Microfluidic Chip Fixture and Microfluidic Experiment Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of microfluidic technology, and provides a microfluidic chip fixture and a microfluidic experimental device. The microfluidic chip fixture includes a base, an electrical connector, and a tray. The electrical connector is installed on the base. The electrical connector includes a socket and lead pins. The socket has a slot for inserting an electrode insertion portion of the microfluidic chip. The lead pins are electrically connected to the socket. The tray is used to carry the microfluidic chip. Since the lead pins are connected to wires and the electrode insertion portion of the microfluidic chip is inserted into the slot of the socket, and the lead pins are easier to identify compared to the electrode pads on the electrode insertion portion of the microfluidic chip and are more convenient to connect to wires, it can effectively simplify the operation process of electrically connecting the microfluidic chip to an external circuit and reduce the operation difficulty, thereby effectively improving the experimental efficiency. At the same time, it can effectively avoid damage to the microfluidic chip, thereby effectively reducing the experimental cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of microfluidics, and in particular provides a microfluidic chip fixture and a microfluidic experiment device. Background Art

[0002] Microfluidic technology is a technology that can precisely control and manipulate micro-scale fluids, integrating basic operation units such as sample preparation, reaction, separation, and detection in the processes of biological, chemical, and medical analysis onto a chip with a micron scale, and automatically completing the entire analysis process. Due to its great potential in the fields of biology, chemistry, medicine, etc., it has developed into a brand-new research field that intersects multiple disciplines such as biology, chemistry, medicine, fluid, electronics, materials, and machinery.

[0003] Electrical detection technology is an electrical sensing method for detecting and analyzing biological and chemical samples on a microfluidic chip. This detection technology integrates multiple electrode pads on the microfluidic chip through microfabrication, and can apply an excitation signal for detecting biological and chemical samples on the microfluidic chip and send a response signal to an external circuit.

[0004] In the application process of electrical detection technology, it is necessary to first electrically connect each electrode pad of the microfluidic chip to an external circuit. However, due to the small size of the electrode pads of the microfluidic chip fixture, the currently adopted electrical connection method is cumbersome and difficult to operate, easily causing damage to the microfluidic chip, resulting in a significant decrease in experimental efficiency and a significant increase in experimental costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a microfluidic chip fixture and a microfluidic experiment device, aiming to solve the technical problem that the electrical connection method between the microfluidic chip and the external circuit in the prior art is cumbersome and difficult to operate, resulting in a significant decrease in experimental efficiency and a significant increase in experimental costs.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted in the embodiment of the present invention is: a microfluidic chip fixture, comprising:

[0007] A base;

[0008] An electrical connector, installed on the base, the electrical connector includes a socket and lead pins, the socket has a slot for inserting the electrode insertion part of the microfluidic chip, and the lead pins are electrically connected to the socket;

[0009] A tray for carrying the microfluidic chip.

[0010] The microfluidic chip fixture provided by the embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: By installing an electrical connector on the base, before conducting an experiment, the lead pins are connected to the wires to achieve electrical connection between the electrical connector and the external circuit. The microfluidic chip is placed on the tray and the electrode insertion part of the microfluidic chip is inserted into the slot of the socket, thereby achieving electrical connection between the microfluidic chip and the electrical connector, that is, achieving electrical connection between the microfluidic chip and the external circuit. Since the lead pins are connected to the wires and the electrode insertion part of the microfluidic chip is inserted into the slot of the socket, and the lead pins are easier to identify compared to the electrode pads on the electrode insertion part of the microfluidic chip and are more convenient for connection with the wires, it can effectively simplify the operation process of electrical connection between the microfluidic chip and the external circuit and reduce the operation difficulty, thereby effectively improving the experimental efficiency. At the same time, it can effectively avoid damage to the microfluidic chip, thereby effectively reducing the experimental cost.

[0011] In one embodiment, the base has a disassembly and assembly channel, the notch of the slot is oppositely arranged with one port of the disassembly and assembly channel, and the tray is detachably inserted into the disassembly and assembly channel from the other port of the disassembly and assembly channel, so that the electrode insertion part can be inserted into the slot.

