A microfluidic pump control device and a multi-way valve microfluidic pump control system

Abstract

The present invention provides a microfluidic pump control device, which relates to the field of microfluidic technology. The microfluidic pump control device includes a first flow divider, a second flow divider, a first flow confluence, a first microfluidic pump, a second microfluidic pump, a bottom buffer port and a top buffer port; the outlet of the first flow divider is connected to the inlet of the first microfluidic pump, and the outlet of the first microfluidic pump is respectively connected to an inlet of the first flow confluence and a bottom buffer port; the outlet of the second flow divider is connected to the inlet of the second microfluidic pump, and the outlet of the second microfluidic pump is respectively connected to another inlet of the first flow confluence and a top buffer port. The microfluidic pump control device of the present invention utilizes a combination of a flow divider, a microfluidic pump and a flow confluence to control a variety of buffer solutions to be injected into a chip and discharged from the chip at a specific flow rate and flow rate, and can also realize the cleaning of the microfluidic pump and its pipeline. On this basis, the present invention also provides a multi-way valve microfluidic pump control system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of microfluidic technology, and in particular to a microfluidic pump control device and a multi-way valve microfluidic pump control system. Background Art

[0002] In the field of microfluidics, it is sometimes necessary to use external forces to push the required liquid into the microfluidic chip. These external forces can be provided by external microfluidic drive pumps or microfluidic control systems. When researchers need to achieve high-precision continuous circulation of experimental samples inside microfluidic chips or microfluidic devices, syringe pumps become a common flow control system in the field of microfluidics. In addition, research on microfluidics is generally carried out in multiple channels (i.e., on multiple chips) at the same time, which requires sufficient drive pumps and relatively complex pipeline designs.

[0003] However, common control devices for multi-channel microfluidics usually use syringes and injection pumps loaded with reaction fluids to directly connect to the chip. This connection structure has the following defects:

[0004] 1. The syringe pump needs to be equipped with a syringe, which results in a large device size and large installation space, making it difficult to form centralized fully automated control.

[0005] 2. Direct pipeline connection is relatively basic. One syringe pump and the syringe it carries correspond to one chip. The concentration is not high and it cannot be applied to more complex research and design.

[0006] 3. The system is cumbersome and inefficient to operate. When the syringe needs to be replaced with a buffer or cleaned, the system cannot automatically and quickly replace the existing liquid. Instead, you need to manually disconnect the existing connection, drain the liquid in the syringe into the waste bottle, refill it with a new buffer or sample, and finally reconnect the line to restore the previous connection function. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a microfluidic pump control device, which can simplify the connection structure, reduce the installation space, facilitate the input of buffer solution into the chip and clean the pipeline through a set of structures, and has high control efficiency.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-way valve microfluidic pump control system, which can quickly replace the buffer solution or the bleaching solution through different channels, thereby improving the test efficiency.

[0009] The embodiment of the present invention is achieved as follows:

[0010] A microfluidic pump control device comprises a first flow divider, a second flow divider, a first flow confluence, a first microfluidic pump, a second microfluidic pump, a bottom buffer port and a top buffer port; the outlet of the first flow divider is connected to the inlet of the first microfluidic pump, and the outlet of the first microfluidic pump is respectively connected to an inlet of the first flow confluence and the bottom buffer port; the outlet of the second flow divider is connected to the inlet of the second microfluidic pump, and the outlet of the second microfluidic pump is respectively connected to another inlet of the first flow confluence and the top buffer port.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the first microfluidic pump and the second microfluidic pump are piston syringes. The technical effect is that the piston syringe creates a closed space, converts the rotational motion of the motor into the up and down motion of the piston, and indirectly controls the pumping speed of the syringe by controlling the speed and current of the motor.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a controller and a stepper motor are further included; the controller is electrically connected to the first microfluidic pump and the second microfluidic pump through the two stepper motors. The technical effect is that the stepper motor can achieve specific angle and speed control, and has a better driving effect for short-distance frequent actions. The controller can simultaneously control the operation of multiple pumps and the conduction and closure of valves in one communication interface through a specific communication protocol, thereby realizing the injection and discharge of buffers of multiple chips.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a post-circulation system is also included; the post-circulation system includes a waste liquid drainage port, a third microfluidic pump, a fourth microfluidic pump, a third flow divider and a second flow confluence; the outlet of the waste liquid drainage port is respectively connected to the inlet of the third microfluidic pump and the inlet of the fourth microfluidic pump, and the outlet of the third microfluidic pump and the outlet of the fourth microfluidic pump are both connected to the inlet of the second flow confluence; the outlet of the third flow divider is respectively connected to the inlet of the third microfluidic pump and the inlet of the fourth microfluidic pump. The technical effect is that the post-circulation system introduces a third flow divider that can input bleaching liquid, forming an independent cleaning system, which improves the efficiency and range of cleaning. Among them, the second flow confluence is used to discharge the cleaned bleaching liquid.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first flow splitter and the second flow splitter are both 5-way multi-way valves; the first flow combiner, the second flow combiner and the third flow splitter are all 9-way multi-way valves. The technical effect is that the structural design of the 5-way multi-way valve and the 9-way multi-way valve can correspond to four chips, input buffer solution into the four chips at the same time and transport it outward with equal flow rate and equal flow rate.

