Microfluidic chip centrifuge tray and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a micro-fluidic chip centrifugal tray and a use method thereof, wherein the tray body has an inclined surface inclined downward from the center to the edge, and the inclined surface is used for supporting the micro-fluidic chip; a positioning clamping groove is arranged at the center of the tray body and is used for being connected with a driving shaft of a centrifuge; a chip placing groove is arranged on the inclined surface and is used for placing the micro-fluidic chip; the chip placing groove is in plurality and is arranged uniformly along the circumference of the tray body; the plug-in opening of the chip placing groove faces the center of the tray body; the chip placing groove has a first limiting structure for limiting the side edge of the micro-fluidic chip and a second limiting structure for limiting the bottom edge of the micro-fluidic chip; the second limiting structure is located on the side of the chip placing groove far away from the center of the tray body; in the process of placing the micro-fluidic chip in the chip placing groove, the micro-fluidic chip moves from the center of the tray body to the edge of the tray body; and the micro-fluidic chip is arranged in the chip placing groove and is in contact with the inclined surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microfluidics, and in particular to a microfluidic chip centrifuge tray and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Microfluidics is a popular and widely used technology in the analytical field, offering advantages such as small sample and reagent requirements, fast reaction speeds, and high automation. Microfluidic-based analytical systems have rapidly developed in fields such as biochemical analysis, immunoassay, and molecular diagnostics, with many products already practically applied in related diagnostic and analytical procedures. To achieve these applications, various fluid manipulations, including separation, mixing, and reaction, need to be performed on the chip. These processes involve fluid actuation. Currently, methods for actuating fluids on the chip include using external pumps, valves, electromagnetic forces, and centrifugal force. Centrifugal force, which drives liquids through internal forces within the chip and eliminates the need for external pipe connections, offers unique advantages and is therefore widely used in microfluidics.

[0003] Centrifugation technology is widely used in the biological field to achieve the aggregation and separation of samples or reagents in centrifuge tubes and well plates. Centrifuges used in biological laboratories are mainly divided into tube centrifuges and well plate centrifuges. Tube centrifuges are used for the aggregation and separation of reagents in microcentrifuge tubes. Well plate centrifuges are generally designed with tray racks, on which well plate adapters are evenly distributed, usually two symmetrically arranged. By inserting the well plate containing reagents into the adapter, centrifugation of the reagents in the well plate can be achieved.

[0004] Microfluidic chips come in disc-shaped and non-disc-shaped forms. Disc-shaped chips use a common fixed base and elastic micropillars for positioning; the rotation of the fixed base generates internal centrifugal force on the chip. Non-disc-shaped microfluidic chips also require a centrifugal tray to generate centrifugal force. As a carrier for centrifugation, there are currently two main types of typical microfluidic chip trays on the market, which will be illustrated by the following two patents. Chinese patent application CN105842143A discloses a tray including a chip tray, a chip tray cover one, and a chip tray cover two. In use, the microfluidic chip is placed in the chip tray and fixed and positioned using chip tray cover one and chip tray cover two. The chip tray has a complex structure and is inconvenient to use. Chinese patent application CN206990610U discloses a centrifugal turntable with two concentric rings and a total of 24 slots for placing microfluidic chips. It is simply a placement device without a reliable fixing mechanism.

[0005] Therefore, how to reliably limit and fix microfluidic chips, facilitate microfluidic chip insertion, and simplify the structure of microfluidic chip centrifuge trays are problems that urgently need to be solved by those in this technical field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides a microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, which reliably limits and fixes the microfluidic chip, facilitating the insertion and removal of the microfluidic chip and simplifying the structure of the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray. The present invention also provides a method for using the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0008] A microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, comprising:

[0009] The tray body has an inclined surface that slopes downward from its center to its edge, the inclined surface being used to support the microfluidic chip;

[0010] A positioning slot for connection with the drive shaft of a centrifuge, the positioning slot being located at the center of the tray body;

[0011] A chip placement slot is disposed on the inclined surface for placing the microfluidic chip. The number of chip placement slots is multiple and they are evenly arranged along the circumference of the tray body. The insertion opening of the chip placement slot faces the center of the tray body. The chip placement slot has a first limiting structure for limiting the side of the microfluidic chip and a second limiting structure for limiting the bottom edge of the microfluidic chip. The second limiting structure is located on the side of the chip placement slot away from the center of the tray body.

[0012] in,

[0013] During the process of placing the microfluidic chip in the chip placement slot, the microfluidic chip moves from the center of the tray body to the edge of the tray body;

[0014] The microfluidic chip placed in the chip placement slot can contact the inclined surface.

