Fluidic Devices in PCB Technology

Abstract

Printed circuit boards (PCB) are widely used in electronics. They have the wiring and holding task for electronic devices. With the adding of more and more functionality to miniaturized devices the PCBs have to include more and more functionality. However, the usage of PCBs in fluidic applications is rare. Adding a fluidic functionality to a PCB will create intelligent fluidic systems at low cost. At the University of Rostock a special technology for creating fluidic systems in PCBs is developed. Low-Flow micro systems as well as High-Flow systems are feasible. The main advantage using PCBs is to create compact devices at low cost. In this paper an overview is given over the devices made at the University of Rostock. This description include low flow devices like a thermopneumatical driven pump, a bimetal valve, a pressure sensor with force compensation, a bubble detector and static mixers. As well as a high flow device, the insufflator. The insufflator is a medical device where a flow rate of up to 45l/min has to be realized. This is a very good example for the high flow fluidic PCB technology where normal multi layer PCBs are used to hold the channels inside the PCB and connect pneumatic components electrically and pneumatically on the same substrate. A short introduction to both technologies is given and the function of the devices is explained.