A driving and liquid adding device for a microfluidic chip

Abstract

The present invention discloses a driving and liquid adding device for a microfluidic chip, which comprises: a chip tray for loading the microfluidic chip; a reagent injection mechanism for injecting a reagent pre-stored in the microfluidic chip into a detection area of the microfluidic chip; and a driving mechanism for moving the microfluidic chip on the chip tray relative to the reagent injection mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism is connected to the chip tray; wherein the chip tray has a reagent injection position for the reagent injection mechanism to insert into the microfluidic chip to push the reagent. The present invention can automatically add reagents and is convenient to operate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of medical devices and relates to a driving and liquid adding device for a microfluidic chip. Background Art

[0002] Microfluidic chip systems have attracted increasing attention in the fields of chemical engineering, energy, environment, and medicine. Microfluidic chips can achieve functions such as microanalysis, mixing, or separation through the manipulation of flowing substances. For example, phage chips can be used to detect bacteria in biological samples, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. When detecting through a microfluidic chip, a series of processes are often required, such as adding various reagents (such as buffer solutions, luminescent reaction solutions, etc.). Currently, most of these processes are carried out manually, which is cumbersome and inconvenient, with low efficiency and low automation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Aiming at the above technical problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a driving and liquid adding device for a microfluidic chip, which can automatically add reagents and is convenient to operate.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0005] A driving and liquid adding device for a microfluidic chip, comprising:

[0006] A chip tray for loading a microfluidic chip;

[0007] A reagent injection mechanism for injecting a reagent pre-stored in the microfluidic chip into the detection area of the microfluidic chip; and

[0008] A driving mechanism for moving the microfluidic chip on the chip tray relative to the reagent injection mechanism, the driving mechanism being connected to the chip tray;

[0009] Wherein, the chip tray has a reagent injection position for the reagent injection mechanism to insert into the microfluidic chip to push the reagent.

[0010] Further, an installation groove for the microfluidic chip to be snapped into is provided on the chip tray.

[0011] Further, the chip tray is slidably arranged on a guide rail.

[0012] Further, the reagent injection mechanism includes one or more push rods capable of inserting into the microfluidic chip.

[0013] In a specific embodiment, the reagent injection mechanism includes a movable first push rod and a fixedly arranged second push rod.

[0014] Preferably, the reagent injection mechanism further includes a mounting plate, the first push rod is movably arranged on the mounting plate, and the second push rod is fixedly arranged on the mounting plate.

[0015] More preferably, a push rod seat is fixedly arranged on the mounting plate, the first push rod is movably inserted through the mounting plate along its length direction, and one end of the first push rod is movably inserted into the push rod seat, and an elastic member is arranged between the one end of the first push rod and the push rod seat.

[0016] Further preferably, the elastic member is a compression spring disposed between the one end of the first push rod and the push rod seat.

[0017] Further preferably, the length of the first push rod that can be inserted into the microfluidic chip is greater than the length of the second push rod that can be inserted into the microfluidic chip.

[0018] Furthermore, the chip tray has a first reagent injection position corresponding to the first push rod and a second reagent injection position corresponding to the second push rod.

[0019] Furthermore, the driving mechanism includes a motor, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the chip tray.

[0020] The present invention adopts the above scheme and has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0021] For the driving and liquid adding device for a microfluidic chip of the present invention, during the process of the chip tray carrying the microfluidic chip moving, the reagent is automatically injected into the detection area through the reagent injection mechanism, and only by controlling the movement of the chip tray can the reagent be added, which is convenient to operate. Description of the Drawings

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, the drawings required for the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and for those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic external view of a chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer adopting the driving and liquid adding device of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 、 3 are respectively schematic views of the driving and liquid adding device;

[0025] Figures 4a to 4f shows the moving process of the microfluidic chip.

