A cell printing chip

Abstract

The application provides a cell printing chip, which comprises a substrate, an encapsulation layer and a heating part, the substrate is provided with a liquid inlet, a flow channel is formed between the substrate and the encapsulation layer, the encapsulation layer is provided with a nozzle, the heating part is arranged correspondingly to the nozzle, a biological solution containing cells flows into the cell printing chip from the liquid inlet, passes through the flow channel, and is pushed out of the cell printing chip from the nozzle after passing through the heating part. The cell printing chip of the application does not arrange a supporting structure in the flow channel, and the sidewalls of the flow channel, the nozzle, the heating part and the encapsulation layer are specially designed in size, so as to prevent the cells from colliding in the transportation process, thereby effectively improving the activity of the cells passing through the cell printing chip, and the cell sorting can be realized through the inkjet printing technology.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of microfluidics, specifically relating to a cell-printed chip. Background Technology

[0002] Thermal inkjet technology is commonly used in consumer and industrial printing. Due to its high throughput, high integration, and size similar to that of cells, it has begun to be applied to cell printing and sorting. However, traditional thermal inkjet nozzle designs are often only designed for consumer and industrial printing, without considering the specific application requirements of cell viability and cell transport in cell printing. Therefore, improvements to cell printing chips are needed to meet the requirements of cell printing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, this invention proposes a cell-printed chip, including a substrate, an encapsulation layer, and a heating element. An inlet is formed in the substrate, a flow channel is formed between the substrate and the encapsulation layer, and a nozzle is formed in the encapsulation layer. The heating element is correspondingly arranged with the nozzle. A biological solution containing cells flows into the cell-printed chip from the inlet, flows through the flow channel, and is propelled out of the cell-printed chip from the nozzle by the heating element. The cell-printed chip of this invention does not have a support structure in the flow channel, and the flow channel, nozzle, heating element, and sidewalls of the encapsulation layer are specially sized to prevent cell collisions during transport, thereby effectively improving cell viability after passing through the cell-printed chip, and enabling cell sorting via inkjet printing technology.

[0004] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention provides a cell-printed chip, comprising:

[0005] A substrate having a liquid inlet extending in a first direction and penetrating the substrate in a second direction to connect the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, wherein the second direction is the thickness direction of the substrate, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction;

[0006] An encapsulation layer is located above the substrate. The encapsulation layer includes a cover plate and sidewalls around the cover plate. A flow channel communicating with the liquid inlet is formed between the cover plate and the substrate. The flow channel extends along a third direction and is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. A nozzle communicating with the flow channel is formed between the cover plate and the sidewalls. The nozzle is located above the end of the flow channel.

[0007] A heating element is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and is disposed opposite to the nozzle.

[0008] Optionally, the sidewall of the encapsulation layer includes a first portion and a second portion located above the first portion, the interface between the first portion and the second portion being flush with the lower surface of the cover plate.

[0009] Optionally, the width of the first part is equal to the width of the second part.

[0010] Optionally, the width of the first part is smaller than the width of the second part, and the difference Δd between the width of the second part and the width of the first part is less than or equal to 3 μm.

[0011] Optionally, the width of the first part is greater than the width of the second part.

[0012] Optionally, the width W of the flow channel in the first direction is greater than or equal to 10 μm, and the length L of the flow channel in the third direction is greater than or equal to 10 μm.

[0013] Optionally, the width d1 of the nozzle in the first direction is less than or equal to the width d2 of the nozzle in the third direction, and the width d1 of the nozzle in the first direction is greater than or equal to 10 μm, and the width d2 of the nozzle in the third direction is greater than or equal to 10 μm.

[0014] Optionally, the area covered by the heating element is larger than the area covered by the nozzle.

[0015] Optionally, the distance between the center point of the nozzle and the center point of the heating element is less than or equal to 7.5 μm.

[0016] Optionally, the heating element is a thermally foamed resistor.

[0017] The cell-printed chip of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The cell-printing chip of the present invention includes a substrate, an encapsulation layer, and a heating element. An inlet is formed in the substrate, a flow channel is formed between the substrate and the encapsulation layer, and a nozzle is formed in the encapsulation layer. The heating element is correspondingly disposed with respect to the nozzle. A biological solution containing cells flows into the cell-printing chip through the inlet, flows through the flow channel, and is propelled by the heating element to be ejected from the nozzle. The flow channel of the cell-printing chip of the present invention does not have a support structure, and the flow channel, nozzle, heating element, and sidewalls of the encapsulation layer are specially sized to prevent cell collisions during transport, thereby effectively improving cell viability after passing through the cell-printing chip and enabling cell sorting via inkjet printing technology. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a top view of the cell-printed chip provided in Example 1.

