A regional digital microfluidic chip, driving method and device

Abstract

This application discloses a regionalized digital microfluidic chip, relating to the field of microfluidics, and more particularly, a regionalized digital microfluidic chip, actuation method, and apparatus. By partitioning a microfluidic chip, employing different electrode designs for different partitions, and controlling different regions with different actuation methods, a single chip can integrate more functions. Numbering or labeling the regions and electrodes allows for quick identification of functional areas and electrodes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of microfluidics, and in particular to a regional digital microfluidic chip, a driving method and a device. Background Art

[0002] Digital microfluidics (DMF) is a platform for lab-on-a-chip systems based on droplet manipulation. Droplets are dispensed, moved, stored, mixed, reacted, or analyzed on a platform with an array of insulated electrodes. Digital microfluidics can be used with analytical procedures such as mass spectrometry, colorimetry, electrochemistry, and electrochemiluminescence.

[0003] Digital microfluidic chips are typically fabricated using array substrates. Multiple array units are fabricated simultaneously on a single substrate, and then the array units are cut into individual array substrates. The array substrate is then typically bonded to an electronic paper film to form an electronic device.

[0004] Currently, the electrode types of digital microfluidic chips can be roughly divided into AM (active array) and PM (passive array). AM and PM each have their own advantages and disadvantages. PM has a simple structure and a multi-channel dynamic drive method. It is constrained by the number of scanning electrodes, has a large duty cycle, and cannot achieve large area and large flux. However, PM has a large driving power and high stability. Each electrode of AM is a low-temperature polysilicon thin-film transistor with switching function. There is no duty cycle problem, the drive is not constrained by the number of scanning electrodes, and the integration is high.

[0005] However, traditional digital microfluidic chips are either all-PM electrodes or all-AM electrodes; and the conventional electrode shapes are square or hexagonal. Although square electrodes can move droplets horizontally or vertically, since the square has only four sides, the droplet fullness after movement is relatively poor; hexagonal electrodes, because they have two more sides than squares, have better droplet fullness than square electrodes, but cannot move droplets horizontally; and both electrodes require a large number of signal lines. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to avoid the deficiencies in the prior art and to provide a regional digital microfluidic chip, a driving method and a device.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0008] According to one aspect disclosed in the present invention, a regional digital microfluidic chip is provided, comprising: a plurality of electrode arrays, each electrode array being arranged on the same substrate and forming a corresponding functional area; the functional area comprises a reaction culture area and a plurality of pipetting areas; the reaction culture area is used for actual reaction or cell culture; the pipetting area is used for moving droplets; the electrode array corresponding to the reaction culture area is a passive electrode array; the pipetting area and the corresponding electrode array are active electrode arrays.

[0009] Specifically, the electrode array includes a plurality of electrodes, and the electrodes include a gate layer, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, an original drain layer, a first passivation layer, a driving electrode layer, a second passivation layer, and a hydrophobic layer.

[0010] In the above, the electrode array includes an array consisting of several groups of hexagonal electrodes and waist-shaped electrodes; wherein, the hexagonal electrodes in the same group are arranged in sequence; a group of waist-shaped electrodes is provided between two adjacent groups of hexagonal electrodes, and the shape of the waist-shaped electrodes matches the adjacent hexagonal electrodes.

[0011] In the above, the electrode array includes an array composed of a plurality of unidirectional electrodes; the unidirectional electrodes include a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion; the second connecting portion is provided with a connecting port, and the connecting port matches the shape of the first connecting portion.

[0012] Furthermore, the first connecting portion is an equilateral triangle; and the connecting port is also an equilateral triangle.

[0013] In the above, each functional area is respectively provided with a corresponding functional area label.

