Charged particle separation and enrichment detection chip

Abstract

The application provides a charged particle separation and enrichment detection chip, which comprises a micro-channel layer (1), a sample storage tank (11) and a buffer solution storage tank (12) are arranged on the micro-channel layer (1), the sample storage tanks (11) are connected through enrichment channels (13), the buffer solution storage tanks (12) are connected through buffer channels (14), the enrichment channels (13) and the buffer channels (14) are provided with clamping grooves (15), the clamping grooves (15) are connected with the enrichment channels (13) and the buffer channels (14), and the bottom of the clamping grooves (15) is higher than the bottom of the enrichment channels (13) and the buffer channels (14); an ion exchange membrane (2) is inserted into the clamping grooves (15), and the ion exchange membrane (2) is used for realizing the conduction of charged particles between the enrichment channels (13) and the buffer channels (14) under the condition that the enrichment channels (13) and the buffer channels (14) are physically isolated; and a sealing layer (3) covers the micro-channel layer (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microfluidics, and in particular to a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip. Background Technology

[0002] The detection of ion or molecular concentrations is widely used in numerous fields. For example, heavy metal pollutants pose a significant threat to human health, making the detection of heavy metal ion concentrations crucial for better assessing the extent of heavy metal pollution. However, the concentration of trace heavy metal ions in aquatic environments may be far below the detection limit of sensors, increasing the difficulty of heavy metal ion concentration detection. Similarly, in immunoassays, the detection of protein molecules is of great importance; however, the detection of low-abundance protein molecules presents challenges.

[0003] Pre-enrichment is an important approach for the rapid and highly sensitive detection of trace heavy metal ions in aquatic environments and protein molecules in biological environments. Offline enrichment methods such as extraction, crystallization, and deposition are crucial for achieving pre-enrichment. However, offline enrichment methods suffer from drawbacks such as being time-consuming, labor-intensive, requiring complex buffer solutions, and involving complex operations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip, comprising: a microfluidic layer, wherein a sample reservoir and a buffer solution reservoir are provided on the microfluidic layer, the sample reservoirs are connected to each other through an enrichment channel, the buffer solution reservoirs are connected to each other through a buffer channel, a slot is provided on the enrichment channel and the buffer channel, the slot is connected to the enrichment channel and the buffer channel, and the bottom of the slot is higher than the bottom of the enrichment channel and the buffer channel; an ion exchange membrane is inserted into the slot to enable conduction of charged particles between the enrichment channel and the buffer channel while physically isolating them; and a sealing layer covering the microfluidic layer.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the buffer channel surrounds both sides of the enrichment channel, the enrichment channel is provided with a slot, and the buffer channels on both sides of the enrichment channel are respectively provided with slots at positions corresponding to the slots; one end of the ion exchange membrane is provided with three branches, and the three branches are respectively inserted into one slot on the enrichment channel and two slots on the buffer channel.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the buffer channel is a U-shaped structure or a U-shaped structure, and the enrichment channel is located in the middle of the U-shaped structure or the U-shaped structure.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ion exchange membrane is perpendicular to the microchannel layer and the sealing layer.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing layer is provided with through holes at positions corresponding to the sample storage tank, the buffer solution storage tank and the ion exchange membrane.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing layer and the microchannel layer are connected by bonding.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the card slot is greater than the width of the enrichment channel and the buffer channel.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the material of the microchannel layer includes a fully transparent photosensitive resin, and the material of the sealing layer includes polydimethylsiloxane.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the microchannel layer and the sealing layer are fabricated using micromachining technology or 3D printing technology.

[0013] The charged particle separation and enrichment detection chip provided in this embodiment of the invention avoids leakage caused by the enrichment channel being connected to the buffer channel through the ion exchange membrane slot due to the non-blocking transverse structure of the ion exchange membrane. Furthermore, the ion exchange membrane slot and the vertically transverse enrichment and buffer channels form a non-blocking stepped structure, which facilitates the flow of sample solution. Thus, it enables high-precision and high-efficiency separation and enrichment detection under the premise of low cost, simple operation and simple buffer solution. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0016] Figure 2 A schematic front view of a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0017] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically.

[0018] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a method for fabricating a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0019] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the operation method of a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0021] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The terms “comprising,” “including,” etc., as used herein indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, or components.

[0022] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0023] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "length", "circumferential", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the subsystem or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0024] Throughout the accompanying drawings, identical elements are represented by the same or similar reference numerals. Conventional structures or configurations may be omitted where they might cause confusion in understanding the invention. Furthermore, the shapes, dimensions, and positional relationships of the components in the drawings do not reflect actual size, scale, or actual positional relationships. Additionally, any reference symbols placed within parentheses in this invention should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0025] Similarly, to simplify the invention and aid in understanding one or more of the various disclosed aspects, in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. The use of terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicates that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0027] To overcome the problems of time-consuming, labor-intensive, complex buffer solutions, and complicated operation associated with existing offline enrichment technologies, this invention proposes a non-blocking, transverse-structure ion exchange membrane-based charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip. This chip consists of a microchannel layer, an ion exchange membrane, and a sealing layer. The ion exchange membrane employs a non-blocking, transverse structure, vertically integrated with the microchannel layer and sealing layer to prevent leakage caused by the enrichment channel connecting to the buffer channel through the ion exchange membrane slots, while also facilitating sample flow. The charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 A schematic front view of a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically.

