A microfluidic experimental device and a driving pressure control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a microfluidic experimental device and a driving pressure control method, and belongs to the field of microfluidics. The microfluidic experimental device includes a microfluidic chip and a plurality of pressure components. The microfluidic chip has a plurality of columns of second cavities and a plurality of first cavities arranged correspondingly, each column of second cavities is a plurality of second cavities, and the plurality of second cavities are connected to each other through flow channels and connected to the corresponding first cavities. The plurality of pressure components are arranged correspondingly to the plurality of second cavities in each column of second cavities. The pressure component includes a first pressure control part and a second pressure control part, and the first pressure control part and the second pressure control part are used to provide gas to the second cavities located at the same position in the plurality of columns of second cavities to increase the pressure in the second cavity, so as to drive the reaction liquid in the second cavity to flow into the flow channel, and flow into the first cavity through the flow channel, and when one of the first pressure control part and the second pressure control part is connected to the second cavity, the other is isolated from the second cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of microfluidics, and in particular relates to a microfluidics experimental device and a driving pressure control method. Background Art

[0002] Microfluidic technology has been widely used in many fields such as biotechnology experiments, chemical reactions, pathogen detection, medical diagnosis, drug mechanism research, antibody screening, etc., and has become one of the emerging technologies that has developed rapidly in recent years. Usually in the field of scientific research, researchers usually use single-fluidic experimental devices made by the laboratory or outsourced for scientific research, and the drive of each phase of reactants is completed by an external gas pressure source or a laboratory injection pump. In the application fields of industrial products and medical testing, in order to improve the throughput of a single experiment, the microfluidic chip in the microfluidic experimental device is usually set to have multiple columns of second cavities, so that each column of the second cavity is used to accommodate a group of reactants, and multiple second cavities in each column of the second cavity are connected through a flow channel, and the corresponding automated instruments are matched to complete the experimental work.

[0003] In the prior art, the air pressure of the second cavity at the same position in each column of the second cavity is generally controlled by a single identical pressure control member. In actual use, bubbles or impurities in the flow channel may partially or completely block the channel. These bubbles or impurities are either introduced by the operator during the sample addition process before the reaction begins, or the chip or reaction reagent is not adequately processed during the production process, or are generated during the pretreatment process of the sample to be tested, or are generated due to the fusion reaction of different reaction substances in the flow channel. Once the above situation occurs, the liquid flow rate in the flow channel will inevitably be different from the liquid flow rate preset in the experiment, thus causing the failure of the experiment. For some more precious test samples, it is almost impossible to repeat the experiment a second time after the experiment fails. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a microfluidic experimental device and a driving pressure control method to solve the above problems.

[0005] In the first aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a microfluidic experimental device, including a microfluidic chip and a plurality of pressure components. The microfluidic chip has a plurality of columns of second cavities and a plurality of first cavities arranged correspondingly, each column of second cavities is a plurality of second cavities, and the plurality of second cavities are interconnected through flow channels and connected to the corresponding first cavities. The plurality of pressure components are arranged correspondingly to the plurality of second cavities in each column of second cavities. Among them, the pressure component includes a first pressure control part and a second pressure control part, and the first pressure control part and the second pressure control part are used to provide gas to the second cavities located at the same position in the plurality of columns of second cavities to increase the pressure in the second cavity, so as to drive the reaction liquid in the second cavity to flow into the flow channel, and flow into the first cavity through the flow channel, and when one of the first pressure control part and the second pressure control part is connected to the second cavity, the other is isolated from the second cavity.

[0006] Specifically, reactants are added to each second cavity, the microfluidic chip is placed in the corresponding instrument, the first pressure control part is connected to the second cavity, gas is provided to the second cavity through the first pressure control part to increase the pressure in the second cavity, so that the reactants enter the flow channel and react in the flow channel, and the second pressure control part is isolated from the second cavity. The reaction process in each flow channel is monitored by the sensing device of the instrument (video recognition device or sensor, etc.). When an abnormal situation occurs in a flow channel reaction, it is determined whether the pressure in the second cavity needs to be adjusted, and the second pressure control part corresponding to the second cavity that needs to adjust the pressure is determined. The pressure of the second pressure control part corresponding to the second cavity that needs to adjust the pressure is set to the value that needs to be adjusted. After it stabilizes, the second pressure control part is connected to the second cavity, and the first pressure control part is isolated from the second cavity.

