A rapid sorting device for deep-sea microorganisms based on inertial flow

Abstract

The present invention discloses a rapid sorting device for deep-sea microorganisms based on inertial flow, including a microfluidic chip assembly. The structure of the microfluidic chip assembly includes an upper base layer, a lower base layer, and morphological fitting grooves. The number of the morphological fitting grooves is two groups. One group of the morphological fitting grooves is opened at the bottom of the upper base layer, and the other group of the morphological fitting grooves is opened at the top of the lower base layer. A flow channel inlet assembly is connected through the top of the upper base layer. A spiral bent pipe microchannel assembly is movably fitted and installed between the two groups of morphological fitting grooves. The tail end of the spiral bent pipe microchannel assembly is fixedly connected with three flow channel outlet assemblies. The structure of the spiral bent pipe microchannel assembly includes an arc-shaped bend, a first branch bend, and a second branch bend. In the present invention, the setting of the asymmetric spiral bent pipe microchannel assembly is utilized, and in cooperation with the microfluidic chip assembly, the rapid sorting of different types of microorganisms is realized by using inertial flow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of microorganism sorting, and particularly to a deep-sea microorganism rapid sorting device based on inertial flow. Background Art

[0002] In the deep sea, special habitats such as darkness, high pressure, low temperature or extreme high temperature, and low oxygen content have given birth to rich and diverse ecosystems and unique genetic resources such as hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, seamounts, and trenches. These genetic resources have potential development value and extremely high utilization value. Among them, microorganisms are an important part of deep-sea genetic resources and the most abundant life forms in terms of genetic evolution and metabolic diversity. Their sorting is usually carried out using microfluidic chips. Microfluidic chips have the advantages of high sensitivity and rapid analysis. They can mix, react, focus, separate, and detect microorganisms. Among them, the performance of microfluidics mainly depends on whether the focusing and sorting are efficient.

[0003] In the prior art, most of the microfluidic chips used for sorting deep-sea microorganism particles are based on inertial flow in the mode of spiral bent tube microchannels to achieve the separation operation of different types of microorganisms. However, parallel expansion cannot be achieved in their channels, resulting in low space utilization rate.

[0004] The information disclosed in this background art section is only intended to deepen the understanding of the overall background art of the present invention, and should not be regarded as an admission or any form of implication that this information constitutes the prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a deep-sea microorganism rapid sorting device based on inertial flow to solve the problems raised in the above background art.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A deep-sea microorganism rapid sorting device based on inertial flow, including a microfluidic chip assembly. The structure of the microfluidic chip assembly includes an upper base layer, a lower base layer, and morphological fitting grooves. The number of the morphological fitting grooves is two groups. One group of the morphological fitting grooves is opened at the bottom of the upper base layer, and the other group of the morphological fitting grooves is opened at the top of the lower base layer. A flow channel inlet assembly is connected through the top of the upper base layer, and the bottom of the flow channel inlet assembly is attached to the bottom wall of the lower group of morphological fitting grooves. A spiral bent pipe microchannel assembly is movably fitted and installed between the two groups of morphological fitting grooves, and one end of the spiral bent pipe microchannel assembly is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the flow channel inlet assembly. The tail end of the spiral bent pipe microchannel assembly is fixedly connected to three flow channel outlet assemblies, and the tops of the three flow channel outlet assemblies all penetrate through the inside of the upper base layer. The structure of the spiral bent pipe microchannel assembly includes arc-shaped bends, first branch bends, and second branch bends. The number of the arc-shaped bends, the first branch bends, and the second branch bends is multiple groups. The multiple groups of arc-shaped bends are arranged at intervals with the first branch bends and the second branch bends. The multiple groups of first branch bends are connected end to end with the multiple groups of second branch bends respectively, and the widths of the first branch bends and the second branch bends are arranged in a large-small pattern.

[0007] Preferably, the structure of the microfluidic chip assembly further includes positioning grooves, limiting strips, through grooves, and outlet round grooves. The number of the positioning grooves and the limiting strips is two groups each. The number of the outlet round grooves is three groups. The two groups of positioning grooves are respectively opened at two diagonal corners of the top of the lower base layer. The two groups of limiting strips are respectively movably fitted inside the two groups of positioning grooves. The inner wall of the through groove is attached to the outer wall of the flow channel inlet assembly.

