A multi-mode microfluidic device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-mode microfluidic device, including an oil phase injection mechanism, a water phase injection mechanism, a microfluidic chip, an ultraviolet light curing mechanism and an automated continuous production mechanism. The microfluidic chip has an aqueous phase channel and an oil phase channel inside, and the water outlet of the aqueous phase channel is inserted into the oil phase channel. The aqueous phase channel and the oil phase channel merge to form a mixed phase channel. The oil phase injection mechanism is connected to the oil inlet of the oil phase channel; the water phase injection mechanism is connected to the water inlet of the aqueous phase channel; the outlet of the mixed phase channel is connected to the ultraviolet light curing mechanism; the outlet of the ultraviolet light curing mechanism is connected to the product output passage, and the output product is loaded into an apparatus; the automated continuous production mechanism can automatically remove the apparatus containing the product and automatically add a new apparatus. The multi-mode microfluidic device realizes device integration, and the installed automated continuous production mechanism can realize large-scale automatic production, which is convenient to use.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Microfluidics is a micro-nanotechnology that uses the interaction between flow shear force and surface tension in micro-scale channels to cut or coordinate the movement of continuous fluids. The tiny fluids it manipulates can reach the nanoliter level. As a new technology developed in recent years, microfluidics has great technical advantages in the preparation of multiphase emulsions and microcapsules, and can be widely used in many fields such as biological monitoring, chemical synthesis, biomaterial encapsulation and material preparation.

[0003] Microfluidic technology has the characteristics of miniaturization and integration, and is considered to have great development potential and broad application prospects in polymer microemulsions and material coating. However, the current research on microfluidic devices is mainly focused on the structural design of microfluidic chips, while the research on the automation of microfluidic devices is almost blank. The patent with the announcement number CN207680583U discloses a microfluidic preparation device for polymer emulsions, including a controller, a stage, an oil phase injection device, an aqueous phase injection device and a microfluidic chip, but the microfluidic preparation device has a simple structure and separated components, and does not realize the integration of microfluidic devices and cannot meet mass production. The patent application with the publication number CN110743634A invented an integrated microfluidic device, which includes: a microfluidic chip, an oil phase injection device, an aqueous phase injection device, etc. The device realizes the integration of microfluidic components, but there are still problems such as a single method for preparing polymer microspheres, difficulty in collecting polymer microspheres and small batch production. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems in the prior art that the microfluidic device cannot be integrated and cannot meet the requirements of mass production, and to provide a multi-mode microfluidic device that is fully automatic, digital, quick to use, and can prepare microspheres with uniform size.

[0005] In order to achieve the purpose of the present invention, the present invention provides a multi-mode microfluidic device. The multi-mode microfluidic device comprises: an oil phase injection mechanism, a water phase injection mechanism, a microfluidic chip, an ultraviolet light curing mechanism and an automated continuous production mechanism.

[0006] The microfluidic chip has an aqueous phase channel and an oil phase channel inside, the water outlet of the aqueous phase channel is inserted into the oil phase channel, and the aqueous phase channel and the oil phase channel merge to form a mixed phase channel; the oil phase injection mechanism is connected to the oil inlet of the oil phase channel; the water phase injection mechanism is connected to the water inlet of the aqueous phase channel; the outlet of the mixed phase channel is connected to the ultraviolet light curing mechanism; the outlet of the ultraviolet light curing mechanism is connected to the product output passage, and the output product is loaded into the vessel; the automated continuous production mechanism can automatically remove the vessel containing the product and automatically add a new vessel.

[0007] The multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention integrates an oil phase injection mechanism, a water phase injection mechanism, a microfluidic chip, an ultraviolet light curing mechanism and an automated continuous production mechanism. The automated continuous production mechanism can realize large-scale automatic production and is easy to use.

[0008] As a further improvement of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention, the oil phase injection mechanism includes an oil phase syringe, an oil phase tube, an oil phase positioning block for controlling the movement of the piston core rod of the oil phase syringe, an oil phase replenishing tube and an oil phase container; the oil phase syringe is used to load the oil phase, and the output end of the oil phase syringe is connected to one end of an oil phase three-way valve; the second end of the oil phase three-way valve is connected to the oil phase replenishing tube, and the oil phase replenishing tube is connected to the oil phase container and has an automatic oil phase replenishing function; the third end of the oil phase three-way valve is connected to the oil phase tube, and the oil phase tube is connected to the oil inlet of the oil phase channel.

[0009] As a further improvement of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention, the water phase injection mechanism includes a water phase syringe, a water phase tube and a water phase positioning block; the water phase positioning block can drive the piston core rod of the water phase syringe to move; the water phase syringe is used to load the water phase target liquid, the output end of the water phase syringe is connected to one end of a water phase three-way valve, the second end of the water phase three-way valve is connected to the water phase tube, and the water phase tube is connected to the water inlet of the water phase channel.