[0015] Optionally, in the above-mentioned microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, every two of the multiple chip placement slots form a chip placement slot group;

[0016] In each group of chip placement slots, two chip placement slots are symmetrically arranged and have a gap. The first limiting structure of one chip placement slot is used to limit the first side of the microfluidic chip, the first limiting structure of the other chip placement slot is used to limit the second side of the microfluidic chip, and the second limiting structures of the two chip placement slots are used to limit the bottom edge of the same microfluidic chip.

[0017] Optionally, in the above-mentioned microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure of the chip placement slot have an open structure;

[0018] After the microfluidic chip is placed in the chip placement slot, the corner of the microfluidic chip away from the center of the tray body protrudes through the open structure. This facilitates observation of whether the chip is inserted correctly, ensuring safe centrifugation operation. Optionally, the above-mentioned microfluidic chip centrifuge tray also includes an anti-misinsertion indicator structure disposed on the inclined surface to indicate the placement direction of the microfluidic chip;

[0019] The anti-misinsertion indicator structure is configured in a one-to-one correspondence with the chip placement slot group, and the anti-misinsertion indicator structure is located between two chip placement slots in the chip placement slot group.

[0020] Optionally, in the above-mentioned microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, the anti-misinsertion indicator structure is a shallow groove structure disposed on the inclined surface.

[0021] Optionally, in the above-mentioned microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, the shallow groove structure has a chip orientation indicating edge; when the microfluidic chip is correctly placed in the chip placement groove, the chip chamfer of the microfluidic chip is arranged on the same side as the chip orientation indicating edge;

[0022] And / or, the shallow groove structure has a second chip stop edge; when the microfluidic chip is correctly placed in the chip placement groove, the bottom edge of the microfluidic chip is correspondingly set with the second chip stop edge.

[0023] Optionally, in the above-mentioned microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, the side of the chip placement slot near the center of the tray body is an inclined side;

[0024] The inclined edges of the two chip placement slots in each group of chip placement slots are symmetrically arranged and form a tapered structure along the direction from the center of the tray body to the edge of the tray body. This structure ensures smooth insertion of the microfluidic chip and effectively guarantees the positioning of the microfluidic chip after insertion, ensuring that the microfluidic chip will not be dislodged from the positioning slot due to deformation during high-speed centrifugation and will not be thrown out by centrifugal force, causing a safety accident.

[0025] Optionally, in the above-mentioned microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, the anti-insertion error indicator structure is a shallow groove structure disposed on the inclined surface, and the shallow groove structure has a chip orientation indicator edge;

[0026] Specifically, when the microfluidic chip is correctly placed in the chip placement slot, the chip chamfer of the microfluidic chip is arranged on the same side as the chip direction indicator edge.

[0027] Optionally, in the above-mentioned microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, the tray body has a chip insertion hole that can avoid the clamping structure for clamping the microfluidic chip, and the chip insertion hole is a through hole structure;

[0028] The chip insertion hole is located on one side of the chip placement slot's insertion opening, near the center of the tray body.

[0029] Optionally, in the above-mentioned microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, the side of the chip insertion hole away from the center of the tray body has a first chip stop edge;

[0030] Specifically, when the microfluidic chip is correctly placed in the chip placement slot, the top edge of the microfluidic chip is aligned with the stop edge of the first chip; the top edge of the microfluidic chip is the edge of the microfluidic chip near the center of the tray body.

[0031] Optionally, in the above-mentioned microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, the tray body is further provided with weight reduction holes penetrating the inner surface and the outer surface of the tray body.

[0032] Optionally, in the above-mentioned microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, the tray body has an intermediate plate and a plurality of peripheral plates evenly arranged circumferentially along the intermediate plate, and the peripheral plates are inclined downward in a direction away from the intermediate plate.

[0033] The upper surface of the intermediate plate is provided with the positioning slot, and the upper surface of the peripheral plate is the inclined surface.

[0034] The present invention also provides a method of using a microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, employing the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray as described in any of the preceding claims; comprising:

[0035] The positioning slot is connected to the drive shaft of the centrifuge;

[0036] The microfluidic chip is inserted into the chip placement slot through the insertion opening of the chip placement slot. The side of the microfluidic chip contacts the first limiting structure of the chip placement slot, the bottom edge of the microfluidic chip contacts the second limiting structure of the chip placement slot, one side of the microfluidic chip contacts the inclined surface, and the other side of the microfluidic chip contacts the side of the chip placement slot facing the inclined surface.

