mPump®

SFC Fluidics'® mPump® technology can be used to control fluid movement within completely sealed microfluidic chips.

Principle of mPump Technology:

mpump_demo

An example microfluidic chip with an integrated mPump and an expanded view of the mPump.

Features

  • mPumps can be directly integrated into an automated, sealed chip analysis system
  • Pumps provide directed flow within a complex microfluidic network
  • No moving parts
  • Inexpensive to manufacture and low power to operate
  • Both flow direction and flow rate can be readily controlled

SFC Fluidics' mPump technology utilizes magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pumping to drive fluid flow within microfluidic channels. Using a combination of electric and magnetic fields, this technology can be used to perform all the aspects of lab-on-chip applications like sample loading, reagent delivery, mixing, valving, etc. - All within a completely sealed chip with no moving parts! These pumps can be programmed to have different flow rates and even switch the flow direction.

reservoir_mPump Using SFC Fluidics' mPump technology, miniature pumps can be integrated directly into a microfluidic chip. The prototype pictured shows 3 mPumps that are integrated inside a fully sealed chip - no external pump is required. Using this technology, bioassay chips for example can be fabricated with everything needed for an automated chemical or biological test inside the chip. All pumps, reagents, waste, detection - all contained in a sealed chip! All steps for a quantitative assay can be conducted automatically!

A photo sequence demonstrating the use of mPumps is shown below.

In this next demonstration of mPump-driven fluid flow, all of the fluid and pumps are contained within a completely sealed microfluidic chip. Colored dyes are used to highlight the fluidic control provided by the in situ mPumps. Note that this chip contains no valving or external fluidic connections. Using this technology, all of the steps of a microassay can be conducted inside a fully sealed microfluidic chip.

mpump_activation

Initial state: upper left. Sequence 1: Pumps 1 and 2 activated in directions shown with arrows to push red dye to bottom channel. Sequence 2: Pumps 1 and 3 activated in directions shown with arrows to push green dye to bottom channel.

Products Currently Under Development

Places where this diagnostic test will be useful:
  • Military field applications
  • Sports facilities
  • Rural environments
  • Hospitals
  • Emergency Rooms

Diagnostic Device for Rapid, On-site Assessment of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) affects people of every age, race, and gender. The accurate and timely diagnosis of TBI is difficult and also vital for the treatment and optimal recovery of the injured soldier or civilian. SFC Fluidics is developing a hand-held device for the automated diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury from a pin-prick sample of blood. The diagnostic test is conducted inside a fully sealed microfluidic chip with no operator expertise required. As illustrated in the short video presentation, upon introduction of a drop of blood and insertion of the diagnostic chip into the hand-held device, all steps of the test take place automatically inside the sealed chip with the result displayed directly on a viewing screen.

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High Impact Applications:
  • Preconception care
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Cardiac care
  • Renal disease
  • Neuro-degenerative diseases

Automated Analysis of Body Fluid Chemistry using MHD-based Microfluidics

SFC Fluidics is developing a portable, sealed, self-contained chip to perform chemical analyses of body fluids. Our innovative mPump technology can be integrated with a self-contained microelectrochemical immunoassay detection method for the development of a sealed, fully automated and adaptable lab analysis system for standalone and point-of-care detection applications. It is feasible to perform rapid, simultaneous assessment of proteins, lipids, hormones, carbohydrates, vitamins and clinical drugs in body fluids. Initial tests are targeted toward blood and blood serum tests for metabolic health assessment. Initially focused on pre-conception care, this automated test will also have direct implications for pernicious anemia and cardiac care.

Features:
  • Analysis of complex samples enhanced by increased effective column length
  • Direct on-column detection and quantitation
  • Complex separation capability readily integrated into on-chip micro total analysis system

MHD-based Circular Liquid Chromatography

SFC Fluidics is developing an on-chip separation system using circular liquid chromatography. This enhanced separation system is based on the unique ability of mPump to move fluid in a closed-loop chromatographic column on a sealed microfluidic chip. Circular LC separations are distinguished by an extended effective column length that leads to added flexibility for portable, on-chip separations. Direct integration with on-chip analysis systems can be readily achieved. For example, final separation/quantitation of complex mixtures can be conducted after initial assay steps or chromatographic purification of species of interest can be followed by selection of that species for further reaction.