An Electromagnetically-Actuated All-PDMS Valveless Micropump for Drug Delivery

Abstract

This paper presents the fabrication process of a single-chamber planar valveless micropump driven by an external electromagnetic actuator. This micropump features a pair of micro diffuser and nozzle elements used to rectify the fluid flow, and an elastic magnetic membrane used to regulate the pressure in the enclosed fluid chamber. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is used as the main construction material of this proposed micropump, including the structural substrate and the planar actuation membrane embedded with a thin micro magnet. Both the Finite Element Method and experimental analysis are used to assess the PDMS-membrane actuation under the applied electromagnetic forces and characterize the pump performance at variable working conditions. The resonant frequency of this micropump is identified experimentally and de-ionized (DI) water is loaded to account for the coupling effects of the working fluid. The experimental data was used to demonstrate the reliability of flow rates and how it can be controlled by consistently adjusting the driving frequencies and currents. The proposed micropump is capable of delivering a maximum flow rate of 319.6 μL/min and a maximum hydrostatic backpressure of 950 Pa (9.5 cm H 2 O). The planar design feature of the pump allows for potential integration of the pump with other PDMS-based microfluidic systems for biomedical applications.

Analytical modeling, simulations and experimental studies of a PZT actuated planar valveless PDMS micropump

“…Guo et al [15] reported a parallel double chamber as a modification to the basic valveless micropump design. Zhou et al [16] reported a PDMS based electromagnetically actuated micropump. Yamahata et al [17] proposed an electromagnetically actuated valveless micropump with PMMA and PDMS as substrate materials.…”

“…From the literature review, it is clear that experimental investigations of PZT actuated valveless micropumps including microfabrication and experiments have been reported by various research groups in the past few years [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Also, many approximate analytical and simulation models have been reported [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33].…”

Thermal analysis of wirelessly powered thermo-pneumatic micropump based on planar LC circuit

“…Transdermal and subcutaneous drug delivery systems using micro needle [6][7][8], for instance, have been proven as a viable method in delivering adequate dosage administration across the skin. Nonetheless, most of the micropumps proposed [9][10][11] for drug delivery application involve utilizing active power circuitry, making the system tend to have relatively large dimensions with limited space and constricted the system's mobility. These difficulties will be increased when multiple drug delivery components are required and making power management a key design feature.…”

Fabrication and development of magnetically actuated PDMS micropump for drug delivery

“…The micropump can generate maximum flow rate of 41μLmin −1 at 25kPa backpressure [1]. Zhou et al, studied the fabrication and process of valve less, single-chamber planar PDMS micropump driven by an external magnetic actuator [6]. Maximum flow rate of 319.6μLmin −1 and a maximum hydrostatic backpressure of 950 Pa (9.5 cm H2O) were exerted by the micropump.…”