Micro Peristaltic Pump for Microfluidics

What is the Micro Peristaltic Pump for Microfluidics?

A micro peristaltic pump delivers microliter to milliliter flows for microfluidics, organ-on-chip and low-volume dosing. It uses fine tubing or an integrated chip-compatible cartridge to move fluid with minimal dead volume and low hold-up.

Overview

The micro peristaltic pump is built for very low, stable flows. Tubing of 0.5 to 3 mm bore, or a molded cartridge that mates with microfluidic chips, is compressed by miniature rollers driven by a stepper motor. Flow rates range from about 0.01 to 1,000 microliters per minute, and pulseless operation is achieved by using more rollers and a compliant damper. Dead volume is designed to be small so that switching between reagents wastes little and response is fast. Some systems are bidirectional for recirculation in organ-on-chip and perfusion experiments, and multiple channels allow parallel conditions. Because only the tubing or cartridge touches the fluid, contamination control is simple and disposable cartridges support sterile work. The pump is used in droplet generation, cell perfusion and low-volume chemical synthesis.

How does it work?

A peristaltic pump has a rotor carrying two or more rollers that press the tubing against a curved raceway. As the rotor turns, the rollers occlude the tube and push a trapped volume of liquid forward, while the tube behind the roller recovers and draws in more fluid. The displaced volume per revolution depends on the tube bore and wall, so flow is set by tube size and rotation speed. Because the fluid stays inside the tubing, the pump head never touches the sample, giving excellent chemical compatibility and making sterilization simple: replace the tubing or use pre-sterilized sets. Flow is nearly pulseless at higher speeds but slightly pulsed at low speeds and with few rollers. Typical components are the drive motor, pump head, tubing, and a control interface for speed, direction and sometimes calibration.

What are the key features?

• Flow from about 0.01 to 1,000 µL/min
• Fine tubing or chip-compatible cartridge
• Small dead volume for fast reagent switching
• Bidirectional flow for perfusion and recirculation
• Multiple channels for parallel experiments
• Disposable cartridges for sterile, low-contamination work

What are the technical specifications?

A typical micro peristaltic pump for microfluidics configuration offers flow range of 0.01–1,000 µL/min, tubing bore of 0.5–3 mm, number of channels of 1–8, flow stability of ± 1–2 %, dead volume of Below 100 µL typical and direction of Bidirectional. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Micro Peristaltic Pump for Microfluidics is used in microfluidic and organ-on-chip perfusion, droplet generation, low-volume reagent dosing, cell and tissue perfusion and microscale chemical synthesis. Across the wider Peristaltic Pumps class, laboratories also deploy it for sterile media and buffer transfer, reagent dosing and metering and continuous flow chemistry.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include IEC 61010-1, IEC 61326-1, ISO 9001, USP <87>, USP <88> and GB 4793.1. Certification candidates for this model are CE, RoHS and ISO 9001 manufacturing; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Tubing is the main consumable and also the calibration reference, so keep the same part number and replace it on a schedule or when flow drifts. Recalibrate after changing tubing, since wall thickness and elasticity affect volume per revolution. Avoid over-tightening the pump head, which shortens tube life, and do not run dry for long periods unless the tubing is rated for it. Keep the raceway and rollers clean, and check for wear that causes uneven flow. For sterile or hazardous liquids, work inside a biosafety cabinet and use closed tubing sets. Follow IEC 61010-1 for electrical safety. In flow chemistry and metering applications, verify against a balance or flow meter, and record tubing lot and calibration data so results remain traceable.

How do I select the right Micro Peristaltic Pump for Microfluidics?

Choose a micro pump for flows below about 1 mL/min where dead volume, stability and disposability matter. For larger flows a standard benchtop pump is more economical. In the RFQ, state flow range, channel count, tubing or cartridge format, and the interface to your microfluidic device.

How does it compare with other Peristaltic Pumps variants?

Start with flow range and tubing size. Small-bore tubing gives microliter flows for microfluidics and dosing, while large-bore tubing moves liters per minute for media transfer and process work. Confirm the tubing material for chemical compatibility and temperature: silicone is flexible and autoclavable, while PharMed or Viton resist solvents and high temperatures. Decide whether you need a single channel or several channels running in parallel, and whether channel-to-channel accuracy matters. Choose the drive for speed range, torque and control features such as dispensing, ramp profiles, remote control and data output. For sterile work, look for autoclavable or disposable tubing sets and quick-release heads. Consider pulsation where smooth flow is important, since more rollers and higher speeds reduce it. Add calibration to convert speed into a reliable volume.