[0015] A multi-way valve microfluidic pump control system comprises a chip and the above-mentioned microfluidic pump control device; the chip is respectively connected to the bottom buffer port and the top buffer port, and is used to introduce buffer from the first diverter and the second diverter.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the chips is four, and the first flow divider and the second flow divider are both 5-way multi-way valves. The technical effect is that the combination of four chips and the 5-way multi-way valve maximizes the chip test efficiency while compressing the installation space of the equipment.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a storage pool is further included; the storage pool is located above the chip and is connected to the chip. The technical effect is that the storage pool is used to inject other test liquids on the chip to meet the test conditions.

[0018] A multi-way valve microfluidic pump control system comprises a chip and the above-mentioned microfluidic pump control device; the chip is respectively connected to the bottom buffer port and the top buffer port, and is used to introduce buffer from the first diverter and the second diverter; and also comprises a waste liquid discharge groove, which is arranged below the bottom buffer port, the top buffer port and the waste liquid drainage port, and is used to receive bleaching liquid.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a storage tank is further included; the storage tank is located above the chip and is connected to the chip. The technical effect is that, similar to the multi-way valve microfluidic pump control system implemented in the previous embodiment, the storage tank is used to inject other test liquids on the chip to meet the test conditions.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention are:

[0021] The microfluidic pump control device of the present invention utilizes a combination of a flow divider, a microfluidic pump and a flow combiner to control multiple buffer solutions to be injected into and discharged from the chip at specific flow rates and flow rates, and can also clean the microfluidic pump and its pipelines.

[0022] The multi-way valve microfluidic pump control system of the present invention can inject buffer into the chip, inject bleach from the bleach container and discharge waste liquid into the waste liquid bottle through multiple groups of microfluidic pump control devices and matched chips, which greatly improves the application range and automation degree of the multi-way valve microfluidic pump control system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments are briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a microfluidic pump control device provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a microfluidic pump control device provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2a A schematic diagram of a first flow direction control of a microfluidic pump control device provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2b A schematic diagram of a second flow direction control of a microfluidic pump control device provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2c A schematic diagram of a third flow direction control of the microfluidic pump control device provided in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2d A schematic diagram of a fourth flow direction control of the microfluidic pump control device provided in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2e A schematic diagram of a fifth flow direction control of the microfluidic pump control device provided in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 A second structural schematic diagram of the microfluidic pump control device provided in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-way valve micro-fluidic pump control system provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-way valve micro-fluidic pump control system provided in Example 4 of the present invention.