[0029] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the charged particle separation and enrichment detection chip may include, for example, a microfluidic layer 1, an ion exchange membrane 2, and a sealing layer 3.

[0030] The microfluidic layer 1 is provided with a sample reservoir 11 and a buffer solution reservoir 12, and there can be two of each. The sample reservoir 11 is used to inject the sample solution, and the buffer solution reservoir 12 is used to inject the buffer solution. The sample reservoirs 11 are connected to each other through an enrichment channel 13, and the buffer solution reservoirs 12 are connected to each other through a buffer channel 14. The enrichment channel 13 and the buffer channel 14 are provided with slots 15, which are connected to the enrichment channel 13 and the buffer channel 14, and the bottom of the slots 15 is higher than the bottom of the enrichment channel 13 and the buffer channel 14.

[0031] Optionally, the material of the microchannel layer 1 may include a fully transparent photosensitive resin, but the present invention does not limit the specific material.

[0032] The ion exchange membrane 2 is inserted into the slot 15. Since the slot 15 is connected to the enrichment channel 13 and the buffer channel 14, and the bottom of the slot 15 is higher than the bottom of the enrichment channel 13 and the buffer channel 14, the ion exchange membrane 2, after being inserted into the slot 15, forms a non-blocking stepped structure with the enrichment channel 13 and the buffer channel 14. This allows for the conduction of charged particles between the enrichment channel 13 and the buffer channel 14 while physically isolating them, ensuring smooth flow of the sample solution.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ion exchange membrane 2 can also be a triangular non-blocking transverse structure (e.g., Figure 1-3 As shown in the diagram, the ion exchange membrane 2 has three branches at one end. Correspondingly, the buffer channel 14 surrounds both sides of the enrichment channel 13. Optionally, the buffer channel 14 has a U-shaped structure or a U-shaped structure, and the enrichment channel 13 is located in the middle of the U-shaped structure or the U-shaped structure. The specific shape is not limited in this invention. The enrichment channel 13 has a slot 15, and the buffer channels 14 on both sides of the enrichment channel 13 each have a slot 15 at a position corresponding to the slot 15. The three branches of the ion exchange membrane 2 are respectively inserted into one slot on the enrichment channel 13 and two slots on the buffer channel 14, forming a three-pronged, non-blocking, transverse structure with the buffer channel 14 of the enrichment channel 13.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ion exchange membrane 2 is vertically integrated with the microfluidic layer 1 and the sealing layer 3, which can further ensure the smooth flow of the sample solution and the conduction of charged particles between the enrichment channel 13 and the buffer channel 14.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the width of the three branches of the ion exchange membrane 2 is the same as the width of the three slots 15, so as to facilitate the alignment of the ion exchange membrane 2 with the charged particle separation and enrichment detection chip.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the width of the slot 15 is greater than the width of the enrichment channel 13 and the buffer channel 14, which can further ensure the strength of the ion exchange membrane 2 and facilitate the fixation of the ion exchange membrane 2.

[0037] The sealing layer 3 covers the microchannel layer 1 and is used to seal the microchannel layer 1.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing layer 3 and the microfluidic layer can be connected by bonding. To facilitate the insertion of the ion exchange membrane 2 and the injection of sample solution and buffer solution during the separation and enrichment detection of charged particles, the sealing layer 3 is provided with through holes at the corresponding positions of the sample storage tank 11, the buffer solution storage tank 12 and the ion exchange membrane 2. The through holes at the corresponding positions of the ion exchange membrane 2 are substantially the same size as the ion exchange membrane 2 to ensure a sealing effect.

[0039] Optionally, the material of the sealing layer 3 may include polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), but the present invention does not limit the specific materials used.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the microchannel layer 1 and the sealing layer 3 are fabricated by microfabrication technology or 3D printing technology, which can ensure the accuracy of the charged particle separation and enrichment detection chip structure, thereby ensuring the detection accuracy of the charged particle separation and enrichment detection chip.

[0041] This invention also provides a method for preparing a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip, used to prepare the above-mentioned... Figures 1-3 The chip shown is for the separation, enrichment, and detection of charged particles.

[0042] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a method for fabricating a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, the preparation method may include, for example, operations S401 to S402.

