A microfluidic control structure

Abstract

The application discloses a microfluid control structure and relates to the technical field of micro valve control. The microfluid control structure comprises an upper plate, a lower plate and a reversing valve. The upper plate is provided with upper through holes and power holes, and the upper through holes and the power holes are longitudinally arranged on the upper plate. The upper plate is provided with a plurality of upper through holes. The lower plate is arranged below the upper plate. The lower plate is provided with lower through holes and gas guide grooves. The lower through holes penetrate the lower plate. The gas guide grooves are arranged on the connecting plane of the upper plate and the lower plate. After the lower plate is connected with the upper plate, the gas guide grooves arranged on the lower plate form air channels with the bottom of the upper plate. The gas guide grooves and the lower through holes are provided with a plurality of gas guide grooves and lower through holes. The reversing valve is arranged above the upper plate. The valve ports of the reversing valve are respectively communicated with the plurality of upper through holes. The reversing valve is provided with a plurality of reversing valves. The application introduces a bidirectional air pressure control method by optimizing the design of a microfluid control channel. The traditional microfluid control mode is transferred from the inside of a chip to an external microfluid control control module, so that the design complexity of the microfluid control chip can be greatly reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the separation of the chip and the control can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microvalve control technology, and more specifically to a microfluidic control structure. Background Technology

[0002] Microfluidic chip technology, as a novel analytical platform, has advantages such as miniaturization, automation, integration, convenience, and speed. It has been widely studied and applied in many fields. Due to its great potential in biology, chemistry, medicine, and other fields, it has developed into a brand-new research field that intersects with disciplines such as biology, chemistry, medicine, fluid mechanics, electronics, materials, and mechanics.

[0003] Based on the different principles and methods of manipulating liquid flow, microfluidics is divided into passive and active types. Among them, the more widely used pneumatic active microfluidics solution, in practical applications, often addresses issues such as static backflow in the microfluidic chip and the inability to retain the state after power source removal by adding one-way valves or using complex flow channel designs. This, to some extent, increases the difficulty of the manufacturing process, reduces the mass production yield of microfluidic chips, and ultimately leads to increased costs or even the inability to mass-produce them.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide a simple microfluidic control structure that can achieve effective and high precision is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a microfluidic control structure, which aims to solve the problems in the background art mentioned above, and achieve reliable and high-precision microfluidic control through a simple structure.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A microfluidic control structure, comprising:

[0008] The upper plate is provided with an upper through hole and a power air hole. The upper through hole and the power air hole are both longitudinally through the upper plate, and there are multiple upper through holes.

[0009] The lower plate is disposed below the upper plate. The lower plate is provided with a lower through hole and an air guide groove. The lower through hole penetrates the lower plate. The air guide groove is disposed on the connecting plane of the upper plate and the lower plate. After the lower plate is connected to the upper plate, the air guide groove and the bottom of the upper plate form an air passage. Multiple air guide grooves and lower through holes are provided.

[0010] A reversing valve is disposed above the upper plate, and the valve port of the reversing valve is respectively connected to multiple upper through holes. Multiple reversing valves are provided.

[0011] The plurality of upper through holes, the plurality of lower through holes, the power air holes, and the plurality of air passages form a plurality of airflow channels.

[0012] Furthermore, the airflow channel includes an active flow channel and a passive flow channel. The active flow channel is connected to an external air source, and the passive flow channel is connected to the end of the active flow channel away from the external air source. The passive flow channel is connected to the microfluidic chip.

[0013] Furthermore, the upper through holes include upper through holes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, and O.

[0014] Furthermore, the lower through holes include lower through holes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, and M.

[0015] Furthermore, the airway includes airway A, airway B, airway C, airway D, airway E, airway F, and airway G.

[0016] Furthermore, the directional control valve includes valve A, valve B, valve C, valve D, valve E, valve F, and valve G.

[0017] Furthermore, a support tube is provided below the lower plate, the support tube is perpendicular to the lower plate, one end of the support tube is connected to the lower through hole, and the other end of the support tube is connected to the microfluidic chip. Multiple support tubes are provided.