[0037] Start the centrifuge to perform the centrifugation operation.

[0038] Optionally, in the above-mentioned method of using the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, the microfluidic chip includes a substrate and a cover plate, the substrate has flow channels and reaction holes, and the cover plate covers the side of the substrate where the flow channels and reaction holes are located;

[0039] When the microfluidic chip is inserted into the chip placement slot, the cover plate contacts the inclined surface.

[0040] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided by the present invention allows the microfluidic chip to move from the center of the tray body to the edge of the tray body during the process of placing the microfluidic chip into the chip placement slot, so that the microfluidic chip is inserted into the chip placement slot through the insertion opening. During the placement of the microfluidic chip into the chip placement slot, the side of the microfluidic chip is restricted by a first limiting structure; and after the microfluidic chip is placed into the chip placement slot, the bottom edge of the microfluidic chip is restricted by a second limiting structure. When the positioning slot is connected to the centrifuge's drive shaft, starting the centrifuge drives the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray to rotate, thereby causing the microfluidic chip inserted into the chip placement slot to centrifuge. In this design, the inclined surface slopes downwards from the center of the tray body towards its edge. The microfluidic chip placed in the chip placement slot contacts the inclined surface, causing it to slope downwards from the center of the tray body towards its edge. The first limiting structure restricts the side of the microfluidic chip, and the second limiting structure restricts its bottom edge. During the centrifugal movement of the microfluidic chip, the rotating tray, combined with the guiding effect of the inclined surface, causes the microfluidic chip to tend to move downwards, preventing it from flying upwards. This self-limiting tendency ensures the safe and reliable operation of the microfluidic chip centrifugal tray. Furthermore, the first limiting structure abuts against the side of the microfluidic chip, and the second limiting structure abuts against its bottom edge, effectively ensuring the reliable positioning of the microfluidic chip relative to the microfluidic chip centrifugal tray. During installation, the microfluidic chip is simply moved from the center of the tray body to its edge, and inserted into the chip placement slot in one step to complete the assembly. At the end of centrifugation, the microfluidic chip is simply removed from the slot. The microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in this invention allows for reliable positioning and fixation of the microfluidic chip; it avoids the need for additional snap-fit ​​structures on the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, facilitating chip insertion and simplifying the tray's structure.

[0041] The method of using the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided by the present invention has the same technical effect as the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray described above, and will not be described in detail here. Attached Figure Description

[0042] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0043] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the front structure of the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the back structure of a microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 4 This is a side view of the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the chip placement slot of the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the first state of microfluidic chip assembly on a microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the second state of microfluidic chip assembly on a microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the microfluidic chip provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the back structure of the microfluidic chip provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram illustrating the connection between the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray and the drive shaft of the centrifuge provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 11 This is a front view schematic diagram of the connection between the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray and the drive shaft of the centrifuge provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Among them, the microfluidic chip centrifugal tray-1, tray body-101, positioning slot-102, chip placement slot-103, second limiting structure-1031, first limiting structure-1032, open structure-1033, insertion opening-1034, inclined edge-1035, chip insertion hole-104, first chip stop edge-1041, weight reduction hole-105, anti-insertion error indication structure-106, second chip stop edge-1061, chip direction indication edge-1062, microfluidic chip-2, substrate-201, cover plate-202, chip chamfer-203, top edge-204, bottom edge-205, drive shaft-3. Detailed Implementation

[0055] This invention discloses a microfluidic chip centrifuge tray to achieve reliable positioning and fixation of the microfluidic chip, facilitate microfluidic chip insertion, and simplify the structure of the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray. This invention also provides a method for using the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray.

[0056] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0057] like Figures 1-11 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, including a tray body 101, a positioning slot 102, and a chip placement slot 103. The tray body 101 has an inclined surface that slopes downwards from its center to its edge, the inclined surface being used to support the microfluidic chip 2; the positioning slot 102 is used to connect to the drive shaft 3 of a centrifuge, and the positioning slot 102 is located at the center of the tray body 101; the chip placement slot 103 is located on the inclined surface and is used to place the microfluidic chip 2, the number of chip placement slots 103 is multiple and evenly arranged along the circumference of the tray body 101; the insertion opening 1034 of the chip placement slot 103 faces the center of the tray body 101, and the chip placement slot 103 has a... The microfluidic chip 2 is limited by a first limiting structure (1032) on its side and a second limiting structure (1031) on its bottom edge 205. The second limiting structure (1031) is located on the side of the chip placement groove 103 away from the center of the tray body 101. During the process of placing the microfluidic chip 2 in the chip placement groove 103, the microfluidic chip 2 moves from the center of the tray body 101 to the edge of the tray body 101. The microfluidic chip 2 disposed in the chip placement groove 103 can contact the inclined surface.