[0034] In the figure: 1-first diverter; 2-second diverter; 3-first confluence; 4-first microfluidic pump; 5-second microfluidic pump; 6-bottom buffer port; 7-top buffer port; 8-waste liquid drainage port; 9-third microfluidic pump; 10-fourth microfluidic pump; 11-third diverter; 12-second confluence; 13-storage tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0036] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or the positions or positional relationships in which the product of the invention is usually placed when in use. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific position, be constructed and operated in a specific position, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used to distinguish the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0039] In addition, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "overhanging" and the like do not mean that the components are required to be absolutely horizontal or overhanging, but can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0040] In the description of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "install", "connect", and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0041] Some embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0042] First embodiment:

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a microfluidic pump control device provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 1 The present embodiment provides a microfluidic pump control device, which includes a first diverter 1, a second diverter 2, a first flow collector 3, a first microfluidic pump 4, a second microfluidic pump 5, a bottom buffer port 6 and a top buffer port 7; the outlet of the first diverter 1 is connected to the inlet of the first microfluidic pump 4, and the outlet of the first microfluidic pump 4 is respectively connected to an inlet of the first flow collector 3 and the bottom buffer port 6; the outlet of the second diverter 2 is connected to the inlet of the second microfluidic pump 5, and the outlet of the second microfluidic pump 5 is respectively connected to another inlet of the first flow collector 3 and the top buffer port 7.

[0045] Furthermore, if Figure 1 As shown, the first microfluidic pump 4 and the second microfluidic pump 5 are both piston syringes.

[0046] Furthermore, if Figure 1 As shown, it also includes a controller and a stepper motor; the controller is electrically connected to the first micro-fluidic pump 4 and the second micro-fluidic pump 5 through two stepper motors respectively.

[0047] The working principle of the microfluidic pump control device is: through the driving action of the first microfluidic pump 4 and the second microfluidic pump 5, the buffer flows from the first diverter 1 and the second diverter 2 to the bottom buffer port 6 and the top buffer port 7 respectively, so as to achieve the purpose of injecting at least two buffers into the chip.

[0048] Optionally, three or even more microfluidic pumps may be used to form an injection of more than two buffer solutions.

[0049] Among them, the above-mentioned microfluidic pump is a common commercial standard part on the market. Two stepper motors are set inside the microfluidic pump module to control the rotation of the four-way valve and the up and down movement of the piston syringe respectively. The function of the four-way valve is that when the valve is rotated to 0°, 90° and 270°, the active end will form a passage with the end connected to the bottom piston syringe, and the liquid can pass through unimpeded. The microfluidic pump itself can be equipped with a 485 communication protocol, and can control multiple pumps simultaneously through a controller in one communication interface.

[0050] In addition, the above-mentioned flow divider can adopt a multi-way valve. A multi-way valve is a connector used for multi-channel complex pipeline combinations. It is a fixture that brings together multiple fluid channels. There are at least two channels that are connected separately on the multi-way valve. The fluids in the pipelines connected by the hose and the pipe joint are collected and distributed by the multi-way valve, and then connected to other equipment or fluid storage. In this way, the centralized collection and distribution of fluids are realized, and the space occupied is saved.

[0051] Based on the structure and function of the multi-way valve, it will assume the function of simplification in the design of complex pipelines. At the same time, there is no need to worry about the uneven flow rate or flow distribution of the fluid in the multi-way valve or other pipelines, because each pump works independently, the pump piston will be the only power source, and the pipeline connected to the inactive pump will not interfere with the fluid in other pipelines due to the existence of pressure. For this reason, the multi-way valve in this control system has the following two functions: 1. One inlet and multiple outlets for diversion, 2. Multiple inlets and one outlet for confluence.

[0052] The microfluidic control pump system using multi-way valves can meet the needs of up to 4 channel chips for the same experimental research at the same time. The multi-way valves are used to connect each channel, which simplifies the distribution of the pipelines, providing reliable guarantees for the synchronization of the experiments and the fixation of the same variables. Every 4 new pumps will replace the previous syringe pumps to complete the actions of injection and extraction, and can also control their own valves to transport the fluid in the syringe to the specified container, or extract the fluid from the specified container and store it in its own syringe.

[0053] In the above-mentioned microfluidic pump control device, the buffer solution is injected into the chip by the first diverter 1 and the second diverter 2 through the microfluidic pump, and the bleaching solution also flows from the first diverter 1 and the second diverter 2 through the microfluidic pump and enters the first confluence 3 for collection.