[0007] At this time, the second pressure control component controls the pressure in the second chamber to rise, while the other second chambers that are reacting normally are still controlled by the first pressure control component to have normal pressure and will not affect the reactions of other experimental groups.

[0008] The second pressure control component controls the pressure in the second cavity to rise so that the reaction liquid can flush out or crush the bubbles, or increases the driving pressure so that the liquid flow in the flow channel returns to the preset value of the experiment, which can ensure the smooth progress of the experiment. After the adjustment is completed, continue to monitor the reaction process in the flow channel to confirm whether the experimental process reaches the preset state. If it does not reach the preset state, continue to adjust the second pressure control component corresponding to the second cavity in the flow channel until the reaction process reaches the expected state.

[0009] In the above technical solution, by setting the first pressure control component and the second pressure control component, and when one of the first pressure control component and the second pressure control component is connected to the second cavity, the other is isolated from the second cavity, so that the pressure component can control the pressure of the second cavity with different experimental processes without affecting the pressure of other second cavities, thereby reducing the risk of experimental failure due to bubbles or impurities.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first pressure control member includes a first pressure source and a first connecting tube, the first connecting tube having a first input end connected to the first pressure source and a plurality of first output ends corresponding to the second cavities located at the same position in the plurality of rows of second cavities, the first output end being used to connect to the corresponding second cavities. The second pressure control member includes a second pressure source and a second connecting tube, the second connecting tube having a second input end connected to the second pressure source and a plurality of second output ends corresponding to the plurality of first output ends, the second output end being used to connect to the corresponding second cavities. When the second cavity is connected to one of the first output end and the second output end corresponding to the second cavity, it is isolated from the other.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first pressure control member further comprises a first valve, which is disposed at the first output end and is used to connect and disconnect the first output end and the second cavity. The second pressure control member further comprises a second valve, which is disposed at the second output end and is used to connect and disconnect the second output end and the second cavity.

[0012] In some embodiments, the pressure assembly further includes a three-way valve, and the three-way valve is used to connect one of the first output end and the second output end to the second cavity.

[0013] In some embodiments, the flow channel has a liquid inlet connected to the second cavity, the first input end, the second input end and the liquid inlet are respectively located on two side walls of the second cavity in the first direction, and the first input end and the second input end are located above the liquid inlet.

[0014] In some embodiments, multiple columns of second cavities are spaced apart along the second direction, each column of second cavities is a plurality of second cavities spaced apart along the third direction, the plurality of first cavities are located on one side of the multiple columns of second cavities in the third direction, and the second direction, the third direction and the direction of gravity are perpendicular to each other.

[0015] In some embodiments, the number n of rows of the second cavity satisfies n≥3.

[0016] In some embodiments, the number m of the second cavities in each column satisfies, m≥2.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first cavity is in communication with the outside.

[0018] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a driving pressure control method, using the above-mentioned microfluidic experimental device, which includes the following steps:

[0019] S1: Add reactants into each second cavity respectively, place the microfluidic chip into the corresponding instrument, connect the first pressure control component with the second cavity, provide gas into the second cavity through the first pressure control component to increase the pressure in the second cavity, so that the reactants enter the flow channel and react in the flow channel, at this time, the second pressure control component is isolated from the second cavity;

[0020] S2: Monitor the reaction process in each flow channel through the sensing device of the instrument (video recognition device or sensor, etc.). When an abnormal situation occurs in the reaction of a certain flow channel, determine whether it is necessary to adjust the pressure in the second cavity, and determine the second pressure control element corresponding to the second cavity that needs to adjust the pressure;

[0021] S3: setting the pressure of the second pressure control member corresponding to the second cavity whose pressure needs to be adjusted to the value to be adjusted, and after it stabilizes, connecting the second pressure control member with the second cavity, and isolating the first pressure control member from the second cavity;

[0022] S4: Repeat the operation of S3 until the corresponding second pressure control components and first pressure control components in all second chambers that need to adjust the pressure are switched;

[0023] S5: After the adjustment is completed, continue to monitor the reaction process in the flow channel to confirm whether the experimental process reaches a preset state. If not, continue to adjust the second pressure control member corresponding to the second cavity in the flow channel until the reaction process reaches an expected state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a microfluidic chip provided in an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a microfluidic chip provided in an embodiment of the invention;