[0026] Among them,

[0027] 1. Chip tray; 10. Installation groove; 11. Front limit block; 12. Rear limit block;

[0028] 2. Reagent injection mechanism; 21. First push rod; 22. Second push rod; 23. Installation plate; 24. Push rod seat; 25. Elastic member;

[0029] 3. Driving mechanism; 31. Linear motor;

[0030] 4. Fluorescence detection device; 41. Photomultiplier tube; 411. Detection port; 42. Counting device;

[0031] 5. Outer shell; 51. Window; 52. Linear guide rail; 53. Control board; 54. Power supply module; 55. Switch;

[0032] 6. Microfluidic chip; 61. Detection area; 62. Quality control port; 63. First plunger; 64. Second plunger. Detailed implementation mode

[0033] The following will elaborate on the preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, so that the advantages and features of the present invention can be more easily understood by those skilled in the art. It should be noted here that the description of these embodiments is for helping to understand the present invention, but does not constitute a limitation to the present invention.

[0034] As shown in this specification and the claims, the terms "comprising" and "including" only indicate the inclusion of the clearly identified steps and elements, and these steps and elements do not constitute an exclusive list. The method or device may also include other steps or elements. The term "and / or" used herein includes any combination of one or more of the related listed items.

[0035] It should be noted that unless otherwise specified, when a feature is referred to as "fixed" or "connected" to another feature, it can be directly fixed or connected to the other feature, or indirectly fixed or connected to the other feature. In addition, the up, down, left, right, etc. descriptions used in the present invention are only relative to the mutual positional relationship of the components of the present invention in the accompanying drawings.

[0036] This embodiment provides a driving and liquid adding device for a microfluidic chip, which can be used in a chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer to realize the movement of the microfluidic chip and the addition of reagents. Refer to Figure 1 As shown, the chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer has an outer shell 5, and the driving and liquid adding device is arranged inside the outer shell 5. A window 51 is opened on the outer shell 5, and the window 51 is used for loading and unloading the microfluidic chip 6. Combine Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the driving and liquid adding device includes a chip tray 1, a reagent injection mechanism 2, and a driving mechanism 3 disposed in a housing 5. A window 51 on the housing 5 is disposed opposite to the chip tray 1, and the microfluidic chip 6 enters and exits through the window 51 on the housing 5. The chip tray 1 is used for loading the microfluidic chip 6. The reagent injection mechanism 2 is used for injecting a reagent into a detection area of the microfluidic chip 6. The driving mechanism 3 is used for moving the microfluidic chip 6 on the chip tray 1 relative to the reagent injection mechanism 2. The driving mechanism 3 is connected to the chip tray 1 to drive the chip tray 1 to move. The chip tray 1 has a reagent injection position (such as Figure 4c and Figure 4d shown). When the chip tray 1 is in the reagent injection position, the reagent injection mechanism 2 is inserted into the microfluidic chip 6. As the chip tray 1 continues to move, the reagent injection mechanism 2 moves relative to the microfluidic chip 6 to push the reagent to inject the reagent into the detection area of the microfluidic chip 6.

[0037] The driving and liquid adding device can also move the microfluidic chip 6 under the fluorescence detection device 4 to perform fluorescence detection. The fluorescence detection device 4 is used for detecting the fluorescence intensity of a sample in the microfluidic chip 6. The fluorescence detection device 4 has a detection port for allowing fluorescence to enter. The chip tray 1 has a detection position (such as Figure 4e shown). When the chip tray 1 is in the detection position, the chip tray 1 is located under the fluorescence detection device 4, and the detection area of the microfluidic chip 6 loaded on the chip tray 1 can be opposite to the detection port of the fluorescence detection device 4, so that the fluorescence in the detection area can enter the fluorescence detection device 4 through the detection port.