[0010] As a further improvement of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention, the water phase injection mechanism also includes a water phase stirrer, the water phase injector contains a magnetic stirrer, and the water phase stirrer can drive the magnetic stirrer to move.

[0011] As a further improvement of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention, the multi-mode microfluidic device also includes a cleaning mechanism; the cleaning mechanism includes a clean water container, a peristaltic pump, an aqueous phase cleaning pipe, a waste liquid tray, a waste liquid pipe and a waste liquid barrel; the two ends of the aqueous phase cleaning pipe are respectively connected to the clean water container and the third end of the aqueous phase three-way valve; the peristaltic pump is installed on the path of the aqueous phase cleaning pipe; the product output passage can also be output to the waste liquid tray; an opening is provided at the bottom of the waste liquid tray, and the two ends of the waste liquid pipe are respectively connected to the opening and the waste liquid barrel.

[0012] As a further improvement of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention, the microfluidic chip includes a cylindrical cone capillary, a semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary, a cylindrical capillary, a water phase pipe joint and an oil phase pipe joint; the end of the cylindrical cone capillary is conical; one end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary is square and the other end is round; the end of the cylindrical cone capillary is inserted into the square end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary, and the round end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary is sealed and connected to the cylindrical capillary; the water phase pipe joint is One end of the joint is connected to the water inlet of the cylindrical cone head capillary, the water phase pipe joint and the interior of the cylindrical cone head capillary form the water phase channel, and the other end of the water phase pipe joint is the water inlet of the water phase channel; one end of the oil phase pipe joint is sealed and coated on the outer wall of the cylindrical cone head capillary and connected to the square end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary to form the oil phase channel, and the other end of the oil phase pipe joint is the oil inlet of the oil phase channel; the outlet of the cylindrical capillary is the outlet of the mixed phase channel.

[0013] As a further improvement of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention, the ultraviolet light curing mechanism includes a frame, an ultraviolet lamp board, an ultraviolet movable shaft, an intensity detector, an ultraviolet curing catheter and a motor; the ultraviolet movable shaft is fixedly connected to the motor, and the motor is fixed on the frame; the ultraviolet lamp board is placed in the frame and fixedly connected to a movable bracket passing through the frame, and the movable bracket is connected to the ultraviolet movable shaft through a ball device; the ultraviolet lamp installed on the ultraviolet lamp board faces the ultraviolet curing catheter, and the ultraviolet curing catheter is fixed in the frame; the intensity detector is fixed to the frame to detect the intensity of ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet curing catheter;

[0014] The outlet of the mixed phase channel is connected to one end of the ultraviolet curing conduit, and the other end of the ultraviolet curing conduit is connected to the product output passage.

[0015] As a further improvement of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention, the UV curing conduit is U-shaped, and two sides of the U-shape are located below the UV lamp panel.

[0016] As a further improvement of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention, the multi-mode microfluidic device comprises a machine table, and the oil phase injection mechanism, the water phase injection mechanism, the microfluidic chip, the ultraviolet light curing mechanism and the automated continuous production mechanism are all integrated on the machine table;

[0017] The automated continuous production mechanism comprises an empty tray box, a pusher, a receiving tray, a grabbing assembly, a turntable and a finished product tray; the empty tray box is fixed on the machine table, and multiple layers of watch glasses can be stacked inside; the receiving tray, turntable and finished product tray are all arranged on the machine table, and each can accommodate a watch glass; the pusher is installed outside the empty tray box, and has a push rod, which can push the watch glass at the bottom layer of the empty tray box, and the direction in which the push rod pushes the watch glass is toward the receiving tray; the end of the product output passage can be inserted into the watch glass in the turntable; the grabbing assembly comprises an empty tray clamp, a finished product clamp, a mobile drag chain and a fixed bracket; the fixed bracket is fixed on the machine table; one end of the mobile drag chain is fixed to the fixed bracket, and the other end is respectively connected to the empty tray clamp and the finished product clamp; the empty tray clamp can grab the watch glass in the receiving tray and put it into the turntable, and the finished product clamp can grab the watch glass containing the microsphere product in the turntable and put it into the finished product tray.

[0018] As a further improvement of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention, the automated continuous production mechanism also includes a chip driving assembly; the chip driving assembly includes a chip moving axis, a stretching screw and a chip positioning block fixed in sequence; the product output passage and the microfluidic chip are both fixed on the chip positioning block; the chip moving axis drives the chip positioning block to move through the stretching screw; the UV light curing mechanism is connected to the chip positioning block through a connecting rod and the movement states are synchronized.

[0019] As a further improvement of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention, the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention further includes a blockage alarm mechanism installed on the oil phase tube or the water phase tube. The blockage alarm mechanism includes a flow sensor and a pressure sensor. When the flow sensor senses that the flow in the pipeline is less than a set value, and the pressure sensor senses that the water pressure is greater than a set value, it indicates that the pipeline is blocked, and the blockage alarm mechanism alarms.