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a flow channel provided in an embodiment of the invention;

[0028] Figure 4A schematic diagram of the structure of a microfluidic experimental device provided in an embodiment of the invention;

[0029] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of another microfluidic experimental device provided in an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0032] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0033] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0034] Microfluidic technology has been widely used in many fields such as biotechnology experiments, chemical reactions, pathogen detection, medical diagnosis, drug mechanism research, antibody screening, etc., and has become one of the emerging technologies that has developed rapidly in recent years. Usually in the field of scientific research, researchers usually use single-fluidic experimental devices made by the laboratory or outsourced for scientific research, and the drive of each phase of reactants is completed by an external gas pressure source or a laboratory injection pump. In the application fields of industrial products and medical testing, in order to improve the throughput of a single experiment, the microfluidic chip in the microfluidic experimental device is usually set to have multiple columns of second cavities, so that each column of the second cavity is used to accommodate a group of reactants, and multiple second cavities in each column of the second cavity are connected through a flow channel, and the corresponding automated instruments are matched to complete the experimental work.

[0035] In the prior art, the air pressure of the second cavity at the same position in each column of the second cavity is generally controlled by a single identical pressure control member. In actual use, bubbles or impurities in the flow channel may partially or completely block the channel. These bubbles or impurities are either introduced by the operator during the sample addition process before the reaction begins, or the chip or reaction reagent is not adequately processed during the production process, or are generated during the pretreatment process of the sample to be tested, or are generated due to the fusion reaction of different reaction substances in the flow channel. Once the above situation occurs, the liquid flow rate in the flow channel will inevitably be different from the liquid flow rate preset in the experiment, thus causing the failure of the experiment. For some more precious test samples, it is almost impossible to repeat the experiment a second time after the experiment fails.

[0036] At the same time, because the air pressure of the second cavities at the same position in each row of second cavities is controlled by a single same pressure control member, the air pressure conditions of the second cavities at the same position in the second cavities are the same, so that only the same reactants can be driven into the flow channel. Therefore, multiple rows of second cavities can only be used for the same reaction.

[0037] In order to solve the above technical problems, refer to Figure 1-5 The embodiment of the present application provides a microfluidic experimental device, including a microfluidic chip 1 and a plurality of pressure components 2. The microfluidic chip 1 has a plurality of columns of second cavities 12 and a plurality of first cavities 11 arranged correspondingly, each column of second cavities 12 is a plurality of second cavities 12, and the plurality of second cavities 12 are connected to each other through flow channels 13 and connected to the corresponding first cavities 11. The plurality of pressure components 2 are arranged correspondingly to the plurality of second cavities 12 in each column of second cavities 12. Among them, the pressure component 2 includes a first pressure control member 21 and a second pressure control member 22, and the first pressure control member 21 and the second pressure control member 22 are used to provide gas to the second cavities 12 located at the same position in the plurality of columns of second cavities 12 to increase the pressure in the second cavities 12, so as to drive the reaction liquid in the second cavity 12 to flow into the flow channel 13, and flow into the first cavity 11 through the flow channel 13, and when one of the first pressure control member 21 and the second pressure control member 22 is connected to the second cavity 12, the other is isolated from the second cavity 12.

[0038] The microfluidic chip 1 is the main body of the microfluidic experimental device. Exemplarily, the microfluidic chip 1 can be a plate-shaped component. The microfluidic chip 1 can be made of any material that is impermeable to liquid and vapor, such as polymer, metal or glass.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 A portion of one end surface of the microfluidic chip 1 protrudes to form a protrusion, the interior of the protrusion is hollow, and the first cavity 11 and the second cavity 12 are arranged in a separate protrusion.

[0040] Each row of second cavities 12 is used to accommodate reactants required for the reaction. It can be understood that the reactants are generally two or more, so the number of second cavities 12 in each row of second cavities 12 should also be two or more corresponding to the types of reactants.

[0041] The flow channel 13 is a place for receiving the reactants flowing out of the second cavity 12 and providing a reaction for the reactants.

[0042] The first chamber 11 is a chamber for collecting reaction products.

[0043] Each column of second cavities 12 includes a plurality of second cavities 12 , and the plurality of second cavities 12 are connected to each other and to the corresponding first cavities 11 through the flow passage 13 . It can be understood that the second cavities 12 in each column of second cavities 12 are connected to the corresponding first cavities 11 through the flow passage 13 .