[0020] Figure 2 The cell printing chip shown in Example 1 is along... Figure 1 Front sectional view of centerline AA.

[0021] Figure 3 The cell printing chip shown in Example 2 is along... Figure 1 Front sectional view of centerline AA.

[0022] Figure 4 The cell printing chip shown in Example 3 is along... Figure 1 Front sectional view of centerline AA.

[0023] Component designation explanation

[0024] 2 Encapsulation layer 3 Heating section 21 Encapsulation cover plate 22 Encapsulation layer sidewall 221 Encapsulation layer sidewall first part 222 Second part of the encapsulation layer sidewall 100 Inlet 200 flow channel 300 spray nozzle Detailed Implementation

[0025] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0026] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in this embodiment are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. Although the illustrations only show components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components, the shape, quantity, positional relationship and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed under the premise of realizing the technical solution of this invention, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0027] Example 1

[0028] This embodiment provides a cell-printed chip, referring to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes a substrate 1, an encapsulation layer 2, and a heating element 3.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the substrate 1 has a liquid inlet 100, and the liquid inlet 100 is in a first direction ( Figure 1 Extending in the Y direction (as shown), and in the second direction ( Figure 2 The Z-direction shown penetrates through substrate 1 to connect the upper and lower surfaces of substrate 1.

[0030] like Figure 2As shown, the encapsulation layer 2 is located above the substrate 1. The encapsulation layer 2 includes a cover plate 21 and sidewalls 22 surrounding the cover plate 21. The sidewalls 22 include a first portion 221 and a second portion 222. The second portion 222 is located above the first portion 221, and the interface between the first portion 221 and the second portion 222 is flush with the lower surface of the cover plate 21. In this embodiment, the width of the first portion 221 is smaller than the width of the second portion 222, and the difference Δd between the width of the second portion 222 and the width of the first portion 221 is less than or equal to 3 μm, to prevent cells from colliding with the second portion 222 of the sidewall when the cell-printed chip is ejected.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, a flow channel 200 is formed between the cover plate 21 and the substrate 1. The flow channel 200 extends along a third direction (the X direction shown in the figure) and is connected to the liquid inlet 100. Figure 1 As shown, the width W of the flow channel 200 in the first direction (Y direction shown in the figure) is greater than or equal to 10 μm, preferably 25 μm; the length L in the third direction (X direction shown in the figure) is greater than or equal to 10 μm to ensure that cells can pass through smoothly. In this embodiment, no support structure is provided on the inner wall of the flow channel 200, or at the connection between the flow channel 200 and the inlet 100, to prevent the cell-containing biological solution from impacting the inner wall of the flow channel 200 when it flows rapidly in the flow channel 200, thereby preventing a decrease in cell activity.

[0032] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a nozzle 300 is formed between the cover plate 21 and the side wall 22. The nozzle 300 communicates with the flow channel 200 and is located above the end of the flow channel 200. As an example, the nozzle 300 is located in the first direction ( Figure 1 The width d1 in the Y direction (as shown) is less than or equal to the nozzle 300 in the third direction ( Figure 1 The width d2 (in the X direction shown), i.e., the cross-section of the nozzle 300 on the horizontal plane formed by the first and second directions, can be circular or elliptical. In this embodiment, the width d1 of the nozzle 300 in the first direction is greater than or equal to 10 μm, preferably 28 μm; the width d2 in the third direction is greater than or equal to 10 μm, preferably 38 μm, to ensure that cells can be smoothly ejected from the nozzle 300, thereby ensuring cell viability.

[0033] like Figure 1As shown, the heating element 3 is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate 1 and is positioned opposite to the nozzle 300. It is used to heat the liquid in the flow channel 200 and generate bubbles, thereby propelling the liquid above the heating element 3 outward. In order to reduce the probability of cells in the liquid colliding with the nozzle 300 when passing through it, the size of the generated bubbles should be increased as much as possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, the area covered by the heating element 3 is larger than the area covered by the nozzle 300.

