Valveless Microfluidic Pump Based on IPMC Actuator for Drug Delivery

A prototype of a membrane valveless microfluidic pump based on IPMC actuator for the transport of biological fluids and drug delivery was developed. The pump size is 58.3×50.8×18 mm. Pump consists of 4 layers, which were made from polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate as well as a latex diaphragm. The movement of the latex diaphragm in the pump was carried out by IPMC actuator with size 10×5×0,3 mm, located in a separate chamber filled with water. The direction of fluid flow was determined by conical diffuser / nozzle elements with a solution angle of 5° in the inlet and outlet channels of the pump. The dependences of the pump flow rate and head on the pulsation frequency of the flow and the control voltage amplitude were investigated. At the control voltage amplitude of 1 V and a frequency of 0.4 Hz the pump flow rate was 5.4 μl/s.