[0044] In some embodiments, the second cavities 12 in each column of the second cavities 12 are connected to a corresponding first cavity 11 through the flow channel 13. In some embodiments, the second cavities 12 in each column of the second cavities 12 are connected to a corresponding plurality of first cavities 11 through the flow channel 13.

[0045] It should be noted that one first cavity 11 is only connected to the second cavities 12 in one row of second cavities 12 .

[0046] The first pressure control element 21 and the second pressure control element 22 may be air pumps or other devices capable of providing gas to increase the air pressure in the second cavity 12 .

[0047] The second cavities 12 located at the same position in the multiple columns of second cavities 12 refer to the second cavities 12 in the multiple columns of second cavities 12 that are arranged in the same order along the arrangement direction of each column of the second cavities 12, such as the second second cavity 12 in the multiple columns of second cavities 12. In the embodiment where the second cavities 12 are arranged in an array, the second cavities 12 located at the same position in the multiple columns of second cavities 12 may be the second cavities 12 located in the same row.

[0048] Specifically, reactants are added to each second cavity 12, the microfluidic chip 1 is placed in the corresponding instrument, the first pressure control component 21 is connected to the second cavity 12, and gas is provided to the second cavity 12 through the first pressure control component 21 to increase the pressure in the second cavity 12, so that the reactants enter the flow channel 13 and react in the flow channel 13. At this time, the second pressure control component 22 is isolated from the second cavity 12. The reaction process in each flow channel 13 is monitored by the sensing device (video recognition device or sensor, etc.) of the instrument. When an abnormal situation occurs in the reaction of a certain flow channel 13, it is judged whether the pressure in the second cavity 12 needs to be adjusted, and the second pressure control component 22 corresponding to the second cavity 12 whose pressure needs to be adjusted is determined. The pressure of the second pressure control component 22 corresponding to the second cavity 12 whose pressure needs to be adjusted is set to the value that needs to be adjusted. After it is stable, the second pressure control component 22 is connected to the second cavity 12, and the first pressure control component 21 is isolated from the second cavity 12.

[0049] At this time, the second pressure control component 22 controls the pressure in the second cavity 12 to rise, while the other second cavities 12 that are reacting normally are still controlled by the first pressure control component 21 to be at normal pressure and will not affect the reactions of other experimental groups.

[0050] The second pressure control member 22 controls the pressure in the second cavity 12 to rise so that the reaction liquid can flush out or crush the bubbles, or increases the driving pressure so that the liquid flow in the flow channel 13 returns to the preset value of the experiment, which can ensure the smooth progress of the experiment. After the adjustment is completed, continue to monitor the reaction process in the flow channel 13 to confirm whether the experimental process reaches the preset state. If it does not reach the preset state, continue to adjust the second pressure control member 22 corresponding to the second cavity 12 in the flow channel 13 until the reaction process reaches the expected state.

[0051] When a comparative experiment needs to change some reactants for comparison, the second chamber 12 with the changed reactants can be connected to the second pressure control member 22 to adjust the internal pressure to match different reactants without affecting the pressure of other second chambers 12. Thus, the microfluidic experimental device can perform reactions of multiple reactants at the same time.

[0052] In the present technical solution, by setting the first pressure control component 21 and the second pressure control component 22, and when one of the first pressure control component 21 and the second pressure control component 22 is connected to the second cavity 12, the other is isolated from the second cavity 12, so that the pressure component 2 can control the pressure of the second cavity 12 with different experimental processes without affecting the pressure of other second cavities 12, thereby reducing the risk of experimental failure due to bubbles or impurities.

[0053] According to some embodiments of the present application, the first pressure control member 21 includes a first pressure source 211 and a first connecting pipe 212. The first connecting pipe 212 has a first input end 212A communicating with the first pressure source 211 and a plurality of first output ends 212B corresponding to the second cavities 12 located at the same position in the plurality of rows of second cavities 12. The first output end 212B is used to communicate with the corresponding second cavities 12. The second pressure control member 22 includes a second pressure source 221 and a second connecting pipe 222. The second connecting pipe 222 has a second input end 222A communicating with the second pressure source 221 and a plurality of second output ends 222B corresponding to the plurality of first output ends 212B. The second output end 222B is used to communicate with the corresponding second cavities 12. When the second cavity 12 is connected to one of the first output end 212B and the second output end 222B corresponding to the second cavity 12, the second cavity 12 is isolated from the other.