[0012] In one embodiment, the microfluidic chip fixture further includes a first roller and a second roller respectively rotatably mounted on the base. The first roller is arranged on one side of the disassembly and assembly channel, and the second roller is arranged on the other side of the disassembly and assembly channel. The roller surfaces of the first roller and the second roller are respectively used to abut against the tray.

[0013] In one embodiment, a first card slot is formed on the roller surface of the first roller, and a second card slot is formed on the roller surface of the second roller. One side edge of the tray is clamped into the first card slot and the other side edge is clamped into the second card slot.

[0014] In one embodiment, the base has an installation cavity, the microfluidic chip fixture further includes a cover plate, the electrical connector is placed in the installation cavity, and the cover plate is detachably connected to the base to close the installation cavity.

[0015] In one embodiment, exhaust holes are formed on the periphery of the cover plate, and the exhaust holes penetrate through the opposite two plate surfaces of the cover plate.

[0016] In one embodiment, a limiting hole is formed on the cover plate, and the lead pin passes through the limiting hole.

[0017] In one embodiment, the microfluidic chip fixture further includes a mounting seat, the mounting seat has a first accommodation groove, and the base is accommodated in the first accommodation groove.

[0018] In one embodiment, the microfluidic chip fixture further includes an adjusting member disposed between the groove wall of the first accommodating groove and the side of the base.

[0019] To achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a microfluidic experiment device, including a microfluidic chip and the microfluidic chip fixture according to any one or more of the above embodiments, and the microfluidic chip is placed on the tray of the microfluidic chip fixture.

[0020] Since the above microfluidic experiment device adopts all the embodiments of the above microfluidic chip fixture, it has at least all the beneficial effects of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0022] Figure 1 Structural schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip fixture provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 For Figure 1 Exploded view of the shown microfluidic chip fixture;

[0024] Figure 3 For Figure 1 Bottom structural schematic diagram of the shown microfluidic chip fixture;

[0025] Figure 4 For Figure 1 Structural schematic diagram of the cover plate in the shown microfluidic chip fixture.

[0026] Among them, each reference numeral in the figure:

[0027] 100, microfluidic chip fixture; 110, base; 111, disassembly and assembly channel; 112, first roller; 1121, first card slot; 113, second roller; 1131, second card slot; 114, installation cavity; 115, first rotating shaft; 116, second rotating shaft; 120, electrical connector; 121, socket; 1211, slot; 122, lead-out pin; 130, tray; 131, second accommodating groove; 140, cover plate; 141, exhaust hole; 142, limiting hole; 143, strip hole; 150, mounting seat; 151, first accommodating groove; 160, adjusting member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, where like or similar reference numerals denote like or similar elements or elements having like or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0030] In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first", "second", "third", "fourth" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0031] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral body; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0032] In the related art, during the application of the electrical detection technology, it is necessary to first electrically connect the electrode pads of the microfluidic chip to an external circuit. The connection methods mainly include the following several types:

[0033] The first connection method is to connect each electrode pad of the microfluidic chip to a plurality of wires one by one by welding.

[0034] The second connection method is to connect each electrode pad of the microfluidic chip to a plurality of wires one by one using a conductive adhesive.

[0035] The third connection method is to connect each electrode pad of the microfluidic chip to a plurality of wires one by one using a tape.

[0036] Using the first and second methods will make it impossible to replace the microfluidic chip individually; using the third connection method will result in poor connection stability between the metal electrodes of the microfluidic chip and the external circuit, leading to a significant decrease in experimental accuracy; and the above three connection methods all have the problems of cumbersome operation and high difficulty, and are likely to cause damage to the microfluidic chip, resulting in a significant decrease in experimental efficiency and a significant increase in experimental cost.

[0037] In view of this, a first aspect of the present invention provides a microfluidic chip fixture 100. Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the microfluidic chip fixture 100 includes a base 110, an electrical connector 120, and a tray 130. The electrical connector 120 is installed on the base 110. The electrical connector 120 includes a socket 121 and lead pins 122. The socket 121 has a slot 1211 for inserting the electrode insertion part of a microfluidic chip (not shown in the figure). The lead pins 122 are electrically connected to the socket 121. The tray 130 is provided with a second accommodation groove 131, and the microfluidic chip is placed in the second accommodation groove 131 to realize the loading of the microfluidic chip by the tray 130.