[0058] The microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in this embodiment of the invention allows the microfluidic chip 2 to move from the center of the tray body 101 towards its edge during placement into the chip placement slot 103. This allows the microfluidic chip 2 to be inserted into the chip placement slot 103 through the insertion opening 1034. During placement, the side of the microfluidic chip 2 is restricted by a first limiting structure 1032; and after placement, its bottom edge 205 is restricted by a second limiting structure 1031. When the positioning slot 102 is connected to the centrifuge's drive shaft 3, starting the centrifuge rotates the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, thereby causing the microfluidic chip 2 inserted into the chip placement slot 103 to centrifuge. In this design, the inclined surface slopes downwards from the center of the tray body 101 towards its edge. The microfluidic chip 2, placed in the chip placement slot 103, contacts the inclined surface, causing the microfluidic chip 2 to slope downwards from the center of the tray body 101 towards its edge. The first limiting structure 1032 restricts the side of the microfluidic chip 2, and the second limiting structure 1031 restricts the bottom edge 205 of the microfluidic chip 2. As the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray rotates and drives the microfluidic chip 2 to centrifuge, the inclined surface guides the microfluidic chip 2 downwards, preventing it from flying upwards. This self-limiting tendency ensures the safe and reliable operation of the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray. The first limiting structure 1032 abuts against the side of the microfluidic chip 2, and the second limiting structure 1031 abuts against the bottom edge 205 of the microfluidic chip 2, effectively ensuring the reliable positioning of the microfluidic chip 2 relative to the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray. During installation, the microfluidic chip 2 only needs to be moved from the center of the tray body 101 to the edge of the tray body 101, and the insertion into the chip placement slot 103 can be completed in one step. When centrifugation is finished, the microfluidic chip 2 can be removed from the chip placement slot 103 in one step. The microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in this embodiment of the invention allows the microfluidic chip 2 to be reliably and automatically positioned, avoiding the need for additional snap-fit ​​structures on the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray to position the microfluidic chip 2. This facilitates the insertion of the microfluidic chip 2 and simplifies the structure of the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray.

[0059] In other words, the assembly of the microfluidic chip 2 can be completed simply by moving it from the center of the tray body 101 to its edge, and the removal of the microfluidic chip 2 can be completed simply by removing it from the chip placement slot 103. Thus, the assembly and removal of the microfluidic chip 2 relative to the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray can be completed in one step, making the use of the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray extremely convenient. Furthermore, the overall structure of the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray ensures both ease of use and safety.

[0060] It is understandable that the bottom edge 205 of the microfluidic chip 2 is the side of the microfluidic chip 2 away from the center of the tray body 101 after the microfluidic chip 2 is placed in the chip placement slot 103; the side edge of the microfluidic chip 2 is the edge of the microfluidic chip 2 extending from the center of the tray body 101 to its edge after the microfluidic chip 2 is placed in the chip placement slot 103.

[0061] Among them, the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray mentioned above is a self-propelled or self-limiting microfluidic chip centrifuge tray.

[0062] Furthermore, every two chip placement slots 103 in the plurality of chip placement slots 103 form a chip placement slot group;

[0063] In each group of chip placement slots, two chip placement slots 103 are symmetrically arranged and have a gap. The first limiting structure 1032 of one chip placement slot 103 is used to limit the first side of the microfluidic chip 2, and the first limiting structure 1032 of the other chip placement slot 103 is used to limit the second side of the microfluidic chip 2. The second limiting structure 1031 of the two chip placement slots 103 is used to limit the bottom edge 205 of the same microfluidic chip 2.

[0064] Specifically, multiple sets of chip placement slots can be set up, and these slots are evenly arranged along the circumference of the tray body 101. Therefore, the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray can hold multiple microfluidic chips 2, giving it the characteristics of small size and high throughput.

[0065] That is, two chip placement slots 103 in a set of chip placement slots jointly limit one microfluidic chip 2. With the above arrangement, the operating tool (hand or other tool for holding the microfluidic chip 2) can push the bottom edge 205 of the microfluidic chip 2 by the gap between the two chip placement slots 103, which facilitates the movement of the microfluidic chip 2 relative to the chip placement slot 103, thereby facilitating the removal of the microfluidic chip 2 from the chip placement slot 103.

[0066] The chip placement slot 103 and the inclined surface are closed structures in the vertical direction.