[0054] Second embodiment:

[0055] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a microfluidic pump control device provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 2a A schematic diagram of a first flow direction control of a microfluidic pump control device provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 2b A schematic diagram of a second flow direction control of a microfluidic pump control device provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 2c A schematic diagram of a third flow direction control of the microfluidic pump control device provided in the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2d A schematic diagram of a fourth flow direction control of the microfluidic pump control device provided in the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2e A schematic diagram of a fifth flow direction control of the microfluidic pump control device provided in the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3This is a second structural schematic diagram of the microfluidic pump control device provided in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 This embodiment provides a microfluidic pump control device, which is substantially the same as the microfluidic pump control device of the first embodiment. The difference between the two is that the microfluidic pump control device of this embodiment also includes a rear circulation system; the rear circulation system includes a waste liquid drainage port 8, a third microfluidic pump 9, a fourth microfluidic pump 10, a third diverter 11 and a second confluence 12.

[0057] The outlet of the waste liquid drainage port 8 is connected to the inlet of the third microfluidic pump 9 and the inlet of the fourth microfluidic pump 10 respectively, and the outlet of the third microfluidic pump 9 and the outlet of the fourth microfluidic pump 10 are both connected to the inlet of the second flow combiner 12; the outlet of the third diverter 11 is connected to the inlet of the third microfluidic pump 9 and the inlet of the fourth microfluidic pump 10 respectively.

[0058] Among them, the first diverter 1 and the second diverter 2 are both 5-way multi-way valves; the first confluence 3, the second confluence 12 and the third diverter 11 are all 9-way multi-way valves. At this time, the combination of the above two 5-way multi-way valves and three 9-way multi-way valves can make the flow rate and flow rate of medium injection and discharge equal, and correspond to the experiment of four chips. Then, at the diverter end, the four outlets of the first diverter 1 simultaneously output four streams of the first buffer solution to the chip, and the four outlets of the second diverter 2 simultaneously output four streams of the second buffer solution to the chip. At the confluence end, the confluence collection is achieved through the eight inlets of the first confluence 3 or the eight inlets of the second confluence 12.

[0059] The microfluidic pump control device of this embodiment has the following working process:

[0060] 1. Buffer injection: The first buffer and the second buffer are driven by the first microfluidic pump 4 and the second microfluidic pump 5 respectively to enter the chip from the first splitter 1 and the second splitter 2. Figure 2a shown.

[0061] 2. Buffer discharge: The waste liquid drainage port 8 collects the buffer after the chip is used, and is driven by the third microfluidic pump 9 and the fourth microfluidic pump 10 to discharge to the second flow concentrator 12. Figure 2b shown.

[0062] 3. Injection of bleaching liquid: Not only can the bleaching liquid be injected through the first diverter 1 and the second diverter 2 to clean the first microfluidic pump 4, the second microfluidic pump 5, the bottom buffer port 6 and the top buffer port 7 (the flow direction is the same as the above-mentioned buffer injection); the bleaching liquid can also be introduced from the third diverter 11 to clean the third microfluidic pump 9, the fourth microfluidic pump 10 and the waste liquid drainage port 8, such as Figure 2c shown.

[0063] 4. Bleach liquid discharge:

[0064] (1) The bleaching liquid is injected from the first flow divider 1 and the second flow divider 2. A portion of the bleaching liquid cleans the first micro flow pump 4 and the second micro flow pump 5 and then flows to the first flow combiner 3 and is discharged outwardly. Another portion of the bleaching liquid cleans the first micro flow pump 4 and the second micro flow pump 5 and then flows to the bottom buffer port 6 and the top buffer port 7 and is discharged outwardly. Figure 2d shown.

[0065] (2) The bleaching liquid is injected from the third flow divider 11, a part of the bleaching liquid is used to clean the third microfluidic pump 9 and the fourth microfluidic pump 10, and then flows to the second flow combiner 12 and is discharged outwardly, and another part of the bleaching liquid is used to clean the third microfluidic pump 9 and the fourth microfluidic pump 10, and then flows to the waste liquid drainage port 8 and is discharged outwardly, as shown in FIG. Figure 2e shown.

[0066] Third embodiment:

[0067] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-valve micro-fluidic pump control system provided in Example 3 of the present invention.