[0018] As can be seen from the above technical solution, compared with the prior art, this invention discloses a microfluidic control structure. By optimizing the microfluidic channel design, a bidirectional gas pressure control method is introduced. Furthermore, the complex gas / liquid path control structure within the microfluidic chip is extracted and processed externally. In other words, the traditional microfluidic control method is transferred from inside the chip to an external microfluidic control module, which can greatly reduce the design complexity of the microfluidic chip, reduce costs, and achieve "chip-control" separation. This external microfluidic structure can be reused, reducing the one-time resource waste of complex internal structures of the microfluidic chip, and is not limited by the size of the microfluidic chip, allowing for flexible design. Attached Figure Description

[0019] 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 embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 An external structural diagram of the microfluidic control structure provided by the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 An exploded view of the internal structure of the microfluidic control structure provided by this invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the upper side of the microfluidic control structure provided by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the lower side of the microfluidic control structure provided by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a top view of the lower plate of the microfluidic control structure provided by the present invention.

[0025] Wherein: 1 is the upper plate; 11 is the upper through hole; 111 is the upper A through hole; 112 is the upper B through hole; 113 is the upper C through hole; 114 is the upper D through hole; 115 is the upper E through hole; 116 is the upper F through hole; 117 is the upper G through hole; 118 is the upper H through hole; 119 is the upper I through hole; 1110 is the upper J through hole; 1111 is the upper K through hole; 1112 is the upper L through hole; 1113 is the upper M through hole; 1114 is the upper N through hole; 1115 is the upper O through hole; 12 is the power air hole; 2 is the lower plate; 21 is the lower through hole; 211 is the lower A through hole; 212 is the lower B through hole; 213 is the lower C through hole; 214 is the lower through hole. 215 is the lower D through-hole; 216 is the lower E through-hole; 217 is the lower G through-hole; 218 is the lower H through-hole; 219 is the lower I through-hole; 2110 is the lower J through-hole; 2111 is the lower K through-hole; 2112 is the lower L through-hole; 2113 is the lower M through-hole; 22 is the air passage; 221 is the A passage; 222 is the B passage; 223 is the C passage; 224 is the D passage; 225 is the E passage; 226 is the F passage; 227 is the G passage; 3 is the reversing valve; 31 is the A valve; 32 is the B valve; 33 is the C valve; 34 is the D valve; 35 is the E valve; 36 is the F valve; 37 is the G valve; 4 is the microfluidic chip; 5 is the support tube. Detailed Implementation

[0026] 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.

[0027] See Figures 1-5 This invention discloses a microfluidic control structure, comprising:

[0028] The upper plate 1 is provided with an upper through hole 11 and a power air hole 12. Both the upper through hole 11 and the power air hole 12 are longitudinally arranged through the upper plate 1. There are multiple upper through holes 11. The upper plate 1 is made of transparent or opaque material, and the material is not limited. It can be plastic, metal, etc. The upper through hole 11 is used to pass gas. In this embodiment, the material used is a transparent acrylic plate.

[0029] The lower plate 2 is located below the upper plate 1. The lower plate 2 has a lower through hole 21 and a gas guide groove. The lower through hole 21 penetrates the lower plate 2, and the gas guide groove is located on the connecting plane of the upper plate 1 and the lower plate 2. After the lower plate 2 is connected to the upper plate 1, the gas guide groove on the lower plate 2 and the bottom of the upper plate 1 form an air passage 22. Multiple gas guide grooves and lower through holes 21 are provided. The lower plate 2 can be made of transparent or opaque material, and the material is not limited. It can be plastic, metal, etc. The lower through hole 21 and the gas guide groove are used to pass gas. In this embodiment, the material used is a transparent acrylic sheet.

[0030] The reversing valve 3 is located above the upper plate 1. The valve port of the reversing valve 3 is connected to multiple upper through holes 11. Multiple reversing valves 3 are provided. In this embodiment, the reversing valve 3 is a two-position three-way solenoid valve.

