An experimental setup for traceable measurement and calibration of liquid flow rates down to 5 nl/min

Biomed Tech (Berl). 2015 Aug;60(4):337-45. doi: 10.1515/bmt-2014-0153.

Abstract

This work presents the improvements of an experimental setup for measuring ultra-low flow rates down to 5 nl/min. The system uses a telecentric CCD imaging system mounted on a high-precision, computer-controlled linear stage to track a moving liquid meniscus inside a glass capillary. Compared to the original setup, the lowest attainable expanded uncertainty at any flow rate has been reduced from 5.4% to 2%. In addition, the conformity with specification of three commercial micro-fluidic devices was evaluated using the new setup: one syringe pump, one implantable infusion pump and one thermal flow sensor. The flow sensor and the implantable infusion pump met the compliance criteria (coverage probability 95%). The syringe pump however, failed to meet the specifications at 5 nl/min and 10 nl/min. No assessment could be made at higher flow rates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calibration*
  • Humans
  • Infusion Pumps
  • Infusion Pumps, Implantable
  • Syringes / standards*