[0067] In each group of chip placement slots, the distance between the first limiting structure 1032 of one chip placement slot 103 and the first limiting structure 1032 of the other chip placement slot 103 is consistent with the width dimension of the microfluidic chip 2 (the distance between the first side and the second side of the microfluidic chip 2) (error is allowed).

[0068] The distance between the chip placement slot 103 and the inclined surface is consistent with the thickness dimension of the microfluidic chip 2 (the distance between the side of the microfluidic chip 2 facing the inclined surface and the side of the microfluidic chip 2 facing away from the inclined surface) (error is allowed).

[0069] Of course, it is also possible to set only one chip placement slot 103 to limit one microfluidic chip 2, that is, one chip placement slot 103 has at least two first limiting structures (1032) and one second limiting structure (1031), and the microfluidic chip 2 is located between the two first limiting structures (1032).

[0070] Furthermore, the chip placement slot 103 has an open structure 1033 between the first limiting structure (1032) and the second limiting structure 1031; after the microfluidic chip 2 is placed in the chip placement slot 103, the corner of the microfluidic chip 2 away from the center of the tray body 101 protrudes through the open structure 1033. This design allows operators to easily understand the status of the microfluidic chip 2 in the chip placement slot 103, such as whether it is properly positioned.

[0071] That is, the open structure 1033 has the function of facilitating users to observe whether the microfluidic chip 2 is inserted in place; and it can predict in advance whether the microfluidic chip 2 is about to be in place.

[0072] The microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes an anti-misinsertion indicator structure 106 disposed on an inclined surface for indicating the placement direction of the microfluidic chip 2; the anti-misinsertion indicator structure 106 is disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with the chip placement slot group, and the anti-misinsertion indicator structure 106 is located between two chip placement slots 103 in the chip placement slot group. Through the above arrangement, the function of preventing misinsertion of the microfluidic chip 2 is realized, ensuring the correctness of the subsequent centrifugation operation.

[0073] Furthermore, the anti-misinsertion indicator structure 106 is a shallow groove structure set on an inclined surface. The shallow groove structure is formed by the indentation of the inclined surface, which effectively avoids wear of the shallow groove structure during the placement of the microfluidic chip 2 in the chip placement slot 103, thereby improving the service life of the anti-misinsertion indicator structure 106.

[0074] Preferably, the shallow groove structure has a chip orientation indicator edge 1062; wherein, when the microfluidic chip 2 is correctly placed in the chip placement groove 103, the chip chamfer 203 of the microfluidic chip 2 is arranged on the same side as the chip orientation indicator edge 1062.

[0075] Of course, the anti-misinsertion indicator structure 106 can also be set as an icon drawn on the inclined surface or a sticker applied to the inclined surface, etc.

[0076] The shallow groove structure has a second chip stop edge 1061; when the microfluidic chip 2 is correctly placed in the chip placement groove 103, the bottom edge 205 of the microfluidic chip 2 is correspondingly set with the second chip stop edge 1061. This configuration further improves the positioning effect of the microfluidic chip 2 within the chip placement groove 103.

[0077] The bottom edge 205 of the microfluidic chip 2 is the edge of the microfluidic chip 2 away from the center of the tray body 101.

[0078] Furthermore, when the bottom edge 205 of the microfluidic chip 2 is set to correspond with the stop edge 1061 of the second chip, the bottom edge 205 and the stop edge 1061 of the second chip are aligned.

[0079] The chip placement slot 103 has an inclined edge 1035 on the side closest to the center of the tray body 101. The inclined edges 1035 of the two chip placement slots 103 in each group are symmetrically arranged and form a tapered structure along the direction from the center of the tray body 101 to its edge. This arrangement further facilitates the insertion of the microfluidic chip 2. Furthermore, while ensuring the effective positioning of the microfluidic chip 2 by the chip placement slot 103, the overall material usage of the chip placement slot 103 is minimized, thereby reducing the overall weight of the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray.

[0080] like Figure 5 As shown, two chip placement slots 103 are symmetrically arranged, and the inclined edges 1035 of the two chip placement slots 103 form a flared structure. This flared structure forms a tapered structure along the direction from the center of the tray body 101 to the edge of the tray body 101. The above structure further facilitates the placement of the microfluidic chip 2.

[0081] This structure ensures smooth insertion of the microfluidic chip 2 and effectively guarantees its positioning after insertion. It also ensures that the microfluidic chip 2 will not be dislodged from the positioning slot (chip placement slot 103) due to deformation during high-speed centrifugation, thus preventing a safety accident caused by centrifugal force.