[0008] Preferably, the structure of the flow channel outlet assembly includes branch ducts, a comprehensive duct, sealing rings, and connecting ducts. One end of the branch duct is fixedly connected to the tail end of the outermost group of arc-shaped bends. The comprehensive duct is fixedly installed at the end of the branch duct away from the arc-shaped bends. The number of the sealing rings is two groups. The two groups of sealing rings are both fixedly sleeved on the outer surface of the comprehensive duct. The connecting duct is rotatably sleeved on the outer surface of the comprehensive duct.

[0009] Preferably, the structure of the flow channel outlet assembly further includes a shrinkage sleeve, a bent flexible hose, and a straight outlet pipe. The shrinkage sleeve is fixedly connected to the end of the connecting duct away from the comprehensive duct. The bent flexible hose is fixedly connected to the end of the shrinkage sleeve away from the connecting duct. The straight outlet pipe is fixedly connected to the tail end of the bent flexible hose, and the outer wall of the straight outlet pipe is attached to the inner wall of the outlet round groove.

[0010] Preferably, the widths of the three branch ducts in the three flow channel outlet assemblies are all different, and the widths of the three branch ducts are all smaller than the width of the arc-shaped bends.

[0011] Preferably, the structure of the flow channel inlet assembly includes an inlet pipe and a transfer pipe. The transfer pipe is fixedly installed at the bottom of the inlet pipe and is connected to the innermost group of arc-shaped bends.

[0012] Preferably, the number of rotation cycles of the spiral elbow microchannel assembly is 4 - 8 cycles, the spacing between adjacent cycles of microchannels is 5000μm - 10000μm, and the width of the arc-shaped bends is 2000μm - 3000μm.

[0013] Preferably, the upper base sheet and the lower base sheet are bonded and sealed to each other, and the materials of the upper base sheet and the lower base sheet are silicified glass, silicon wafers or high molecular polymers.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0015] In the present invention, by using the setting of the asymmetric spiral elbow microchannel assembly and cooperating with the microfluidic chip assembly, inertial flow is utilized to achieve rapid sorting of different types of microorganisms. Additionally, according to the size differences of microbial particles, their performances in the first branch bends, second branch bends and arc-shaped bends with different widths are focused at different positions in the spiral elbow microchannel assembly to achieve high-throughput focusing and sorting operations. Moreover, through the setting of multiple groups of symmetrically arranged first branch bends and second branch bends, it is convenient to implement parallel operations within the overall channel of the spiral elbow microchannel assembly to improve the utilization efficiency of its space.

[0016] In the present invention, when the microfluidic chip assembly is damaged, it can be broken along the flow channel mechanism composed of the flow channel inlet assembly, the spiral elbow microchannel assembly and the three groups of flow channel outlet assemblies. At this time, the flow channel mechanism can be taken out from the inside of the microfluidic chip assembly and transferred to other microfluidic chip assemblies to save materials.

[0017] In the present invention, before assembling the overall structure, by applying a rotational force to the shrinkage sleeve, the connecting conduit can be driven to rotate along the outer surface of the comprehensive conduit, thereby driving the bent flexible hose and the straight outlet pipe to swing towards one side, and then realizing the adjustment of the angular position corresponding to the straight outlet pipe for discharging microbial particles in this sorting device. Additionally, due to the deformability of the bent flexible hose itself, by straightening it or adjusting its bending angle, the angle and position of the top end of the straight outlet pipe can also be adjusted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the microfluidic chip assembly of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the flow channel outlet component of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 It is a schematic installation structure diagram of the integrated conduit and the connecting conduit of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 It is a schematic installation structure diagram of the arc-shaped bend and the branch conduit of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 It is a schematic installation structure diagram of the flow channel inlet component and the spiral bend microchannel component of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 It is a schematic installation structure diagram of the arc-shaped bend and the first branch bend of the present invention.

[0025] In the figure: 1. Microfluidic chip component; 2. Upper base sheet; 3. Lower base sheet; 4. Morphological fitting groove; 5. Flow channel inlet component; 6. Spiral bend microchannel component; 7. Flow channel outlet component; 8. Arc-shaped bend; 9. First branch bend; 10. Second branch bend; 11. Positioning groove; 12. Limiting strip; 13. Through groove; 14. Outlet round groove; 15. Branch conduit; 16. Integrated conduit; 17. Sealing ring; 18. Connecting conduit; 19. Shrinkage sleeve; 20. Bent hose; 21. Straight-through outlet pipe; 22. Inlet pipe; 23. Transfer pipe. Specific embodiments

[0026] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "front end", "rear end", "both ends", "one end", "the other end", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the 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 cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, terms such as "installation", "provided with", "connection", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components. 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.

