Variation analysis of flow rate delivered using a blister pump

Components for on-chip storage and delivery of liquid reagent are necessary for many commercial applications of lab-on- a-chip technology. One such system uses a 'blister-pack' that is pushed by an actuator. This paper explores the sensitivity of the flow rate produced by a blister-actuator pair to the expected manufacturing variations in its dimensions. A numerical model of the blister-actuator pair is developed and the tool of Variation Simulation Modeling (VSM) is used to determine the robustness of fluid delivery. For a flow-rate requirement of +/- 10%, the number of out-of-spec parts is found to be less than 0.01%. The critical dimensions that need to be controlled to improve robustness are also identified.