EP4031768A1

EP4031768A1 - Pumping system in the lab-on-a-chip field

Info

Publication number: EP4031768A1
Application number: EP20771756.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Victor VIEILLE; Thibaut Devillers
Original assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS; Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble; Universite Grenoble Alpes
Current assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS; Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble; Universite Grenoble Alpes
Priority date: 2019-09-17
Filing date: 2020-09-10
Publication date: 2022-07-27
Also published as: FR3100846A1; CA3148349A1; CN114341494A; US20240044322A1; WO2021052865A1; FR3100846B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and an implementation method for pumping a fluid, the system comprising: - a pump (1) comprising: a flexible membrane (100) which has two opposing surfaces, the membrane (100) comprising a spatially rotating permanent magnetisation structure, a rigid support means (200) to which at least a portion of the lower surface (104) of the membrane (100) is attached, - a source (2) of a magnetic field which is capable of generating a magnetic drive field at the location of the membrane (100), the magnetic drive field having a substantially homogeneous orientation.

Description

Title: Pumping system in the field of lab-on-a-chip

[Technical area

[1] The present invention relates to a system for pumping a fluid and a method of implementing this system.

[2] More specifically, the invention relates to a system for pumping a fluid in the field of lab-on-a-chip applications.

State of the art

[3] Controlled handling of fluids by pumps is necessary in many fields. For example, such controlled manipulation is implemented in the field of labs on a chip. This area consists of miniaturizing laboratory functions on a chip.

[4] For this, systems are typically used to pump and control the flow and pressure of fluids circulating inside the chip in order in particular to be able to perform various functions such as powder dissolution or contacting several fluids. and mixing them, for example to analyze a sample in order to assay a desired substance. The fluid drive system can be more or less integrated depending on the need and the existing solutions. In certain cases, the pumping can be done by a system completely external to the chip, such as for example a syringe pump system with its syringe, a conventional peristaltic pump system, a system using the difference in height making it possible to use the force of gravity, or a pneumatic pressure control system exerting air pressure on the fluid to be injected. These systems require the fluid to pass between the exterior of the chip and the interior, which involves making watertight connections between the chip and external equipment.

[5] This poses problems of compactness, sealing, ease of use, sterility, waste of the fluid contained in the connecting pipes and sometimes even of precision because of the deformation of the connecting pipes. This is why it is useful to integrate the pumping elements which are in direct contact into the chip. with the fluid and which make it possible to transmit to it the energy at the origin of its movement, while possibly leaving other parts of the pumping system outside the chip. A large number of technologies are proposed in the literature or in industry. The force of capillarity is used by controlling the hydrophilicity of the channels in the chip. As this technique is passive, it does not make it possible to control the pumping from the outside, moreover, it depends on the fluid used. Electrokinetic or magnetokinetic forces acting directly on the liquid can be used, including electroosmotic forces, but flow control is complex, the force depends on the fluid used, and fluids can be chemically affected and denatured. Centrifugal force is used in particular on rotating chips, but as the chip rotates, it is complicated to simultaneously perform certain actions such as a measurement or an injection, moreover the pumping cannot be done continuously.

[6] The entrainment of the fluid by displacement of a wall of a channel or of a chamber of the chip is the most widespread technique: this is done traditionally thanks to walls deformable by pneumatic or solid pressure or thanks to sliding walls in mini-syringes activated by the pressure of a solid. However, depending on their implementation, these latter systems require either the additional integration of pneumatic channels and connections in the chip, or the integration of passive valves whose direction of flow of the liquid is not modifiable, or the integration active valves requiring several external actuators for the activation of a single pump, or the integration of a mini-syringe that must be assembled and sealed. In addition, it is often necessary to couple the integrated part of the pump with the non-integrated part by precise positioning and mechanical support of the chip on the actuators, which constrains the geometry, the materials and the positioning of the chip. .

[7] Thus, the pump systems currently used in this field fail to combine many advantages at the same time such as low integration and industrialization costs, versatility, robustness, precision and a wide range. Operating. Thus, no solution stands out to effectively address the problem of pumping fluids in chip-based laboratories, and in particular for medical diagnostics which requires a disposable solution, low blow, precise, robust, able to generate an overpressure or vacuum, and simple and reliable use.

[8] Furthermore, it should be noted that pumps, not intended for chip laboratories, currently exist and use a wave movement of a magnetically charged membrane to create cavities capable of moving, the membrane failing to deform. wavelets only by the application of forces whose orientation and intensity vary with location and time. However, the application of these forces which are heterogeneous and progressive can only be exerted, on a membrane without a heterogeneous magnetic structure, by the application of a magnetic field whose orientation and / or gradient is spatially heterogeneous and variable over time. This makes it necessary to use multiple field sources placed in close proximity to the membrane and of a dimension similar to the dimension of the ripples, which is often small (a few millimeters). In addition, these sources must be modular. Generally, these sources include several small electromagnets integrated into a support. However, such pumps have drawbacks related in particular to the fact that the electromagnets encumber the support and heat by the Joule effect near the pumped liquid. In addition, the integration of electromagnets is expensive and the size of the wavelets is limited in miniaturization. It is also necessary to have a contact connection with an electrical source and a control circuit to modulate each electromagnet. This is why this type of pump is not suitable for labs on chips.

Description of the invention

[9] To solve one or more of the drawbacks mentioned above, an object of the invention relates to a system for pumping a fluid, the system comprising:

a pump comprising: an inlet and an outlet for respectively introducing and extracting the fluid capable of being pumped, a flexible membrane having two opposite surfaces, the membrane comprising a spatially rotating permanent magnet structure, a rigid support means on which is fixed at least part of one of said surfaces of the membrane,

a source of a magnetic field capable of generating a driving magnetic field at the location where the membrane is located, said driving magnetic field having a substantially homogeneous orientation, the membrane being capable of being deformed, under the effect of the driving magnetic field, according to an undulation having alternately one or more concave parts and one or more convex parts, the undulation being capable of moving under the effect of the driving magnetic field, the fluid capable of being pumped between the inlet and the outlet located at least between one of said membrane surfaces and the support means.