[0014] Furthermore, each electrode on the electrode array is provided with a corresponding electrode label.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a chip driving method is provided, which is applied to the aforementioned regional digital microfluidic chip, comprising the following steps:

[0016] S1: Determine the original position of the droplet, which includes the original functional area and the corresponding original electrode position;

[0017] S2: Determine the target position of the droplet movement, where the target position includes the target functional area and the corresponding target electrode position;

[0018] S3: Calculate the movement path of the droplet based on the original position and the target position;

[0019] S4: determining the corresponding electrode driving signal according to the movement path of the droplet;

[0020] S5: The corresponding electrodes on the moving path of the droplet are driven in sequence through the electrode driving signal.

[0021] Specifically, the following steps are also included:

[0022] S0: Identify the chip type of the microfluidic chip and match the corresponding pattern template according to the chip type.

[0023] According to another aspect disclosed in the present invention, a chip driving device is provided, which adopts the above-mentioned chip driving method, including: a storage module for storing corresponding style templates of microfluidic chips of various chip types, the style templates including the properties and position relationship information of each functional area and each electrode in each functional area; an identification module for identifying the chip type of the microfluidic chip and matching the corresponding style template according to the chip type; a setting module for determining the original position and target position of the droplet; a path generation module for calculating the movement path of the droplet based on the original position, target position and style template; and a drive signal generation module for determining and generating a corresponding electrode drive signal for output based on the movement path of the droplet.

[0024] The present invention provides a regional digital microfluidic chip that integrates more functions on a single chip by partitioning the chip, employing different electrode designs for each partition, and controlling each region with different drive methods. Different types of electrodes are fabricated on the same substrate, rather than simply splicing different electrodes together. There are no gaps or spaces between the electrodes, which does not affect droplet generation or movement. Furthermore, the regions and electrodes are numbered or labeled, enabling quick identification of functional areas and electrodes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a regional digital microfluidic chip according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 It is a plan view of a design layout of a regional digital microfluidic chip according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of another regional digital microfluidic chip according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of another regional digital microfluidic chip according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 5 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an array composed of several groups of hexagonal electrodes and waist-shaped electrodes according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a first structural diagram of an array composed of a plurality of unidirectional electrodes according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a first structure of a plurality of unidirectional electrodes according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 8 is a second structural schematic diagram of an array composed of a plurality of unidirectional electrodes according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 9 This is a second structural diagram of a plurality of unidirectional electrodes according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 10 This is an example diagram of droplet movement according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode timing state of an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] in, Figure 7 and Figure 9 Including:

[0038] 01. First connecting part;

[0039] 02. Second connecting portion;

[0040] 03. Connection port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application more clear, the following will refer to the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions of this application through implementation methods. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0042] In the description of the present invention, "several" means more than one, "plurality" means more than two, "greater than," "less than," and "exceed" are understood to exclude the number itself, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the number itself. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is solely for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, implicitly specifying the number of the indicated technical features, or implicitly specifying the order of the indicated technical features.

[0043] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, words such as "setting" should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above words in the present invention based on the specific content of the technical solution.

[0044] In the description of the present invention, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that a specific feature or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0045] Example 1

[0046] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a regional digital microfluidic chip includes: several electrode arrays, each electrode array is arranged on the same substrate and forms a corresponding functional area; the functional area includes a reaction culture area and several pipetting areas; the reaction culture area is used for actual reaction or cell culture; the pipetting area is used for moving droplets; the electrode array corresponding to the reaction culture area is a passive electrode array; the pipetting area and the corresponding electrode array are active electrode arrays.

[0047] In this embodiment, the two functional areas are functional area 1 and functional area 2, and functional area 1 and functional area 2 are designed according to the requirements of the chip. The shape, size, driving mode, arrangement mode of the electrodes in functional area 1 and functional area 2 or the structure of the transistors may be completely different or partially the same. For example, on a chip that needs to move droplets and culture cells, two areas are designed according to different functional requirements. Functional area 1 is the functional area for moving droplets. This functional area can use the AM design method, and the driving method of the AM design is more efficient and flexible. Cells are cultured in functional area 2. Since the PM design has higher stability, the PM design can be used in functional areas that need to be cultured or preserved for a long time. Since the designs of the two functional areas are different, the two functional areas need to be controlled by different data lines, so that the coordinated work of different functional areas can be achieved.

