Biochip Cartridge
The Hydra System is point-of-care platform designed for Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) applications leveraging complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) disposable chips. My contributions to this product includes designing sealing components and microfluidics for the disposable cartridge. I worked with a handful of injection-molded rubbers and thermoplastics to create seals and pressurize liquid samples during thermal cycling while maintaining biocompatibility with assays. Outcomes from these designs include improvements in ergonomics, product reliability, and manufacturing efficiency.
Pressurization Diaphragm – Designed component with O-Ring Double Seal that pressurizes and seals liquid sample when depressed, preventing liquid sample evaporation or contamination during thermal cycling.
Turn Valve, Over molded Face – Updated sealing feature dimensions to improve sealing reliability while minimizing turning torque to open and close.
Cover – Sized sealing surfaces (Highlighted Pink) to provide sufficient gasket compression when assembled.
Fluidic Cap – Improved manufacturing and assembly: reduced bonding surface area, added mating features to control alignment. Optimized channel volumes to balance internal pressurization and slug flow during use.
