Vesicle puncturing assembly for micro-fluidic chip and micro-fluidic biological analyzer

Abstract

The invention discloses a vesicle puncturing assembly for a micro-fluidic chip and a micro-fluidic biological analyzer, and relates to the technical field of microfluidics, the vesicle puncturing assembly comprises a fixed frame 1, a movable frame 2, an air bag 3 and a puncturing head 4; the fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2 are movably connected through a vertical sliding rail 5; the air bag 3 is fixedly mounted between the fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2, and the air bag 3 drives the movable frame 2 to move up and down through bulging and shrinking; and the puncturing head 4 is fixedly mounted at the bottom of the movable frame 2 and is used for puncturing vesicles of the micro-fluidic chip 7 placed on the gas circuit board 6 when the movable frame 2 moves downwards. By adopting the vesicle puncturing assembly provided by the embodiment of the invention, the pressure can be output more stably, the control precision of the puncturing force is improved, and the vesicle puncturing assembly is more suitable for being used by various automatic micro-fluidic biological analyzers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of microfluidic technology, and in particular, to a vesicle puncturing assembly for a microfluidic chip and a microfluidic bioanalyzer. Background Art

[0002] Microfluidic chip technology (Microfluidics) integrates basic operation units such as sample preparation, reaction, separation, and detection in the biological, chemical, and medical analysis processes onto a chip with a micron scale, and automatically completes the entire analysis process. Microfluidic chips are a hot area in the development of current micro total analysis systems.

[0003] Microfluidic chip analysis uses the chip as an operation platform, and is based on analytical chemistry, relies on microelectromechanical processing technology, features a microchannel network, and mainly targets life science at present. It is the focus of the development in the field of current micro total analysis systems. Its goal is to integrate the functions of an entire laboratory, including sampling, dilution, reagent addition, reaction, separation, detection, etc., on a microchip, and it can be used multiple times. During the production of microfluidic chips, various reagents such as lysis buffer, washing buffer, elution buffer, etc. need to be pre-buried in the chips.

[0004] Microfluidic chips have vesicles. In practical applications, the vesicles need to be punctured to trigger the flow of the liquid in the chip, thereby completing a series of operations. Currently, various microfluidic bioanalyzers have puncturing heads, which can be driven by a motor or a cylinder to drive the puncturing head to move and puncture the vesicles of the microfluidic chip placed on the gas circuit board.

[0005] In the prior art, the method of using a motor or a cylinder to drive the puncturing head to move cannot achieve precise control of the puncturing force. If the force is too light, the vesicles cannot be punctured, and if the force is too heavy, the microfluidic chip may be damaged, that is, the effect of puncturing the vesicles is poor. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a vesicle puncturing assembly for a microfluidic chip and a microfluidic bioanalyzer to solve the problem of poor control accuracy of the puncturing force of the vesicles of the microfluidic chip existing in the prior art.

[0007] Embodiments of the present application provide a vesicle puncturing assembly for a microfluidic chip, including:

[0008] A fixed frame 1, a movable frame 2, an airbag 3, and a puncturing head 4;

[0009] The fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2 are movably connected through a vertical slide rail 5;

[0010] The airbag 3 is fixedly installed between the fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2. The airbag 3 drives the up and down movement of the movable frame 2 by inflating and contracting.

[0011] The puncturing head 4 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the movable frame 2 and is used to puncture the vesicles of the microfluidic chip 7 placed on the air passage board 6 when the movable frame 2 moves downward.

[0012] Furthermore, the airbag 3 is fixedly installed between the fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2 and is located below the fixed frame 1. It drives the movable frame 2 to move downward by inflating and drives the movable frame 2 to move upward by contracting.

[0013] Furthermore, the movable frame 2 includes an upper frame 21 and a lower frame 22, and the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 22 are connected by columns 23.

[0014] The fixed frame 1 is located between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 22.

[0015] The airbag 3 is fixedly installed between the upper frame 21 and the fixed frame 1 and is located above the fixed frame 1. It drives the movable frame 2 to move upward by inflating and drives the movable frame 2 to move downward by contracting.

[0016] Furthermore, the airbag 3 includes an upper airbag 31 and a lower airbag 32.

[0017] The movable frame 2 includes an upper frame 21 and a lower frame 22, and the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 22 are connected by columns 23.

[0018] The fixed frame 1 is located between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 22.

[0019] The upper airbag 31 is fixedly installed between the upper frame 21 and the fixed frame 1 and is located above the fixed frame 1. The lower airbag 32 is fixedly installed between the fixed frame 1 and the lower frame 22 and is located below the fixed frame 1.