[0031] Multiple upper through holes 11, multiple lower through holes 21, power air holes 12, and multiple air channels 22 form multiple airflow channels. In this embodiment, the power air holes 12 are used to access positive or negative air pressure, so that the gas in the airflow channel can flow in two directions. During the airflow process in the airflow channel, it can provide direction and power for the liquid in the microfluidic chip 4.

[0032] The airflow channel includes an active flow channel and a passive flow channel. The active flow channel is connected to an external air source, and the passive flow channel is connected to the end of the active flow channel away from the external air source. The other end of the passive flow channel is connected to the microfluidic chip 4 in sequence through the support tube 5.

[0033] The upper through hole 11 includes upper through hole A 111, upper through hole B 112, upper through hole C 113, upper through hole D 114, upper through hole E 115, upper through hole F 116, upper through hole G 117, upper through hole H 118, upper through hole I 119, upper through hole J 1110, upper through hole K 1111, upper through hole L 1112, upper through hole M 1113, upper through hole N 1114 and upper through hole O 1115.

[0034] The lower through hole 21 includes lower through hole A 211, lower through hole B 212, lower through hole C 213, lower through hole D 214, lower through hole E 215, lower through hole F 216, lower through hole G 217, lower through hole H 218, lower through hole I 219, lower through hole J 2110, lower through hole K 2111, lower through hole L 2112 and lower through hole M 2113.

[0035] Airway 22 includes airway A 221, airway B 222, airway C 223, airway D 224, airway E 225, airway F 226 and airway G 227.

[0036] The reversing valve 3 includes valve A 31, valve B 32, valve C 33, valve D 34, valve E 35, valve F 36 and valve G 37.

[0037] In this embodiment, the active flow channel includes a power air hole 12, a C channel 223, an upper C through-hole 113, a B valve 32, an upper E through-hole 115, a B channel 222, and a lower B through-hole 212. The power air hole 12, the C channel 223, the upper C through-hole 113, the B valve 32, the upper E through-hole 115, the B channel 222, and the lower B through-hole 212 are connected in sequence to form the active flow channel. The power air hole 12 can provide positive or negative pressure. According to the positive or negative pressure provided by the power air hole 12, the airflow direction in the active flow channel is further changed, thereby achieving the effect of positive pressure pushing or negative pressure pumping the liquid in the microfluidic chip 4.

[0038] The driven channels include a first driven channel, a second driven channel, a third driven channel, a fourth driven channel, and a fifth driven channel. The first driven channel, the second driven channel, the third driven channel, the fourth driven channel, and the fifth driven channel are all connected to the active channel through the microfluidic chip 4. By controlling the solenoid valves in the multiple driven channels and the active channel, the liquid flow rate, flow direction, and flow volume in the microfluidic chip 4 can be controlled.

[0039] The first driven flow channel includes a lower F-channel 216, an E-channel 225, an upper L-channel 1112, a G-valve 37, an upper O-channel 1115, and a lower M-channel 2113. The F-channel, E-channel 225, upper L-channel 1112, G-valve 37, upper O-channel 1115, and lower M-channel 2113 are sequentially connected. During operation, the power air port 12 on the active flow channel is connected to an external air source (not shown in the figure). The air source provides positive or negative pressure, which drives the gas flow in the active flow channel. The lower B-channel 212 on the active flow channel is connected to the microfluidic core. One end of chip 4 is connected, and the lower F through hole 216 on the first driven flow channel is connected to the end of the microfluidic chip 4 away from the active flow channel. The M through hole on the first driven flow channel is connected to the atmosphere. At this time, the active flow channel, the driven flow channel and the microfluidic chip 4 form a closed loop. Then, under the action of the external air source in the active flow channel, the liquid in the microfluidic chip 4 can be controlled to flow. By controlling the opening and closing of valve B 32 and valve G 37, the flow rate and velocity of the liquid in the microfluidic chip 4 can be precisely adjusted during use, achieving the technical effect of high-precision microfluidic control.

[0040] In this embodiment, the external air source can be a plunger pump; it can also be a constant pressure or constant power air source; it can also be a combination of a motor-driven syringe; or it can be a combination of a motor-driven airbag via a pressure rod. The external air source only needs to maintain a constant pressure during application, which is simple to control.

