A droplet size self-adjusting sample injector

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of droplet size self-adjusting sample injector, comprising: host computer, conveying unit, valve body, droplet generator and detection system;Host computer is connected with conveying unit, valve body and detection system respectively;Valve body is arranged between conveying unit and droplet generator, and is connected with conveying unit and droplet generator respectively;Detection system is arranged at the outlet of droplet generator;Detection system is used to detect the droplet size at the outlet of droplet generator in real time and upload to host computer, host computer is used to adjust the flow ratio of conveying unit to adjust the droplet size, and controls valve body rotation to switch working mode.The application improves the structure of sample valve body, by increasing detection system, the droplet size can be detected in real time and the sample mode can be switched by valve body rotation, the time of adjusting droplet size is shortened, reagent is saved, the overall operation efficiency is improved, and the problem of difficult to adjust droplet size, serious waste of time and reagent is overcome.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of droplet microfluidics, and more particularly to a droplet size self-adjusting injector. Background Technology

[0002] Droplet microfluidics technology generates microliter or nanoliter-level emulsion droplets through microfluidic channel structures and hydraulic control. Droplets generated in microchannels are dispersed in another liquid, preventing reagents from wetting the microchannels and allowing them to move freely within them. Further manipulations such as fusion, splitting, and sorting of the droplets enable mixing of different reagents, accelerating chemical or biological reactions. In recent years, droplet microfluidics technology has demonstrated numerous significant advantages in miniaturization, automation, high throughput, and low cross-contamination.

[0003] Currently, common microfluidic droplet generation methods include hydrodynamic approaches such as focused flow, coaxial flow, and T-flow, which offer advantages such as rapid generation speed and good droplet stability. However, controlling the size of the generated droplets is not easy, often requiring multiple experiments and trying different flow ratios to achieve the target size. This process inevitably wastes a significant amount of time and reagents, which is detrimental to microanalysis and rapid detection. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problems of difficulty in droplet size control, wasted time and reagents in existing technologies, this invention provides a droplet size self-adjusting injector to achieve automatic droplet size adjustment.

[0005] This invention provides a droplet size self-adjusting sampler, comprising: a host computer, a delivery unit, a valve body, a droplet generator, and a detection system;

[0006] The host computer is connected to the conveying unit, the valve body, and the detection system respectively; the valve body is located between the conveying unit and the droplet generator, and is connected to both the conveying unit and the droplet generator respectively; the detection system is located at the outlet of the droplet generator;

[0007] The detection system is used to detect the droplet size at the outlet of the droplet generator in real time and upload it to the host computer. The host computer is used to adjust the flow ratio of the conveying unit to adjust the droplet size and control the valve body to rotate to switch the working mode.

[0008] Optionally, the delivery unit includes a continuous phase injection pump, a buffer injection pump, and a sample injection pump, which are used to push the continuous phase, buffer solution, and sample, respectively.

[0009] Optionally, the valve body includes two input interfaces and one output interface. The two input interfaces are respectively connected to the buffer injection pump and the sample injection pump, and the output interface is connected to the droplet generator.

[0010] Optionally, the valve body includes two six-way valves and two sample rings. The two six-way valves are respectively equipped with a sample inlet ring and a rotating mechanism. The host computer switches between different working modes of the valve body by driving the rotating mechanism.

[0011] Optionally, the droplet generator is a T-type droplet generator, including two input interfaces and one output interface. One input interface is connected to the continuous phase injection pump in the delivery unit, the other input interface is connected to the output interface of the valve body, and the output interface of the droplet generator is connected to the collection device.

[0012] Optionally, the detection system is an optical signal acquisition device.

[0013] This invention provides a droplet size self-adjusting injector, which improves the structure of the injection valve body. By adding a detection system, the droplet size can be detected in real time and the injection mode can be switched by rotating the valve body. This shortens the time for adjusting the droplet size, saves reagents, improves the overall operating efficiency, and overcomes the problem of serious waste of time and reagents due to the difficulty in adjusting the droplet size. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 A structural block diagram of a droplet size self-adjusting injector provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a six-way valve in the debugging mode of a droplet size self-adjusting sampler provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a six-way valve in the sample injection mode of a droplet size self-adjusting sampler provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a droplet generator for a droplet size self-adjusting sampler provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0019] Example

[0020] See Figure 1-4 This invention provides a droplet size self-adjusting sampler, comprising: a host computer, a delivery unit 1, a valve body 2, a droplet generator 3, a detection system 4, and a collection device 5.

[0021] The host computer is connected to the conveying unit, the valve body, and the detection system. The valve body is located between the conveying unit and the droplet generator, and is connected to both. The detection system is located at the outlet of the droplet generator. The detection system is used to detect the droplet size at the outlet of the droplet generator in real time and upload the data to the host computer. The host computer is used to adjust the flow rate ratio of the conveying unit to adjust the droplet size and to control the valve body to rotate to switch operating modes.