[10] By fluid is meant, within the meaning of the present invention, a gas, a liquid or a mixture of gas and / or liquid.

[11] By flexible membrane is meant, within the meaning of the present invention, a membrane capable of being deformed in a reversible and elastic manner, and of which the Young's modulus is sufficiently low for the magnetic stresses applied in the membrane to be sufficient. to generate the deformation of the membrane. The Young's modulus can for example be between 100kPa and 1GPa.

[12] By spatially rotating permanent magnet structure is meant, within the meaning of the present invention, a magnetization structure consisting of a juxtaposition of elementary zones, these elementary zones having a variation of rotating magnetization along the axis. the desired displacement of the ripple.

[13] For example, to understand, according to the present invention, if we are dealing with a "spatially rotating permanent magnet structure", the following protocol is followed: a. the term "elementary zone" is defined as being a volume portion of the membrane, in particular the part of the membrane free to deform and to create the corrugation, over its thickness and its width and whose length is limited to twice the length of the membrane. '' membrane thickness, b. the membrane is partitioned into elementary zones Z _n , n being the index numbering the consecutive elementary zones one after the other in the increasing direction of their scrolling from left to right for an observer looking at a membrane placed horizontally in section along the PP section plane, also called the magnetic plane of rotation of the membrane, the lower surface of which is located on the bottom side of the membrane, the PP plane being the plane perpendicular to the membrane and containing the ES axis (Input to Output) corresponding to the desired axis of displacement of the corrugation, c. we denote by A _n the average magnetization of the elementary zone Z _n projected onto the plane PP, d. we denote by O _n the oriented angle belonging to [-TT, TT] representative of the angle between A _n and A _{n + 1} , e. it is then considered that the permanent magnetization structure is spatially rotating if the following two conditions are met: i. for all n, O _n is positive, or for all n, O _n is negative. We note in passing that for the following, in the case where O _n is positive, that is to say in the case where the spatially rotating permanent magnetization structure of the membrane turns, from left to right, in the direction trigonometric, then we will name the upper surface, that is to say the surface exposed upwards, the strong surface and the lower surface, that is to say the surface exposed downwards, the weak surface, and in the case where O _n is negative, that is to say in the case where the spatially rotating permanent magnetization structure of the membrane turns, from left to right, in the anti-trigonometric direction, then the surface will be called upper surface the weak surface and the lower surface the strong surface ii. for all n, the absolute value of O _n + O _{n + i} is less than 5TT / 3 iii. magnetization makes at least one revolution, i.e. the sum over all n of O _n is at least 2 * p

[14] In the continuation one calls “magnetic pattern” any part of a membrane corresponding to a magnetization carrying out a turn, ie the smallest part such that the sum of O _n is greater than 2 * TT . The length of the magnetic pattern in the direction of rotation of the magnetization, that is to say the period of spatial rotation of the magnetization of the membrane, is then called “length of the pattern”. [15] By plane of magnetic rotation of the membrane is meant, within the meaning of the present invention, a plane perpendicular to a spatial axis of rotation of the rotating magnetization of the membrane.

[16] The magnetisability of the membrane is obtained by any means known to those skilled in the art. For example, this character comes from a mixture of magnetizable magnetic particles and a flexible polymer during the manufacture of the membrane. The membrane is magnetized by any method known to those skilled in the art to form the rotating magnet structure.

[17] By temporally rotating driving magnetic field is meant, within the meaning of the present invention, a magnetic field whose orientation is in rotation in space, this rotation being able to be continuous or discontinuous.

[18] For example, to understand, according to the present invention, if a driving magnetic field B is a "temporally rotating driving magnetic field", the following protocol is followed: a. one defines the term “temporal elementary zone” as being a portion of time which allows a notable dynamic evolution of the membrane allowing it to pass from its initial strain to its equilibrium strain when it is subjected to a change of stress, b . time is partitioned into temporal elementary zones Zt _n , n being the index numbering the consecutive temporal elementary zones in the direction of the passage of time, c. we denote by B _n the magnetic field B averaged over Zt _n and projected onto the plane PP, d. we denote by Ob _n the oriented angle belonging to [-TT, TT] which measures the angle going from Bn to Bn ₊₁ , e. It is then considered that the magnetic driving field is temporally rotating if the following two conditions are fulfilled: for all n, Ob _n is positive, or else for all n, Ob _n is negative. We note in passing that for the following, in the case where Ob _n is positive, we will say that B rotates in the trigonometric direction, and in the case where Ob _n is negative, we will say that B rotates in the anti-trigonometric direction for all n, the absolute value of Ob _n + Ob _{n + i} is less than TT / 2

[19] The term “temporally rotating driving magnetic field having a substantially homogeneous orientation” is understood to mean, within the meaning of the present invention, a magnetic field the orientation dispersion of which is less than 45 ° over the region of the magnetic pattern of the membrane. .

[20] Furthermore, note that:

-if the driving magnetic field rotates counterclockwise, and the strong surface of the membrane is the upper surface, then the displacement of the ripple will be to the right

-if the driving magnetic field rotates counterclockwise, and the strong surface of the membrane is the upper surface, then the displacement of the ripple will be to the left

-if the driving magnetic field rotates counterclockwise, and the strong surface of the membrane is the lower surface, then the displacement of the ripple will be to the left

-If the driving magnetic field rotates counterclockwise, and the strong surface of the membrane is the lower surface, then the displacement of the ripple will be to the right.

[21] It should be noted that the fluid is therefore likely to circulate between the inlet and the outlet by peristaltic effect.