[0044] Using S401, microchannel layers are created.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, a fully transparent photosensitive resin is used as the raw material, and the enrichment channel 13, buffer channel 14, and slot 15 on the microchannel layer 1 are formed by 3D printing technology. For example, the width of the enrichment channel 13 and the buffer channel 14 can both be 500 μm and the depth can both be 2 mm, and the width of the slot 15 can be 200 μm and the depth can be 1 mm.

[0046] In operation S402, a sealing layer is prepared on the microchannel layer.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing layer 3 can be prepared by mixing, casting, softening, and demolding PDMS. The softened PDMS sealing layer 3 can be brought into contact with the surface of the microchannel layer 1 and bonded at room temperature. For example, the thickness of the sealing layer 3 can be 1 mm.

[0048] In operation with S403, a storage tank is prepared and an ion exchange membrane is integrated.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, a hollow drill bit can be used to drill holes at the corresponding circular hole positions in the liquid storage tank to obtain the sample liquid storage tank 11 and the buffer solution liquid storage tank 12.

[0050] Holes can be drilled in the corresponding positions of the slot 15 using a hollow drill bit to create a location to prevent the ion exchange membrane 2 from being inserted. A pre-sized ion exchange membrane 2 is taken, and the side where it is bonded to the microchannel layer 1 is trimmed into branches that match the slot. Then, it is inserted into the corresponding slot along the through-hole. For example, an ion exchange membrane 2 with dimensions of 1cm × 2cm × 183μm is taken, and the side where it is bonded to the microchannel layer 1 is trimmed into three branches, each branch measuring 500μm × 1cm, with a 500μm interval between the three branches.

[0051] This invention also provides an operation method for using the above-described charged particle separation and enrichment detection chip.

[0052] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the operation method of a charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0053] like Figure 5 As shown, the operation method may include, for example, operations S501 to S503.

[0054] In operation S501, the sample solution and buffer solution are injected into the enrichment channel and buffer channel respectively through the sample storage tank and the buffer solution storage tank.

[0055] When operating S502, fix the separation and enrichment chip on the stage of the fluorescence microscope, ground both ends of the buffer channel, and connect a positive voltage to both ends of the enrichment channel.

[0056] When operating the S503, turn on the fluorescence microscope, set the fluorescence exposure time, change the voltage difference, observe and capture fluorescence images in the enrichment channel using the fluorescence microscope, and measure the fluorescence intensity using the analysis software that comes with the fluorescence microscope.

[0057] Those skilled in the art will understand that the features described in the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined and / or combined in various ways, even if such combinations or combinations are not explicitly described in the present invention. In particular, the features described in the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined and / or combined in various ways without departing from the spirit and teachings of the present invention. All such combinations and / or combinations fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0058] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip, comprising: A microfluidic layer (1) is provided with a sample storage tank (11) and a buffer solution storage tank (12). The sample storage tanks (11) are connected to each other through an enrichment channel (13), and the buffer solution storage tanks (12) are connected to each other through a buffer channel (14). The enrichment channel (13) and the buffer channel (14) are provided with slots (15). The slots (15) are connected to the enrichment channel (13) and the buffer channel (14) respectively. The bottom of the slots (15) is higher than the bottom of the enrichment channel (13) and the buffer channel (14). An ion exchange membrane (2) is inserted into the slot (15) to enable the conduction of charged particles between the enrichment channel (13) and the buffer channel (14) while physically isolating the enrichment channel (13) and the buffer channel (14). A sealing layer (3) is applied over the microchannel layer (1); The buffer channel (14) surrounds both sides of the enrichment channel (13), and the enrichment channel (13) is provided with a slot (15). The buffer channel (14) on both sides of the enrichment channel (13) is provided with a slot (15) at a position corresponding to the slot (15). The ion exchange membrane (2) has three branches at one end, and the three branches are respectively inserted into a slot (15) on the enrichment channel (13) and two slots (15) on the buffer channel (14).

2. The charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to claim 1, wherein, The buffer channel (14) is a U-shaped structure or a U-shaped structure, and the enrichment channel (13) is located in the middle of the U-shaped structure or the U-shaped structure.

3. The charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The ion exchange membrane (2) is perpendicular to the microchannel layer (1) and the sealing layer (3).

4. The charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to claim 1, wherein, The sealing layer (3) has through holes at positions corresponding to the sample storage tank (11), the buffer solution storage tank (12), and the ion exchange membrane (2).

5. The charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to claim 1, wherein, The sealing layer (3) is connected to the microchannel layer by bonding.

6. The charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to claim 1, wherein, The width of the slot (15) is greater than the width of the enrichment channel (13) and the buffer channel (14).

7. The charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to claim 1, wherein, The material of the microchannel layer (1) includes a fully transparent photosensitive resin, and the material of the sealing layer (3) includes polydimethylsiloxane.

8. The charged particle separation, enrichment, and detection chip according to claim 1, wherein, The microchannel layer (1) and the sealing layer (3) are fabricated using microfabrication technology or 3D printing technology.

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