[0029] Please refer to Figures 1-7 , an embodiment provided by the present invention:

[0030] A rapid sorting device for deep-sea microorganisms based on inertial flow, comprising a microfluidic chip assembly 1. The structure of the microfluidic chip assembly 1 includes an upper base sheet 2, a lower base sheet 3, and morphological fitting grooves 4. The number of morphological fitting grooves 4 is two groups. One group of morphological fitting grooves 4 is opened at the bottom of the upper base sheet 2, and the other group of morphological fitting grooves 4 is opened at the top of the lower base sheet 3. A flow channel inlet assembly 5 is connected through the top of the upper base sheet 2, and the bottom of the flow channel inlet assembly 5 is attached to the bottom wall of the lower group of morphological fitting grooves 4. A spiral bent microchannel assembly 6 is movably and fittingly installed between the two groups of morphological fitting grooves 4, and one end of the spiral bent microchannel assembly 6 is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the flow channel inlet assembly 5. The tail end of the spiral bent microchannel assembly 6 is fixedly connected to three flow channel outlet assemblies 7, and the tops of the three flow channel outlet assemblies 7 all penetrate through the inside of the upper base sheet 2. The structure of the spiral bent microchannel assembly 6 includes arc-shaped bends 8, first branch bends 9, and second branch bends 10. The number of arc-shaped bends 8, first branch bends 9, and second branch bends 10 is multiple groups. The multiple groups of arc-shaped bends 8 are arranged at intervals with the first branch bends 9 and the second branch bends 10. The multiple groups of first branch bends 9 are respectively connected end to end with the multiple groups of second branch bends 10, and the widths of the first branch bends 9 and the second branch bends 10 are arranged in a large-small pattern.

[0031] Initially, the mixed deep-sea microorganisms are introduced along the top of the flow channel inlet component 5, and then the mixed deep-sea microorganisms pass through the innermost group of arc-shaped bends 8 in the spiral elbow microchannel component 6, and then follow the trajectory through multiple groups of first branch bends 9, second branch bends 10 and the remaining arc-shaped bends 8. By using the setting of the asymmetric spiral elbow microchannel component 6 and cooperating with the microfluidic chip component 1, multiple groups of symmetrically arranged semi-circular first branch bends 9 and second branch bends 10 are integrated, and the widths of the two groups of branch elbows are inconsistent. In the arc-shaped bends 8 with curvature, due to the inertial migration effect and curvature, the particles in the microorganisms will continuously focus into a particle beam during the migration process, thus achieving the purpose of effectively sorting the particles in different microorganisms. It uses inertial flow to separate different types of microorganisms. In addition, according to the size differences of the microbial particles, their performances in the first branch bends 9, second branch bends 10 and arc-shaped bends 8 with different widths are focused at different positions in the spiral elbow microchannel component 6 to achieve high-throughput focusing and sorting operations. On the basis of multiple groups of arc-shaped bends 8 arranged in a spiral, symmetrically arranged first branch bends 9 and second branch bends 10 are added to facilitate parallel operation within the overall channel of the spiral elbow microchannel component 6, thereby improving the space utilization efficiency.

[0032] The structure of the microfluidic chip component 1 further includes positioning grooves 11, limiting strips 12, through grooves 13 and outlet circular grooves 14. The number of both the positioning grooves 11 and the limiting strips 12 is two groups, and the number of the outlet circular grooves 14 is three groups. The two groups of positioning grooves 11 are respectively opened at two diagonal corners of the top of the lower base sheet 3, and the two groups of limiting strips 12 are respectively movably fitted inside the two groups of positioning grooves 11. The inner wall of the through groove 13 is attached to the outer wall of the flow channel inlet component 5.

[0033] In this technical solution, the upper base sheet 2 and the lower base sheet 3 are bonded and encapsulated, and the four edges between them are in a fixed fitting state, while the upper base sheet 2 and the lower base sheet 3 around the form fitting groove 4 are in a non-fixed fitting state. Therefore, when the microfluidic chip component 1 is damaged, it can be broken along the flow channel mechanism composed of the flow channel inlet component 5, the spiral elbow microchannel component 6 and the three groups of flow channel outlet components 7. At this time, the flow channel mechanism can be taken out from the inside of the microfluidic chip component 1 and transferred to other microfluidic chip components 1 to save materials. The setting of the two groups of positioning grooves 11 and the limiting strips 12 facilitates more effective alignment and superposition when the upper base sheet 2 and the lower base sheet 3 are combined.