[22] According to the invention, the quantity mBT ² / (Eh ² ) must be greater than 0.01; where m is the average of the intensity of the magnetization in the membrane (for example in A / m), B the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the source in the membrane (for example in T), E the modulus d 'Young (for example in Pa), h the thickness of the membrane (for example in m) and T the period of spatial rotation of the magnetic pattern of the membrane (for example in m).

[23] Preferably, the average intensity of the magnetization in the membrane m can be between 10kA / m and 1000kA / m, advantageously between 100kA / m and 500kA / m, even more advantageously between 200kA / m and 400kA / m. [24] Preferably, the intensity of the magnetic field B at the level of the pump can be between 10mT and 1T, advantageously between 50mT and 500mT, even more advantageously between 70mT and 150mT

[25] Preferably, the magnetization structure can be defined by a period of spatial rotation between 20pm and 2cm, preferably between 50pm and 1cm, even more preferably between 500pm and 5mm, even more preferably between 1mm and 3mm.

[26] Preferably, the Young E modulus can be between 100kPa and 1GPa, advantageously between 500kPa and 500MPa, even more advantageously between 900kPa and 5MPa.

[27] Preferably, the membrane may have a thickness of between 5 pm and 1cm, advantageously between 50 pm and 300 pm, even more advantageously between 100 pm and 200 pm. Thus, the pump has a reduced thickness in order to then allow efficient integration into any chip for example.

[28] Thus, thanks to the system according to the invention, the pumping function is entirely performed by a membrane without it being necessary to use one or more valves. Moreover, thanks to the system according to the invention, the pumping function is ensured by the creation and translation of separate chambers, each of these chambers being formed by the application of the temporally rotating driving magnetic field. The direction of pumping can be chosen according to the direction of rotation of the magnetic field. In addition, two membranes located in the same rotating magnetic driving field will be able to see the displacement of their corrugation take place in opposite directions if the orientation of the strong and weak surfaces of the membranes is opposite. Furthermore, the system makes it possible to perform pumping which is not susceptible to bubble phenomena insofar as this system is capable of pumping both a liquid and a gas. Using the system according to the invention, it should be noted that it is possible to modify the flow rate or the direction of circulation of the fluid located in the pump by modulating only the speed and the direction of rotation of the magnetic field d 'rotating drive. Furthermore, the invention also has the advantage of not necessarily giving off heat by the Joule effect near the pumped liquid because on the one hand it is possible to use a permanent magnet rather than electromagnets to generate the driving field, and on the other hand, even in the case where it is an electromagnet, it is possible to place them at a distance from the channel to avoid heating it.

[29] Preferably, a projection of the driving magnetic field on the plane of magnetic rotation of the membrane can be capable of being temporally rotating.

[30] Preferably, the driving magnetic field can be entirely included in the plane of magnetic rotation of the membrane.

[31] Preferably, at least one or more of the convex parts may be liable to be in contact with the support means and at least one or more of the concave parts may be liable not to be in contact with the support so as to allow the formation of one or more chambers between one of said surfaces of the membrane and the support means, these chambers being capable of receiving a fluid, and the displacement of the corrugation making it possible to create the displacement of the chambers and therefore of fluid movement between inlet and outlet.

[32] By one or more of the convex parts being in contact with the support means, within the meaning of the present invention, is meant a part at least of one or more of the tops of the convex parts in contact with the support means.

[33] Preferably, the temporally rotating driving magnetic field may further have a minimum gradient of 1T / m and a substantially homogeneous gradient orientation.

[34] Preferably, the temporally rotating training magnetic field may further have a minimum gradient of 1 T / m and a constant gradient orientation over time.

[35] Preferably, when the temporally rotating driving magnetic field has a minimum gradient of 1 T / m, a substantially homogeneous gradient orientation and a constant gradient orientation over time, the membrane can be positioned so that the gradient is oriented from the weak surface to the strong surface, knowing that: when the spatially rotating permanent magnet structure of the membrane rotates counterclockwise from left to right, the strong surface denotes the upward exposed surface and the weak surface denotes the downward exposed surface, and when the structure The spatially rotating permanent magnet of the membrane rotates, from left to right, in the counter-trigonometric direction, the strong surface denotes the surface exposed downwards and the weak surface denotes the exposed surface upwards.

[36] Preferably, the pump and the source of a magnetic field may not be in contact. Thus, no hardware connection is necessary between the membrane and the source of a magnetic field, which allows the pump to be activated remotely: the source being outside a chip that may include the pump.

[37] Preferably, the membrane can comprise a polymer and a magnetic material, the magnetic material comprising the magnetic particles allowing the structuring of magnetization. Even more preferably, the membrane can be biocompatible.

[38] According to a first variant embodiment of the system according to the invention, the system may further comprise a rigid wall fixed to at least part of the perimeter of the other of said surfaces of the membrane and spaced from the membrane by a distance d sufficient to allow undulation and to allow contact between the concave parts and the wall. This has the effect of increasing the force and the bearing surface of the membrane on the support means by presenting it with a bearing wall, to improve control of the volume of fluid contained in each convex part and also to allow the protection of the membrane from potential shocks or friction which could damage it.

[39] According to a second variant embodiment of the system according to the invention, the system may comprise a rigid wall fixed to at least part of the perimeter of the other of said surfaces of the membrane and spaced from the membrane by a distance of sufficient to allow corrugation and to avoid contact between the concave parts and the wall. Thus, it is possible, in addition to the effects mentioned for the first variant, to apply a predefined pressure on the surface of the membrane which is not in contact with the fluid.

[40] By rigid wall fixed to at least part of the perimeter of the other of said surfaces of the membrane, within the meaning of the present invention, is meant at least part of the perimeter of the other of said surfaces of the immobile membrane by relative to the rigid wall and connected to it directly or indirectly.

