A Hydrogel-based Microvalve for Insulin Delivery Application

A hydrogel-actuated microvalve that responds to changes in the concentration of glucose in an external liquid environment is described. The microvalve consists of a thin hydrogel, sandwiched between a stiff porous membrane and a flexible silicon rubber diaphragm. Swelling of the hydrogel forces the membrane to deflect therefore boss causes the valve to be opened. Simulations have been done by FEM analysis and the results show enough deflection to open the valve and let the fluid flow through the microchannel to obtain 130 microliter/min for output flow.