[0082] Of course, the structure of the inclined edge 1035 can also be adjusted so that the inclined edge 1035 of the two chip placement slots 103 forms other tapered structures, such as trapezoidal holes.

[0083] The microfluidic chip 2 has a chip chamfer 203, meaning that one corner of the microfluidic chip 2 is chamfered. Specifically, the anti-insertion misalignment indicator structure 106 is a square structure, and the chip chamfer 203 of the microfluidic chip 2 is arranged on the same side as the chip direction indicator edge 1062, so that the corner in the same direction of the anti-insertion misalignment indicator structure 106 is also a chamfered structure.

[0084] Preferably, the tray body 101 has a chip insertion hole 104, which avoids the clamping structure for gripping the microfluidic chip 2. The chip insertion hole 104 is a through-hole structure. The chip insertion hole 104 is located on the side of the insertion opening 1034 of the chip placement slot 103 near the center of the tray body 101. The clamping structure for gripping the microfluidic chip 2 can be a hand or an operating tool for gripping the microfluidic chip 2. During the process of placing the microfluidic chip 2 into the chip placement slot 103, the hand or the operating tool for gripping the microfluidic chip 2 also needs to contact the side of the microfluidic chip 2 facing the tray body 101. This part of the structure can enter the chip insertion hole 104, so that the side of the microfluidic chip 2 facing the tray body 101 can contact the inclined surface and then move into the chip placement slot 103 under the action of the clamping structure for gripping the microfluidic chip 2.

[0085] Furthermore, the chip insertion hole 104 is a through-hole structure, which can further reduce the weight of the tray body 101, thereby reducing weight and increasing the stability of the microfluidic chip centrifugal tray during operation.

[0086] Preferably, the chip insertion hole 104 has a first chip stop edge 1041 on the side away from the center of the tray body 101; wherein, when the microfluidic chip 2 is correctly placed in the chip placement slot 103, the top edge 204 of the microfluidic chip 2 is correspondingly arranged with the first chip stop edge 1041; the top edge 204 of the microfluidic chip 2 is the edge of the microfluidic chip 2 near the center of the tray body 101. This arrangement further improves the positioning effect of the microfluidic chip 2 within the chip placement slot 103.

[0087] One side of the chip insertion hole 104 is the first chip stop edge 1041, which is a straight edge, and the other sides of the chip insertion hole 104 are U-shaped edges.

[0088] Furthermore, when the top edge 204 of the microfluidic chip 2 is set to correspond with the first chip stop edge 1041, the top edge 204 is aligned with the first chip stop edge 1041.

[0089] In the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray provided in this embodiment of the invention, the tray body 101 is further provided with weight-reducing holes 105 penetrating the inner surface and the outer surface of the tray body 101. The number of weight-reducing holes 105 can be multiple.

[0090] Furthermore, to ensure the strength of the pallet body 101, multiple weight-reducing holes 105 are arranged in a matrix.

[0091] Preferably, the weight reduction hole 105 avoids the arrangement area of ​​the anti-misinsertion indicator structure 106.

[0092] The tray body 101 has a middle plate and multiple peripheral plates evenly arranged circumferentially along the middle plate, with the peripheral plates inclined downwards away from the middle plate. A positioning groove 102 is provided on the upper surface of the middle plate, and the upper surfaces of the peripheral plates are inclined surfaces. This configuration creates an inverted bowl-shaped structure for the tray body 101. Specifically, the upper surface of the tray body 101 is entirely a convex surface with a central outward bulge, while the lower surface is entirely a concave surface with a central inward bulge. The tray body 101 possesses strong structural strength, better operational stability, and can withstand greater centrifugal force, facilitating the movement of reagents inside the microfluidic chip 2. Furthermore, the above structure, combined with the weight-reducing holes 105 and chip insertion holes 104, effectively reduces the rotational wind resistance of the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, improving the motor efficiency of the centrifuge.

[0093] In this embodiment, the peripheral plate is a trapezoidal plate, with its top edge connected to the middle plate and its bottom edge forming the outer periphery of the tray body 101. Preferably, the peripheral plate has an isosceles trapezoidal structure.

[0094] Furthermore, there are four peripheral panels, and the middle panel is a square panel. The corner formed by connecting the bottom edges of adjacent peripheral panels is rounded. The number of peripheral panels can also be set to other values, which will not be elaborated here, but are all within the scope of protection.

[0095] Furthermore, the number of peripheral boards is the same as the number of chip placement slots and they correspond one-to-one.

