Nanometer magnetic fluid mixing sorting device and working method thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a nanomagnetic fluid mixing and sorting device and its operating method, mainly used for the sorting of magnetic beads or the mixing of fluids in cells or tissues. The main structure includes an upper sealing layer, a middle sorting and mixing layer, and a lower magnetic rotor layer. The upper sealing layer is mainly used for sealing and facilitating the entry and exit of various fluids. The middle sorting channel contains a certain number of nanomagnetic fluid micro-clusters. During operation, these micro-clusters move within the sorting channel under the drive of the lower magnetic rotor, which can be used to capture magnetic particles in the fluid for sorting, or to mix different fluids. The lower rotor layer is mainly connected to a motor and is used to mount the magnetic rotor platform. The motor drives the rotating shaft and the magnetic rotor platform to rotate, further driving the nanomagnetic fluid capture and mixer to move, completing the sorting and mixing process within the sorting layer. This invention can achieve active sorting of magnetic beads in cells or tissues and can also be used for mixing different fluids.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microfluidics, specifically to a nanomagnetic fluid mixing and sorting device and its working method. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development and improvement of microfabrication technology, microfluidic chips are playing an increasingly important role in synthesis, medicine, and biology. In the pharmaceutical field, microfluidic chips are mainly used for disease diagnosis or drug production; in the synthesis field, they are mainly used for the manufacture of various microbeads; and in the biological field, they can be used for the culture and component analysis of various tissues and animal cells. While traditional microfluidic chips can achieve cell and tissue sorting, they still have shortcomings in sorting accuracy and efficiency, and are limited by size, making them difficult to manufacture, with low processing precision and poor adaptability. Although some paper-based chips have been developed in recent years, significantly reducing sorting costs, the sorting method is mainly passive, and the accuracy of sorting still needs improvement and is prone to damaging cells and tissues. Furthermore, due to their material properties, paper-based chips can only be used once, and long-term use costs are not low. When microchannels are used as reactors to mix two materials, the mixing efficiency is low due to the limitation of channel size, and the mixing effect is not ideal. In order to improve the mixing efficiency of materials, some microchannel reactors have added microneedles or microfins inside the channels, which greatly increases the manufacturing cost and manufacturing difficulty, and also greatly increases the resistance inside the channels. Once the channels are blocked, they are not easy to clean and maintain. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a nanomagnetic fluid mixing and sorting device and its working method, which can realize the active sorting of magnetic beads in cells or tissues, and can also be used for mixing different fluids.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this invention is: a nano-magnetic fluid mixing and sorting device, characterized in that it comprises an upper sealing cover plate, a middle separation and mixing layer, and a lower magnetic rotor layer, the three layers being arranged in an overlapping manner.

[0005] The upper sealing cover is equipped with a fluid inlet and a sorted product outlet. The middle separation and mixing layer includes a material inlet channel connected to the material inlet, a sorted product outlet channel connected to the sorted product outlet, a residual liquid outlet channel, an annular sorting channel, and a nano-magnetic fluid trap. A central through hole is formed in the middle of the annular sorting channel. The material inlet channel, the sorted product outlet channel, and the residual liquid outlet channel are respectively connected to the annular sorting channel. A certain number of nano-magnetic fluid micro-clusters are sealed inside the annular sorting channel as nano-magnetic fluid traps. The nano-magnetic fluid micro-clusters can change their shape and position under the action of the external magnetic field generated by the lower magnetic rotor layer, and sort out cells or particles in the mixed fluid through the magnetism of the nano-magnetic fluid itself. Driven by the lower magnetic rotor layer, the trapped sorted product is sent to the sorted product outlet channel and released along the sorting channel. The residual liquid after sorting can flow out through the residual liquid outlet channel.

[0006] The lower magnetic rotor layer includes an electromagnet and a magnetic rotor platform. The rotatable circular magnetic rotor platform is mounted at the center of the lower chip via a rotary shaft. The magnetic rotor platform is installed in the central through-hole of the middle separation and mixing layer. A fan-shaped electromagnet is installed at the edge of the magnetic rotor platform.

[0007] Furthermore, the lower magnetic rotor layer also includes connecting rods, and there are multiple electromagnets arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically, with connecting rods installed between the electromagnets.

[0008] Furthermore, the diameter of the magnetic rotor platform is smaller than the diameter of the central through-hole of the middle separation mixing layer.

[0009] Furthermore, there are multiple material inlet channels and sorted product outlet channels, which are evenly distributed around the annular sorting channel in a radial arrangement.

