Vespa: Logic-Level Constraint-Based Validation for Continuous-Flow Microfluidic Devices

Continuous-flow microfluidic devices (CFMDs), also known as biochips provide automated and cost-effective solutions for the biomolecular analysis in life science applications. Multioperation biochemical reactions require incorporating microfluidic components into CFMDs, which may raise their design complexity and lead to design-objective-constraint compatibility (DOCC) conflicts. Existing validation methods excel in optimizing control-layer pressurization protocol (CLPP) for small networks. However, they face challenges in describing operation constraints for the microfluidic large-scale integration (mLSI) experiments and addressing the undesired flow risk. To overcome these challenges, we develop Vespa, an open-source validation framework that uses logic expressions to describe operation constraints with lower human labor costs. For each operation, taking an objective list, a constraint list, a design netlist, and a super-parameter as inputs, Vespa validates the DOCC by constructing a target fluid transportation path. In addition, it introduces an undesired flow risk mitigation mechanism, issuing warnings for incorrect constraints and potential fluid undesired flow risks. The work includes over 900 real-world and synthetic benchmarks in three complexity ranges to support researchers in the field. As a result, more than 85% of benchmark experiments yield correct results within 0.3 s, enabling Vespa for real-time validation and integration into interactive CFMD design tools. Finally, to show Vespa’s practical efficacy and real-world impact, we create case studies using a real-world CFMD. We demonstrate that Vespa eliminates over 90% of DOCC-related wet lab tests by detecting issues and making updates before fabrication.