[0038] Such as Figure 4aAs shown, the microfluidic chip 6 has a detection area 61 and a reagent storage area. A microchannel is provided between the detection area 61 and the reagent storage area. A plunger is provided in the reagent storage area. When the plunger is pushed by an external force, the reagent in the reagent storage area is extruded by the plunger and enters the detection area 61 through the above microchannel, so as to achieve incubation, reaction, etc. The detection area 61 is used for carrying out reactions and for detection after the reactions. Specifically, two isolated reagent storage areas are provided in the microfluidic chip 6. A movable first plunger 63 is provided in the first reagent storage area, and a movable second plunger 64 is provided in the second reagent storage area. In a specific application example, a phage buffer solution is pre-stored in the first reagent storage area, and a decanal solution is pre-stored in the second reagent storage area. This chemiluminescent immunoassay analyzer can detect bacteria (such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis) in biological samples. Both the first reagent storage area and the second reagent storage area are located at the rear side of the microfluidic chip 6. The detection area 61 is generally located in the middle of the microfluidic chip 6 and has a hole for fluorescence transmission. A quality control port 62 is also provided on the microfluidic chip 6. The quality control port 62 is located behind the detection area 61. The quality control port 62 can pre-store a phage solution, and a reaction solution is added to the quality control port 62 when using the microfluidic chip.

[0039] As Figure 3 shown, the chip tray 1 is slidably arranged on the guide rail. The guide rail is mainly composed of a pair of parallel linear guide rails 52. The linear guide rails 52 are fixedly arranged on the housing 5. The two sides of the chip tray 1 are respectively connected with the corresponding linear guide rails 52 in a sliding fit manner. An installation groove 10 for the microfluidic chip 6 to be snapped into is provided on the chip tray 1. The shape of the installation groove 10 in a top view is the same as that of the microfluidic chip 6. A front limit block 11 is provided at the front side of the chip tray 1, and a rear limit block 12 is provided at the rear side of the chip tray 1. The height of the front limit block 11 is less than that of the rear limit block 12, so as to facilitate the microfluidic chip 6 to enter and exit the installation groove 10. The number of the front limit blocks 11 is two and they are arranged at intervals, so as to facilitate being clamped by a human hand or the like to load and unload the microfluidic chip 6; the number of the rear limit blocks 12 is two and they are arranged at intervals to provide a gap for allowing the reagent injection mechanism 2 to enter and exit the microfluidic chip 6 to push the plunger. In this article, the length direction of the linear guide rail 52 is defined as the front-rear direction, and the side of the chip tray 1 farther from the reagent injection mechanism 2 is defined as the front side, and the side of the chip tray 1 closer to the reagent injection mechanism 2 is defined as the rear side.

[0040] Combined Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the reagent injection mechanism 2 includes one or more push rods that can be inserted into the microfluidic chip 6. Further, after the push rod is inserted into the microfluidic chip 6, it cooperates with the plunger therein. As the chip tray 1 drives the microfluidic chip 6 to move, the plunger will be blocked by the push rod and the reagent in front of the plunger will be squeezed into the detection area 61 of the microfluidic chip 6. The number of push rods is the same as the number of plungers. Therefore, the reagent injection mechanism 2 includes a first push rod 21 corresponding to the first plunger 63 and a second push rod 22 corresponding to the second plunger 64. As the microfluidic chip 6 moves backward, the first plunger 63 abuts against the first push rod 21 and thus is subject to the resistance of the first push rod 21. When this resistance is greater than the frictional force of the first plunger 63 in the microfluidic chip 6, the first plunger 63 moves forward relative to the microfluidic chip 6 to squeeze the reagent in the first reagent storage area into the detection area 61; similarly, the second plunger 64 can squeeze the reagent in the second reagent storage area into the detection area 61.