[41] Preferably, the wall may include an orifice through which a controlled pressure is applied between the wall and the membrane. Thus, it is possible to apply to the surface of the membrane which is not in contact with the fluid to be pumped a pressure which is controlled so as to avoid damaging the membrane or the pumped fluid and also to increase the support of the membrane against the support means.

[42] Preferably, the membrane may have two through orifices, each located at its ends so that the fluid capable of being pumped is also located between the other of said surfaces of the membrane and the wall. Thus, it is possible to have a higher and more constant flow of fluid in the pump than when there is an absence of these two through orifices insofar as the fluid then circulates both in the concave parts but also in the convex parts. In fact, the pump is then arranged so that the fluid circulates both between the membrane and the support means and between the membrane and the wall in order to increase the flow rate and the regularity of the circulation of the fluid in the pump. Furthermore, since the fluid circulates on either side of the diaphragm, the pump is only influenced by the pressures at the inlet and outlet of the pump, free from ambient pressure. Its flow rate and its regularity are therefore improved.

[43] Preferably, the wall may further comprise a second inlet and a second outlet for respectively introducing and extracting a fluid capable of being pumped which is also located between the other of said surfaces of the membrane and the wall. The fluid capable of circulating between the other surface of the membrane and the wall may either be the same as that capable of circulating between one of said surfaces of the membrane and the support means, or be different. In the event that the same fluid is capable of circulating on either side of the membrane, it is possible that the inlet of the support means and the second inlet of the wall are connected by a channel. The same is true for the exit from the support means and the second exit from the wall. In this way, the pump is only influenced by the pressures at the inlets and outlets of the pump, freeing itself from the ambient pressure. Its flow rate and its regularity are therefore also improved.

[44] It should be noted that the support means and / or the rigid wall can be transparent so as to be able to observe the various chambers formed by the corrugation and / or to allow only desired and predefined radiations to pass.

[45] It should also be noted that the support means and / or the wall can comprise a measuring device (such as a sensor) and / or an actuator which can be directly in contact with the fluid.

[46] It should be noted that the system according to the invention can also be used in fields such as compressors, vacuum pumps, the circulation of electrolytes in a cell, the driving of coolant.

[47] Furthermore, another object relates to a method of implementing a system described above and comprising the following steps: a) interaction between the driving magnetic field originating from the source and the magnetization structure permanent position of the membrane so as to create stresses in the membrane generating a static deformation of the membrane following an undulation alternately presenting one or more concave parts and one or more convex parts, b) rotation of the driving magnetic field so as to displace the constraints in the membrane to move the corrugation in an orientation defined according to the direction of rotation of the driving magnetic field, c) displacement of the fluid between the inlet and the outlet, the fluid being included at least in one of the concave parts delimited by the membrane and the support means.

[48] Preferably, step b) of rotation can be carried out by rotating a permanent magnet.

[49] Preferably, when the temporally rotating driving magnetic field has a substantially spatially homogeneous gradient orientation and constant, the gradient can be directed from the weak surface to the strong surface of the membrane.

[50] Furthermore, it should be noted that the present invention has many advantages capable of solving laboratory-on-chip problems, but is not limited to them. Thus, a multitude of other applications are possible, such as the circulation of electrolytes in an electric cell, the distribution or the dosage of fluid products (for example of medicament), the creation of vacuum or overpressure in containers by example for their conservation, the circulation of a cooling liquid on an electronic card. It is also conceivable to implant the pump in a biological medium such as the human body to release a drug or to withdraw / transfer a fluid.

Brief description of the figures

[51] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given purely by way of example, and with reference to the appended figures in which:

[Fig 1] shows a system according to an embodiment according to the invention,

[Fig 2A] represents a membrane comprising a spatially rotating permanent magnetization structure according to one embodiment according to the invention, [Fig 2B] represents a membrane comprising a spatially rotating permanent magnetization structure according to an embodiment according to the invention, [FIG. 3A] represents the reaction of the membrane according to an embodiment according to the invention to the driving magnetic field;

[Fig 3B] shows the reaction of the membrane according to an embodiment according to the invention to the driving magnetic field;

[Fig 3C] shows the reaction of the membrane according to one embodiment according to the invention to the driving magnetic field;

[Fig 4A] shows a top view of a system (hereinafter referred to as the first system) according to a first embodiment according to the invention;

[Fig 4B] shows a sectional view of the system according to the first embodiment according to the invention when it is activated;

[Fig 4C] shows a sectional view of the system according to the first embodiment according to the invention when the latter is activated; [Fig 4D] shows a sectional view of the system according to the first embodiment according to the invention when the latter is activated;

[Fig 4E] shows a sectional view of the system according to the first embodiment according to the invention when it is activated;

[Fig 5] shows a sectional view of a system (hereinafter referred to as the second system) according to a second embodiment according to the invention;

[Fig 6] shows a sectional view of a system (hereinafter referred to as the third system) according to a third embodiment according to the invention;

[Fig 7] shows a sectional view of a system (hereinafter referred to as the fourth system) according to a fourth embodiment according to the invention;

[Fig 8] shows a sectional view of a system (hereinafter referred to as the fifth system) according to a fifth embodiment according to the invention;

[Fig 9] shows a sectional view of a system (hereinafter referred to as the sixth system) according to a sixth embodiment according to the invention; and [Fig 10] shows a sectional view of a system (hereinafter referred to as the eighth system) according to an eighth embodiment according to the invention.

Embodiments

[52] Figure 1 shows a system according to an embodiment according to the invention. This system includes:

- a pump 1 through which at least one fluid can circulate between an inlet E and an outlet S, and

a source 2 of a magnetic field capable of generating in a membrane 100 a temporally rotating driving magnetic field 2A, exhibiting a minimum gradient of 1 T / m and an orientation of the gradient which is substantially spatially homogeneous in the membrane 100 and of which the orientation of the gradient is constant over time, this source 2 being for example a permanent magnet set in rotation but can also be any source known to those skilled in the art.

