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Now, more than ever, medical personnel rely on the test results of medical diagnostic instruments to make critical patient care and treatment decisions. The accuracy, precision, and reliability of in vitro diagnostic instruments depend not only on the inherent design and performance of the instruments but also on the design, functionality, and reliability of multiple individual components integrated into the system.
Pumps, valves, and connectors are commonly used fluid control components, characterized by versatility, reliability, consistency, repeatability, and ease of maintenance. They are widely used in the fields of diagnostics and biotechnology. When designing systems involving pumps, valves, and connectors, manufacturers should consider the following factors.
Before deciding on the size of the valve, designers must determine the flow rate required for the system to operate as expected. Once this is determined, the appropriate valve to control that flow rate can be selected.
Another key factor to consider when selecting a valve is the temperature at which the valve will operate, including the temperature of the medium the valve will control and the normal operating temperature of the environment. Temperature fluctuations can cause seals to expand and contract, leading to rapid wear, which can result in fluid failures and leaks.
It is important to understand the effect of the fluid passing through the system on the valve and select the correct materials accordingly. Compatibility is key, and the valve should be made of materials that work well with other, softer materials in the system. If components are made of incompatible materials, it could lead to corrosion, brittleness, or cracking. Besides mutual compatibility, the valve selection should be compatible with the environment in which they will operate.
Designers should also consider the pressure the valve will experience in a specific application, which includes two aspects:
Working pressure: The normal operating pressure within the system.
Design pressure: The maximum pressure limit provided by the valve manufacturer; it should not exceed the design pressure of other fluid system components unless operable under controlled test conditions.
Pressure limits are determined by the lowest-rated component in the system, with the valve being an integral part of the system. Pressure fluctuations can significantly impact component performance. When selecting valves, consider if the valves are designed to operate within a certain temperature and pressure range to ensure that the chosen valves can withstand rigorous operating conditions.
The chemical compatibility of the fluid that comes into contact with the system's "wet part" is an important consideration. When incompatible materials contact each other, it can lead to the degradation and failure of component materials, potentially shortening the instrument's lifespan, leading to poor performance, inaccurate results, operational failure, and wasted samples. Choosing the right pump for your system ensures the fluid system is correctly designed, guaranteeing the quality and reliability of the system.
Flow control is a crucial factor in the fluid efficiency and lifecycle cost of a pumping system. Controlling flow through valves is a commonly adopted method, but in the long run, it is usually very inefficient and costly.
Pump flow can be controlled or adjusted by simply varying the size of the pump or the speed of the pump head. These pumps can control the liquid flow rate based on their size.
Calculate the pressure level at the highest point in the system. The pressure in the system may be too low to move the liquid through the pipes, which will adversely affect the system's performance. Therefore, it is usually possible to increase the pressure at this point by installing a valve at some point after the high point and adjusting the pressure at the high point by closing the valve.
Viscosity will affect the system design and pump selection because it affects flux and liquid handling parameters. Liquids with high viscosity require a slower pump speed and dwell time after each draw or dispense to allow the liquid to fully settle. Additional cleaning or waste liquid handling may also be required between samples. During pump integration and system testing, pay attention to identifying liquid category parameters to ensure that the pressure generated during pump operation does not exceed specified or functional limits.
When designing fluid control components, besides valves and pumps, connectors that meet system requirements also need to be selected. Electronic connectors typically handle power and signals. However, in medical device systems, connectors can often perform other tasks, such as delivering fluids. Fluid connectors can have integrated valves to control flow rate and pressure changes. These valves also prevent air from entering the system and prevent leaks when disconnected.
With continuous improvements and developments in diagnostic and medical technology, the market leans towards using smaller, faster, more reliable, and more integrated systems to complete more complex applications, pressuring manufacturers.
Smaller devices offer a significant competitive advantage as such products will more easily meet current market demands. These small medical products can be transported beyond the lab or used in the field.
However, the miniaturization and simplification of systems pose many different challenges for manufacturers, especially in terms of fluid flow management and tolerance variance. Since the fluid pathways of medical diagnostic equipment are very small, controlling small amounts of fluid becomes more difficult.
Manufacturers often face ongoing pressure to reduce development, design, and production costs. Thus, when weighing the auxiliary functions of fluid control components, manufacturers need to pay more attention to maintaining the performance of these fluid control components while reducing costs.
Fluid control components require agility and attention to detail, from selecting and integrating the right valves, pipes, and pumps to using the correct testing processes to enhance the quality and reliability of fluid handling without compromising usability. These processes require expertise in fluid monitoring, mixing and dispensing, cleaning systems, and waste liquid control as well as unique solutions.
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