[0034] The structure of the flow channel outlet assembly 7 includes a branch conduit 15, a combined conduit 16, a sealing ring 17, and a connecting conduit 18. One end of the branch conduit 15 is fixedly connected to the end of the outermost set of arc-shaped bends 8. The combined conduit 16 is fixedly installed at the end of the branch conduit 15 away from the arc-shaped bends 8. The number of sealing rings 17 is two, and both sets of sealing rings 17 are fixedly sleeved on the outer surface of the combined conduit 16. The connecting conduit 18 is rotatably sleeved on the outer surface of the combined conduit 16. The structure of the flow channel outlet assembly 7 further includes a shrinkage sleeve 19, a bent flexible hose 20, and a straight outlet pipe 21. The shrinkage sleeve 19 is fixedly connected to the end of the connecting conduit 18 away from the combined conduit 16. The bent flexible hose 20 is fixedly connected to the end of the shrinkage sleeve 19 away from the connecting conduit 18. The straight outlet pipe 21 is fixedly connected to the end of the bent flexible hose 20, and the outer wall of the straight outlet pipe 21 fits against the inner wall of the outlet circular groove 14.

[0035] When replacing the microfluidic chip assembly 1 with the flow channel mechanism composed of the flow channel inlet assembly 5, the spiral bend microchannel assembly 6, and the three sets of flow channel outlet assemblies 7, by applying a rotational force to the shrinkage sleeve 19, the connecting conduit 18 can be driven to rotate along the outer surface of the combined conduit 16, thereby driving the bent flexible hose 20 and the straight outlet pipe 21 to swing towards one side, and then realizing the adjustment of the angular position corresponding to the straight outlet pipe 21 for discharging microbial particles in this sorting device. Additionally, due to the deformability of the bent flexible hose 20 itself, by straightening it or adjusting its bending angle, the angle and position of the top end of the straight outlet pipe 21 can also be adjusted.

[0036] The widths of the three sets of branch conduits 15 in the three sets of flow channel outlet assemblies 7 are all different, and the widths of the three sets of branch conduits 15 are all smaller than the width of the arc-shaped bends 8. The structure of the flow channel inlet assembly 5 includes an inlet pipe 22 and a transfer pipe 23. The transfer pipe 23 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the inlet pipe 22 and is connected to the innermost set of arc-shaped bends 8. The number of rotation cycles of the spiral bend microchannel assembly 6 is 4 - 8 cycles, and the spacing between adjacent microchannels is 5000μm - 10000μm. The width of the arc-shaped bends 8 is 2000μm - 3000μm. The upper base sheet 2 and the lower base sheet 3 are bonded and sealed to each other. The materials of the upper base sheet 2 and the lower base sheet 3 are silicified glass, silicon wafers, or high molecular polymers.

[0037] The height of the inlet pipe 22 is higher than the upper top surface of the upper base sheet 2, which is convenient for putting in deep-sea microbial particles. The different widths of the three sets of branch conduits 15 are convenient for obtaining microbial particle beams of different sizes and facilitating the improvement of the sorting accuracy.

[0038] Working principle: By putting deep-sea microbial particles into the interior of the flow channel inlet assembly 5, and then following the trajectory through the asymmetric spiral elbow microchannel assembly 6, and cooperating with the microfluidic chip assembly 1. Additionally, multiple groups of symmetrically arranged semi-circular first branch bends 9 and second branch bends 10 inside the spiral elbow microchannel assembly 6 are integrated. In the curved arc bend 8 with curvature, due to the inertial migration effect and curvature, the microbial particles will continuously focus into a particle beam during the migration process, thereby achieving the purpose of effectively sorting different microbial particles. It uses inertial flow to separate different types of microorganisms. Additionally, according to the size differences of the microbial particles, their behaviors in the first branch bend 9, second branch bend 10, and curved arc bend 8 with different widths cause them to focus at different positions in the spiral elbow microchannel assembly 6, so as to achieve high-throughput focusing and sorting operations.

[0039] For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present invention, the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms. Therefore, from any point of view, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description. Therefore, all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims are intended to be included in the present invention. Any reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as limiting the claimed rights.