[0041] The working principles of the second, third, fourth, and fifth driven flow channels are the same as those of the first driven flow channel.

[0042] A support tube 5 is provided below the lower plate 2. The support tube 5 is perpendicular to the lower plate 2. One end of the support tube 5 is connected to the lower through hole 21, and the other end of the support tube 5 is connected to the microfluidic chip 4. Multiple support tubes 5 are provided.

[0043] In this embodiment, under the condition that other conditions remain unchanged, the liquid flow rate in the microfluidic chip 4 can be controlled by controlling the air pressure (positive or negative pressure) applied at the power air hole 12, thereby realizing the control of the flow rate and direction of the fluid.

[0044] Keeping other conditions unchanged, a device that can control the gas flow (taking a solenoid valve as an example) is connected to the driven flow channel. When the solenoid valve is closed, the driven flow channel is no longer connected to the atmosphere. Therefore, no matter whether positive or negative pressure is applied to the active flow channel, the liquid in the microfluidic chip 4 will not flow.

[0045] Keeping other conditions unchanged, a device that can control the gas flow is connected to the driven flow channel (the present invention takes an electromagnetic valve as an example). When the electromagnetic valve is "on-off" at a certain frequency, positive or negative pressure is applied to the active flow channel. The liquid in the flow channel microfluidic chip 4 will move forward or backward in a pulsating manner. The pulsation frequency is consistent with the on-off frequency of the electromagnetic valve.

[0046] Based on the principle that gases are compressible while liquids are incompressible, when a constant negative pressure is applied in the active channel, the liquid flow velocity in the microfluidic chip 4 will gradually increase over time, meaning the liquid velocity in the active channel will be greater than the applied velocity in the driven channel. Under existing technology, to achieve a constant liquid flow velocity in both the active and driven channels, the negative pressure applied in the active channel needs to be gradually reduced, requiring precise control of the gas pressure control system in the active channel. However, based on this invention, a new method can be derived that, while maintaining a constant negative pressure in the active channel, controls the "on-off" pulse frequency of the solenoid valve in the driven channel and the number of on-off pulses. This transforms the continuous control of the liquid flow velocity in the microfluidic chip 4 into discrete pulse control, achieving precise fluid control at low cost without altering the precision of the gas source.

[0047] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the method section.

[0048] 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 control structure, characterized in that, include: The upper plate is provided with an upper through hole and a power air hole. The upper through hole and the power air hole are both longitudinally through the upper plate, and there are multiple upper through holes. The lower plate is disposed below the upper plate. The lower plate is provided with a lower through hole and an air guide groove. The lower through hole penetrates the lower plate. The air guide groove is disposed on the connecting plane of the upper plate and the lower plate. After the lower plate is connected to the upper plate, the air guide groove and the bottom of the upper plate form an air passage. Multiple air guide grooves and lower through holes are provided. A reversing valve is disposed above the upper plate, and the valve port of the reversing valve is respectively connected to multiple upper through holes. Multiple reversing valves are provided. Among them, the plurality of upper through holes, the plurality of lower through holes, the power air holes and the plurality of air passages form a plurality of airflow channels; The airways include airway A, airway B, airway C, airway D, airway E, airway F, and airway G; The reversing valve includes valve A, valve B, valve C, valve D, valve E, valve F, and valve G; A support tube is provided below the lower plate. The support tube is perpendicular to the lower plate. One end of the support tube is connected to the lower through hole, and the other end of the support tube is connected to the microfluidic chip. Multiple support tubes are provided.

2. The microfluidic control structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The airflow channel includes an active flow channel and a passive flow channel. The active flow channel is connected to an external air source, and the passive flow channel is connected to the end of the active flow channel away from the external air source. The passive flow channel is connected to the microfluidic chip.

3. The microfluidic control structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper through holes include upper through hole A, upper through hole B, upper through hole C, upper through hole D, upper through hole E, upper through hole F, upper through hole G, upper through hole H, upper through hole I, upper through hole J, upper through hole K, upper through hole L, upper through hole M, upper through hole N, and upper through hole O.

4. The microfluidic control structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower through holes include lower through holes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, and M.

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