[0020] The present invention realizes an integrated microfluidic device, which is simple and fast to operate, has a high degree of automation, and has ultraviolet curing function, continuous production function, cleaning function and clogging alarm function, which can ensure the rapid and large-scale production of polymer microspheres and improve production efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the oil phase pipeline perspective of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the perspective of the water phase pipeline after the multi-mode microfluidic device is rotated 180 degrees;

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the multi-mode microfluidic device after rotating 90 degrees counterclockwise from the perspective of the automated continuous production mechanism;

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the microfluidic chip and UV curing mechanism;

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the microfluidic chip;

[0026] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the process of water phase and oil phase passing through the microfluidic chip and UV light solidification mechanism;

[0027] Figure 7 The overall appearance structure diagram of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 This is an optical microscope image of the photocured silk microspheres prepared in Example 1.

[0029] Reference numerals: 10, oil phase injection mechanism; 11, oil phase positioning block; 12, oil phase injector; 13, oil phase tube; 14, oil phase replenishing tube; 15, oil phase container; 20, water phase injection mechanism; 21, water phase injector; 22, water phase positioning block; 23, water phase agitator; 24, water phase tube; 25, second water phase injector; 26, second water phase positioning block; 27, second water phase tube; 30, automated continuous production mechanism; 31, empty tray box; 32. Pusher; 33. Pick-up tray; 34. Grabbing assembly; 341. Empty tray clamp; 342. Finished product clamp; 343. Moving drag chain; 344. Mounting bracket; 345. Surface plate moving axis; 346. Finished product tray moving axis; 35. Turntable; 36. Chip drive assembly; 361. Microfluidic chip; 3611. Cylindrical cone capillary; 3612. Semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary; 3613. Cylindrical capillary; 3614. Water phase channel; 3615, oil phase channel; 362, stretching screw; 363, chip positioning block; 364, metal output tube; 365, chip moving axis; 37, finished product tray; 40, UV curing mechanism; 41, UV origin switch; 42, UV lamp board; 43, UV moving axis; 44, intensity detector; 45, UV curing catheter; 46, motor; 47, butterfly screw; 48, UV intensity knob; 50, cleaning mechanism; 51, Clean water container; 52. Peristaltic pump; 53. Water phase cleaning pipeline; 54. Second water phase cleaning pipeline; 55. Waste liquid tray; 57. Waste liquid pipeline; 58. Waste liquid barrel; 60. Display screen; 70. Electric control box; 80. Light switch; 90. Sterilization UV lamp switch; 100. Water phase agitator knob; 110. Second water phase agitator knob; 120. Casters; 130. Power input port; 140. Main power switch; 150. Emergency stop switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] The present invention provides a multi-mode microfluidic device. Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the multi-mode microfluidic device includes: an oil phase injection mechanism 10, a water phase injection mechanism 20, a microfluidic chip 361, an ultraviolet light curing mechanism 40 and an automated continuous production mechanism 30.

[0032] like Figure 5 As shown, the microfluidic chip 361 has a water phase channel 3614 and an oil phase channel 3615 inside. The water outlet of the water phase channel 3614 is inserted into the oil phase channel 3615. The water phase channel 3614 and the oil phase channel 3615 merge to form a mixed phase channel. The oil phase injection mechanism 10 is connected to the oil inlet ( Figure 5 The water phase injection mechanism 20 is connected to the water inlet of the water phase channel 3614 ( Figure 5 The outlet of the mixed phase channel ( Figure 5 The right opening in the middle is connected to the UV curing mechanism 40. The outlet of the UV curing mechanism 40 is connected to the product output passage, and the output product is loaded into the utensil; the automated continuous production mechanism 30 can automatically remove the utensil containing the product and automatically add a new utensil.

[0033] The multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention integrates an oil phase injection mechanism 10, a water phase injection mechanism 20, a microfluidic chip 361, an ultraviolet light curing mechanism 40 and an automated continuous production mechanism 30, thereby realizing the integrated installation of various functional mechanisms. The automated continuous production mechanism 30 can realize large-scale automatic production and is easy to use.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 7As shown, the oil phase injection mechanism 10 includes an oil phase injector 12, an oil phase tube 13, an oil phase positioning block 11 for controlling the movement of the piston core rod of the oil phase injector 12, an oil phase replenishing tube 14 and an oil phase container 15. The oil phase injector 12 is used to load the oil phase, and the output end of the oil phase injector 12 is connected to one end of an oil phase three-way valve; the second end of the oil phase three-way valve is connected to the oil phase replenishing tube 14, and the oil phase replenishing tube 14 is connected to the oil phase container 15, with an automatic oil phase replenishing function. The third end of the oil phase three-way valve is connected to the oil phase tube 13, and the oil phase tube 13 is connected to the oil inlet of the oil phase channel 3615. During the production process, the oil phase positioning block 11 pushes the piston rod core of the oil phase injector 12, so that the oil phase enters the oil phase channel 3615 in the microfluidic chip 361 along the oil phase tube 13. In addition, a certain amount of emulsifier is added to the oil phase to ensure the interface stability of each phase in the preparation of polymer emulsion droplets. In this embodiment, the oil phase is the continuous phase and the water phase is the dispersed phase.