[0054] The first pressure source 211 and the second pressure source 221 are precision gas driven pressure sources, which are high-precision pressure generating devices that provide stable and adjustable pressure output by controlling the flow and pressure of the gas. Such devices are usually used in applications where precise pressure control is required, such as laboratory testing, industrial process control, medical equipment, etc. They are used to provide stable gas (such as air, nitrogen, argon, etc.) to the second cavity 12.

[0055] Understandably, the precision gas-driven pressure source suitable for microfluidic reactions usually needs to provide very precise gas pressure output continuously and stably, which not only takes up a large space but also is extremely costly.

[0056] The first connecting tube 212 is a tube body connecting the first pressure source 211 and a row of second cavities 12 corresponding to the first pressure source 211 . It can be understood that the first tube body has a plurality of first output ends 212B corresponding to a row of second cavities 12 .

[0057] The second connecting tube 222 is a tube body connecting the second pressure source 221 and a row of second cavities 12 corresponding to the second pressure source 221 . It can be understood that the second tube body has a plurality of second output ends 222B corresponding to a row of second cavities 12 .

[0058] In this technical solution, the first pressure source 211 and the tube bodies of the second cavities 12 in a row corresponding to the first pressure source 211 are connected by the first connecting tube 212, and the second pressure source 221 and the tube bodies of the second cavities 12 in a row corresponding to the second pressure source 221 are connected by the second connecting tube 222. The structure is simple and easy to implement. At the same time, one first pressure source 211 and one second pressure source 221 can simultaneously provide gas to multiple second cavities 12, reducing the number of pressure sources, making it easy to simplify and reduce the volume of the microfluidic experimental device. And the cost of the microfluidic experimental device is reduced.

[0059] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 4 The first pressure control member 21 further includes a first valve 213, which is disposed at the first output end 212B and is used to connect and disconnect the first output end 212B and the second cavity 12. The second pressure control member 22 further includes a second valve 223, which is disposed at the second output end 222B and is used to connect and disconnect the second output end 222B and the second cavity 12.

[0060] The first valve 213 and the second valve 223 are both solenoid valves, which are basic automation components controlled by electromagnetics and basic automation devices used to control fluids. They are actuators that control the opening and closing of the first valve 213 and the second valve 223 through instruments to control the first output terminal 212B, the second output terminal 222B and the second cavity 12.

[0061] It can be understood that the solenoid valves of the above-mentioned microfluidic experimental device are all mature industrial products.

[0062] In the present technical solution, the first valve 213 and the second valve 223 are respectively provided on the first output terminal 212B and the second output terminal 222B to control the on-off of the first output terminal 212B and the second output terminal 222B and the corresponding second cavity 12, and the structure is simple and easy to implement.

[0063] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 5 The pressure assembly 2 further includes a three-way valve 23 , which is used to connect one of the first output end 212B and the second output end 222B to the second cavity 12 .

[0064] The three-way valve 23 is a three-way electromagnetic valve, which is a electromagnetic valve with three interfaces, and is usually used to control the flow direction and distribution of fluids. Two interfaces of the three-way electromagnetic valve are used for gas input and the other interface is used for gas output.

[0065] The three-way valve 23 is controlled by the instrument to control the first output end 212B, the second output end 222B and the second cavity 12.

[0066] In the technical solution, the on-off of the first output end 212B and the second output end 222B and the corresponding second cavity 12 is controlled by a three-way switch, and the structure is simple and easy to implement.

[0067] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 2The flow channel 13 has a liquid inlet 131 connected to the second cavity 12, the first input end 212A, the second input end 222A and the liquid inlet 131 are respectively located on the two side walls of the second cavity 12 in the first direction Z, and the first input end 212A and the second input end 222A are located above the liquid inlet 131.

[0068] It can be understood that the first direction Z can be parallel to the gravity direction or can be a horizontal direction.

[0069] Specifically, when the first input end 212A and the second input end 222A provide gas to the second cavity 12 to increase the pressure in the second cavity 12, along the first direction Z, the reactant is located between the space containing the gas and the liquid inlet 131 so that the gas squeezes the reactant and drives the reactant into the flow channel 13.