[0041] Further, the first push rod 21 and the second push rod 22 do not move synchronously. When the first push rod 21 pushes the first plunger 63, the second push rod 22 has not yet contacted the second plunger 64; after the reagent in the first reagent storage area is squeezed into the detection area 61, it needs to react for a period of time (such as incubating for 15 min after squeezing in the phage buffer solution), and then the second push rod 22 squeezes the reagent in the second reagent storage area into the detection area 61. At this time, the first push rod 21 can move backward with the microfluidic chip 6 so that the second push rod 22 can contact the second plunger 64. Specifically, both the first push rod 21 and the second push rod 22 are arranged on the mounting plate 23, and the mounting plate 23 is fixedly arranged on the housing 5. Among them, the first push rod 21 is movably arranged on the mounting plate 23, and the second push rod 22 is fixedly arranged on the mounting plate 23. A push rod seat 24 is fixedly arranged on the mounting plate 23. The first push rod 21 and the second push rod 22 are parallel to each other and both extend in the front-rear direction. The first push rod 21 is movably inserted through the mounting plate 23 along its length direction (i.e., the front-rear direction), and one end of the first push rod 21 is movably inserted into the push rod seat 24. An elastic member 25 is arranged between one end (i.e., the rear end) of the first push rod 21 and the push rod seat 24. The elastic member 25 is specifically a compression spring that abuts between one end of the first push rod 21 and the push rod seat 24. The length of the first push rod 21 that can be inserted into the microfluidic chip 6 is greater than the length of the second push rod 22 that can be inserted into the microfluidic chip 6, so that the first push rod 21 contacts the first plunger 63 first. After the reagent in the first reagent storage area is squeezed in, the second push rod 22 contacts the second plunger 64 to inject the reagent pre-stored in the second reagent storage area. Correspondingly, the chip tray 1 has a first reagent injection position (such as Figure 4c shown) corresponding to the first push rod 21 and a second reagent injection position (such as Figure 4d shown) corresponding to the second push rod 22. The second reagent injection position is located between the first reagent injection position and the detection position (such asFigure 4e between those shown

[0042] Combined with Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the driving mechanism 3 includes a motor, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the chip tray 1. Specifically, a linear motor 31 is adopted for the motor, the linear motor 31 is installed on the housing 5, and the output shaft of the linear motor 31 is connected to the chip tray 1 through a connecting member. As the linear motor 31 operates, the chip tray 1 moves along the front-back direction accordingly.

[0043] As Figure 2 shown, the fluorescence detection device 4 includes a photomultiplier tube 41 and a counting device 42. The photomultiplier tube 41 (abbreviation: PMT) converts the fluorescence signal incident from the detection port into an electrical signal, and the counting device 42 is electrically connected to the photomultiplier tube 41 to obtain the quantity of the target object to be detected (such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis) according to the electrical signal output by the photomultiplier tube 41. The above-mentioned detection port specifically refers to the detection port of the photomultiplier tube 41, which is used for the fluorescence to be provided inside the photomultiplier tube 41. In this embodiment, the photomultiplier tube 41 is arranged above the chip tray 1, and the counting device 42 is arranged beside the chip tray 1.

[0044] Combined with Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer further includes a control board 53, a power supply module 54, and a switch 55 for controlling the power supply module 54. The control board 53 is electrically connected to the above-mentioned linear motor 31 to send a control signal for controlling its start and stop to the linear motor 31 according to a set detection program. The control board 53 is also electrically connected to the above-mentioned counting device 42 to obtain the detection information obtained by the counting device 42 and display, output, etc. it. The power supply module 54 is used to supply power to the linear motor 31, the photomultiplier tube 41, the counting unit, the control board 53, etc. The power supply module 54 can be a power cord for connecting to an external power source such as the mains, or a battery (such as a rechargeable battery).