[0068] Please refer to Figure 4 This embodiment provides a multi-way valve microfluidic pump control system, which includes a chip and the above-mentioned microfluidic pump control device; the chip is connected to the bottom buffer port 6 and the top buffer port 7 respectively, for introducing buffer solution from the first diverter 1 and the second diverter 2.

[0069] For further information, please refer to Figure 4 , and also includes a storage tank 13; the storage tank 13 is located above the chip and is connected to the chip.

[0070] The storage tank 13 is used to directly inject other test liquids onto the chip to meet the test condition requirements.

[0071] Furthermore, the number of chips can be set to four, and the first diverter 1 and the second diverter 2 are both 5-way multi-way valves.

[0072] Fourth embodiment:

[0073] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-way valve micro-fluidic pump control system provided by the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 The present embodiment provides a multi-way valve microfluidic pump control system, which includes a chip and the above-mentioned microfluidic pump control device; the chip is connected to the bottom buffer port 6 and the top buffer port 7 respectively, and is used to introduce the buffer solution from the first diverter 1 and the second diverter 2; and also includes a waste liquid discharge groove, which is arranged below the bottom buffer port 6, the top buffer port 7 and the waste liquid drainage port 8, and is used to receive the bleaching solution.

[0074] For further information, please refer to Figure 5 , and also includes a storage tank 13; the storage tank 13 is located above the chip and is connected to the chip.

[0075] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A microfluidic pump control device, characterized in that: It includes a first flow divider, a second flow divider, a first flow confluence, a first microfluidic pump, a second microfluidic pump, a bottom buffer port and a top buffer port; The outlet of the first flow divider is communicated with the inlet of the first microfluidic pump, and the outlet of the first microfluidic pump is communicated with an inlet of the first flow combiner and the bottom buffer port respectively; The outlet of the second flow divider is communicated with the inlet of the second microfluidic pump, and the outlet of the second microfluidic pump is communicated with another inlet of the first flow combiner and the top buffer port respectively.

2. The microfluidic pump control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first microfluidic pump and the second microfluidic pump are both piston syringes.

3. The microfluidic pump control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a controller and a stepper motor; the controller is electrically connected to the first microfluidic pump and the second microfluidic pump through the two stepper motors.

4. The microfluidic pump control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a rear circulation system; the rear circulation system includes a waste liquid drainage port, a third microfluidic pump, a fourth microfluidic pump, a third flow divider and a second flow concentrator; The outlet of the waste liquid drainage port is respectively connected to the inlet of the third microfluidic pump and the inlet of the fourth microfluidic pump, and the outlet of the third microfluidic pump and the outlet of the fourth microfluidic pump are both connected to the inlet of the second flow combiner; The outlet of the third flow divider is connected to the inlet of the third microfluidic pump and the inlet of the fourth microfluidic pump respectively.

5. The microfluidic pump control device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first flow divider and the second flow divider are both 5-way multi-way valves; the first flow combiner, the second flow combiner and the third flow divider are all 9-way multi-way valves.

6. A multi-way valve micro-fluidic pump control system, characterized in that: A microfluidic pump control device comprising a chip and any one of claims 1 to 3; The chip is communicated with the bottom buffer port and the top buffer port respectively, and is used for introducing the buffer from the first splitter and the second splitter.

7. The multi-way valve micro-fluidic pump control system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The number of the chips is four, and the first flow divider and the second flow divider are both 5-way multi-way valves.

8. The multi-way valve micro-fluidic pump control system according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a storage tank; the storage tank is located above the chip and is connected to the chip.

9. A multi-way valve micro-fluidic pump control system, characterized in that: Comprising a chip and a microfluidic pump control device as claimed in claim 4 or 5; The chip is respectively connected to the bottom buffer port and the top buffer port for introducing buffer from the first splitter and the second splitter; It also includes a waste liquid discharge trough, which is arranged below the bottom buffer port, the top buffer port and the waste liquid drainage port and is used to receive the bleaching liquid.

10. The multi-way valve micro-fluidic pump control system according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes a storage tank; the storage tank is located above the chip and is in communication with the chip.

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