[0070] It can be understood that the flow channel 13 has a liquid outlet 132 connected to the first cavity 11, and then by further injecting gas into the second cavity 12, the reaction products completed in the flow channel 13 can enter the first cavity 11 through the liquid outlet 132 and be collected.

[0071] In the present technical solution, the first input end 212A, the second input end 222A and the liquid inlet 131 are respectively arranged on the two side walls of the second cavity 12 in the first direction Z, and the first input end 212A and the second input end 222A are located above the liquid inlet 131, so as to drive the reactants into the flow channel 13.

[0072] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 5 , multiple rows of second cavities 12 are arranged at intervals along the second direction X, each row of second cavities 12 is a plurality of second cavities 12 arranged at intervals along the third direction Y, and multiple first cavities 11 are located on one side of the multiple rows of second cavities 12 in the third direction Y, and the second direction X, the third direction Y and the direction of gravity are perpendicular to each other.

[0073] The second direction X and the third direction Y may be horizontal directions perpendicular to each other. The second direction X may be parallel to the length direction of the microfluidic chip 1 , and the third direction Y may be parallel to the width direction of the microfluidic chip 1 .

[0074] In some embodiments, reference Figure 5 The second cavities 12 are arranged in multiple columns along the second direction X and in multiple rows along the third direction Y. The flow channel 13 is used to connect the second cavities 12 in a corresponding column, and the first connecting pipe 212 and the second connecting pipe 222 are used to connect the second cavities 12 in a corresponding row.

[0075] In some embodiments, the plurality of first cavities 11 are located on one side of the plurality of columns of second cavities 12 in the third direction Y, and are arranged in a plurality of columns of first cavities 11 spaced apart along the second direction X, and each column of first cavities 11 includes at least one first cavity 11. The plurality of columns of first cavities 11 correspond to the plurality of columns of second cavities 12 one by one.

[0076] In the present technical solution, the second cavities 12 are arranged in an array to reduce the risk of placing the reactants in the wrong position.

[0077] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 1 , the number of columns n of the second cavity 12 satisfies, n≥3.

[0078] In the present technical solution, the number n of columns of the second cavity 12 satisfies n≥3 so that the microfluidic experimental device can perform three or more reaction processes simultaneously.

[0079] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 1 , the number m of the second cavities 12 in each column satisfies, m≥2.

[0080] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 2 , the first cavity 11 is connected to the outside.

[0081] In this technical solution, the first cavity 11 is connected to the outside, so that when the second cavity 12 is under positive pressure, the gas in the flow channel 13 can enter the outside through the first cavity 11, so that the reactants in the second cavity 12 can enter the flow channel 13.

[0082] According to some embodiments of the present application, the present application provides a driving pressure control method, using the above-mentioned microfluidic experimental device, which includes the following steps:

[0083] S1: Add reactants into each second cavity 12, place the microfluidic chip 1 into the corresponding instrument, connect the first pressure control component 21 with the second cavity 12, and provide gas into the second cavity 12 through the first pressure control component 21 to increase the pressure in the second cavity 12, so that the reactants enter the flow channel 13 and react in the flow channel 13. At this time, the second pressure control component 22 is isolated from the second cavity 12;

[0084] S2: Monitor the reaction process in each flow channel 13 through the sensing device of the instrument (video recognition device or sensor, etc.), and when an abnormal situation occurs in the reaction of a certain flow channel 13, judge whether it is necessary to adjust the pressure in the second cavity 12, and determine the second pressure control member 22 corresponding to the second cavity 12 whose pressure needs to be adjusted;

[0085] S3: setting the pressure of the second pressure control member 22 corresponding to the second cavity 12 whose pressure needs to be adjusted to the value to be adjusted, and after it stabilizes, connecting the second pressure control member 22 with the second cavity 12, and isolating the first pressure control member 21 from the second cavity 12;

[0086] S4: Repeat the operation of S3 until the corresponding second pressure control components 22 and first pressure control components 21 in all second cavities 12 that need to adjust the pressure are switched;

[0087] S5: After the adjustment is completed, continue to monitor the reaction process in the flow channel 13 to confirm whether the experimental process reaches the preset state. If not, continue to adjust the second pressure control member 22 corresponding to the second cavity 12 in the flow channel 13 until the reaction process reaches the expected state.