[0038] Specifically, the number of lead pins 122 is multiple. A plurality of conductive terminals (not shown in the figure) are provided in the slot 1211. Each lead pin 122 is connected to each conductive terminal in one-to-one correspondence to realize the electrical connection between the lead pins 122 and the socket 121. It can be understood that the connection operation between the lead pins 122 and the conductive terminals is completed during the production process of the electrical connector 120. After the electrode insertion part of the microfluidic chip is inserted into the slot 1211, each conductive terminal is in contact with each electrode pad on the electrode insertion part in one-to-one correspondence, so as to realize the electrical connection between the microfluidic chip and the electrical connector 120.

[0039] By installing the electrical connector 120 on the base 110, before the experiment, the lead pins 122 are connected to the wires to realize the electrical connection between the electrical connector 120 and the external circuit. The microfluidic chip is placed on the tray 130 and the electrode insertion part of the microfluidic chip is inserted into the slot 1211 of the socket 121, so as to realize the electrical connection between the microfluidic chip and the electrical connector 120, that is, the electrical connection between the microfluidic chip and the external circuit is realized. Since the lead pins 122 are connected to the wires and the electrode insertion part of the microfluidic chip is inserted into the slot 1211 of the socket 121, and the lead pins 122 are easier to identify than the electrode pads on the electrode insertion part of the microfluidic chip and are more convenient to connect to the wires, the operation process of the electrical connection between the microfluidic chip and the external circuit can be effectively simplified and the operation difficulty can be reduced, so as to effectively improve the experimental efficiency. At the same time, damage to the microfluidic chip can be effectively avoided, so as to effectively reduce the experimental cost.

[0040] In addition, by inserting the electrode insertion part of the microfluidic chip into the slot 1211, the microfluidic chip can be stably connected to the electrical connector 120, thereby effectively improving the experimental accuracy. Moreover, the electrical connection between the microfluidic chip and the electrical connector 120 is realized by means of plugging and unplugging, which facilitates the disassembly, assembly and replacement of the microfluidic chip, and can further improve the experimental efficiency.

[0041] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 As shown, the base 110 has a disassembly and assembly channel 111. The notch of the slot 1211 is oppositely arranged to one port of the disassembly and assembly channel 111. The tray 130 is detachably inserted into the disassembly and assembly channel 111 from the other port of the disassembly and assembly channel 111, so that the electrode insertion part can be inserted into the slot 1211.

[0042] When it is necessary to load the microfluidic chip, place the microfluidic chip in the second accommodation groove 131 of the tray 130, then push the tray 130 into the disassembly and assembly channel 111, and move the tray 130 along the extending direction of the disassembly and assembly channel 111 until the electrode insertion part of the microfluidic chip is inserted into the slot 1211 of the socket 121, that is, the loading operation of the microfluidic chip is completed; when it is necessary to unload the microfluidic chip, pull the tray 130 in the direction away from the electrical connector 120 to pull out the electrode insertion part of the microfluidic chip from the slot 1211, and then take out the tray 130 from the disassembly and assembly channel 111, that is, the unloading of the microfluidic chip is completed. It can be seen that the above-mentioned microfluidic chip fixture 100 can effectively simplify the disassembly and assembly operation of the microfluidic chip, and thus can further improve the experimental efficiency.

[0043] In the above embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the microfluidic chip fixture 100 further includes a first roller 112 and a second roller 113. The first roller 112 and the second roller 113 are respectively rotatably mounted on the base 110. The first roller 112 is arranged on one side of the disassembly and assembly channel 111, and the second roller 113 is arranged on the other side of the disassembly and assembly channel 111. The wheel surfaces of the first roller 112 and the second roller 113 are respectively used to abut against the tray 130.