[53] One can observe, in Figure 1, the lines of the magnetic driving field 2A from the source 2. The magnetic driving field is generated by a local source located near the pump 1, in particular from its membrane 100, a completely advantageous situation by virtue of its simplicity of implementation. Indeed, typically, this source 2 of a magnetic driving field can, for example, be a set of electromagnets or a permanent magnet rotated on itself.

[54] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate at least in part a spatially rotating permanent magnetization structure of the membrane 100. In these figures, there is a repetition of a magnetic pattern, having a period of spatial rotation T, in the membrane 100 so that the membrane 100 can undulate under the effect of the magnetic field. It should be noted that this pattern is given only as an indication and the period of spatial rotation T can vary depending on the desired applications so as to have ripples of greater or lesser periods.

[55] In particular, and by way of example, to define the spatially rotating permanent magnet structure of FIG. 2 which shows an example of a magnetic pattern of the membrane 100: a. the term “elementary zone” is defined as being a volume portion of the membrane 100, b. the membrane 100 is partitioned into elementary zones Z _n , in the example of FIG. 2A, there are 15 elementary zones numbered consecutively one after the other in the increasing direction of their scrolling from left to the line for an observer looking at the membrane 100 (Zo <Z _n <Zi ₅ ), the plane PP being the plane perpendicular to the membrane 100 and containing an axis connecting the input E and the output S of the pump 1 which corresponds to a desired axis of movement of the corrugation, c. we denote by A _n the average magnetization of a particular elementary zone Z _n projected onto the plane PP, d. we denote by O _n the oriented angle belonging to [-TT, TT] representative of the angle between A _n and A _{n + 1} , e. the permanent magnetization structure is spatially rotating because for all n (0 <n <15), O _n is positive, the surface exposed towards the top of the membrane 100 is the strong surface 10011 and the exposed surface towards the bottom of the membrane 100 is the weak surface 10012, and for all n, the absolute value of O _n + O _{n + i} is approximately equal to p / 4, and the magnetization makes at least one revolution, that is to say that the sum over all n, of a period of spatial rotation T, of the O _n is at least 2 * TT. [56] Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate the reaction of the membrane 100 of the pump 1 of Figure 1 to the driving magnetic field 2A which is applied to it so that a fluid chamber F circulates through of pump 1 between inlet E and outlet S. In this configuration, if the driving magnetic field rotates in the anti-trigonometric direction, the strong surface 10011 of the membrane 100 being located upwards, then the displacement of the ripple is to the left.

[57] The magnetic driving field 2A at the level of the membrane 100 typically has an orientation of its gradient 2B which is substantially homogeneous and constant over time, this gradient 2B being generally oriented towards the source 2. It should be noted that the gradient 2B generates a resulting magnetic force 100B linked to the gradient 2B in the membrane 100 which is equal to F _m = grad (MB). If the gradient 2B of the driving magnetic field 2A is large, this magnetic force 100B must be taken into account in the deformation of the membrane 100. It is then no longer possible to take into account only the magnetic torque (C _m = M x B) 100A resulting in the membrane 100 generated in the membrane 100 to explain the deformation of the latter, as in the case of FIG. 3A, it is also necessary to take into account the magnetic force 100B F _m. (see Figures 3B and 3C).

[58] However, the effect of this magnetic force 100B resulting from the gradient 2B can accentuate or disadvantage the deformation of the membrane 100 caused by the couple 100A C _m , depending on whether the gradient 2B is oriented in the direction [weak surface 10012] => [strong surface 10011] (figure 3B) or in the direction [strong surface

10011] => [low surface 10012] (figure 3C).

[59] In the first case, that is to say in the direction [weak surface 10012] => [strong surface 10011], the magnetic force 100B promotes the deformation of the couple 100A, as can be seen on the example illustrated in figure 3B (membrane 100 + gradient 2B), where the magnetic force 100B F _m has been indicated by arrows superimposed on the deformation of the torque 100A in figure 3A, F _m both to drive the maximum altitude points of the membrane 100 towards the strong surface 10011 (or upwards), and the minimum altitude points towards the weak surface 10012 (or downwards). [60] In the second case, that is to say in the direction [strong surface 10011] => [weak surface 10012], the magnetic force 100B favors the deformation of the couple 100A, as can be seen on the example illustrated in figure 3C (membrane 100 + gradient 2B, where the magnetic force 100B F _m has been indicated by arrows superimposed on the deformation of the torque 100A in figure 3A: F _m both to drive the points of maximum altitude of the membrane 100 towards the weak surface 10012 (or down), and the minimum altitude points towards the strong surface 10011 (or up).

[61] Thus, even in the case where the temporally rotating driving magnetic field 2A also has a strong substantially homogeneous gradient 2B and the orientation of which is constant, it is possible to keep an adequate deformation of the membrane 100 by orienting this last so that it exposes its strong surface 10011 to the zones of strong magnetic driving field 2A, that is to say on the side of the source 2.

[62] Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E show a pump according to a first system according to a first embodiment according to the invention, the pump comprising: an inlet E and an outlet S for respectively introducing and extracting the fluid. of the pump, a flexible diaphragm 100 having an upper surface 102 and a lower surface 104, the diaphragm 100 comprising a spatially rotating permanent magnet structure, and a rigid support means 200 on which is fixed at least part of the perimeter of the pump. lower surface 104 of membrane 100.

[63] The source of the magnetic field then generates the driving magnetic field at the location where the membrane 100 is located. The projection of the driving magnetic field onto a plane of magnetic rotation PP of the membrane 100, having an orientation substantially homogeneous and having temporally rotating components in the magnetic plane of rotation PP, is capable of being temporally rotating. It should be noted that the driving magnetic field can also be entirely included in the plane of magnetic rotation PP of the membrane 100. [64] Thus, the driving magnetic field and the permanent magnetization structure interact so as to create stresses in the membrane 100 to generate a static deformation of the membrane 100 following an undulation alternately presenting one or more concave parts and a or more convex parts. In this way, the rotation of the driving magnetic field applied to the membrane 100 allows the displacement of the stresses in the membrane 100 to move the corrugation in an orientation defined by the direction of rotation of the driving magnetic field.