[0088] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments in this application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this application and are not used to limit this application. For those skilled in the art, this application may have various changes and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included in the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A microfluidic experimental device, characterized in that: include: A microfluidic chip, having a plurality of columns of second cavities and a plurality of first cavities arranged correspondingly, each column of the second cavities being a plurality of the second cavities, and the plurality of the second cavities being connected to each other and to the corresponding first cavities through flow channels; A plurality of pressure components are arranged corresponding to a plurality of the second cavities in each column of the second cavities; The pressure assembly includes a first pressure control member and a second pressure control member, the first pressure control member and the second pressure control member are used to provide gas to the second cavities located at the same position in the plurality of rows of the second cavities to increase the pressure in the second cavities, so as to drive the reaction liquid in the second cavities to flow into the flow channel, and then flow into the first cavity through the flow channel, and when one of the first pressure control member and the second pressure control member is connected to the second cavity, the other is isolated from the second cavity; The first pressure control member provides gas into the second chamber to increase the pressure in the second chamber, thereby allowing the reactants to enter the flow channel; The second pressure control member controls the pressure in the second chamber to rise so that the reaction liquid can flush out or crush the bubbles; The number of rows n of the second cavity satisfies n≥3.

2. A microfluidic experimental device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first pressure control member includes a first pressure source and a first connecting pipe, wherein the first connecting pipe has a first input end communicating with the first pressure source and a plurality of first output ends corresponding to the second cavities located at the same position in the plurality of rows of the second cavities, wherein the first output ends are used to communicate with the corresponding second cavities; The second pressure control member includes a second pressure source and a second connecting pipe, the second connecting pipe having a second input end communicating with the second pressure source and a plurality of second output ends arranged corresponding to the plurality of first output ends, the second output ends being used to communicate with the corresponding second cavity; When the second cavity is connected to one of the first output end and the second output end correspondingly arranged thereto, the second cavity is isolated from the other one.

3. A microfluidic experimental device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first pressure control member further includes a first valve, which is disposed at the first output end and is used to connect and isolate the first output end and the second cavity; The second pressure control member further includes a second valve, which is disposed at the second output end and is used to connect and disconnect the second output end and the second cavity.

4. A microfluidic experimental device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pressure assembly further includes a three-way valve configured to allow one of the first output end and the second output end to communicate with the second cavity.

5. A microfluidic experimental device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flow channel has a liquid inlet connected to the second cavity, the first input end, the second input end and the liquid inlet are respectively located on two side walls of the second cavity in the first direction, and the first input end and the second input end are located above the liquid inlet.

6. A microfluidic experimental device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple columns of the second cavities are spaced apart along the second direction, each column of the second cavities is a plurality of the second cavities spaced apart along the third direction, a plurality of the first cavities are located on one side of the multiple columns of the second cavities in the third direction, and the second direction, the third direction and the direction of gravity are perpendicular to each other.

7. A microfluidic experimental device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number m of the second cavities in each column satisfies m≥2.

8. A microfluidic experimental device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cavity is communicated with the outside.

9. A driving pressure control method, using the microfluidic experimental device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: Add reactants into each second cavity respectively, place the microfluidic chip into the corresponding instrument, connect the first pressure control component with the second cavity, provide gas into the second cavity through the first pressure control component to increase the pressure in the second cavity, so that the reactants enter the flow channel and react in the flow channel, and at this time, the second pressure control component is isolated from the second cavity; S2: monitoring the reaction process in each of the flow channels through the sensing device of the instrument, and when an abnormal situation occurs in the reaction of a certain flow channel, judging whether it is necessary to adjust the pressure in the second cavity, and determining the second pressure control component corresponding to the second cavity whose pressure needs to be adjusted; S3: setting the pressure of the second pressure control component corresponding to the second cavity whose pressure needs to be adjusted to the value that needs to be adjusted, and after it stabilizes, connecting the second pressure control component with the second cavity, and isolating the first pressure control component from the second cavity; S4: repeating the operation of S3 until the corresponding second pressure control components and the first pressure control components in all the second cavities that need to adjust the pressure are switched; S5: After the adjustment is completed, continue to monitor the reaction process in the flow channel to confirm whether the experimental process reaches a preset state. If not, continue to adjust the second pressure control component corresponding to the second cavity in the flow channel until the reaction process reaches an expected state.

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