[0044] Specifically, please refer to Figure 2 As shown, the base 110 is provided with a first rotating shaft 115 and a second rotating shaft 116. The first roller 112 is rotatably mounted on the first rotating shaft 115, and the second roller 113 is rotatably mounted on the second rotating shaft 116.

[0045] When the tray 130 moves within the disassembly and assembly channel 111, the opposite sides of the tray 130 are respectively abutted against the wheel surfaces of the first roller 112 and the second roller 113, which can effectively improve the smoothness of the movement of the tray 130, thus making it more convenient to disassemble and assemble the microfluidic chip and further improving the experimental efficiency.

[0046] In a specific example of this embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 As shown, a first card slot 1121 is formed on the wheel surface of the first roller 112, and a second card slot 1131 is formed on the wheel surface of the second roller 113. One side edge of the tray 130 is snapped into the first card slot 1121, and the other side edge of the tray 130 is snapped into the second card slot 1131.

[0047] After the tray 130 enters the disassembly and assembly channel 111 and its two side edges are respectively snapped into the first card slot 1121 and the second card slot 1131, the first roller 112 and the second roller 113 jointly play a role in supporting the tray 130 to limit the axial movement of the tray 130 along the first rotating shaft 115, so that during the disassembly and assembly of the microfluidic chip, only a horizontal force needs to be applied to the tray 130, thus making it more convenient to disassemble and assemble the microfluidic chip.

[0048] It can be understood that the number of the first rollers 112 can be one or more. Please refer to Figure 2 As shown, when the number of the first rollers 112 is multiple, the multiple first rollers 112 are sequentially distributed along the extending direction of the disassembly and assembly channel 111.

[0049] Similarly, the number of the second rollers 113 can be one or more. Please refer to Figure 2 As shown, when the number of the second rollers 113 is multiple, the multiple second rollers 113 are sequentially distributed along the extending direction of the disassembly and assembly channel 111.

[0050] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the base 110 has an installation cavity 114. The microfluidic chip fixture 100 further includes a cover plate 140. The electrical connector 120 is placed in the installation cavity 114, and the cover plate 140 is detachably connected to the base 110 to close the installation cavity 114. Specifically, there are various detachable connection methods between the cover plate 140 and the base 110, such as a fastening connection method, a snap connection method, etc., which are not specifically limited herein.

[0051] By detaching the cover plate 140 from the base 110, the electrical connector 120 can be taken out of the installation cavity 114 to facilitate the maintenance or replacement of the electrical connector 120.

[0052] In a specific example of the above embodiment, please refer to Figure 4As shown, the periphery of the cover plate 140 is detachably connected to the edge of the cavity opening of the installation cavity 114. An exhaust hole 141 is provided on the periphery of the cover plate 140, and the exhaust hole 141 penetrates through the opposite two plate surfaces of the cover plate 140.

[0053] By adopting the above technical solution, when the periphery of the cover plate 140 contacts the edge of the cavity opening of the installation cavity 114, the gas between the periphery of the cover plate 140 and the edge of the cavity opening of the installation cavity 114 can be discharged outward through the exhaust hole 141, so that the periphery of the cover plate 140 can be closely attached to the edge of the cavity opening of the installation cavity 114, thereby effectively improving the stability of the installation of the cover plate 140.

[0054] In a specific example of the above embodiment, please refer to Figure 4 As shown, a limiting hole 142 is provided on the cover plate 140, and the lead pin 122 is inserted into the limiting hole 142. Specifically, the number of the limiting holes 142 is multiple, and the multiple limiting holes 142 are sequentially distributed along the length direction of the socket 121. Correspondingly, the multiple lead pins 122 are sequentially connected to the socket 121 along the length direction of the socket 121, and each lead pin 122 is inserted into each limiting hole 142 one by one, so as to effectively limit the horizontal position of the electrical connector 120.