[0010] Furthermore, there are two residual liquid outlet channels, located on both sides of the annular sorting channel.

[0011] Furthermore, the upper sealing cover, the middle separation and mixing layer, and the lower magnetic rotor layer are combined together by thermal bonding or bolting.

[0012] Based on the working method of the above-mentioned nano-magnetic fluid mixing and sorting device:

[0013] First, the prepared liquid is injected into the device through the fluid inlet. Driven by pressure, the liquid passes through the upper sealed cover fluid inlet downwards and enters the fluid inlet channel of the middle separation and mixing layer. It then enters the annular sorting channel along the fluid inlet channel. At the same time, the magnetic rotor platform, driven by the rotating shaft, drives the electromagnet on the platform to rotate continuously. Under the action of the electromagnet's magnetic force, the nano-magnetic fluid micro-clusters follow the rotation of the electromagnet in the annular sorting channel. Since the nano-magnetic fluid micro-clusters contain a large number of ferromagnetic particles, they will adsorb the magnetic particles in the liquid onto their surface. When the magnetic fluid micro-clusters carry the adsorbed sorted material through the outlet channel, a reverse magnetic field set near the outlet channel or a change in the direction and magnitude of the magnetic field of the magnet causes the magnetic particles adsorbed on the surface of the nano-magnetic fluid micro-clusters to be released and accumulated at the sorted material outlet, finally flowing out of the device. The sorted residual liquid flows directly out of the device through the residual liquid outlet channel.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: (1) The structure of the channel is simple, which can greatly reduce the resistance and pressure drop of the fluid inside the channel, and is easy to process and manufacture, which can greatly reduce the processing and manufacturing cost;

[0015] (2) The present invention can be processed using PMMA or other metal materials, is reusable, easy to disassemble and repair, greatly improves the service life of the equipment and reduces maintenance and operating costs;

[0016] (3) The present invention adopts a form in which multiple inlets and outlets simultaneously feed and discharge liquid, so that the enrichment and separation of the sorted material are concentrated in the same stage and carried out simultaneously, which greatly improves the production efficiency and solves the problems of low throughput and low productivity of traditional microfluidic chips.

[0017] In addition to the objectives, features, and advantages described above, the present invention has other objectives, features, and advantages. The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the figures. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural breakdown diagram of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the upper cover plate structure of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the two-dimensional structure of the intermediate layer of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the intermediate layer of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a two-dimensional schematic diagram of the lower magnetic rotor of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the lower magnetic rotor of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the present invention when used for fluid mixing. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] As attached Figure 1 The diagram shows a microchannel sorting and mixing device based on nano-magnetic fluid according to the present invention. 1 is the upper sealing cover plate, 2 is the middle separation and mixing layer, and 3 is the lower magnetic rotor layer. The three layers are arranged in an overlapping manner and are combined together by thermal bonding or bolting to form a complete sorting and mixing device.

[0027] As attached Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the upper cover plate of this invention. The upper cover plate 1 primarily functions to seal and guide the fluid flow in and out. It is equipped with fluid inlets 11 and 13 and sorting outlets 12 and 14. Material inlets and outlets can appear in pairs, and the number can be 2, 4, 6, 8, or more, depending on the flow rate and actual needs. The inlet and outlet cross-sections can be circular, rectangular, polygonal, etc. Outlets and inlets can appear in pairs, or can be configured with multiple outlets corresponding to one inlet or multiple inlets corresponding to one outlet, depending on actual needs. Multiple inlets and outlets can be arranged in circular, rectangular, polygonal, etc. When there are multiple material inlets and outlets, they can be arranged as follows: Figure 2 The arrangement shown is rectangular, but it can also be circular or triangular. (See attached image.) Figure 2 This is just one example. During operation, the mixture flows into the intermediate separation mixing layer 2 simultaneously from inlets 11 and 13, and is sorted in the intermediate layer. The sorted material is sent to the outlet channel by the nanomagnetic fluid trap and flows out from the sorted material outlets 12 and 14.