[0035] The water phase injection mechanism 20 includes a water phase injector 21, a water phase tube 24 and a water phase positioning block 22. The water phase positioning block 22 can drive the piston core rod of the water phase injector 21 to move. The water phase injector 21 is used to load the water phase target liquid. The output end of the water phase injector 21 is connected to one end of a water phase three-way valve, and the second end of the water phase three-way valve is connected to the water phase tube 24. The water phase tube 24 is connected to the water inlet of the water phase channel 3614. During the production process, the water phase positioning block 22 pushes the piston rod core of the water phase injector 21, so that the water phase enters the water phase channel 3614 in the microfluidic chip 361 along the water phase tube 24.

[0036] The water phase injection mechanism 20 further includes a water phase stirrer 23 . The water phase injector 21 contains a magnetic stirrer. The water phase stirrer 23 can drive the magnetic stirrer to move so as to stir the water phase in the water phase injector 21 .

[0037] The water phase injection mechanism 20 has two sets of pipelines. In addition to the above set of pipelines, the second set of pipelines includes a second water phase injector 25, a second water phase pipe 27 and a second water phase positioning block 26, which are connected in the same way as the previous set. The second water phase injector 25 may also contain a magnetic stirrer, which is driven to rotate by another water phase stirrer, and the second water phase pipe 27 is also connected to the water inlet of the water phase channel 3614. The two sets of pipelines of the water phase injection mechanism 20 can meet the preparation of multiphase polymer microemulsion droplets.

[0038] The aqueous phase may contain polymer monomers and a certain amount of photoinitiator. Figure 6 As shown, when preparing the photocurable polymer microspheres, the dispersed phase water phase forms water phase microspheres in the continuous phase oil phase. When the water phase microspheres and the continuous phase are irradiated by ultraviolet light, free radicals are generated, thereby initiating cross-linking and curing of the polymer monomers.

[0039] The multi-mode microfluidic device also includes a cleaning mechanism 50. The cleaning mechanism 50 includes a clean water container 51, a peristaltic pump 52, an aqueous phase cleaning pipeline 53, a waste liquid tray 55, a waste liquid pipeline 57 and a waste liquid bucket 58. The two ends of the aqueous phase cleaning pipeline 53 are respectively connected to the clean water container 51 and the third end of the aqueous phase three-way valve. The peristaltic pump 52 is installed on the path of the aqueous phase cleaning pipeline 53; the product output passage can also be output to the waste liquid tray 55. An opening is provided at the bottom of the waste liquid tray 55, and the two ends of the waste liquid pipeline 57 are respectively connected to the opening and the waste liquid bucket 58. The cleaning mechanism 50 is mainly used to clean the aqueous phase tube 24, the aqueous phase tube 27 and the aqueous phase channel 3614 and the oil phase channel 3615 in the microfluidic chip 361 after the operation is completed, to ensure that the inside of the microfluidic chip 361 is not blocked and can still be used later.

[0040] The cleaning mechanism 50 also has two sets of pipelines. In addition to the above set, the other set of pipelines includes a second water phase cleaning pipeline 54. The two ends of the second water phase cleaning pipeline 54 are respectively connected to the clean water container 51 and the tee connected to the output end of the second water phase syringe 25. A peristaltic pump can also be installed on the second water phase cleaning pipeline 54 to draw water from the clean water container 51 into the pipelines of the microfluidic chip 361 and the ultraviolet light curing mechanism 40 for cleaning.

[0041] The multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention can also be appropriately modified by replacing the water phase and the oil into the above-mentioned oil phase injection mechanism 10 and the water phase injection mechanism 20, so as to obtain oil phase microspheres with the water phase as the continuous phase and the oil phase as the dispersed phase.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, the microfluidic chip 361 includes a cylindrical cone capillary 3611, a semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary 3612, a cylindrical capillary 3613, and an aqueous phase pipe joint ( Figure 5 The left end upright piece) and the oil phase pipe joint ( Figure 5 The end of the cylindrical cone capillary 3611 is conical; one end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary 3612 is square and the other end is circular. The end of the cylindrical cone capillary 3611 is inserted into the square end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary 3612, and the circular end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary 3612 is sealed and connected to the cylindrical capillary 3613. The lower end of the water phase pipe joint is connected to the water inlet of the cylindrical cone capillary 3611, and the water phase pipe joint and the interior of the cylindrical cone capillary 3611 form the water phase channel 3614. The upper end of the water phase pipe joint is the water inlet of the water phase channel 3614 ( Figure 5The lower end of the oil phase pipe joint is sealed and wrapped around the outer wall of the middle and rear section of the cylindrical cone head capillary 3611 and connected to the square end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary 3612 to form the oil phase channel 3615. The gap between the outer square tube and the inner cylindrical cone head capillary 3611 allows the oil phase to pass through. The upper end of the oil phase pipe joint is the oil inlet of the oil phase channel 3615 ( Figure 5 The outlet of the cylindrical capillary 3613 is the outlet of the mixed phase channel.