[0022] Specifically, the delivery unit 1 is used to deliver fluids and includes three injection pumps: a continuous phase injection pump, a buffer injection pump, and a sample injection pump, which are used to push the continuous phase, buffer solution, and sample, respectively.

[0023] Furthermore, the valve body includes two input ports and one output port. The two input ports are connected to the buffer injection pump and the sample injection pump, respectively, and the output port is connected to the droplet generator.

[0024] The valve body in this embodiment includes two six-way valves and two sample rings. The two six-way valves are respectively equipped with a sample inlet ring and a rotating mechanism. The host computer drives the rotating mechanism to switch between different working modes of the valve body.

[0025] The droplet generator in this embodiment is a T-type droplet generator, which includes two input interfaces and one output interface. One input interface is connected to the continuous phase injection pump in the delivery unit, and the other input interface is connected to the output interface of the valve body. The output interface of the droplet generator is connected to the collection device, and the generated sample droplets can be collected by the collection device for subsequent use.

[0026] For example, suppose the delivery unit includes syringe pump A11, syringe pump B12, and syringe pump C13. Syringe pump A is equipped with a continuous phase, and its outlet is connected to interface 14 of the droplet generator. Syringe pump B is equipped with a buffer solution, and its outlet is connected to interface 6 of the valve body. Syringe pump C is equipped with a sample, and its outlet is connected to interface 11 of the valve body 2.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the valve body has 12 ports, and different operating modes are switched via a host computer-controlled steering device. Initially, the system is in droplet debugging mode, where the delivery unit provides the continuous phase and buffer solution. The buffer solution is pushed into the droplet generator along the 6-5-3-4-10-9 line to generate droplets. At this time, the sample loop between ports 3 and 5 acts as a resistance loop. The detection system 4 begins detecting the droplet size and adjusts the droplet size by regulating the flow rate ratio of the delivery unit via the host computer; simultaneously, the sample is pushed into the sample loop along the 11-12-8-7-1-2 line.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, when the droplet size reaches the required level, the host computer controls the steering system to complete the valve body steering and switch to the sample injection mode. The sample stored in the sample ring is pushed into the droplet generator by lines 6-1-7-12-8-9 to generate sample droplets.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, the T-shaped droplet generator is used to generate monodisperse droplets, and the generated sample droplets can be collected by a collection device for subsequent use.

[0030] The technical solution provided in this embodiment improves the structure of the injection valve body. By adding a detection system, the droplet size can be detected in real time and the injection mode can be switched by rotating the valve body. This shortens the time for adjusting the droplet size, saves reagents, improves the overall operating efficiency, and overcomes the problem of serious waste of time and reagents due to the difficulty in adjusting the droplet size.

[0031] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of operating a droplet size self-regulating sample injector, comprising: The application relates to a droplet size self-adjusting sample injector. The upper computer is connected with the conveying unit, the valve body and the detection system respectively; the valve body is arranged between the conveying unit and the droplet generator and is connected with the conveying unit and the droplet generator respectively; and the detection system is arranged at the outlet of the droplet generator. The detection system is used for detecting the droplet size at the outlet of the droplet generator in real time and uploading the droplet size to the upper computer; the upper computer is used for adjusting the flow ratio of the conveying unit to adjust the droplet size and controlling the valve body to rotate to switch the working mode. The conveying unit comprises a continuous phase injection pump, a buffer solution injection pump and a sample injection pump which are used for pushing the continuous phase, the buffer solution and the sample respectively. The valve body comprises two input interfaces and one output interface; the two input interfaces are connected with the buffer solution injection pump and the sample injection pump respectively; and the output interface is connected with the droplet generator. The valve body comprises two six-way valves and two sample rings; the two six-way valves are respectively provided with sample rings and rotating mechanisms; and the upper computer drives the rotating mechanisms to switch the different working modes of the valve body. The droplet size self-adjusting sample injector is used for executing the following steps: Firstly, the system is in a droplet debugging mode; the conveying unit provides the continuous phase and the buffer solution; the buffer solution is pushed into the droplet generator along a set line to generate droplets; the detection system starts to detect the droplet size and adjusts the droplet size by adjusting the flow ratio of the conveying unit through the upper computer; and meanwhile, the sample is pushed into the sample ring along a set line. When the droplet size reaches the requirement, the upper computer controls the rotating system to complete the valve rotation and switches to the sample injection mode; the sample stored in the sample ring is pushed into the droplet generator along a set line to generate a sample liquid.

2. The working method of the droplet size self-adjusting sample injector according to claim 1, wherein the droplet generator is a T-shaped droplet generator which comprises two input interfaces and one output interface; one input interface is connected with the continuous phase injection pump in the conveying unit; the other input interface is connected with the output interface of the valve body; and the output interface of the droplet generator is connected with a collecting device. The detection system is an optical signal collector. ​ 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the droplet size self-regulating sample injector is characterized by: ​

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