Liquid Flow Sensor LPG10
Miniaturized Planar Package
With a tiny footprint of only 10x10 mm2, Sensirion’s LPG10 liquid flow sensor series provides outstanding performance and speed in measuring liquid flow in a planar microfluidic glass substrate with down-mount fluidic ports for a highly compact integration into any fluidic manifold system. It is thus ideal for high-volume applications with strict space limitations.
Two core technologies are combined at this point: microfluidics chips and digital microsensor chips. This unique approach enables measurement of liquid flow inside a cost-efficient planar glass substrate. The digital microsensor chip provides the full signal processing functionality for a fully calibrated, temperature compensated, and linearized digital output.
The LPG10 series is a smart sensor solution offering flow rates from the low microliter per minute range up to 1 ml/min. Glass as the only wetted material ensures optimum compatibility with biological and pharmaceutical processes.
Due to its small thermal mass, response times below 30 ms can be reached. This means that even highly dynamic changes in the flow rate (e.g. produced by pulsating micropumps) can be monitored with this sensor. One step further: the sensor’s signal can be used for a closed-loop control to reach continuous flows even with pulsating pump mechanisms. The small form factor literally allows direct and highly accurate measurements of the flow at any point of interest in a fluidic system. In addition, real time detection of failures such as clogging, air bubbles or leaks comes along for free.
Features
- Incredibly small footprint of 10 x 10 mm2
- Response time: 30 ms and better
- Maximum flow rates for water-based fluids: 1 ml/min
- Completely calibrated, digital linearized output signal
- Excellent media compatibility and chemical resistance
- Media isolated sensing principle - no direct sensor contact with the fluid
- Supply voltage: 3.3 V - 3.6 V
- Digital I2C interface
Applications
- Biomedical devices
- Point-of-care diagnostics
- Surgical instruments
Engineering Guidelines for LPG10 Integration
The world's smallest liquid flow sensor LPG10 measures only 10 x 10 mm2, opening up new dimensions of integration and application possibilities. It is the perfect choice for high volume and cost-sensitive applications, whenever small size is essential. To ensure best performance a few simple recommendations should be considered when designing a product using the LPG10. The following application note provides guidelines to engineers for an optimum integration.
New Possibilities in Diagnostics Thanks to Miniature Flow Sensor
In medical diagnostics, the trend towards near-patient lab diagnostics (point-of-care testing, or POCT) continues apace. The idea is that testing should take place as promptly as possible and ideally directly at the patient’s bedside. For more complex examinations, precise microfluidic systems are required. In ideal cases, the entire test is conducted independently on a single microfluidic system; i.e. the entire ‘lab’ is integrated on a chip and thus becomes a ‘lab on a chip’.
In these emerging application areas, the precise monitoring and control of liquid flows is crucial to the reliable operation of the respective device. With a tiny form factor of just 10 x 10 mm2, Sensirion’s LPG10 liquid flow sensor offers outstanding accuracy and speed in the measurement of extremely low flow rates.
Learn more about the possibilities in diagnostics thanks to Sensirion’s miniature flow sensor and read the complete specialist article.
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