[0034] In this embodiment, the heating part 3 and the nozzle 300 are in the second direction ( Figure 2 The heating element 3 and the nozzle 300 are coaxially arranged in the Z direction (as shown). In other alternative embodiments, the heating element 3 and the nozzle 300 may also be arranged in the second direction (as shown). Figure 2 Different axes are set in the Z direction (as shown). In this case, in the first direction ( Figure 1 (shown in the Y direction) and the third direction (shown in the Y direction) Figure 1 On the horizontal plane formed by the X direction shown, the distance between the center point of the nozzle 300 and the center point of the heating part 3 is less than or equal to 7.5 μm, so as to reduce the probability of the cell colliding with the nozzle 300.

[0035] In this embodiment, the heating element 3 is a thermally foamed resistor. In other alternative embodiments, the heating element 3 may also be a pressure-point resistor.

[0036] The cell printing chip provided in this embodiment does not have a support structure in its flow channel, and the flow channel, nozzle, heating part and the sidewall of the encapsulation layer are specially sized to prevent the cells from being impacted during transportation, thereby effectively improving the cell activity after passing through the cell printing chip, and the cells can be sorted by inkjet printing technology.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] This embodiment also provides a cell-printed chip, such as Figure 3 As shown, it includes a substrate 1, an encapsulation layer 2, and a heating element 3.

[0039] The similarities between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 will not be repeated here. The differences are as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the width of the first part 221 of the sidewall is equal to the width of the second part 222 of the sidewall, that is, the difference Δd between the width of the second part 222 and the width of the first part 221 is equal to 0 μm. This setting can also prevent the cells from colliding with the second part 222 of the sidewall when they are ejected from the cell printing chip.

[0040] The cell printing chip provided in this embodiment does not have a support structure in its flow channel, and the flow channel, nozzle, heating part and the sidewall of the encapsulation layer are specially sized to prevent the cells from being impacted during transportation, thereby effectively improving the cell activity after passing through the cell printing chip, and the cells can be sorted by inkjet printing technology.

[0041] Example 3

[0042] This embodiment also provides a cell-printed chip, such as Figure 4 As shown, it includes a substrate 1, an encapsulation layer 2, and a heating element 3.

[0043] The similarities between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 will not be repeated here. The differences are as follows: Figure 4 As shown, the width of the first part 221 of the sidewall can also be greater than the width of the second part 222 of the sidewall, that is, the difference Δd between the width of the second part 222 and the width of the first part 221 is less than 0 μm. This setting can also prevent the cells from colliding with the second part 222 of the sidewall when they are ejected from the cell printing chip.

[0044] The cell printing chip provided in this embodiment does not have a support structure in its flow channel, and the flow channel, nozzle, heating part and the sidewall of the encapsulation layer are specially sized to prevent the cells from being impacted during transportation, thereby effectively improving the cell activity after passing through the cell printing chip, and the cells can be sorted by inkjet printing technology.

[0045] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cell-printed chip, characterized in that, include: A substrate having a liquid inlet extending in a first direction and penetrating the substrate in a second direction to connect the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, wherein the second direction is the thickness direction of the substrate, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; An encapsulation layer is located above the substrate. The encapsulation layer includes a cover plate and sidewalls around the cover plate. A flow channel communicating with the liquid inlet is formed between the cover plate and the substrate. The flow channel extends along a third direction and has no support structure. The third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. A nozzle communicating with the flow channel is formed between the cover plate and the sidewalls. The nozzle is located above the end of the flow channel. The sidewalls of the encapsulation layer include a first portion and a second portion located above the first portion. The interface between the first portion and the second portion is flush with the lower surface of the cover plate, and the width of the first portion is equal to the width of the second portion. A heating element is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and is positioned opposite to the nozzle. Wherein, the width W of the flow channel in the first direction is greater than or equal to 10 μm, and the length L of the flow channel in the third direction is greater than or equal to 10 μm; the width d1 of the nozzle in the first direction is less than or equal to the width d2 of the nozzle in the third direction, and the width d1 of the nozzle in the first direction is greater than or equal to 10 μm, and the width d2 of the nozzle in the third direction is greater than or equal to 10 μm; the area covered by the heating part is greater than the area covered by the nozzle; the distance between the center point of the nozzle and the center point of the heating part is less than or equal to 7.5 μm.

2. The cell-printed chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first part being equal to the second part is replaced by: the first part being less than the second part, and the difference Δd between the width of the second part and the width of the first part being less than or equal to 3μm.

3. The cell-printed chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The statement that the width of the first part is equal to the width of the second part is replaced with the statement that the width of the first part is greater than the width of the second part.

4. The cell-printed chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating element is a thermally foamed resistor.

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