[0043] The UV curing mechanism 40 is used to cure the aqueous polymer microemulsion formed by the microfluidic chip 361. Figure 4 As shown, the ultraviolet light curing mechanism 40 includes a frame, an ultraviolet origin switch 41, an ultraviolet lamp panel 42, an ultraviolet movable shaft 43, an intensity detector 44, an ultraviolet curing conduit 45, a motor 46 and a butterfly screw 47. The ultraviolet movable shaft 43 is fixedly connected to the motor 46, and the motor 46 is fixed on the frame; the ultraviolet lamp panel 42 is placed in the frame and fixedly connected to a movable bracket passing through the frame, and the movable bracket is connected to the ultraviolet movable shaft 43 through a ball device; the ultraviolet lamp installed on the ultraviolet lamp panel 42 faces the ultraviolet curing conduit 45, and the ultraviolet curing conduit 45 is fixed in the frame; the intensity detector 44 is fixed to the frame to detect the intensity of ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet curing conduit 45. Click the ultraviolet origin switch 41, and the ultraviolet lamp panel 42 moves to the initial position. The butterfly screw 47 is used to fix the frame.

[0044] The outlet of the mixed phase channel of the microfluidic chip 361 is connected to one end of the UV curing conduit 45, and the other end of the UV curing conduit 45 is connected to the product output passage. Figure 4 As shown, the product output passage is a section of metal output pipe 364.

[0045] The mixed liquid outputted from the microfluidic chip 361 enters the UV curing conduit 45, and the aqueous microspheres are cured under the irradiation of the UV lamp board 42 and outputted to the metal output tube 364. The height of the UV lamp board 42 relative to the UV curing conduit 45 can be adjusted by adjusting the opening of the motor 46 through the controller, that is, adjusting the intensity of the UV light reaching the conduit to cure the microspheres.

[0046] The UV curing conduit 45 is U-shaped, and the two sides of the U-shape are located below the UV lamp board 42. The length of the UV curing conduit 45 below the UV lamp board 42 can be adjusted to quickly adjust the illumination time of the polymer microemulsion droplets.

[0047] By adopting the above-mentioned UV curing scheme, the polymer microemulsion droplets formed by the microfluidic chip can be quickly cured, thereby realizing the preparation of polymer microspheres, and at the same time helping to improve the production efficiency of related products.

[0048] The cleaning mechanism 50 can also clean the UV curing conduit 45 and the metal output tube 364 .

[0049] The multi-mode microfluidic device comprises a machine table, on which the oil phase injection mechanism 10, the water phase injection mechanism 20, the microfluidic chip 361, the UV light curing mechanism 40 and the automated continuous production mechanism 30 are all integrated.

[0050] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the automated continuous production mechanism 30 includes an empty plate box 31, a pusher 32, a receiving plate 33, a grab assembly 34, a turntable 35 and a finished product plate 37. The empty plate box 31 is fixed on the machine table, and multiple layers of watch plates can be stacked inside; the receiving plate 33, the turntable 35 and the finished product plate 37 are all arranged on the machine table, and each can accommodate a watch plate; the pusher 32 is installed outside the empty plate box 31, and has a push rod, which can push the watch plates on the bottom layer of the empty plate box 31, and the push rod pushes the watch plates in the direction of the receiving plate 33; the end of the product output passage can be inserted into the watch plate in the turntable 35. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the grab assembly 34 includes an empty plate clamp 341, a finished product clamp 342, a moving drag chain 343, a fixed bracket 344, a watch glass moving shaft 345 and a finished product plate moving shaft 346. The fixed bracket 344 is fixed on the machine table; one end of the moving drag chain 343 is fixed to the fixed bracket 344, and the other end is respectively connected to the watch glass moving shaft 345 and the finished product plate moving shaft 346, the watch glass moving shaft 345 is fixedly connected to the empty plate clamp 341, and the finished product plate moving shaft 346 is fixedly connected to the finished product clamp 342. The lateral movement of the moving drag chain 343 and the vertical movement of the watch glass moving shaft 345 and the finished product plate moving shaft 346 enable the empty plate clamp 341 to grab the watch glass in the transfer tray 33 and put it into the turntable 35, and the finished product clamp 342 can grab the watch glass containing the microsphere product in the turntable 35 and put it into the finished product tray 37.

