A sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip and its usage method

Abstract

A sealing device and method for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip are disclosed, relating to the field of microfluidic chip sealing. This invention solves problems such as sample evaporation and contamination within the chip in high-temperature environments and the easy loss of the cap during operation in existing disc-type chip clamping structures. The device secures a base plate and a rotating carrier with screws. A spring mechanism is mounted on the base plate, with one end of a locking device fixed to the base plate and the other end connected to the underside of the microfluidic chip carrier, forming a support structure. A fixed guide rail and a carrier slide rail are installed together, and the carrier slide rail and the microfluidic chip carrier are fixedly installed with screws and set screws. The fan-shaped microfluidic chip is mounted on the microfluidic chip carrier. The chip has three detection chambers, allowing for the detection of three samples at a time. A sealing ring is provided under the cap, significantly enhancing the chip's sealing performance. Its fan-shaped design and installation with the microfluidic chip carrier via fixing bolts form a spring hinge structure, enabling flexible opening and closing, and is also applicable to the field of biochip detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microfluidic chip sealing technology, specifically to a sealing device and method for using a fan-shaped microfluidic chip. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of precision medicine and point-of-care testing technologies, microfluidic chips, as core devices capable of manipulating fluids at the micrometer scale, are gradually becoming key technology platforms in fields such as bioanalysis and clinical diagnostics. Among them, fan-shaped microfluidic chips, due to their unique radial channel design and multi-chamber distribution, can integrate multiple steps such as sample pretreatment, nucleic acid amplification, and fluorescence detection on a single chip. They are particularly suitable for scenarios requiring simultaneous processing of multiple samples or parallel analysis of multiple indicators, such as rapid screening for infectious diseases and tumor marker detection. Their application demand is expanding at a rate of over 15% per year.

[0003] In practical applications of these chips, sealing performance is one of the core factors determining the success or failure of experiments. Because the internal channel size of the chip is only at the micrometer level, and most experiments, such as PCR reactions, require repeated cycles between high-temperature denaturation at 95°C and low-temperature annealing at 55°C, resulting in large temperature fluctuations, and because the reaction system often contains corrosive substances such as acids, alkalis, and organic solvents, stringent requirements are placed on the sealing device: it must not only maintain stable sealing pressure under drastic temperature changes to prevent reagent evaporation or leakage, but also prevent chemical reactions between the sealing material and the reaction reagents, thus avoiding sample contamination. However, current mainstream microfluidic chip sealing technologies still have significant shortcomings. Traditional manual compression sealing devices, such as screw cap structures, rely on the operator's experience to control pressure, which is not only labor-intensive but also often results in pressure deviations exceeding ±20%, leading to uneven pressure distribution on the chip. Insufficient pressure at the curved edges of the chip can easily cause micro-leakage, while excessive pressure in the central area can cause the chip substrate to crack, especially for chips made of brittle or flexible materials such as glass and PDMS, where the damage rate can reach over 30%. While magnetic sealing devices solve the problem of ease of operation, the neodymium iron boron magnets they use will experience magnetic attenuation in environments above 80°C, resulting in a decrease in sealing force of about 40%, which makes reagent leakage very likely during the high-temperature stage of PCR reaction. At the same time, magnetic field interference may also affect the stability of fluorescence detection signals, increasing detection errors by 15%-20%.

[0004] Furthermore, the chip loading and unloading process in existing devices is complex, often requiring multiple positioning adjustments, which prolongs experimental preparation time; and most sealing devices are not integrated structures, making operation cumbersome and posing a risk of losing components. These problems restrict the efficient application of microfluidic chips in rapid detection scenarios. Therefore, developing a microfluidic chip sealing device that is easy to operate, reliably sealed, highly adaptable, and can meet the requirements of high-temperature reactions, along with its corresponding usage method, has become a key issue in improving the performance of microfluidic detection systems.

[0005] Analysis and comparison of existing microfluidic chip sealing methods reveal that, in practice, these methods require repeated manual rotation of the threads, a lengthy and cumbersome process that demands considerable skill and pressure control from the operator, consuming significant time and effort. Furthermore, varying operator pressure results in inconsistent tightening, increasing the operational difficulty. Even more challenging is the issue of threaded components expanding and tightening due to thermal expansion and contraction after high-temperature reactions, causing significant friction during cooling and contraction, leading to jamming and difficulty in opening. Additionally, the device's independent cap poses a risk of loss during use. Moreover, the 16-channel design of the disc-type microfluidic chip results in wasted detection channels during low-throughput sample detection. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To overcome the problems of sample volatilization and contamination within the chip in high-temperature environments and the easy loss of the pressure cap during operation in traditional disc-type chip clamping structures, this invention proposes a sealing device and method for using a fan-shaped microfluidic chip.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0008] Option 1: This invention proposes a sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip. The sealing device includes a handle, a rotating carrier, a microfluidic chip carrier, a spring mechanism, a locking device, a base plate, a top cover, carrier wheels, a fixing bracket, an optical detection module, a foot assembly, a housing, a fan motor, a turbulence fan, a microfluidic chip carrier slide rail, a fixing guide rail, a pressure cap, and elastic buckles. The base plate and the rotating carrier are fastened together with screws. The spring mechanism is mounted on the base plate, and one end of the locking device is fixed to the base plate, while the other end is connected to the bottom of the microfluidic chip carrier to form a support structure. The fixing guide rail and the microfluidic chip... The microfluidic chip carrier slide rail is installed in conjunction with the microfluidic chip carrier, and the fixed guide rail is installed on the base plate. The microfluidic chip carrier slide rail and the microfluidic chip carrier are fixedly installed by screws and set screws. The fan-shaped microfluidic chip is mounted on the microfluidic chip carrier. Each microfluidic chip carrier has four chip compartments. The fan-shaped microfluidic chip is equipped with three detection chambers. Each detection chamber has a sample inlet and an exhaust outlet. The two outlets are distributed on the same circumference to facilitate the cap tightening operation. A sealing ring is equipped under the cap. Its fan-shaped design is installed with the microfluidic chip carrier by fixing bolts to form a spring hinge structure to achieve flexible opening and closing.

