A microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection

Abstract

This invention discloses a microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection. The microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection includes: a chip body, a liquid release mechanism, a quantitative cell, a waste liquid cell, and a positioning support post; the chip body and the liquid release mechanism are detachably connected; the positioning support post is located on one side of the bottom of the chip body. It also includes: a liquid inlet channel, which is formed on the chip body and connects to the liquid release mechanism. Multiple quantitative cells and waste liquid cells are provided, formed on the chip body, and connected to the liquid release mechanism via the quantitative and waste liquid channels, respectively. It also includes: a buffer channel, one end of which connects to the quantitative channel, and the other end connects to the quantitative cell, with the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer channel being smaller than that of the quantitative channel. During heating, the liquid in the buffer channel rapidly vaporizes to form an air column, blocking upstream liquid and preventing dilution of the reagent in the quantitative cell, thereby improving detection accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microfluidic chips, and more particularly to a microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection. Background Technology

[0002] Microfluidic chip technology integrates the basic operational units of biological, chemical, and medical analysis processes—sample preparation, reaction, separation, and detection—onto a single micrometer-scale chip, automating the entire analytical process. Due to its immense potential in biology, chemistry, and medicine, it has developed into a new interdisciplinary research field encompassing biology, chemistry, medicine, fluid mechanics, electronics, materials science, and mechanical engineering. In medicine, microfluidic chips are commonly used for nucleic acid detection. However, due to variations in detection indicators and items, multiple tests on a single sample are often required, significantly increasing the detection time.

[0003] Meanwhile, when the chip is heated, the lyophilized reagents embedded inside the chip react with the nucleic acid, which may result in the reagents being diluted after quantification.

[0004] Therefore, existing technologies suffer from technical problems such as cumbersome detection processes, long detection times, and inaccurate detection results due to reagent dilution during heating amplification. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection that can simplify the detection process, reduce detection time, and significantly improve the accuracy of detection results.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0007] The microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection includes: a chip body, a liquid release mechanism, a quantitative tank, a waste liquid tank, and a positioning support column; the chip body and the liquid release mechanism are detachably connected, so that the liquid release mechanism is connected to the chip body; the positioning support column is located on one side of the bottom of the chip body.

[0008] The microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection also includes a liquid inlet channel, which is formed on the chip body and is connected to the liquid release mechanism.

[0009] Multiple quantitative tanks and waste liquid tanks are provided. The quantitative tanks and waste liquid tanks are formed on the chip body. The quantitative tanks and waste liquid tanks are respectively connected to the liquid release mechanism of the liquid inlet channel through quantitative flow channel and waste liquid flow channel.

[0010] The microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection also includes a buffer channel, one end of which is connected to the quantitative channel and the other end of which is connected to the quantitative trough, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer channel is smaller than that of the quantitative channel.

[0011] In one embodiment, the liquid release mechanism includes: a liquid release mechanism body, a support cylinder, a needle-punching mechanism, and a liquid inlet; multiple support cylinders are provided, the support cylinders are fixedly connected to the liquid release mechanism body, the needle-punching mechanism is provided on the bottom surface inside the support cylinder, and the liquid release mechanism is connected to the chip body through the liquid inlet and the liquid inlet channel.

[0012] In one embodiment, it further includes: a plurality of vent holes; the vent holes are connected to a metering tank and a waste liquid tank respectively through flow channels.

[0013] In one embodiment, the vent is sealed with a waterproof and breathable membrane.

[0014] In one embodiment, the liquid inlet channel is provided with a T-shaped inlet, and the metering tank and the waste liquid tank are respectively connected to the T-shaped inlet through the metering channel and the waste liquid channel.

[0015] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the metering channel is much larger than that of the waste liquid channel.

[0016] The microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] This microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection includes: a chip body, a liquid release mechanism, a quantitative cell, a waste liquid cell, and a positioning support post; the chip body and the liquid release mechanism are detachably connected, allowing the liquid release mechanism to connect to the chip body; the positioning support post is located on one side of the bottom of the chip body. It also includes: a liquid inlet channel, which is formed on the chip body and connects to the liquid release mechanism. Multiple quantitative cells and waste liquid cells are provided, formed on the chip body, and connected to the liquid inlet channel and liquid release mechanism respectively through the quantitative channel and waste liquid channel. This microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection also includes: a buffer channel, one end of which connects to the quantitative channel, and the other end connects to the quantitative cell, with the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer channel being smaller than that of the quantitative channel.