[0051] like Figure 4 and Figure 2As shown, the automated continuous production mechanism 30 also includes a chip drive assembly 36; the chip drive assembly 36 includes a chip moving shaft 365, a tension screw 362 and a chip positioning block 363 fixed in sequence. The product output passage is a section of metal output tube 364, and the metal output tube 364 and the microfluidic chip 361 are both fixed on the chip positioning block 363. The chip moving shaft 365 drives the chip positioning block 363 to move up and down through the tension screw 362; the ultraviolet light curing mechanism 40 is connected to the chip positioning block 363 through a connecting rod and the movement state is synchronized, specifically, the frame of the ultraviolet light curing mechanism 40 and the chip positioning block 363 are connected through a connecting rod.

[0052] The microfluidic chip 361 and the UV curing mechanism 40 can move downward synchronously, and the end of the metal output tube 364 can be inserted into the watch glass in the turntable 35. A certain amount of oil phase can be loaded into the watch glass, and the end of the metal output tube 364 is immersed below the oil phase page to discharge the product mixture. The turntable 35 can control the distribution trajectory of the polymer microemulsion droplets by rotating and moving back and forth in coordination with the chip driving component 36. In addition, the automated continuous production mechanism 30 can also design a multi-layer microsphere receiving function through a controller program, which can ensure that a large number of polymer microspheres are produced as much as possible in a single watch glass.

[0053] The multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention also includes a blockage alarm mechanism, which is installed on the oil phase tube or the water phase tube. The blockage alarm mechanism includes a flow sensor and a pressure sensor. When the flow sensor senses that the flow in the pipeline is less than a set value, and the pressure sensor senses that the water pressure is greater than a set value, it indicates that the pipeline is blocked, and the blockage alarm mechanism alarms.

[0054] like Figure 7 As shown, it is the overall appearance structure diagram of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention. The multi-mode microfluidic device as a whole also includes a shell, and the interior of the shell is divided into an upper and lower compartments by the machine table. The upper compartment is installed with the main parts of the oil phase injection mechanism 10, the water phase injection mechanism 20, the microfluidic chip 361, the ultraviolet light curing mechanism 40 and the automated continuous production mechanism 30, and the rest is installed in the lower compartment. Specifically, the oil phase container 15, the clean water container 51 and the waste liquid barrel 58 are installed in the lower compartment. In addition, the lower compartment is also installed with an electric control box 70, a lighting switch 80, an ultraviolet sterilization lamp switch 90, an aqueous phase agitator knob 100, a second aqueous phase agitator knob 110, an ultraviolet intensity knob 48, a power input port 130, a main power switch 140, and an emergency stop switch 150. Four casters 120 are installed on the outer bottom of the shell. A display screen 60 is also installed in the upper compartment.

[0055] The present invention realizes an integrated microfluidic device, which is simple and fast to operate, has a high degree of automation, and has ultraviolet curing function, continuous production function, cleaning function and clogging alarm function, which can ensure the rapid and large-scale production of polymer microspheres and improve production efficiency.

[0056] The operating steps of the multi-mode microfluidic device of the present invention are as follows.

[0057] The first step is the main operation interface of the controller display screen. Clicking the relevant buttons on the interface can realize the operation functions of the microfluidic device components; clicking "Return to Zero" and "Reset Status" in the interface to return the microfluidic device components to the initial state; then click "Drip Nozzle Position" to enter the setting interface, determine the working position of the microfluidic chip, enter the position coordinates, and click "Import" to complete the working positioning of the microfluidic chip; click "Common Parameters" to enter the setting interface, determine the parameters such as the water phase velocity, oil phase velocity and UV lamp status; click "Syringe Pump" to enter the setting interface, determine the parameters such as the water phase syringe, oil phase syringe and UV lamp position;

[0058] In the second step, after setting the basic microfluidic device parameters, click "Auto Run" to enter the setting interface, and click "Start Injection" to perform pre-injection (since there are two groups of water phase injection pipelines and cleaning pipelines, only one group of pipelines is used as an example below); at this time, the water phase positioning block 22 pushes the piston rod core of the water phase syringe 21, so that the water phase enters the water phase channel 3614 in the microfluidic chip 361 along the water phase tube 24, and the oil phase positioning block 11 pushes the piston rod core of the oil phase syringe 12, so that The oil phase enters the oil phase channel 3615 in the microfluidic chip 361 along the oil phase tube 13; the polymer microemulsion droplets gradually form in the microfluidic chip 361 and enter the UV curing conduit 45 of the UV module 40 through the cylindrical capillary 3613, and are discharged to the metal output tube 364. At this time, the metal output tube 364 is driven to be inserted into the waste liquid tray 51, and the mixed phase discharged from the metal output tube 364 enters the waste liquid tray 51, and finally enters the waste liquid barrel 58 through the waste liquid pipeline 57;