[0096] Preferably, the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray can be formed from one or more materials selected from ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PC (Polycarbonate), ABS+PC, PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), and aluminum alloy through injection molding, CNC machining, milling, and EDM processes. The tray body 101, positioning slot 102, and chip placement slot 103 can be separate structures, assembled to form the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray; alternatively, two or more of the tray body 101, positioning slot 102, and chip placement slot 103 can be integrated into a single structure.

[0097] This invention also provides a method for using a microfluidic chip centrifuge tray, employing any of the microfluidic chip centrifuge trays 1 described above; including:

[0098] S1: The positioning slot 102 is connected to the drive shaft 3 of the centrifuge;

[0099] S2: Insert the microfluidic chip 2 into the chip placement slot 103 through the insertion opening 1034. The side of the microfluidic chip 2 contacts the first limiting structure (1032) of the chip placement slot 103, the bottom edge 205 of the microfluidic chip 2 contacts the second limiting structure (1031) of the chip placement slot 103, one side of the microfluidic chip 2 contacts the inclined surface, and the other side of the microfluidic chip 2 contacts the side of the chip placement slot 103 facing the inclined surface.

[0100] S3: Start the centrifuge to perform the centrifugation operation.

[0101] After centrifugation, the microfluidic chip 2 can be removed by pushing it out in one step.

[0102] Since the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray described above has the aforementioned technical effects, the method of using the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray also has the same technical effects, and will not be described in detail here.

[0103] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the microfluidic chip 2 includes a substrate 201 and a cover plate 202. The substrate 201 has flow channels and reaction holes, and the cover plate 202 covers the side of the substrate 201 where the flow channels and reaction holes are located. Figure 7 The flow channels and reaction holes of the substrate 201 can be seen because the cover plate 202 is a transparent or semi-transparent film. When the microfluidic chip 2 is inserted into the chip placement slot 103, the cover plate 202 contacts the inclined surface.

[0104] The chip surface of the substrate 201 (the side of the substrate 201 facing the cover plate 202) has flow channels and reaction orifices, which have obstruction factors, while the surface of the cover plate 202 (film) is a smooth surface. By contacting the cover plate 202 with the inclined surface, the flow of reagents within the chamber is more favorable from a fluid dynamics perspective. This allows for efficient driving of reagents from the flow channels into the reaction orifices of the microfluidic chip 2 during high-speed centrifugation, making the microfluidic chip centrifuge tray easier, more reliable, and more efficient to use.

[0105] Specifically, following the direction indicated by the anti-insertion error indicator structure 106, the microfluidic chip 2 is moved from the center of the tray body (101) towards the edge of the tray body (101) and inserted into the chip placement slot (103), with the top edge 204 of the chip aligned with the first chip stop edge 1041. Following the guidance of the anti-insertion error indicator structure 106, not only is the insertion direction of the microfluidic chip 2 determined, but also the insertion method of the cover 202 facing the inclined surface.

[0106] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0107] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A microfluidic chip centrifugation tray, characterized in that, The application relates to a tray body (101) with an inclined surface inclined downward from the center to the edge of the tray body (101), which is used for supporting a microfluidic chip (2); a positioning clamping groove (102) for connecting with a driving shaft (3) of a centrifuge, which is arranged at the center of the tray body (101); a chip placing groove (103) arranged on the inclined surface and used for placing the microfluidic chip (2), the chip placing groove (103) is multiple in number and is uniformly arranged along the circumference of the tray body (101); the insertion opening (1034) of the chip placing groove (103) faces the center of the tray body (101), the chip placing groove (103) has a first limiting structure (1032) for limiting the side edge of the microfluidic chip (2) and a second limiting structure (1031) for limiting the bottom edge (205) of the microfluidic chip (2), and the second limiting structure (1031) is located on the side of the chip placing groove (103) far away from the center of the tray body (101). In the process of placing the microfluidic chip (2) in the chip placing groove (103), the microfluidic chip (2) moves from the center of the tray body (101) to the edge of the tray body (101). The microfluidic chip (2) arranged in the chip placing groove (103) can be in contact with the inclined surface. The chip placing groove (103) and the inclined surface are closed structures in the vertical direction, and each two chip placing grooves (103) in the multiple chip placing grooves (103) form a chip placing groove group. The two chip placing grooves (103) in each chip placing groove group are symmetrically arranged and have a spacing, the first limiting structure (1032) of one chip placing groove (103) is used for limiting the first side edge of the microfluidic chip (2), the first limiting structure (1032) of the other chip placing groove (103) is used for limiting the second side edge of the microfluidic chip (2), and the second limiting structures (1031) of the two chip placing grooves (103) are used for limiting the bottom edge (205) of the same microfluidic chip (2). The first limiting structure (1032) and the second limiting structure (1031) of the chip placing groove (103) have an open structure (1033) therebetween. After the microfluidic chip (2) is placed in the chip placing groove (103), the angle of the microfluidic chip (2) far away from the center of the tray body (101) is out of the open structure (1033). The anti-misplacement indication structure (106) arranged on the inclined surface is used for indicating the placement direction of the microfluidic chip (2). The anti-misplacement indication structure (106) is arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the chip placing groove group, and the anti-misplacement indication structure (106) is located between the two chip placing grooves (103) in the chip placing groove group.