[0018] During testing, the device containing nucleic acid reagents is simply connected to the liquid release mechanism. After the nucleic acid reagents are released, they flow into the chip body through the inlet channel for quantification, while excess reagents are discharged into the waste liquid tank. During the inlet process, the liquid reagents mix with the lyophilized reagents pre-embedded in the quantification tank. After inlet, the bottom of the chip body is heated by the device, amplifying the liquid in the quantification tank. This microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection is simple to operate and reduces detection time. During heating, because the upstream buffer channel of the quantification tank has a small cross-sectional area and is located at the bottom, the liquid in the channel rapidly vaporizes to form an air column, blocking the liquid in the quantification tank from the upstream liquid and preventing dilution of the reagent concentration in the quantification tank, thereby improving the accuracy of nucleic acid detection. 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 some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a top view of a microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a bottom view of a microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a left view of a microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 4 According to Figure 2 The AA-line sectional view shown;

[0024] Figure 5 According to Figure 4 A magnified view of point B shown.

[0025] [Explanation of Key Component Symbols]

[0026] 1. Chip body; 2. Liquid release mechanism; 21. Liquid release mechanism body; 22. Support cylinder; 23. Needle piercing mechanism; 24. Liquid inlet; 3. Metering tank; 4. Waste liquid tank; 5. Positioning support column; 6. Liquid inlet channel; 7. Metering channel; 8. Waste liquid channel; 9. Buffer channel; 10. Vent hole. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments of the invention, provides a further explanation of a microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection.

[0028] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0029] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0030] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented, for example, in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0031] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0032] like Figures 1-5As shown, the microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection includes: a chip body 1, a liquid release mechanism 2, a quantitative tank 3, a waste liquid tank 4, and a positioning support column 5. The chip body 1 and the liquid release mechanism 2 are detachably connected, allowing the liquid release mechanism 2 to communicate with the chip body 1. The positioning support column 5 is located on one side of the bottom of the chip body 1. When the chip body 1 is laid flat, the positioning support column 5 tilts all the flow channels. During liquid inlet, the liquid in the quantitative tank 3 fills the chamber from bottom to top. If the entire flow channel is horizontal, due to the direction of the outlet opening, there is a possibility of gas accumulation, affecting the accuracy of liquid quantification. The presence of the positioning support column 5 tilts the entire flow channel, thus placing the outlet at the highest point and eliminating the possibility of gas trapping.

[0033] In order to allow the liquid in the liquid release structure 2 to flow into the chip body 1, the microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection also includes: a liquid inlet channel 56, which is formed on the chip body 1 and is connected to the liquid release mechanism 2;

[0034] In order to allow liquid to flow into the metering tank 3 and the waste liquid tank 4, multiple metering tanks 3 and waste liquid tanks 4 are provided. The metering tanks 3 and waste liquid tanks 4 are opened on the chip body 1. The metering tanks 3 and waste liquid tanks 4 are connected to the liquid release mechanism 2 of the liquid inlet channel 6 through the metering channel 7 and the waste liquid channel 8, respectively.

[0035] In order to allow the liquid to flow preferentially into the quantitative cell 3, the microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection also includes a buffer channel 9, one end of which is connected to the quantitative channel 7 and the other end is connected to the quantitative cell 3, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer channel 9 is smaller than that of the quantitative channel 7.

[0036] During testing, the device containing nucleic acid reagents is simply connected to the liquid release mechanism 2. After the nucleic acid reagents are released, they enter the chip body 1 through the liquid inlet channel 6 for quantification. Excess reagents are discharged into the waste liquid tank 4. During the liquid inlet process, the liquid reagents mix with the lyophilized reagents pre-embedded in the quantification tank 3. After liquid inlet, the bottom of the chip body 1 is heated by a heating device to amplify the liquid in the quantification tank 3. This microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection is simple to operate and reduces detection time. During the heating process, because the buffer channel 9 upstream of the quantification tank 3 has a small cross-sectional area and is located at the bottom, the liquid in the channel will quickly vaporize to form an air column, blocking the liquid in the quantification tank 3 from the upstream liquid, preventing the reagent concentration in the quantification tank 3 from being diluted, thereby improving the accuracy of nucleic acid detection.