[0055] Specifically, please refer to Figure 4 As shown, a strip hole 143 is further provided on the cover plate 140, and the strip hole 143 extends along the length direction of the socket 121. The multiple lead pins 122 are distributed in a double-row structure. A plurality of conductive terminals are provided at the top of the slot 1211 along the length direction of the socket 121, and a plurality of conductive terminals are also provided at the bottom of the slot 1211 along the length direction of the socket 121. Each lead pin 122 in one row of lead pins 122 is correspondingly connected to each conductive terminal located at the top of the slot 1211, and each lead pin 122 in the other row of lead pins 122 is correspondingly connected to each conductive terminal located at the bottom of the slot 1211. Moreover, each lead pin 122 in one row of lead pins 122 is inserted into each limiting hole 142 one by one, and each lead pin 122 in the other row of lead pins 122 is inserted into the above strip hole 143, so as to be more convenient for identifying different lead pins 122, thereby further improving the experimental efficiency.

[0056] In an embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the microfluidic chip fixture 100 further includes a mounting base 150. The mounting base 150 is used to be connected to the experimental platform and has a first accommodation groove 151. The base 110 is accommodated in the first accommodation groove 151 to install and fix the microfluidic chip fixture 100.

[0057] In the above embodiment, please refer toFigure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in Figure 2 , the microfluidic chip fixture 100 further includes an adjusting member 160. The adjusting member 160 has a strip structure or a block structure, and is disposed between the groove wall of the first accommodating groove 151 and the side of the base 110.

[0058] During the production process, adjusting members 160 of various sizes can be prefabricated, such as adjusting members 160 with different widths. When in use, according to the size of the gap between the groove wall of the first accommodating groove 151 and the side of the base 110, an adjusting member 160 with a corresponding size is selected, and the adjusting member 160 is placed between the groove wall of the first accommodating groove 151 and the side of the base 110. In this way, one mounting seat 150 can be applicable to bases 110 of various sizes, thereby improving the flexibility of use of the microfluidic chip fixture 100 and further reducing the production cost of the microfluidic chip fixture 100.

[0059] The second aspect of the present invention further provides a microfluidic experiment device, including a microfluidic chip and the microfluidic chip fixture 100 of any one or more of the above embodiments. The microfluidic chip is placed on the tray 130 of the microfluidic chip fixture 100.

[0060] Since the above microfluidic experiment device adopts all the embodiments of the above microfluidic chip fixture 100, it has at least all the beneficial effects of the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated here one by one.

[0061] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements 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 chip fixture, characterized in that, The microfluidic chip fixture includes: A base; An electrical connector mounted on the base. The electrical connector includes a socket and lead pins. The socket has a slot for inserting the electrode insertion portion of the microfluidic chip, and the lead pins are electrically connected to the socket; A tray for carrying the microfluidic chip; The base has a disassembly and assembly channel. The notch of the slot is disposed opposite to one port of the disassembly and assembly channel. The tray is detachably inserted into the disassembly and assembly channel from the other port of the disassembly and assembly channel, so that the electrode insertion portion can be inserted into the slot; The microfluidic chip fixture further includes a first roller and a second roller rotatably mounted on the base respectively. The first roller is disposed on one side of the disassembly and assembly channel, and the second roller is disposed on the other side of the disassembly and assembly channel. The roller surfaces of the first roller and the second roller are respectively used to abut against the tray; A first card slot is formed on the roller surface of the first roller, and a second card slot is formed on the roller surface of the second roller. One side edge of the tray is snapped into the first card slot and the other side edge is snapped into the second card slot; The base has an installation cavity. The microfluidic chip fixture further includes a cover plate. The electrical connector is placed in the installation cavity, and the cover plate is detachably connected to the base to close the installation cavity; Exhaust holes are formed on the periphery of the cover plate, and the exhaust holes penetrate through the opposite two plate surfaces of the cover plate; A limiting hole is formed on the cover plate, and the lead pins pass through the limiting hole; The microfluidic chip fixture further includes a mounting seat having a first accommodation groove, and the base is accommodated in the first accommodation groove; The microfluidic chip fixture further includes an adjusting member disposed between the groove wall of the first accommodation groove and the side edge of the base.

2. A microfluidic experimental device, characterized in that: The microfluidic experimental device includes a microfluidic chip and the microfluidic chip fixture according to claim 1, and the microfluidic chip is placed on the tray of the microfluidic chip fixture.

Images