title: An experimental setup for traceable measurement and calibration of liquid flow rates down to 5 nl/min.
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.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahrens
authors.forename: Bodo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nestler
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Harm Tido
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Petter
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Damiani
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D013594:Syringes / Q000592:standards*