[0028] like Figure 3-4The diagram shows the intermediate layer structure of the present invention. The intermediate layer is mainly used for material sorting and mixing. Its main structure includes material inlet channels 21 and 23 connected to material inlets 11 and 13, sorting outlet channels 22 and 24 connected to sorting outlets 12 and 14, residual liquid outlet channels 25 and 26, sorting channel 27, and a nano-magnetic fluid trap. During operation, the material entering the device from the upper chip first enters the fluid inlet channels 21 and 23 of the intermediate layer, and is transported to the annular sorting channel 27 via 21 and 23. A certain number of nano-magnetic fluid micro-clusters 28 are sealed inside the annular sorting channel 27 as traps. The nano-magnetic fluid micro-clusters 28 can change their shape and position under the action of the external magnetic field generated by the lower magnetic rotor 31, and sort out cells or particles in the mixture through the magnetism of the nano-magnetic fluid itself. Driven by the lower magnetic rotor, the captured sorted material is sent along the sorting channel 27 to the nearest sorting outlet channels 22 and 24 and released. Finally, the sorted material flows out of the device through upper outlets 12 and 14. The residual liquid after sorting flows out from both sides of the device through residual liquid outlet channels 25 and 26.

[0029] like Figure 5-6 The diagram shows the structure of the lower magnetic rotor 3 of this invention. The main structure of the magnetic rotor layer 3 includes an electromagnet 31, a connecting rod 32, and a magnetic rotor platform 33. The rotatable circular magnetic rotor platform 33 is mounted at the center of the lower chip 3 via a rotating shaft. For ease of installation, the diameter of the magnetic rotor platform 33 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the central through-hole of the sorting and mixing layer 2, ensuring that the magnetic rotor platform and its accessories can be smoothly installed within the central through-hole of the sorting layer 2. Simultaneously, to avoid gaps between the intermediate and lower layers during installation, the total thickness of the magnetic rotor platform and its accessories is not greater than the thickness of the sorting and mixing layer 2. At the edge of the magnetic rotor platform, a fan-shaped annular electromagnet 31 is installed. The number of magnets can be one, two, three, or more, and the magnets can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically. To ensure the stability of the rotor during rotation, connecting rods 32 are also installed between the magnets. During operation, the magnetic rotor platform 33 rotates under the drive of the rotary shaft, thereby causing the magnet 31 installed on the platform 33 to rotate in the through hole of the chip 2, further driving the nano-magnetic fluid 28 enclosed in the sorting channel 27 to move along a circular track, and sending the sorted material adsorbed on the magnetic nanoparticles to the outlet channels 22 and 24.

[0030] When used as a separator, this invention first injects the prepared liquid into the device through ports 11 and 13. Under pressure, the solution passes through the upper sealing cover 1 inlet downwards and enters the fluid inlet channels 21 and 23 of the middle separation mixing layer 2. It then flows along ports 21 and 23 into the sorting channel 27, which contains a certain number of nano-magnetic fluid microparticles 28. Simultaneously, the magnetic rotor platform 33, driven by the rotating shaft, causes the magnet 31 on the platform to rotate continuously. Under the magnetic force of the electromagnet 31, the nano-magnetic fluid microparticles follow the rotation of the electromagnet 31 within the sorting channel 27. Because the magnetic fluid microparticles contain a large number of ferromagnetic particles, they adsorb magnetic particles from the solution onto their surface. When the magnetic fluid microparticles 28, carrying the adsorbed sorted material, pass through outlet channels 22 and 24, a reverse magnetic field can be set near the outlet channels, or the direction and magnitude of the magnetic field of the magnet 31 can be changed. This releases the magnetic particles adsorbed on the surface of the magnetic fluid microparticles, causing them to accumulate at outlets 12 and 14 before finally flowing out of the device. The residual liquid after sorting flows directly out of the device through residual liquid outlets 25 and 26.

[0031] like Figure 7 When used as a mixer or reactor, the present invention allows different types of solutions or fluids to be injected into the chip through inlets 11-14. The shape and position of the magnetofluid micro-particles can be changed by altering the magnetic field strength, thus connecting the annular channels 27. As the magnetofluid micro-particles rotate under the influence of the magnetic rotor 33, the mixing and reaction of the fluids are accelerated. The mixed solution then flows out of the device through outlet channels 25 and 26.

[0032] When the device is used for mixing, the number of sealed fluid micro-particles 28 in the sorting channel 27 is the same as the number of magnetic rotors. By changing the magnetic poles and magnetic field strength of the electromagnet 31, the position and shape of the nano-magnetic fluid micro-particles 28 in the sorting channel 27 are controlled to change. As the nano-fluid micro-particles 28 advance circumferentially within the sorting channel 27, their radial position is continuously changed. Some micro-particles are in close contact with the outer ring wall of the mixing channel on one side, while leaving a certain gap with the inner ring wall on the other side. Other nano-fluid micro-particles are in close contact with the inner ring wall of the mixing channel on one side, while leaving a gap with the outer ring wall on the other side. That is, they advance in a Z-shape within the annular mixing channel, thereby accelerating fluid mixing. Different fluids enter the device from the upper fluid inlet, are stirred and mixed by the middle layer of nano-magnetic fluid micro-particles, and then flow out of the device from the horizontal mixed liquid channel.

