluid flow within a micro-environment, said method comprising:
 providing a micro fluid transfer system comprising:
 an elongate body having an outer surface and first and second ends; 
 a plurality of bores formed in said elongate body, said bores extending along at least a portion of a length of said elongate body for carrying fluid therein; 
 at least one slot formed through said outer surface and intercepting at least one of said plurality of bores at a pre-determined location and orientation so as to define a plurality of potential fluid passageways through said elongate body; 
 at least one rod slidably disposed within each of said plurality of bores, said at least one rod being selectively positionable within each of said bores to define a plurality of particular pre-determined fluid flow paths; 
   subjecting said micro fluid transfer system to a micro-environment containing, at least in part, a fluid; and   actuating said at least one rod to displace into a position within said bore to define a particular pre-determined fluid flow passageway and fluid flow path through which said fluid is transferred.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising repositioning said at least one rod to define another pre-determined fluid flow passageway and fluid flow path. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said at least one slot comprises an interconnecting slot configured to fluidly interconnect two of said plurality of bores, said interconnecting slot further defining additional potential fluid flow passageways within said elongate body. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said at least one slot comprises an access slot configured to fluidly connect at least one of said bores with an outer surface of said elongate body, said access slot being formed at a strategic, pre-determined location and at a strategic, pre-determined orientation with respect to said bore,. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said actuating said at least one rod comprises:
 coupling a magnetized member at each end of said rod;   placing a magnetic generator proximate each of said magnetized members; and   alternating the polarity of said magnetic generators to cause said rod to selectively oscillate back and forth.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said step of actuating at least one of said rods comprises:
 coupling a solenoid to said first and second ends of said elongate body;   coupling a metallic component to each end of said rod;   supplying selective current to said solenoids to cause said rod to oscillate back and forth.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said micro-environment comprises those selected from the group consisting of intravenous, and a computer circuit board.