[65] The inputs and outputs of this first embodiment of the system according to the invention are produced by the creation of holes made in the support means 200, by infiltration through the support means 200, or by the introduction of channels arranged between the membrane 100 and the support means 200. The same is true for the other embodiments of the system according to the invention.

[66] The support means 200 makes it possible to enhance the undulatory movement of the membrane 100 to transport the fluid.

[67] The pump and the source of the magnetic field are not in contact in this embodiment. Thus, no hardware connection is necessary between the membrane 100 and the source of a magnetic field, which allows the pump to be activated remotely.

[68] For example, the support means 200 can comprise glass, silicon, PDMS, PMMA, COP, polycarbonate, polyimide, PVC or even PE.

[69] It should be noted that the source of a magnetic field then allows the creation of the ripple of each of the membranes 100 shown in the figures.

This source of magnetic field can, for example, be a rotating cylindrical magnet or comprise electric coils placed near the pump, but without contact or connection with it. The source can also include an electromagnet, a non-cylindrical magnet or Halbach cylinder, a cylindrical or non-cylindrical magnet associated with a direct current motor or with one or more electric coils.

[70] It should be noted that part of the convex parts, therefore parts of the lower surface 104 of the membrane 100, are in contact with the support means. 200 so that one or more of the concave parts contain a volume of fluid, or fluid chamber, the volume of fluid being able to move on the support means 200 between the inlet E and the outlet S during movement of the ripple.

[71] The membrane 100 comprises a mixture comprising a polymer and a magnetic material. For example, the mixture is a homogeneous mixture of a flexible polymer, such as PDMS, latex, or even silicone, with the powder of a hard magnetic material having, for example, a particle size of 30 μm, such as an NdFeB powder or else such as a ferrite powder. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain a biocompatible membrane composed of biomaterials.

[72] For example, this membrane 100 can be manufactured as indicated below. Once the mixture has been spread and polymerized and then cut according to the shape of the support means 200 on which it will be placed for example, the membrane obtained is magnetized so as to have a spatially rotating permanent magnetization capable of causing the corrugation in the membrane 100 by the the action of the temporally rotating driving magnetic field on the magnetization of the membrane 100. The membrane 100 then has sufficient flexibility to allow the creation of the ripple.

[73] For example, the membrane 100 manufactured as indicated above may have a magnetization structure defined by a period of spatial rotation T approximately equal to 1.10 ^-3 m, exhibiting a Young's modulus E approximately equal to 1.10 ⁵ Pa and a thickness h approximately equal to 1.10 ^-4 m.

[74] For example, the average of the intensity of the magnetization m in the membrane can be approximately equal to 1.10 ⁵ A / m, the intensity of the magnetic field B generated by the source of the magnetic field in the membrane 100 can be approximately equal to 1.10 ² T.

[75] In this configuration, the quantity mBT ² / (Eh ² ) is then equal to 1.

[76] Thus, the heart of the pump rests in particular on a flexible membrane 100 with a spatially rotating permanent magnet. It should be noted that the displacement of the corrugation allows the peristaltic drive of the fluid through the pump. The low-cost membrane 100 can therefore, in the field of lab-on-a-chip, easily be placed in a chip directly during manufacture and therefore operate in a device isolated from the pump power source. The pump can then be activated through rigid elements simply by positioning it close to the source of the magnetic field. Also, the pump can be implanted in a body or a biological medium while the source of the magnetic field can itself be located outside.

[77] FIG. 4A represents a top view of the pump included in the system according to the first embodiment. The fixing means 502 used to fix the perimeter of the lower surface 104 of the membrane 100 to the rigid support means 200 can be all those known to those skilled in the art and allowing the pump to be sealed.

[78] Figure 4B illustrates the state of the pump when no magnetic field is applied to it.

[79] Figure 4C illustrates the state of the pump when the magnetic field is applied to it. It can be noted that in FIGS. 4C, 4D and 4E is connected to the inlet E a volume of fluid that it is desired to transmit to the outlet S. For example, the pressure applied to the inlet E of the pump can be of approximately 1013 hPa, that at the outlet S of approximately 1063 hPa, and that of the outer side of the membrane 100 (in contact with the upper surface 102) of 1013 hPa.

[80] This transmission is achieved thanks to the formation of the corrugation and to its displacement from the inlet E to the outlet S. Thus, the volume of fluid is introduced into the pump through the inlet E and is transmitted into the concave part connected to the inlet E, this concave part forming a pocket delimited by the membrane 100 which has the corrugation and the support means 200 (FIG. 4C). Then, under the action of the rotation of the magnetic field, the ripple moves from the inlet E to the outlet S to also move the volume of fluid contained in the pocket (FIG. 4D). As soon as a second concave part is connected to the inlet E, another volume of fluid is introduced into the latter so that several volumes of fluid move simultaneously between the support means 200 and the membrane 100 (FIG. 4E ). It should be noted that each of these concave parts, or pocket or chamber, can contain a predefined volume of fluid of between 10 nL and 1 mL, for example 1 pL, which is in particular a function of the geometric characteristics of the pump 1. [81] The flow rate of fluid circulating in the pump according to the first embodiment varies as a function of the application of the magnetic field, and in particular of the speed of rotation of the magnetic field. Each time the magnetic field makes one full rotation, the ripple moves by the period of spatial rotation of the magnetic pattern.

[82] Referring to Figure 5, a second system according to a second embodiment according to the invention is shown.