[0009] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided, wherein the fan-shaped microfluidic chip has an overall central angle of 75°, and the fan-shaped microfluidic chip includes a sample chamber, a reaction chamber, and a detection chamber.

[0010] The detection chamber is circular and located on the outer ring of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip, and is connected to the reaction chamber via a capillary valve.

[0011] The reaction chamber is fan-shaped and distributed in the ring region of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip, and is connected to the sample chamber through a capillary valve.

[0012] The sample chamber is V-shaped and has a fan-shaped microfluidic chip inner ring. The sample chamber, reaction chamber, and detection chamber are interconnected. Each of the sample chamber, reaction chamber, and detection chamber has an inlet and an exhaust port at both ends. The inlet is used to introduce the sample, and the exhaust port is used to expel air from the chamber when the sample is injected.

[0013] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the fan-shaped microfluidic chip is provided with four ventilation holes, located between the detection chamber and the reaction chamber respectively, and a sealing valve is provided on the capillary valve between the reaction chamber and the detection chamber, and the capillary valve is sealed with UV glue.

[0014] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided in which the top cover adopts an all-metal double-sided design and is connected to the main body of the outer shell through two sets of three-dimensional adjustable stainless steel hinges to achieve an opening angle of 0° to 90°.

[0015] The main body of the outer shell is made using sheet metal bending technology, the internal frame is an aluminum alloy profile splicing structure, and the exterior is covered with electrostatic sprayed steel plate.

[0016] The foot assembly consists of four universal adjustable feet, which are implemented using a composite structure of threaded adjusting columns and anti-slip rubber pads. The surface of the threaded adjusting columns is knurled, and the bottom of the rubber pads has a serrated texture, so that the static friction coefficient of the equipment on the smooth table is 0.85.

[0017] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided, wherein the optical detection module is a Y-shaped bifurcated fiber structure, with one end being a beam combiner and the other end being a beam splitter. The common end in the middle is used to perform the dual functions of exciting the sample and collecting fluorescence signals. The beam combiner is connected to the excitation light source through an optical interface to achieve efficient import and conversion of optical signals. The beam splitter is equipped with a reflective grating to support the synchronous beam splitting processing of multi-channel fluorescence signals.

[0018] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided, wherein the microfluidic chip carrier is provided with four loading spaces, which are evenly distributed in four 75° angled fan-shaped structures. Each loading space is provided with a positioning hole and a positioning pin to achieve precise alignment of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip.

[0019] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided, wherein the spring mechanism is connected to the microfluidic chip carrier, and the four loading spaces are separated by a horizontal rib structure with a 15° central angle. A ball-operated locking device is installed below the horizontal rib structure. The entire microfluidic chip carrier has four horizontal rib structures evenly distributed. The four ball-operated locking devices are locked together with the four ball-operated locking main components installed on the base plate to ensure that the microfluidic chip carrier is fixed at the detection position after descent and is kept on the same horizontal plane with balanced force. A spring buckle is installed above the horizontal rib structure of the microfluidic chip carrier.

[0020] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided, wherein the pressure cap is a fan-shaped structure with a central angle of 82.5°, and one side of the pressure cap is hinged to the top edge of the microfluidic chip carrier by a stainless steel spring hinge, the spring hinge having a built-in torsion spring structure; an annular high-temperature resistant silicone rubber sealing gasket with a thickness of 0.5mm is embedded in the lower side of the inner ring of the pressure cap.

[0021] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided in which the turbulence fan is a nine-blade right-angle centrifugal structure and is fixed at the center of the bottom of the fixed bracket.