[0045] The process of the above-mentioned driving and liquid adding device driving the microfluidic chip to move is as follows:

[0046] 1. As Figure 4a shown, the chip tray 1 is located at the front side of the guide rail, and even part of it can be located outside the housing 5 through the window 51, and the microfluidic chip 6 is loaded on the chip tray 1;

[0047] 2. The linear motor 31 operates, and the chip tray 1 carries the microfluidic chip 6 and moves backward along the linear guide rail 52 until the quality control port 62 of the microfluidic chip 6 is directly opposite to the detection port 411 of the photomultiplier tube 41, as Figure 4b shown; and in this process, the front part of the first push rod 21 is inserted into the microfluidic chip 6, but the first plunger 63 has not been pushed;

[0048] 3. The linear motor 31 continues to operate, and the chip tray 1 carries the microfluidic chip 6 and continues to move backward along the linear guide rail 52. During the movement of the microfluidic chip 6, the first plunger 63 abuts against the first push rod 21 and is blocked, thereby squeezing the reagent (such as phage buffer solution) in the first reagent storage area into the detection area 61, as Figure 4c shown; the linear motor 31 stops operating, and the chip tray 1 remains Figure 4c at the first reagent injection position shown for a period of time for reactions, incubations, etc. For example, after squeezing in the phage buffer solution, incubate for 15 minutes;

[0049] 4. After the incubation is completed, the linear motor 31 continues to operate, and the chip tray 1 carries the microfluidic chip 6 and further moves backward along the linear guide rail 52. During the continuous movement of the microfluidic chip 6, the second push rod 22 inserts into the microfluidic chip 6 and abuts against the second plunger 64. The second plunger 64 is resisted by the second push rod 22 and squeezes the reagent (such as nonanal solution) in the second reagent storage area into the detection area 61, as Figure 4d shown at the second reagent injection position; during this process, the thrust applied by the first plunger 63 on the first push rod 21 increases and pushes the first push rod 21 to move backward together, and the elastic member 25 is squeezed and deformed;

[0050] 5. The linear motor 31 runs in reverse, and the chip tray 1 carries the microfluidic chip 6 and moves forward until the detection area 61 of the microfluidic chip 6 is directly opposite to the detection port 411 of the photomultiplier tube 41, as Figure 4e shown;

[0051] 6. After the detection is completed, the linear motor 31 continues to move in reverse, and the chip tray 1 carries the microfluidic chip 6 out of the window 51, and the microfluidic chip 6 is removed from the chip tray 1.

[0052] Among them, during the reverse operation of the linear motor 31, the thrust applied by the first plunger 63 on the first push rod 21 decreases until it disappears, and the restoring force of the elastic member 25 drives the first push rod 21 to reset for use in the next detection.

[0053] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and characteristics of the present invention, and are a preferred embodiment. The purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly, and it is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent transformation or modification made according to the principle of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A driving and liquid adding device for a microfluidic chip, characterized in that, comprising: a chip tray for loading the microfluidic chip; a reagent injection mechanism for injecting a reagent pre-stored in the microfluidic chip into a detection area of the microfluidic chip; and a driving mechanism for moving the microfluidic chip on the chip tray relative to the reagent injection mechanism, the driving mechanism being connected to the chip tray; wherein the chip tray has a reagent injection position for the reagent injection mechanism to insert into the microfluidic chip to push the reagent; the reagent injection mechanism includes a movable first push rod and a fixed second push rod; the reagent injection mechanism further includes a mounting plate, the first push rod is movably arranged on the mounting plate, and the second push rod is fixedly arranged on the mounting plate; the length of the first push rod that can be inserted into the microfluidic chip is greater than the length of the second push rod that can be inserted into the microfluidic chip; the chip tray has a first reagent injection position corresponding to the first push rod and a second reagent injection position corresponding to the second push rod.

2. The driving and liquid adding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the chip tray is slidably arranged on a guide rail.

3. The driving and liquid adding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: a push rod seat is fixedly arranged on the mounting plate, the first push rod is movably inserted through the mounting plate along its length direction, and one end of the first push rod is movably inserted into the push rod seat, and an elastic member is arranged between the one end of the first push rod and the push rod seat.

4. The driving and liquid adding device according to claim 3, characterized in that: the elastic member is a compression spring arranged between the one end of the first push rod and the push rod seat.

5. The driving and liquid adding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the driving mechanism includes a motor, and an output shaft of the motor is connected to the chip tray.

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