[0048] Specifically, the electrode array includes a plurality of electrodes, and the electrodes include a gate layer, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, an original drain layer, a first passivation layer, a driving electrode layer, a second passivation layer, and a hydrophobic layer.

[0049] The AM and PM regions share the same substrate. A wide variety of substrates are available, including transparent glass and plastic. The gate, source, and drain electrodes can be made of metals such as aluminum, molybdenum, copper, nickel, nickel-manganese alloy, and nickel-chromium alloy, which exhibit high work functions, good dimensional stability, and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. The conductive layer can be a single material or a composite of multiple conductive materials. The film thickness ranges from 200 to 400 nm.

[0050] The gate insulating layer has a thickness ranging from 200 to 400 nm, and the insulating layer material can be a single material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, or a composite insulating layer of multiple insulating materials.

[0051] The active layer is generally made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) and oxides (such as IGZO). The film thickness ranges from 50 to 150 nm. The electron mobility of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) is generally less than 1 (cm 2 / v*s), oxide is between 5-50, and low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) is generally greater than 100. The selection can be based on actual application requirements.

[0052] The passivation layer plays the role of insulating and protecting the active layer. The film material can be the same as the gate insulating layer material, or organic dielectric materials such as epoxy resin, phenolic varnish, etc. can be selected. The film thickness ranges from 200 to 2000nm.

[0053] For digital microfluidics applications, a hydrophobic layer must be formed above the passivation layer. Teflon is an ideal material for this layer, as it boasts high crystallinity, tightly oriented molecular alignment, and minimal porosity. The same process is used for the electrodes of varying sizes, shapes, and structures described below.

[0054] In another embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, the microfluidic chip is divided into three functional areas: functional area 1, functional area 2, and functional area 3. The size, structure, shape, and arrangement of electrodes in different functional areas are designed according to the requirements of the chip. Figure 3 Functional Zone 1 is identical to Functional Zone 3, but different from Functional Zone 2. In a microfluidic chip, Functional Zone 2 is typically the actual reaction or culture area, while Functional Zones 1 and 3 contain water or nutrient solution. This prevents the reaction area from coming into contact with air during the reaction process and inhibits the evaporation of water in the culture area during the culture process. Regardless of whether the three functional zones are identical, different data lines are used to control each area, enabling coordinated operation of the different functional zones.

[0055] In another embodiment, Figure 4 As shown in FIG, the microfluidic chip is divided into nine functional areas, among which functional area 5 is the actual reaction / culture area, and the other functional areas are all auxiliary.

[0056] Furthermore, during the use of the microfluidic chip, in order to facilitate the distinction of functional areas and find the target functional area or electrode, each functional area in the above-mentioned microfluidic chip can be marked so that each functional area is provided with a corresponding functional area label.

[0057] The mark can be not only Arabic numerals, but also uppercase English letters A, B, C... or lowercase English letters a, b, c..., and uppercase Roman numerals Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ... or lowercase Roman numerals ⅰ, ⅱ, ⅲ...

[0058] This numbering or labeling method can be applied not only to functional areas to quickly distinguish them, but also to electrodes. Each electrode in a functional area can be numbered, so that each electrode in the electrode array has a corresponding electrode number. When observing electrodes under a microscope, the label or serial number can be used to quickly locate a specific electrode. Alternatively, when inspecting electrodes, electrodes can be inspected in order of serial number to avoid repeated inspections.

[0059] Not only are there various methods for marking electrodes and functional areas, but also various locations for marking. Figure 4 The marking positions of the five electrodes or functional areas preferred by the present invention are upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right or in the middle. The marking symbol can be located within a pixel area or across multiple pixels. In the actual design process, the marking position is varied and can be modified according to the design. The principle of selecting the marking position is not to block the working area of ​​the electrode or functional area, that is, not to affect the normal use of the microfluidic chip.

