Innovation Lab

Enplas's stop valves and hydrophilic treatments simplify your microfluidic flow without chemicals or bulky instruments.

Large instruments with complex tubing are often required to automate DNA library preparation for NGS and other genetic analyses. This makes the system complex, cumbersome, and expensive. The RMVP system is versatile and can be customized freely to meet your unique application needs. In this example, the Enplas RMVP system achieved the automation of the end prep process of a DNA library prep, which included PCR, size selection, and beads isolation by magnets, all on one chip, within a handheld-sized device.

Integrating conventional DNA/RNA analysis methods into a microfluidic system can lead to exceedingly large, costly, and power-hungry systems. Instead, combine various DNA/RNA analysis methods on a single chip. Using simple microfluidic handling features, you can accurately drive and move fluids while minimizing device footprint, power consumption, complexity, cross-contamination, and equipment cost. For example, a closed on-chip valve and pump system drives and mixes reagents in a thermal chamber and uses a Peltier unit to apply thermal cycles. DNA purification is easily achieved with on-chip magnets isolating magnetic beads.

Microfluidic fluid control doesn’t need to be complex. Achieve simple-yet-precise control of fluids by adding valve and pump functions directly onto membrane films on the microfluidic chip. This reduces system complexity and risk of contamination or dead volumes. The Enplas-designed Rotary Membrane Valve and Pump (RMVP) system transfers fluids on-chip with simple push-pull functions without the need for external pumps or valving systems. Automated mixing can also be conducted by combining several actions of pushing and pulling various fluids. Multiple reagents can be mixed entirely without leaving the chip, thus reducing the risk of cross-contamination or sample loss.

Automating multiplex fluid metering can be achieved without complicated routing of pumps, syringes, and tubes. This microfluidic chip design concept enables automated metering of various liquid volumes without the complex tubing: A simple combination of an on-chip valve and pump system, measuring chambers on chip, an optical liquid surface detection system, and microfluidic channel surface treatments.

For elastomer parts to secure tubes in various applications such as diagnostics or drug discovery, it is important to consider both a) initial fit of the tube inside the elastomer part and b) possible compromise of the elastomer over time. Customers come to us with numerous shapes of these tube holders, and we suggest a convexed pressure point for secure tube holding and for optimized mass productions.