[83] The pump of this second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that it further comprises a rigid wall 300 fixed to at least part of the perimeter of the upper surface 102 of the membrane 100 and spaced from the membrane 100 by a distance d sufficient to allow corrugation and to allow contact between the concave parts and the wall 300. This distance d can be between 10 μm and 1 cm. The rigid wall 300 is fixed to the perimeter of the upper surface 102 of the membrane 100 using fixing means 504 known to those skilled in the art similar to those used for fixing the perimeter of the membrane 100 to the support means. 200.

[84] Furthermore, the rigid wall 300 comprises an orifice 302, but could include several (not illustrated in the figures), through which a controlled pressure is applied between the wall 300 and the membrane 100. This pressure is brought by for example by the introduction through the orifice 302 of a gas or a fluid.

[85] Referring to Figure 6, a third system according to a third embodiment according to the invention is shown.

[86] According to the third embodiment, the pump comprises a rigid wall 300 fixed to at least part of the perimeter of the upper surface 102 of the membrane 100 and spaced from the membrane 100 by a distance of sufficient to, at the difference from the pump of the second mode, to allow the corrugation and to avoid contact between the concave parts and the wall 300. The rigid wall 300 is fixed to the perimeter of the upper surface 102 of the membrane 100 using means fixing 504 known to those skilled in the art similar to those used for fixing the perimeter of the membrane 100 to the support means 200. The distance d 'is at least equal to the thickness of the membrane 100. In this embodiment , the membrane 100 does not bear on the wall 300, as in the second mode embodiment, but on a fluid or gas introduced between the membrane 100 and the wall 300 via the orifice 302 which applies pressure to the membrane 100 and whose pressure it is possible to modulate.

[87] Referring to Figure 7, a fourth system according to a fourth embodiment according to the invention is shown.

[88] In this fourth mode, the pump is similar to that of the second mode but comprises a membrane 100 having two through orifices 106 and 108, each located at its ends, as well as the wall 300 without orifice. Thus, it is possible to have a higher and more constant flow of fluid in the pump than when there is no presence of these two orifices 106 and 108 insofar as the fluid then circulates both in the concave parts but also in the convex parts. In fact, the pump is then arranged so that the fluid circulates both between the membrane 100 and the support means 200 and between the membrane 100 and the wall 300 in order to double the flow rate of the fluid in the pump. Thus, rather than having at the outlet S an interspersed fluid flow rate, here since the fluid volumes are contained in both the concave and convex parts, the flow rate at the outlet S is more constant. In addition, this fourth embodiment makes it possible to be freed from the influence of the pressure external to the pump: only the inlet pressure Po and the outlet pressure P _s are to be considered. In addition, the pressure obtained in a chamber is obtained by the pressure of the previous chamber to which is added the addition of pressure generated by the part of the membrane between the two chambers. Thus, it is possible to increase the possible pressure difference between the inlet of the pump and the outlet of the pump during its manufacture by increasing the number of corrugations in the pump (and therefore of magnetic patterns in the membrane 100 ).

[89] Furthermore, for this embodiment, but also for the others, the rigid support means 200 may comprise a channel with rounded lateral edges (not shown in the figures) connecting the input E to the output S to guide the fluid circulating in the pump between inlet E and outlet S. In this way, sealing is ensured. Furthermore, the channel may have a thickness of 350 μm.

[90] Referring to Figure 8, a fifth system according to a fifth embodiment according to the invention is shown. [91] This fifth system comprises a pump having several inputs E1, E2 and E3 and a single output S1. The pump then consists of a single membrane having several parts, three in this case: a first part 1001 connecting the input E1 to a point B, a second part 1002 connecting the input E2 to a point A, a third part 1003 connecting the input E3 to the point A, a fourth part 1004 connecting the point A to the point B and a fifth part 1005 connecting the point B to the output S1. The magnetic patterns of each of these parts are in phase at points A and B so that there is indeed creation of a single chamber at the points of intersections A and B. Moreover, are associated with each of these parts 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005 channels for guiding the fluids circulating in each of these parts. The single membrane made up of these different parts forms a single piece.

[92] Using this fifth system, it is possible to introduce different fluids into each of the inlets E 1, E2 and E3, to mix them at points A and B, and to recover the mixture at the outlet. S1.

[93] In this fifth system, the fluid introduced into each of the inlets E1, E2 and E3 is constantly stored in a chamber respectively of the first part 1001, second part 1002 and third part 1003, without leaks in the other chambers which follow or previous. Thus, two chambers from two different parts, for example a chamber from the second part 1002 and another chamber from the third part 1003, can merge together into a larger chamber at point A, and this larger chamber can merge with another chamber of the first part 1001 at point B.

[94] It should be noted that by changing the direction of circulation of the pumped fluid, the inputs E1, E2 and E3 can become outputs and the output S1 can be an input. Thus, rather than bringing different introduced fluids into contact, it is possible to divide an introduced fluid by dividing the chamber in which it is located.

[95] Referring to Figure 9, a sixth system according to a sixth embodiment according to the invention is shown.

[96] The sixth system is similar to the second embodiment, but further comprises, in the support means 200, several actuators or sensors 410 arranged so as to be directly in contact with the pumped fluid, and a measuring device 420.

[97] For example, actuator 410 may include electrodes to create an electrochemical reaction, a heat or ultrasound generator, a light source, a sensor. For example, measuring devices can be used to measure parameters in rooms.

[98] In this way, it is possible to activate or analyze a single volume of fluid desired and included in a particular chamber.

[99] Referring to Figure 10, an eighth system according to an eighth embodiment according to the invention is shown.