[0059] The third step is to finish the pre-injection of the microfluidic device and click "Start" to start the formal preparation of polymer microspheres. First, the push rod of the pusher 32 under the empty tray box 31 pushes the watch glass to the receiving tray 33, and then the empty tray clamp 341 grabs the watch glass to the turntable 35, and the turntable 35 moves forward to the lower end of the microfluidic chip 361. Then, the microfluidic chip 361 and the UV module 40 move downward synchronously, and the metal output tube 364 is inserted into the watch glass. The turntable 35 drives the watch glass to move to the rotating disk 35. The surface dish rotates and moves back and forth to evenly distribute the polymer microemulsion droplets in the surface dish; after the surface dish completes receiving the multi-layer microemulsion droplets, the turntable 35 retreats to its original position; then the push rod of the pusher 32 pushes the new surface dish to the receiving tray 33, the finished product clamp 342 grabs the surface dish loaded with the finished product to the finished product tray 37, and the empty tray clamp 341 grabs the new surface dish from the receiving tray 33 to the turntable 35; the cycle is repeated in sequence to realize the mass production of polymer microemulsion droplets;

[0060] In the fourth step, after completing the preparation of the polymer microemulsion droplets, click "Stop" to end the automated production program; then click "Start Cleaning" in the "Automatic Operation" interface, and clean water, under the action of the peristaltic pump 52, passes through the cleaning pipe 53 and the water phase pipe 24 into the water phase channel 3614 of the microfluidic chip 361 for cleaning; the cleaning waste liquid also passes through the waste liquid tray 51 and the waste liquid pipe 57 into the waste liquid barrel 58.

[0061] Example 1

[0062] Step 1: Use a silk solution containing a certain amount of photoinitiator as a dispersed phase, and add a certain amount of emulsifier to soybean oil as a continuous phase.

[0063] Step 2: The silk solution is introduced into the water phase channel of the microfluidic chip through the water phase injection device, and the oil phase containing the emulsifier is introduced into the oil phase channel of the microfluidic chip; the water phase flow rate can be set in the range of 100 to 1000uL / h, and the oil phase flow rate can be set in the range of 5 to 80mL; after the UV curing mechanism is set to the on state, the controller program is started, and the microfluidic device will automatically run to prepare polymer microspheres.

[0064] Step 3: The polymer microspheres collected in the pick-up box are centrifuged to remove the oil phase to obtain polymer microspheres. The final product is as follows: Figure 8 As shown, the product has regular shape and good quality.

[0065] The embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated in detail, but the invention should not be considered to be limited to these scopes. Many improvements and modifications can be made to the device without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-mode microfluidic device, characterized in that: The multi-mode microfluidic device comprises: an oil phase injection mechanism (10), a water phase injection mechanism (20), a microfluidic chip (361), an ultraviolet light curing mechanism (40) and an automated continuous production mechanism (30); The microfluidic chip (361) has a water phase channel (3614) and an oil phase channel (3615) inside, the water outlet of the water phase channel (3614) is inserted into the oil phase channel (3615), and the water phase channel (3614) and the oil phase channel (3615) are merged to form a mixed phase channel; the oil phase injection mechanism (10) is connected to the oil inlet of the oil phase channel (3615); the water phase injection mechanism (20) is connected to the water inlet of the water phase channel (3614); the outlet of the mixed phase channel is connected to the ultraviolet light curing mechanism (40); the outlet of the ultraviolet light curing mechanism (40) is connected to the product output passage, and the output product is loaded into the device; the automated continuous production mechanism ( 30) can automatically remove the device containing the product and automatically add a new device; the microfluidic chip (361) includes a cylindrical cone-shaped capillary (3611), a semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary (3612), a cylindrical capillary (3613), a water phase pipe joint and an oil phase pipe joint; the end of the cylindrical cone-shaped capillary (3611) is conical; one end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary (3612) is square and the other end is round; the end of the cylindrical cone-shaped capillary (3611) is inserted into the square end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary (3612), and the round end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary (3612) is sealed and connected to the cylindrical capillary (3613); the end of the water phase pipe joint is One end is connected to the water inlet of the cylindrical cone-shaped capillary (3611), and the water phase pipe joint and the interior of the cylindrical cone-shaped capillary (3611) form the water phase channel (3614), and the other end of the water phase pipe joint is the water inlet of the water phase channel (3614); one end of the oil phase pipe joint is sealed and coated on the outer wall of the cylindrical cone-shaped capillary (3611) and connected to the square end of the semi-square semi-cylindrical capillary (3612) to form the oil phase channel (3615), and the other end of the oil phase pipe joint is the oil inlet of the oil phase channel (3615); the outlet of the cylindrical capillary (3613) is the outlet of the mixed phase channel; the ultraviolet light curing mechanism (40) comprises a frame, An ultraviolet lamp panel (42), an ultraviolet movable shaft (43), an intensity detector (44), an ultraviolet curing conduit (45) and a motor (46); the ultraviolet movable shaft (43) is fixedly connected to the motor (46), and the motor (46) is fixed on a frame; the ultraviolet lamp panel (42) is arranged in the frame and is fixedly connected to a movable bracket passing through the frame, and the movable bracket is connected to the ultraviolet movable shaft (43) via a ball bearing device; the ultraviolet lamp installed on the ultraviolet lamp panel (42) faces the ultraviolet curing conduit (45), and the ultraviolet curing conduit (45) is fixed in the frame; the intensity detector (44) is fixed to the frame and detects the intensity of ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet curing conduit (45); The outlet of the mixed phase channel is connected to one end of the UV curing conduit (45), and the other end of the UV curing conduit (45) is connected to the product output passage; The automated continuous production mechanism (30) comprises an empty plate box (31), a pusher (32), a receiving plate (33), a gripping assembly (34), a turntable (35) and a finished product plate (37); the empty plate box (31) is fixed on the machine table, and multiple layers of watch plates can be stacked inside; the receiving plate (33), the turntable (35) and the finished product plate (37) are all arranged on the machine table, and each can accommodate a watch plate; the pusher (32) is installed outside the empty plate box (31), and has a push rod, which can push the watch plate at the bottom layer of the empty plate box (31), and the push rod pushes the watch plate in the direction toward the receiving plate (33); the end of the product output passage can be inserted into the watch plate in the turntable (35); the gripping assembly (34) comprises an empty plate clamp (341), a finished product clamp (342), a movable drag chain (343) and a fixed bracket (344); the fixed bracket (344) is fixed on the machine table; the movable drag chain (3 One end of the microfluidic chip (361) is fixed to a fixed bracket (344), and the other end is respectively connected to an empty plate clamp (341) and a finished product clamp (342); the empty plate clamp (341) can grab a surface dish in the transfer plate (33) and place it in the turntable (35), and the finished product clamp (342) can grab a surface dish containing a microsphere product in the turntable (35) and place it in the finished product plate (37); the automated continuous production mechanism (30) further comprises a chip drive assembly (36); the chip drive assembly (36) comprises a chip moving shaft (365), a tension screw (362) and a chip positioning block (363) which are fixed in sequence; the product output passage and the microfluidic chip (361) are both fixed on the chip positioning block (363); the chip moving shaft (365) drives the chip positioning block (363) to move via the tension screw (362); the ultraviolet light curing mechanism (40) is connected to the chip positioning block (363) via a connecting rod and the movement states are synchronized.

