Optimizing pumping of variable viscosities via microtextured miniaturized tesla pump
US11519413B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 2019 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05D2210/34
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An integrated flow source is a limiting factor in numerous microfluidic applications. In addition to precise gradients and controlling molecular transports, a built-in source of stable and accurate flow can enable novel shear stress modulations for long-term cell culturing studies. The Tesla turbine, when used as a pump on the microfluidic regime, produces stable and accurate fluid gradients by utilizing laminar flow between its rotating discs Utilizing a stereolithography based 3D printer, a tesla pump (Ø10 cm) and associated housing capable of driving a microfluidic gradient is provided having a printed rotor surface topology of the pump in order to enhance pumping of biological fluids like blood at elevated viscosities. The surface topology is tuned via 3D pixilation, and this modulation completely recovered the pressure loss between pumping water at 1 cP versus glycerol solution at 3 cP. As a result, increased fluid viscosities, and even Non-Newtonian viscosities, can be used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.