[100] The eighth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment. Here, the membrane 100 does not include through orifices. The pump of this eighth embodiment further comprises the rigid wall 300 fixed to at least part of the perimeter of the upper surface 102 of the membrane 100 and spaced from the membrane 100 by a sufficient distance to allow ripple, the ripple involving or avoiding contact between the concave parts and the wall 300 provided that the fluid (s) circulate through the pump. The support means 200 comprises an inlet E "and an outlet S" and the rigid wall 300 also comprises an inlet E "and an outlet S". In this way, a fluid can circulate between the membrane 100 and the support means 200 and another fluid can circulate between the membrane 100 and the wall 300. Thus, two distinct fluids can be pumped with the same pump and the same flow rate.

[101] Furthermore, it should be noted that with this embodiment, it is also possible that the fluid circulating between the inlet E 'and the outlet S' is the same as that circulating between IΈ '' and the outlet S ”. In this configuration, the two inputs E 'and E ”can be interconnected by a channel for example so as to introduce the same fluid on either side of the membrane 100, and the two outputs S' and S” by another channel so as to extract the same fluid circulating on either side of the membrane 100. Thus, the flow rate of the fluid in the pump is then doubled.

[102] It should be noted that in each of the embodiments presented above, the rigid support means 200 may be transparent so as to be able to observe the different chambers formed by the ripple. Furthermore, the wall 300 and / or the support means 200 can be transparent so as to allow only desired and predefined radiations to pass.

[103] It should be noted that throughout the present application, when it refers to indications in bold type, F _m , C _m, M, B, A _n , it is a question of vectors.

[104] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description. This should be considered as illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this description alone. Many variant embodiments are possible.

[105] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements and the indefinite article "a / a" does not exclude a plurality.

Claims

[Claim 1] [A system for pumping a fluid, said system comprising:

- a pump (1) comprising: an inlet (E) and an outlet (S) for respectively introducing and extracting said fluid capable of being pumped, a flexible membrane (100) having two opposite surfaces, said membrane (100) comprising a spatially rotating permanent magnet structure, a rigid support means (200) on which is fixed at least part of one of said surfaces of said membrane (100),

- a source (2) of a magnetic field capable of generating a driving magnetic field at the location where said membrane (100) is located, said driving magnetic field having a substantially homogeneous orientation, said membrane (100) being capable of being deformed, under the effect of said magnetic driving field, according to an undulation having alternately one or more concave parts and one or more convex parts, the undulation being able to move under the effect of said magnetic field d 'drive, said fluid capable of being pumped between said inlet (E) and said outlet (S) lying at least between one of said surfaces of said membrane (100) and said support means (200).

[Claim 2] The system of claim 1, wherein a projection of said driving magnetic field onto a plane of magnetic rotation (PP) of the membrane (100) is capable of being temporally rotatable.

[Claim 3] The system of claim 2, wherein said driving magnetic field is entirely included in said magnetic plane of rotation (PP) of said membrane (100).

[Claim 4] A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one or more of the convex parts are likely to be in contact with said support means (200) and at least one or more of the concave parts are. likely not to be in contact with said support means (200).

[Claim 5] The system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said temporally rotating training magnetic field further exhibits a minimum gradient of 1T / m and a substantially spatially homogeneous gradient orientation.

[Claim 6] A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said temporally rotating driving magnetic field further exhibits a minimum gradient of 1T / m and a constant gradient orientation over time.

[Claim 7] System according to one of claims 5 and 6, wherein said membrane (100) is positioned so that said gradient is oriented from a weak surface (10012) to a strong surface (10011), knowing that: when the spatially rotating permanent magnet structure of the membrane (100) rotates, from left to right, counterclockwise, the strong surface indicates the surface exposed upwards and the weak surface indicates the exposed surface downwards , and when the spatially rotating permanent magnet structure of the diaphragm (100) rotates counterclockwise from left to right, the strong surface designates the downwardly exposed surface and the weakest surface designates the exposed surface downward. the top.

[Claim 8] A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said membrane (100) has a thickness of between 5 µm and 1 cm.

[Claim 9] A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said magnetization structure is defined by a period of spatial rotation (T) of between 20 µm and 2 cm.

[Claim 10] A system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a rigid wall (300) secured to at least a portion of said perimeter of the other of said surfaces of said membrane (100) and spaced apart. said membrane (100) by a distance d sufficient to allow said corrugation and to allow contact between said concave parts and said wall (300).

[Claim 11] A system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a rigid wall (300) secured to at least a portion of said perimeter of the other of said surfaces of said membrane (100) and spaced from said membrane. (100) by a distance sufficient to allow said corrugation and to avoid contact between said concave portions and said wall (300).

[Claim 12] A system according to any of claims 10 or 11, wherein said wall (300) includes an orifice (302) through which a controlled pressure is applied between said wall (300) and said membrane (100).

[Claim 13] A system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said membrane (100) has two through-ports, each located at its ends such that said pumpable fluid is additionally located. between the other of said surfaces of said membrane (100) and said wall (300).

[Claim 14] The system of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said wall (300) further comprises a second inlet and a second outlet for respectively introducing and withdrawing pumpable fluid further lying between the other of said surfaces of said membrane (100) and said wall (300).

[Claim 15] A method of implementing a system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the following steps: a) interaction between said driving magnetic field from said source (2) and said structure d 'permanent magnetization of said membrane (100) so as to create stresses in said membrane (100) generating a static deformation of said membrane (100) following a corrugation having alternately one or more concave parts and one or more convex parts, b) rotating said driving magnetic field so as to move said stresses in said membrane (100) to move said corrugation in an orientation defined according to the direction of rotation of said driving magnetic field, c) moving said fluid between said inlet ( E) and said outlet (S), said fluid being included at least in one of said concave parts delimited by said membrane (100) and said support means (200).

[Claim 16] The method of claim 15, wherein said rotating step b) is performed by rotating a permanent magnet.

[Claim 17] A method according to one of claims 15 or 16, wherein, when said temporally rotating driving magnetic field exhibits a substantially spatially homogeneous and constant gradient orientation, said gradient is directed from the weak surface (10012) towards the strong surface (10011) of said membrane (100).