Real-time flow monitoring for a roller-based peristaltic mini-pump

摘要

Micromachined flow sensors have appropriate features that allow the use for microfluidic systems in biosensors. Among these flow sensors, those based on the principle of thermal transfer are the most recently investigated. Here, a miniaturized sensor, which is based on the thermal anemometry, has been used to measure the flow velocity produced by a roller-based peristaltic mini-pump. The detection element consists of a heating element and a temperature monitoring element. Temperature compensation is achieved, and the instantaneous flow velocity is obtained from the sensor output voltage measurement. The sensor has been characterized and positioned in the normal direction to the flow. Eventually, the characteristic curve has been evaluated to provide an adequate control mechanism.