[0033] The above description is merely an advantageous embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various modifications and variations. 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 nanomagnetic fluid mixing and sorting device, characterized in that, It includes an upper sealing cover (1), a middle separation and mixing layer (2), and a lower magnetic rotor layer (3), which are arranged in an overlapping manner. The upper sealing cover plate (1) is provided with a fluid inlet and a sorted product outlet. The middle separation mixing layer (2) includes a material inlet channel connected to the fluid inlet, a sorted product outlet channel connected to the sorted product outlet, a residual liquid outlet channel, an annular sorting channel (27), and a nano-magnetic fluid trap. A central through hole is formed in the middle of the annular sorting channel (27). The material inlet channel, the sorted product outlet channel, and the residual liquid outlet channel are respectively connected to the annular sorting channel (27). A certain number of nano-magnetic fluid micro-clusters (28) are sealed inside the annular sorting channel (27) as nano-magnetic fluid traps. The nano-magnetic fluid micro-clusters (28) can change their shape and position under the action of the external magnetic field generated by the lower magnetic rotor layer (3), and sort out the cells or particles in the mixed fluid through the magnetism of the nano-magnetic fluid itself. Driven by the lower magnetic rotor layer (3), the captured sorted product is sent to the sorted product outlet channel and released along the annular sorting channel (27). The residual liquid after sorting can flow out through the residual liquid outlet channel. The lower magnetic rotor layer (3) includes an electromagnet (31) and a magnetic rotor platform (33). The rotatable circular magnetic rotor platform (33) is installed in the center of the lower magnetic rotor layer (3) via a rotating shaft. The magnetic rotor platform (33) is installed in the central through hole of the middle separation mixing layer (2). A fan-shaped annular electromagnet (31) is installed on the edge of the magnetic rotor platform (33).

2. The nanomagnetic fluid mixing and sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower magnetic rotor layer (3) also includes a connecting rod (32). There are multiple electromagnets (31). The electromagnets (31) are arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically. The connecting rods (32) are also installed between the electromagnets (31).

3. The nanomagnetic fluid mixing and sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The diameter of the magnetic rotor platform (33) is smaller than the diameter of the central through hole of the middle separation mixing layer (2).

4. The nanomagnetic fluid mixing and sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple material inlet channels and sorted product outlet channels. These multiple material inlet channels and sorted product outlet channels are evenly distributed around the annular sorting channel (27) and arranged radially.

5. The nanomagnetic fluid mixing and sorting device according to claim 4, characterized in that, There are two residual liquid outlet channels, which are located on both sides of the annular sorting channel (27).

6. The nanomagnetic fluid mixing and sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper sealing cover (1), the middle separation mixing layer (2), and the lower magnetic rotor layer (3) are combined together by heat bonding or bolting.

7. The operating method of the nanomagnetic fluid mixing and sorting device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: First, the prepared liquid is injected into the device through the fluid inlet. Under pressure, the liquid passes through the upper sealing cover (1) and flows downward into the material inlet channel of the middle separation mixing layer (2). It then enters the annular sorting channel (27) along the material inlet channel. At the same time, the magnetic rotor platform (33) rotates under the drive of the rotating shaft, causing the electromagnet (31) on the magnetic rotor platform to rotate continuously. The nano-magnetic fluid microparticles (28) are moved by the magnetic force of the electromagnet (31) within the annular sorting channel (27) following the electromagnet (31). 1) Rotation: Since the nano-magnetic fluid micro-particles (28) contain a large number of ferromagnetic particles, they will adsorb the magnetic particles in the liquid onto their surface. When the nano-magnetic fluid micro-particles (28) carry the adsorbed sorted material through the sorted material outlet channel, the reverse magnetic field set near the sorted material outlet channel or the magnetic field direction and magnitude of the electromagnet (31) are changed, so that the magnetic particles adsorbed on the surface of the nano-magnetic fluid micro-particles (28) are released and enriched at the sorted material outlet, and finally flow out of the device. The sorted residual liquid flows out of the device directly through the residual liquid outlet channel.

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