Numerical investigation of a biomimetic elastic valve for microfluidic pumping

Abstract

We use three-dimensional simulations to study the fluid–solid interactions between a highly-deflective biomimetic valve and a viscous fluid within a microfluidic channel, so as to guide the effective design of a biomimetic micropump. We study the steady state and dynamic behavior of the valve and fluid in response to applied fluid pressure gradients using a steady pressure drop and a trapezoidal pressure gradient waveform, respectively. We use dimensionless parameters to characterize the effect of various physical parameters on pumping performance. We determine the range of parameters in which valves can be designed to provide microfluidic pumping that is independent of the period of oscillation of pressure gradients driving the flow. Our findings guide the effective design of such a biomimetic microvalve for harnessing physiological motion to passively provide pumping in an implantable biosensor.