[0020] By the inflation of the upper airbag 31 and the contraction of the lower airbag 32, the movable frame 2 is driven to move upward. By the contraction of the upper airbag 31 and the inflation of the lower airbag 32, the movable frame 2 is driven to move downward.

[0021] Furthermore, it further includes: a plurality of limit screws 8.

[0022] The multiple limit screws 8 pass through the fixed frame 1 and are fixedly installed on the lower layer frame 22 and are located around the upper airbag 31 and the lower airbag 32.

[0023] Furthermore, it further includes: a buffer pressing plate 9 and a compression spring 10;

[0024] The buffer pressing plate 9 is floatingly connected to the bottom of the movable frame 2 through the compression spring 10;

[0025] During the process of the movable frame 2 moving downward, it drives the buffer pressing plate 9 to move downward and presses the microfluidic chip 7 tightly;

[0026] The movable frame 2 continues to move downward, driving the piercing head 4 to pierce the vesicle. At this time, the compression spring 10 is compressed.

[0027] The embodiment of the present application also provides a microfluidic bioanalyzer, including:

[0028] Any one of the above-mentioned vesicle piercing assemblies for a microfluidic chip.

[0029] The beneficial effects of the present application include:

[0030] The vesicle piercing assembly for a microfluidic chip provided by the embodiment of the present application includes a fixed frame 1, a movable frame 2, an airbag 3, and a piercing head 4; the fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2 are movably connected through a vertical slide rail 5; the airbag 3 is fixedly installed between the fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2, and the airbag 3 drives the up and down movement of the movable frame 2 through inflation and contraction; the piercing head 4 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the movable frame 2 and is used to pierce the vesicle of the microfluidic chip 7 placed on the gas path plate 6 when the movable frame 2 moves downward. Compared with the motor drive and cylinder drive methods, driving through the inflation and contraction of the airbag can output pressure more smoothly, improve the control accuracy of the piercing force, and is more suitable for the use of various automated microfluidic bioanalyzers.

[0031] Other features and advantages of the present application will be described in the subsequent specification, and, in part, will be obvious from the specification, or will be understood by implementing the present application. The objectives and other advantages of the present application can be realized and obtained through the structures specifically pointed out in the written specification, claims, and drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0032] The drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present application, and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present application, they are used to explain the present application and do not constitute a limitation to the present application. In the drawings:

[0033] Figure 1Schematic front view of the vesicle puncturing assembly for a microfluidic chip provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 2 Schematic rear view of the vesicle puncturing assembly for a microfluidic chip provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 3 Schematic rear view of the state where the puncturing head of the vesicle puncturing assembly for a microfluidic chip provided by an embodiment of the present application penetrates into the microfluidic chip;

[0036] Figure 4 Schematic perspective rear view of the vesicle puncturing assembly for a microfluidic chip provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0037] In order to provide an implementation solution for improving the control accuracy of the puncturing force of vesicles in a microfluidic chip, an embodiment of the present application provides a vesicle puncturing assembly for a microfluidic chip and a microfluidic bioanalyzer. The following describes the preferred embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings of the specification. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application. And without conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0038] An embodiment of the present application provides a vesicle puncturing assembly for a microfluidic chip, as Figures 1 - 4 shown, including:

[0039] A fixed frame 1, a movable frame 2, an airbag 3, and a puncturing head 4;

[0040] The fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2 are movably connected through a vertical slide rail 5;

[0041] The airbag 3 is fixedly installed between the fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2. The airbag 3 drives the up and down movement of the movable frame 2 by inflating and deflating;

[0042] The puncturing head 4 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the movable frame 2 and is used to puncture the vesicles of the microfluidic chip 7 placed on the air passage board 6 when the movable frame 2 moves downward.

[0043] Using the above-mentioned vesicle puncturing assembly provided by the embodiment of the present application, compared with the motor drive and cylinder drive methods, by driving through the inflation and deflation of the airbag, the pressure can be output more smoothly, the control accuracy of the puncturing force can be improved, and it is more suitable for the use of various automated microfluidic bioanalyzers.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present application, the airbag 3 can be fixedly installed between the fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2, and is located below the fixed frame 1. By inflating, it drives the movable frame 2 to move downward, and by contracting, it drives the movable frame 2 to move upward.

[0045] For example, the airbag 3 is fixedly installed on the fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2. When it inflates, it pushes the movable frame 2 downward, and when it contracts, it pulls the movable frame 2 upward.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present application, the movable frame 2 can include an upper frame 21 and a lower frame 22, and the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 22 are connected by columns 23.

[0047] The fixed frame 1 is located between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 22, and the columns 23 can pass through the fixed frame 1.