2. The microfluidic chip centrifugation tray of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ 3. The microfluidic chip centrifugation tray of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ 4. The microfluidic chip centrifugation tray of claim 3, wherein, The anti-misplacement indication structure (106) is a shallow groove structure arranged on the inclined surface.

5. The microfluidic chip centrifugation tray of claim 4, wherein, The shallow groove structure has a chip direction indication edge (1062); in the state that the microfluidic chip (2) is correctly placed in the chip placement groove (103), the chip chamfer (203) of the microfluidic chip (2) is arranged on the same side as the chip direction indication edge (1062). And / or, the shallow groove structure has a second chip stop edge (1061); in the state that the microfluidic chip (2) is correctly placed in the chip placement groove (103), the bottom edge (205) of the microfluidic chip (2) is arranged corresponding to the second chip stop edge (1061).

6. The microfluidic chip centrifugation tray of claim 1, wherein, The side of the chip placement groove (103) close to the center of the tray body (101) is an inclined side (1035); The inclined sides (1035) of the two chip placement grooves (103) in each group of chip placement grooves are symmetrically arranged and form a tapered structure along the direction from the center of the tray body (101) to the edge of the tray body (101).

7. The microfluidic chip centrifugation tray of claim 1, wherein, The tray body (101) has a chip insertion hole (104) capable of avoiding the clamping structure for clamping the microfluidic chip (2), and the chip insertion hole (104) is a through-hole structure; The chip insertion hole (104) is located on the side of the insertion opening (1034) of the chip placement groove (103) close to the center of the tray body (101).

8. The microfluidic chip centrifugation tray of claim 7, wherein, The side of the chip insertion hole (104) away from the center of the tray body (101) has a first chip stop edge (1041); In the state that the microfluidic chip (2) is correctly placed in the chip placement groove (103), the top edge (204) of the microfluidic chip (2) is arranged corresponding to the first chip stop edge (1041); and the top edge (204) of the microfluidic chip (2) is the edge of the microfluidic chip (2) close to the center of the tray body (101).

9. The microfluidic chip centrifugation tray of claim 1, wherein, The tray body (101) is further provided with a weight-reducing hole (105) penetrating the inner surface and the outer surface of the tray body (101).

10. The microfluidic chip centrifugal tray according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the tray body (101) has a middle plate and a plurality of peripheral plates uniformly arranged along the circumference of the middle plate, and the peripheral plates are inclined downward away from the middle plate; The upper surface of the middle plate is provided with the positioning clamping groove (102), and the upper surface of the peripheral plate is the inclined surface.

11. A method of using a microfluidic chip centrifugation tray, the method comprising: The microfluidic chip centrifugal tray (1) according to any one of claims 1-10 is applied; comprising: The positioning clamping groove (102) is connected with the driving shaft (3) of the centrifuge; The positioning clamping groove (102) is connected with the driving shaft (3) of the centrifuge; The microfluidic chip (2) is inserted into the chip placing groove (103) from the insertion opening (1034) of the chip placing groove (103), the side edge of the microfluidic chip (2) is in contact with the first limiting structure (1032) of the chip placing groove (103), the bottom edge (205) of the microfluidic chip (2) is in contact with the second limiting structure (1031) of the chip placing groove (103), one side of the microfluidic chip (2) is in contact with the inclined surface, and the other side of the microfluidic chip (2) is in contact with the side of the chip placing groove (103) facing the inclined surface; The centrifugal machine is started to perform a centrifugal operation.

12. The method of using a microfluidic chip centrifugation tray of claim 11, wherein, The microfluidic chip (2) comprises a substrate (201) and a cover plate (202), the substrate (201) is provided with flow channels and reaction wells, and the cover plate (202) is arranged on one side of the substrate (201) provided with the flow channels and the reaction wells. When the microfluidic chip (2) is inserted into the chip placing groove (103), the cover plate is in contact with the inclined surface.

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