[0060] Furthermore, in some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, the electrode array comprises several groups of hexagonal electrodes and waist-shaped electrodes. The hexagonal electrodes within a group are arranged sequentially. A waist-shaped electrode is positioned between two adjacent groups of hexagonal electrodes, with the shape of the waist-shaped electrodes matching that of the adjacent hexagonal electrodes. This electrode array combines the advantages of both square and hexagonal electrode arrays, enabling both horizontal and vertical movement of droplets while improving the plumpness of the resulting droplets.

[0061] Furthermore, in some embodiments, Figures 6 to 9 As shown, the electrode array comprises several unidirectional electrodes. The size, shape, arrangement, and drive method of these unidirectional electrodes differ from those of other electrodes. This reduces the number of signal lines while still meeting the requirement for unidirectional droplet movement.

[0062] The unidirectional electrode includes a first connecting portion 01 and a second connecting portion 02 ; the second connecting portion 02 is provided with a connecting port 03 , and the shape of the connecting port 03 matches that of the first connecting portion 01 .

[0063] Furthermore, the first connecting portion 01 is an equilateral triangle; the connecting port 03 is also an equilateral triangle.

[0064] based on Figure 6 and Figure 7 The unidirectional electrode structure and the electrode array formed by it can only move in one direction along a straight line.

[0065] When you need to move the droplet in a curved manner, you need to use the following Figure 9 Another form of unidirectional electrode is shown, and an example of the electrode array formed by it is as follows Figure 8 shown.

[0066] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a chip driving method is provided, which is applied to the aforementioned regional digital microfluidic chip, comprising the following steps:

[0067] S0: Identify the chip type of the microfluidic chip and match the corresponding pattern template according to the chip type;

[0068] S1: Determine the original position of the droplet, which includes the original functional area and the corresponding original electrode position;

[0069] S2: Determine the target position of the droplet movement, where the target position includes the target functional area and the corresponding target electrode position;

[0070] S3: Calculate the droplet's movement path based on the original position, target position, and corresponding pattern template;

[0071] S4: determining the corresponding electrode driving signal according to the movement path of the droplet;

[0072] S5: The corresponding electrodes on the moving path of the droplet are driven in sequence through the electrode driving signal.

[0073] like Figure 10 and Figure 11 This example shows how a microfluidic chip moves a droplet from one functional area to another. Functional area 1 is 3x2 and includes 6 electrodes. Therefore, each electrode has its own independent drive signal line, with 6 electrodes corresponding to 6 signal lines. Functional area 2 is 6x4 and has more electrodes. Row and column drive is used, with 6 row signal lines and 4 column signal lines.

[0074] Figure 10-a, the electrodes 2 and 6 in the functional area 1 marked by the grid are the locations of the droplets. In order to make the droplets move stably from functional area 1 to functional area 2, it is necessary to write the driving signal according to the arrangement of the electrodes. The initial driving signal at this time is as follows Figure 11 As shown in -a, electrodes 2 and 6 in functional area 1 are in working state, and functional area 2 is not working. In order to move the droplet on electrode 2 in functional area 1 to electrodes 1, 2, 5, and 6 in functional area 2, it is necessary to make electrode 2 in functional area 1 not working and electrodes 1, 2, 5, and 6 in functional area 2 working. The signal timing diagram is shown in Figure 11 -b, at this time, columns 1 and 2 are scanned simultaneously with rows 1 and 2. At this time, the droplet on the electrode 6 in the functional area 1 does not move. When the driving signal changes, the state of the droplet is as follows Figure 10 -b as shown.

[0075] In order to make the droplets on electrodes 1, 2, 5, and 6 of functional area 2 continue to move to the right, at the same time, the droplets on electrode 6 of functional area 1 move to electrodes 17, 18, 21, and 22 in functional area 2, the corresponding driving signals are as follows: Figure 11 -c. At this time, functional area 1 is not working, columns 1 and 2 are scanned simultaneously with rows 5 and 6, and columns 3 and 4 are scanned simultaneously with rows 1 and 2. When the driving signal changes, the state of the droplet is as follows Figure 10 At this point, the droplet has successfully moved stably from functional area 1 to functional area 2.