Claims

1. A rapid sorting device for deep-sea microorganisms based on inertial flow, comprising a microfluidic chip assembly (1), characterized in that: The structure of the microfluidic chip assembly (1) includes an upper base layer (2), a lower base layer (3) and morphological fitting grooves (4). The number of the morphological fitting grooves (4) is two groups. One group of the morphological fitting grooves (4) is opened at the bottom of the upper base layer (2), and the other group of the morphological fitting grooves (4) is opened at the top of the lower base layer (3). A flow channel inlet assembly (5) is connected through the top of the upper base layer (2), and the bottom of the flow channel inlet assembly (5) is attached to the bottom wall of the lower group of morphological fitting grooves (4). A spiral bent tube microchannel assembly (6) is movably fitted and installed between the two groups of morphological fitting grooves (4), and one end of the spiral bent tube microchannel assembly (6) is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the flow channel inlet assembly (5). The tail end of the spiral bent tube microchannel assembly (6) is fixedly connected with three flow channel outlet assemblies (7), and the tops of the three flow channel outlet assemblies (7) all penetrate through the inside of the upper base layer (2). The structure of the spiral bent tube microchannel assembly (6) includes arc-shaped bends (8), first branch bends (9) and second branch bends (10). The number of the arc-shaped bends (8), the first branch bends (9) and the second branch bends (10) is multiple groups. The multiple groups of arc-shaped bends (8) are arranged at intervals with the first branch bends (9) and the second branch bends (10). The multiple groups of first branch bends (9) are respectively connected end to end with the multiple groups of second branch bends (10), and the widths of the first branch bends (9) and the second branch bends (10) are arranged in a large-small pattern.

2. The rapid sorting device for deep-sea microorganisms based on inertial flow according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structure of the microfluidic chip assembly (1) further includes positioning grooves (11), limiting strips (12), through grooves (13) and outlet round grooves (14). The number of the positioning grooves (11) and the limiting strips (12) is two groups. The number of the outlet round grooves (14) is three groups. The two groups of positioning grooves (11) are respectively opened at two diagonal corners of the top of the lower base layer (3). The two groups of limiting strips (12) are respectively movably fitted inside the two groups of positioning grooves (11). The inner wall of the through groove (13) is attached to the outer wall of the flow channel inlet assembly (5).

3. A rapid sorting device for deep-sea microorganisms based on inertial flow according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structure of the flow channel outlet assembly (7) includes branch conduits (15), a comprehensive conduit (16), sealing rings (17) and connecting conduits (18). One end of the branch conduit (15) is fixedly connected to the tail end of the outermost group of arc-shaped bends (8). The comprehensive conduit (16) is fixedly installed at the end of the branch conduit (15) away from the arc-shaped bends (8). The number of the sealing rings (17) is two groups. The two groups of sealing rings (17) are both fixedly sleeved on the outer surface of the comprehensive conduit (16). The connecting conduit (18) is rotatably sleeved on the outer surface of the comprehensive conduit (16).

4. A rapid sorting device for deep-sea microorganisms based on inertial flow according to claim 3, characterized in that: The structure of the flow channel outlet assembly (7) further includes a shrinkage sleeve (19), a bent hose (20) and a straight outlet pipe (21). The shrinkage sleeve (19) is fixedly connected to one end of the connecting conduit (18) away from the integrated conduit (16). The bent hose (20) is fixedly connected to one end of the shrinkage sleeve (19) away from the connecting conduit (18). The straight outlet pipe (21) is fixedly connected to the tail end of the bent hose (20), and the outer wall of the straight outlet pipe (21) is in contact with the inner wall of the outlet circular groove (14).

5. The rapid sorting device for deep-sea microorganisms based on inertial flow according to claim 1, wherein: The widths of the three branch conduits (15) in the three groups of the flow channel outlet assemblies (7) are all different, and the widths of the three branch conduits (15) are all smaller than the width of the arc-shaped bend (8).

6. The rapid sorting device for deep-sea microorganisms based on inertial flow according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structure of the flow channel inlet assembly (5) includes an inlet pipe (22) and a transfer pipe (23). The transfer pipe (23) is fixedly installed at the bottom of the inlet pipe (22), and the transfer pipe (23) is connected to the innermost group of arc-shaped bends (8).

7. The rapid sorting device for deep-sea microorganisms based on inertial flow according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of rotation cycles of the spiral bent pipe microchannel assembly (6) is 4 - 8 cycles, the distance between adjacent cycles of microchannels is 5000μm - 10000μm, and the width of the arc-shaped bend (8) is 2000μm - 3000μm.

8. The rapid sorting device for deep-sea microorganisms based on inertial flow according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper base sheet (2) and the lower base sheet (3) are bonded and sealed to each other. The materials of the upper base sheet (2) and the lower base sheet (3) are silicified glass, silicon wafers or high molecular polymers.

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