[0037] To facilitate the release of nucleic acid reagents, the liquid release mechanism 2 includes: a liquid release mechanism body 21, a carrier cylinder 22, a needle-piercing mechanism 23, and a liquid inlet 24. Multiple carrier cylinders 22 are provided and fixedly connected to the liquid release mechanism body 21. The needle-piercing mechanism 23 is located on the bottom surface inside the carrier cylinder 22. The liquid release mechanism 2 is connected to the chip body 1 through the liquid inlet 24 and the liquid inlet channel 6. When preparing for nucleic acid reagent testing, the device containing the nucleic acid reagent is transferred into the carrier cylinder 22, allowing them to connect. Pressing down on the device causes the needle-piercing mechanism 23 to contact it, piercing the liquid storage device embedded in the aluminum film, releasing the nucleic acid reagent. The reagent then enters the chip body 1 through the liquid inlet 24 and the liquid inlet channel 6 for further testing.

[0038] To facilitate the extraction of liquid from the quantitative tank 3 and the waste liquid tank 4, the microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection also includes: a vent 10, with several vent 10s provided; the vent 10s are connected to the quantitative tank 3 and the waste liquid tank 4 respectively through flow channels.

[0039] In order to prevent liquid from flowing out of the metering tank 3 and waste liquid tank 4 while retaining the venting and extraction functions, a waterproof and breathable membrane is used to seal the vent hole 10.

[0040] To allow the liquid to preferentially flow into the metering tank 3, the inlet channel 6 is provided with a T-shaped inlet. The metering tank 3 and the waste liquid tank 4 are connected to the T-shaped inlet via the metering channel 7 and the waste liquid channel 8, respectively. In a specific embodiment, the waste liquid channel 8 and the inlet channel 6 are positioned at a right angle.

[0041] If the cross-sectional area of ​​the metering channel 7 is much larger than that of the waste liquid channel 8, the flow resistance of the liquid to the metering channel 7 will be much smaller than that to the waste liquid channel 8, thus causing the liquid to flow preferentially into the metering tank 3.

[0042] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection, characterized in that, It comprises: A chip body (1), a liquid release mechanism (2), a quantitative tank (3), a waste liquid tank (4), a positioning support column (5), a liquid inlet channel (6), a buffer channel (9) and a gas permeable hole (10); the chip body (1) and the liquid release mechanism (2) are detachably connected; the positioning support column (5) is arranged on one side of the bottom of the chip body (1); The liquid inlet channel (6) is arranged on the chip body (1), and the liquid inlet channel (6) communicates with the liquid release mechanism (2); A plurality of quantitative tanks (3) and waste liquid tanks (4) are arranged on the chip body (1), and the quantitative tanks (3) and the waste liquid tanks (4) communicate with the liquid inlet channel (6) and the liquid release mechanism (2) through quantitative channels (7) and waste liquid channels (8), respectively; One end of the buffer channel (9) communicates with the quantitative channel (7), the other end communicates with the quantitative tank (3), and the cross-sectional area of the buffer channel (9) is smaller than that of the quantitative channel (7); The liquid release mechanism (2) comprises a liquid release mechanism body (21), a bearing cylinder (22), a needle mechanism (23) and a liquid passage (24); a plurality of bearing cylinders (22) are arranged, and the bearing cylinders (22) are fixedly connected to the liquid release mechanism body (21); the needle mechanism (23) is arranged on the inner bottom surface of the bearing cylinder (22); and the liquid release mechanism (2) communicates with the chip body (1) through the liquid passage (24) and the liquid inlet channel (6); A plurality of gas permeable holes (10) are arranged; the gas permeable holes (10) communicate with the quantitative tanks (3) and the waste liquid tanks (4) through channels, respectively; The liquid inlet channel (6) is provided with a T-shaped channel port, and the quantitative tanks (3) and the waste liquid tanks (4) communicate with the T-shaped channel port through the quantitative channels (7) and the waste liquid channels (8), respectively; The cross-sectional area of the quantitative channel (7) is much larger than that of the waste liquid channel (8).

2. The microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas permeable hole (10) is sealed by a waterproof and breathable film.

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