[0048] The airbag 3 can be fixedly installed between the upper frame 21 and the fixed frame 1, and is located above the fixed frame 1. By inflating, it drives the movable frame 2 to move upward, and by contracting, it drives the movable frame 2 to move downward.

[0049] For example, the airbag 3 is fixedly installed on the upper frame 21 and the fixed frame 1. When it inflates, it pushes the upper frame 21 upward, and when it contracts, it pulls the upper frame 21 downward.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present application, as Figures 1 - 4 shown, the airbag 3 can include an upper airbag 31 and a lower airbag 32.

[0051] The movable frame 2 can include an upper frame 21 and a lower frame 22, and the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 22 are connected by columns 23.

[0052] The fixed frame 1 is located between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 22, and the columns 23 can pass through the fixed frame 1.

[0053] The upper airbag 31 is fixedly installed between the upper frame 21 and the fixed frame 1, and is located above the fixed frame 1. The lower airbag 32 is fixedly installed between the fixed frame 1 and the lower frame 22, and is located below the fixed frame 1.

[0054] By the inflation of the upper airbag 31 and the contraction of the lower airbag 32, the movable frame 2 is driven to move upward. By the contraction of the upper airbag 31 and the inflation of the lower airbag 32, the movable frame 2 is driven to move downward.

[0055] For example, the upper airbag 31 is fixedly installed on the fixed frame 1, and the lower airbag 32 is fixedly installed on the lower layer frame 22. When the upper airbag 31 bulges, it can push the upper layer frame 21 to move upward. At the same time, the lower airbag 32 contracts, reducing the space occupied between the lower layer frame 22 and the fixed frame 1, so that the lower layer frame 22 moves upward simultaneously driven by the upward movement of the upper layer frame 21. When the lower airbag bulges, it can push the lower layer frame 22 to move downward. At the same time, the upper airbag 31 contracts, reducing the space occupied between the upper layer frame 21 and the fixed frame 1, so that the upper layer frame 21 moves downward simultaneously driven by the downward movement of the lower layer frame 22.

[0056] In the embodiment of the present application, as Figures 1 - 4 shown, it may further include: a plurality of limit screws 8;

[0057] The plurality of limit screws 8 pass through the fixed frame 1 and are fixedly installed on the lower layer frame 22 and are located around the upper airbag 31 and the lower airbag 32.

[0058] Through the plurality of limit screws 8, it is possible to limit the horizontal diffusion of the upper airbag 31 and the lower airbag 32 during the bulging and contracting processes, so as to concentrate the diffusion in the vertical direction.

[0059] Further, the plurality of limit screws 8 may be smooth shaft screws. As Figure 3 shown, when the upper airbag 31 contracts and the lower airbag 32 bulges and pushes the movable frame 2 to move downward, the upper half of the limit screw 8 can penetrate out of the fixed frame 1.

[0060] In the embodiment of the present application, the microfluidic chip can be manually placed on the gas circuit board, or can be placed on the gas circuit board by other automated devices. After the microfluidic chip is placed on the gas circuit board, the pressing mechanism can be manually triggered to press the microfluidic chip on the gas circuit board, and then the inflation and contraction of the airbag 3 are controlled to drive the movement of the movable frame 2, further driving the puncturing head 4 to puncture the vesicles of the microfluidic chip.

[0061] In an embodiment of the present application, it is also possible to automatically press the microfluidic chip. As Figures 1 - 4 shown, the vesicle puncturing assembly may further include: a buffer pressing plate 9 and a compression spring 10;

[0062] The buffer pressing plate 9 is floatingly connected to the bottom of the movable frame 2 through the compression spring 10, that is, the distance between the buffer pressing plate 9 and the movable frame 2 can be changed by the compression of the compression spring;

[0063] During the downward movement of the movable frame 2, the buffer pressing plate 9 is driven to move downward and presses the microfluidic chip 7. After pressing the microfluidic chip 7, the buffer pressing plate 9 is limited by the microfluidic chip 7 and cannot continue to move downward;

[0064] At this time, the movable frame 2 continues to move downward, which can drive the puncturing head 4 to puncture the vesicles, and at this time, the compression spring 10 is compressed.

[0065] After the detection of the microfluidic chip 7 is completed, through the control of the airbag 3, the movable frame 2 is driven to move upward, and at the same time, the buffer pressing plate 9 is driven to move upward, and no longer presses the microfluidic chip 7, so that the microfluidic chip 7 can be reset and automatically sent out.

[0066] As Figures 1 - 4 shown, the puncturing head 4 can pass through the middle part area of the buffer pressing plate 9, and the compression spring 10 can include a plurality of and is arranged around the buffer pressing plate.

