Low-cost Integrated Screw-based Micropumps for Thermoplastic Microfluidic Devices

A method for integrating on-chip displacement micropumps in thermoplastic microfluidic devices is presented. Stainless steel screws serve as direct displacement pumping elements integrated directly into threaded ports formed in a thermoplastic substrate, with a microcontroller used to precisely modulate flow rates over a wide range from 0.5 – 35 μL/min, in a compact and portable format. Combined with burstvalves capable of isolating fluids between the pump screws and downstream microchannels, the technology also provides a simple method for on-chip reagent storage. The screw-enabled displacement pumps offer versatile control over fluid distribution in microfluidic circuitry, with particular value for applications demanding low cost and disposability such as single-use near-patient diagnostic assays.