[0076] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a chip driver device is provided. In this embodiment, a chip driver device may include or be divided into one or more program modules. One or more program modules are stored in a storage medium and executed by one or more processors to complete the present invention and implement the above-mentioned chip driving method. The program module referred to in the present invention refers to a series of computer program instruction segments that can perform specific functions. It is more suitable for describing the execution process of a chip driver device in a storage medium than the program itself. The following description will specifically introduce the functions of each program module in this embodiment:

[0077] A storage module, used to store corresponding style templates of microfluidic chips of various chip types, wherein the style templates include the attributes and positional relationship information of each functional area and each electrode in each functional area;

[0078] An identification module is used to identify the chip type of the microfluidic chip and match the corresponding pattern template according to the chip type;

[0079] A setting module is used to determine the original position and target position of the droplet;

[0080] The path generation module is used to calculate the movement path of the droplet based on the original position, target position and style template;

[0081] The driving signal generating module is used to determine and generate the corresponding electrode driving signal for output according to the moving path of the droplet.

[0082] If the integrated unit described in this application is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0083] Note that the above are only preferred embodiments of the present application and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and that various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, although the present application has been described in more detail through the above embodiments, the present application is not limited to the above embodiments and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present application. The scope of the present application is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A regional digital microfluidic chip, characterized in that: include: A plurality of electrode arrays, each of which is arranged on the same substrate and forms a corresponding functional area; The functional area includes a reaction culture area and a plurality of pipetting areas; The reaction culture area is used for actual reaction or cell culture; The pipetting area is used to move the droplet; The electrode array corresponding to the reaction culture area is a passive electrode array; The electrode array corresponding to the pipetting area is an active electrode array; The electrode array includes an array consisting of several groups of hexagonal electrodes and waist-shaped electrodes; wherein, the hexagonal electrodes in the same group are arranged in sequence; a group of waist-shaped electrodes is provided between two adjacent groups of hexagonal electrodes, and the shape of the waist-shaped electrodes matches the adjacent hexagonal electrodes.

2. The regional digital microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode array includes a plurality of electrodes, and the electrodes include a gate layer, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, an original drain layer, a first passivation layer, a driving electrode layer, a second passivation layer and a hydrophobic layer.

3. A regional digital microfluidic chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The electrode array comprises an array consisting of a plurality of unidirectional electrodes; The unidirectional electrode includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion; The second connecting portion is provided with a connecting port, and the connecting port matches the shape of the first connecting portion.

4. The regional digital microfluidic chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first connecting portion is an equilateral triangle; the connecting port is also an equilateral triangle.

5. The regional digital microfluidic chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Each of the functional areas is respectively provided with a corresponding functional area label.

6. The regional digital microfluidic chip according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each electrode on the electrode array is provided with a corresponding electrode number.

7. A chip driving method, applied to a regional digital microfluidic chip according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: Determine the original position of the droplet, where the original position includes the original functional area and the corresponding original electrode position; S2: Determine the target position of the droplet movement, where the target position includes the target functional area and the corresponding target electrode position; S3: Calculating a moving path of the droplet according to the original position and the target position; S4: determining a corresponding electrode driving signal according to the moving path of the droplet; S5: driving the corresponding electrodes on the moving path of the droplet in sequence through the electrode driving signal.

8. A chip driving method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The following steps are also included: S0: Identify the chip type of the microfluidic chip and match the corresponding pattern template according to the chip type.

9. A chip driving device, using the chip driving method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: include: A storage module, configured to store corresponding pattern templates for microfluidic chips of various chip types, wherein the pattern templates include information on properties and positional relationships of each functional area and each electrode in each functional area; An identification module, used to identify the chip type of the microfluidic chip and match the corresponding pattern template according to the chip type; A setting module is used to determine the original position and target position of the droplet; A path generation module, configured to calculate a moving path of the droplet according to the original position, the target position, and the pattern template; The driving signal generating module is used to determine and generate a corresponding electrode driving signal for output according to the moving path of the droplet.

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