2. The multi-mode microfluidic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oil phase injection mechanism (10) comprises an oil phase injector (12), an oil phase tube (13), an oil phase positioning block (11) for controlling the movement of the piston core rod of the oil phase injector (12), an oil phase replenishing tube (14) and an oil phase container (15); the oil phase injector (12) is used to load the oil phase, the output end of the oil phase injector (12) is connected to one end of an oil phase three-way valve, the second end of the oil phase three-way valve is connected to the oil phase replenishing tube (14), the oil phase replenishing tube (14) is connected to the oil phase container (15), the third end of the oil phase three-way valve is connected to the oil phase tube (13), and the oil phase tube (13) is connected to the oil inlet of the oil phase channel (3615).

3. The multi-mode microfluidic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water phase injection mechanism (20) comprises a water phase injector (21), a water phase tube (24) and a water phase positioning block (22); the water phase positioning block (22) is capable of driving the piston core rod of the water phase injector (21) to move; the water phase injector (21) is used to load a water phase target liquid, the output end of the water phase injector (21) is connected to one end of a water phase three-way valve, the second end of the water phase three-way valve is connected to the water phase tube (24), and the water phase tube (24) is connected to the water inlet of the water phase channel (3614).

4. The multi-mode microfluidic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The water phase injection mechanism (20) further comprises a water phase stirrer (23). The water phase injector (21) contains a magnetic stirrer inside, and the water phase stirrer (23) is capable of driving the magnetic stirrer to move.

5. The multi-mode microfluidic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The multi-mode microfluidic device further comprises a cleaning mechanism (50); the cleaning mechanism (50) comprises a clean water container (51), a peristaltic pump (52), a water phase cleaning pipeline (53), a waste liquid tray (55), a waste liquid pipeline (57) and a waste liquid bucket (58); the two ends of the water phase cleaning pipeline (53) are respectively connected to the clean water container (51) and the third end of the water phase three-way valve; the peristaltic pump (52) is installed on the path of the water phase cleaning pipeline (53); the product output passage can also output to the waste liquid tray (55); the waste liquid tray (55) has an opening at the bottom, and the two ends of the waste liquid pipeline (57) are respectively connected to the opening and the waste liquid bucket (58).

6. The multi-mode microfluidic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultraviolet curing conduit (45) is U-shaped, and two sides of the U-shape are located below the ultraviolet lamp panel (42).

7. The multi-mode microfluidic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-mode microfluidic device comprises a machine table, on which the oil phase injection mechanism (10), the water phase injection mechanism (20), the microfluidic chip (361), the ultraviolet light curing mechanism (40) and the automated continuous production mechanism (30) are all integrated.

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