[0067] The embodiment of the present application also provides a microfluidic bioanalyzer, including:

[0068] Any of the above-mentioned vesicle puncturing assemblies for microfluidic chips.

[0069] In the embodiment of the present application, the microfluidic bioanalyzer can be various known instruments for biological analysis of microfluidic chips. For example, it can be a nucleic acid amplification fluorescence detection analyzer.

[0070] In summary, the vesicle puncturing assembly for microfluidic chips provided by the embodiment of the present application, compared with the motor drive and cylinder drive methods, is driven by the inflation and contraction of the airbag, can output pressure more smoothly, improve the control accuracy of the puncturing force, and is more suitable for the use of various automated microfluidic bioanalyzers.

[0071] When including an upper airbag and a lower airbag, the upper and lower airbags can cooperate with each other, one inflates and the other contracts, so as to realize more flexible and effective lifting control of the movable frame, thereby driving the up and down movement of the puncturing head.

[0072] The puncturing head can be fixedly installed on the bottom plate of the movable frame by screws, and the buffer pressing plate can be floatingly connected to the bottom plate of the movable frame through a compression spring, so as to realize that when pressing down, the microfluidic chip is first pressed tightly on the gas circuit board and then punctured, so that the liquid in the vesicles will not leak, avoiding sample contamination and improving the reliability of sample detection.

[0073] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0074] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A vesicle puncturing component for a microfluidic chip, characterized in that, Comprising: A fixed frame (1), a movable frame (2), an airbag (3), and a puncturing head (4); The fixed frame (1) and the movable frame (2) are movably connected by a vertical slide rail (5); The airbag (3) is fixedly installed between the fixed frame (1) and the movable frame (2), and drives the up and down movement of the movable frame (2) through inflation and contraction; The puncturing head (4) is fixedly installed at the bottom of the movable frame (2) and is used to puncture the vesicles of the microfluidic chip (7) placed on the air passage board (6) when the movable frame (2) moves downward.

2. The vesicle puncturing assembly according to claim 1, wherein The airbag (3) is fixedly installed between the fixed frame (1) and the movable frame (2), and is located below the fixed frame (1), drives the movable frame (2) to move downward through inflation, and drives the movable frame (2) to move upward through contraction.

3. The vesicle puncturing assembly according to claim 1, wherein The movable frame (2) includes an upper layer frame (21) and a lower layer frame (22), and the upper layer frame (21) and the lower layer frame (22) are connected by columns (23); The fixed frame (1) is located between the upper layer frame (21) and the lower layer frame (22); The airbag (3) is fixedly installed between the upper layer frame (21) and the fixed frame (1), and is located above the fixed frame (1), drives the movable frame (2) to move upward through inflation, and drives the movable frame (2) to move downward through contraction.

4. The vesicle puncturing assembly according to claim 1, wherein The airbag (3) includes an upper airbag (31) and a lower airbag (32); The movable frame (2) includes an upper layer frame (21) and a lower layer frame (22), and the upper layer frame (21) and the lower layer frame (22) are connected by columns (23); The fixed frame (1) is located between the upper layer frame (21) and the lower layer frame (22); The upper airbag (31) is fixedly installed between the upper layer frame (21) and the fixed frame (1), and is located above the fixed frame (1), the lower airbag (32) is fixedly installed between the fixed frame (1) and the lower layer frame (22), and is located below the fixed frame (1); Through the inflation of the upper airbag (31) and the contraction of the lower airbag (32), the movable frame (2) is driven to move upward, and through the contraction of the upper airbag (31) and the inflation of the lower airbag (3)(2), the movable frame (2) is driven to move downward.

5. The vesicle puncturing assembly according to claim 4, wherein, Further comprising: A plurality of limit screws (8); The plurality of limit screws (8) pass through the fixed frame (1), are fixedly installed on the lower layer frame (22), and are located around the upper airbag (31) and the lower airbag (32).

6. The vesicle puncturing assembly according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Further comprising: A buffer pressing plate (9) and a compression spring (10); The buffer pressing plate (9) is floatingly connected to the bottom of the movable frame (2) through the compression spring (10); During the downward movement of the movable frame (2), the buffer pressing plate (9) is driven to move downward and presses the microfluidic chip (7); The movable frame (2) continues to move downward, driving the puncturing head (4) to puncture the vesicle, and at this time the compression spring (10) is compressed.

7. A microfluidic bioanalyzer, characterized in that, Comprising: The vesicle puncturing assembly for a microfluidic chip according to any one of claims 1-6.

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