Magnetically driven micropump

Abstract

A magnetically driven micropump for handling small fluid volumes. The micropump includes a first chamber and a second chamber. A flexible membrane being disposed between the first and second chambers. The flexible membrane being magnetically coupled to an actuator for displacing the membrane.

1 . A micropump for delivering a fluid, the micropump comprising:
 a pump assembly including
 a first pump body defining a first fluid body flow path, the first pump body including
 a first chamber, the first chamber including a first chamber wall and a first side wall, 
 a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first inlet and first outlet are in fluid communication with the first chamber, 
 
 a second pump body defining a second fluid body flow path, the second pump body including
 a second chamber, the second chamber including a second chamber wall and a second side wall, 
 a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet and the second outlet are in fluid communication with the second chamber, and 
 
 a flexible membrane disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber; 
 a magnet affixed to the membrane; 
 an actuator assembly configured to cooperate with the pump assembly, the actuator assembly including
 a driver magnetically coupled to the magnet through a magnetic coil membrane, and 
 a sensor configured to detect the position of the membrane, where the sensor is a Hall effect sensor that samples a magnetic field configuration modified by the position of the membrane; and 
 
 a controller configured to accept position information from the sensor, 
   wherein the driver applies a magnetic force using the magnetic coil to the magnet membrane in response to a signal received from the controller after analyzing the position information received from the sensor, causing the magnet to move and the membrane to deflect, and wherein such deflection of the membrane results in a change of pressure within the first chamber and the second chamber thereby resulting in fluid flow; and   at least one valve in fluid communication with each of the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the at least one valve is configured to direct the fluid flow in a predetermined direction.   
     
     
         2 . The micropump of  claim 1  wherein the at least one valve includes at least one of a first inlet check valve proximate to the first inlet, and a first outlet check valve proximate to the first outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The micropump of  claim 2  wherein the at least one first inlet check valve and first outlet check valve include a valve membrane, the valve membrane including a plurality of intersecting slits radiating outwardly from a common point. 
     
     
         4 . The micropump of  claim 2  wherein the at least one of the first inlet check valve and the first outlet check valve are located within the first side wall in the first fluid body flow path. 
     
     
         5 . The micropump of  claim 4  wherein the at least one of the first inlet check valve and the first outlet check valve are integrally formed within the first sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The micropump of  claim 2  further including at least one of a second inlet check valve proximate to the second inlet and a second outlet check valve proximate to the second outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The micropump of  claim 6  wherein the at least one of the second inlet check valve and the second outlet check valve are located within the second side wall in the fluid body flow path. 
     
     
         8 . The micropump of  claim 7  wherein the at least one of the second inlet check valve and the second outlet check valve are integrally formed within the second sidewall. 
     
     
         9 . The micropump of  claim 1  further comprising a first magnet disposed upon the membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The micropump of  claim 9  further comprising a second magnet disposed upon the membrane, wherein the first magnet is positioned adjacent to the first chamber and the second magnet is positioned adjacent the second chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The micropump of  claim 9  comprising a plurality of magnets, the plurality of magnets being disposed on the membrane adjacent to either of the first chamber and the second chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The micropump of  claim 9  wherein the first magnet is a neodymium-iron-boron rare earth magnet. 
     
     
         13 . The micropump of  claim 10  wherein the second magnet is a neodymium-iron-boron rare earth magnet. 
     
     
         14 . The micropump of  claim 1  wherein the flexible membrane is constructed of a soft polymer material mixed with a magnetic material. 
     
     
         15 . The micropump of  claim 14  wherein the soft polymer material is polydimethylsiloxane.