Microfluidic System and Method for Manufacturing a Microfluidic System

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This invention describes a microfluidic system comprising a microfluidic chip and a capillary tube, where the capillary is bonded directly to the chip using a laser welding or soldering process. The connection is achieved by inserting the capillary into the chip's inlet or outlet opening and forming a strong integral bond by means of heating (either fusing or diffusion welding) the end of the capillary to the internal wall of the chip's micro-opening. The method enables robust, compact, and high-pressure-resistant connections with minimal dead volume. The manufacturing process can use different substrate and capillary materials (e.g., glass, silicon, polymer) and is suitable for flexible and precise arrangements of microfluidic components.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Lab-on-a-chip diagnostic platforms for medical and biochemical analysis
• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) microfluidic systems
• Miniaturized cell analysis (flow cytometry, single-cell studies)
• Microreactors for chemical synthesis or biological reactions
• Environmental monitoring sensors with fluidic sampling
• Optical microfluidic devices, such as integrated light-guides or detectors
• Custom microfluidic setups in research or prototyping

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly reduced internal dead volume at capillary-to-chip connections, leading to greater measurement precision and less sample wastage.
• Exceptional mechanical and pressure stability suitable for high-pressure or sensitive fluidic operations.
• Compact and space-saving assembly with fewer and smaller external connectors.
• No need for additional adhesives or mechanical fittings, reducing contamination risk and avoiding chemical incompatibility issues.
• Flexible in terms of component geometry and layout, supporting complex or multi-port chip designs and easy customization.
• Simplified and cost-efficient manufacturing with laser-based processing, allowing for fast and localized heating without damaging other components.
• High compatibility with a variety of materials and chip designs, including glass, silicon, and various polymers.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a microfluidic system (1), comprising a microfluidic chip (2) and a capillary tube (9, 9', 9'', 9'''), wherein an end piece (8, 8', 8'', 8''') of the capillary tube (9, 9', 9'', 9''') is inserted into an inlet/outlet opening (4, 4', 4'', 4''') of the microfluidic chip (2) and the capillary tube (9, 9', 9'', 9''') is connected to the microfluidic chip (2) in a bonded manner, wherein the end piece (8, 8', 8'', 8''') of the capillary tube (9, 9', 9'', 9''') inserted into the inlet/outlet opening (4, 4', 4'', 4''') is connected to an inner wall (11, 11', 11'', 11''') of the inlet/outlet opening (4, 4', 4'', 4''') in a bonded manner by means of heating, the inner wall being formed by sub-regions of a substrate of the microfluidic chip (2) comprising at least one substrate layer (3, 3', 3'', 3'''). The invention further relates to a production method for such a microfluidic system (1).