Magnetically driven micro-pumping method using external rotating stirrer

Abstract

A device and method for conducting peristaltic pumping of a fluid in a body is provided. The body includes a channel having an input and an output and being partially defined by a flexible layer. A plurality of contacts are spaced along the layer and the channel is filled with the fluid. The plurality of spaced contacts is magnetically coupled to a magnetic field in sequence so as to translate peristaltic motion to the layer thereby pumping the fluid through the channel.

1 . A device for conducting peristaltic pumping of a fluid, comprising:
 a body defining a channel therein for receiving the fluid therein, the channel having an input end and an output end;   a flexible layer partially defining the channel;   a plurality of spaced contacts spaced along and operatively connected to the layer; and   a magnetic source movable along the layer and having at least one of a first polarity and a second opposite polarity, the magnetic source magnetically coupling the plurality of spaced contacts sequentially in response to movement along the layer;   
       wherein:
 each of the plurality of spaced contacts moves axially toward the magnetic source in response to magnetically coupling with the magnetic source having the first polarity such that the sequential magnetic coupling of the magnetic source to the plurality of spaced contacts causes peristaltic motion of the layer to pump the fluid through the channel; and 
 each of the plurality of spaced contacts moves axially away from the magnetic source in response to magnetically coupling with the magnetic source having the second polarity such that the sequential magnetic coupling of the magnetic source to the plurality of spaced contacts causes peristaltic motion of the layer to pump the fluid through the channel. 
 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the channel has a generally arcuate path. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of contacts are bonded to the layer. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  further comprising adhesive tape for bonding the plurality of contacts to the layer. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the magnetic source includes a rotating magnetic stirrer. 
     
     
         7 . A method for conducting peristaltic pumping of a fluid in a body, comprising the steps of:
 providing a channel in the body having an input and an output and being partially defined by a flexible layer;   spacing a plurality of contacts along the layer in operable contact therewith;   filling the channel with the fluid; and   magnetically coupling the plurality of spaced contacts with a magnetic field in sequence, the magnetic field having at least one of one of a first polarity and a second opposite polarity;   
       wherein:
 each of the plurality of spaced contacts moves axially toward the magnetic field in response to magnetically coupling with the magnetic field having the first polarity such that the sequential magnetic coupling of the magnetic field to the plurality of spaced contacts causes peristaltic motion of the layer to pump the fluid through the channel; and 
 each of the plurality of spaced contacts move axially away from the magnetic field in response to magnetically coupling with the magnetic field having the second polarity such that the sequential magnetic coupling of the magnetic field to the plurality of spaced contacts causes peristaltic motion of the layer to pump the fluid through the channel. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of magnetically coupling the plurality of spaced contacts with a magnetic field includes the additional step of rotating a magnet in close proximity to the body, the magnet generating the magnetic field. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the magnet includes a first end having the first polarity such that the first end sequentially draws each of the plurality of contacts towards the magnet. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the magnet includes a second end having the second polarity such that the second end sequentially urges each of the plurality of contacts away from the magnet. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising a magnetic stirrer for housing the magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the channel has a generally arcuate configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  comprising the additional step of affixing the plurality of contacts to the layer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of spacing a plurality of contacts along the layer includes the step of electroplating the plurality of contacts on the layer. 
     
     
         15 . A method for conducting peristaltic pumping of a fluid in a body, comprising the steps of:
 providing a channel in the body having an input and an output and being partially defined by a flexible layer;   positioning magnetic material along the layer in a spaced relationship and in operable contact therewith;   filling the channel with the fluid; and   positioning the body in close proximity to a magnetic field having at least one of a first polarity and second polarity such that the magnetic field having the first polarity draws the magnetic material axially towards the magnetic field when magnetically coupled thereto and such that the magnetic field having a second polarity urges the magnetic material axially away from the magnetic field when magnetically coupled thereto;   
       wherein movement of the spaced magnetic material generates peristaltic motion of the layer thereby pumping the fluid through the channel. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of positioning the magnetic material includes the step of providing a plurality of spaced contacts along the layer. 
     
     
         17 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  comprising the additional step of removing the layer from the microfluidic device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the channel is further defined by a lower surface, the layer being in contact with the lower surface in the absence of the magnetic field. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the channel is further defined by a lower surface, the layer being spaced from the lower surface in the absence of the magnetic field.