[0022] Option 2: A method for using a sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip, wherein the method is based on the sealing device described in any one of Options 1, and the method includes the following steps:

[0023] Step 1: After accurately measuring the sample liquid using a pipette, place the pipette tip close to the wall of the 2mm diameter sample well at the top of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip and slowly inject the sample at a uniform speed. After the sample is injected, place the fan-shaped microfluidic chip stably in the centrifuge adapter fixture and start the preset centrifugation program. After the liquid transfer process is completed, select a pre-cut circular silicone sealing sheet and tightly attach the sealing sheet to the sample well and pore surface to complete the initial sealing treatment. After sealing, gently wipe the surface of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip with a lint-free wiping cloth to remove residual liquid or impurities, and place the fan-shaped microfluidic chip horizontally on a sterilized special operating table.

[0024] Step 2: When opening the instrument cover, pull the handle upwards. The pulling force of the handle will be precisely applied to the locking ball structure. Then, manually move the spring buckle on the microfluidic chip carrier. The cover will automatically pop open under the action of the torsion spring inside the spring hinge, creating sufficient operating space for loading the fan-shaped microfluidic chip.

[0025] Step 3: Place the pre-prepared fan-shaped microfluidic chip to be tested into the microfluidic chip carrier in a horizontal position. During operation, the fan-shaped outline of the microfluidic chip should be precisely aligned with the groove of the microfluidic chip carrier, so that the positioning pins on the edge of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip are engaged with the positioning holes on the microfluidic chip carrier one by one, ensuring that the fan-shaped microfluidic chip is in an absolutely centered initial position in the microfluidic chip carrier.

[0026] Step 4: When the cap is pressed, the wedge-shaped surface of its edge will squeeze the elastic arm of the spring buckle, causing the spring buckle to deform elastically; when the cap is completely attached to the surface of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip, the barb of the spring buckle will precisely engage with the groove of the cap, forming a vertical downward pressure, and applying uniform pressure to the edge of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip through the sealing gasket of the inner ring of the cap, thus achieving initial sealing;

[0027] Then, press down on the handle. The force of the handle is transmitted to the spring through the linkage mechanism, compressing the spring to a preset compression amount and storing elastic potential energy. The microfluidic chip carrier then descends smoothly along the preset trajectory formed by the fixed guide rail and the microfluidic chip carrier slide rail. At the same time, the locking device enters the working state simultaneously. When the carrier descends to the working position, the spring top ball in its ball-bearing structure quickly engages with the positioning groove on the side of the microfluidic chip carrier, firmly fixing the microfluidic chip carrier. At this time, the microfluidic chip carrier and the sealing device base remain absolutely parallel, ensuring that the sealing device enters a stable working state.

[0028] Step 5: After starting the temperature control system, the fan-shaped microfluidic chip will complete the repeated amplification process in the preset temperature cycle. After the amplification is completed, the synchronous pulley starts to run under the drive of the stepper motor, and drives the rotating carrier to rotate at a uniform speed of 5° / s through the toothed belt. The rotating carrier drives the fan-shaped microfluidic chip to rotate synchronously, so that each detection chamber on the fan-shaped microfluidic chip stops directly above the lens of the optical detection system in sequence.

[0029] The advantages of this invention are:

[0030] The sealing device and usage method for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip described in this invention simplifies the operation process through innovative structural design, achieving integrated device design and precise coordination of components without complex manual intervention. For low-throughput detection, it can intelligently allocate channels, avoiding idle waste and improving resource utilization. It reduces operational difficulty and error rate, shortens detection time, and reduces the consumption of reagents and other consumables, providing an efficient and economical solution for scientific research, clinical testing, and other scenarios, and promoting the convenient and practical development of microfluidic chip detection technology.

[0031] The sealing device described in this invention is also equipped with an elastic buckle that automatically locks after the cap is pressed, achieving efficient sealing of the microfluidic chip and ensuring reliable sample preservation in high-temperature environments, eliminating the risk of volatile contamination. This invention integrates the advantages of convenient operation and integrated equipment, and can flexibly adjust the number of samples to be tested according to actual needs, providing an innovative solution for the field of biochip detection.

[0032] This invention is also applicable to the field of biochip detection. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip as described in Embodiment 1.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a front cross-sectional view of the sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip as described in Embodiment 1.

[0035] Figure 3 This is an external view of the microfluidic chip carrier in the working state of the sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip as described in Embodiment 1.

[0036] Figure 4 This is an external view of the chip carrier in the sealing device of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip described in Embodiment 1, under the loading state.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a top view of the rotating stage and internal components in the sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip as described in Embodiment 1.

[0038] Among them, (a) is a top view of the cap in the open state, and (b) is a top view of the cap in the closed state.

[0039] Figure 6 This is an isometric view of the rotating stage and internal components in the sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip as described in Embodiment 1.

[0040] Among them, (a) is a top view of the cap in the open state, and (b) is a top view of the cap in the closed state.

[0041] Figure 7 This is a front sectional view of the rotating stage and internal components in the sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip as described in Embodiment 1.

[0042] Among them, (a) is a top view of the lock open state, and (b) is a top view of the lock closed state.

[0043] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the pressing process of the central elastic buckle in the sealing device of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip described in Embodiment 1.

[0044] Figure 9 The images show various angle views of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip in the sealing device for the fan-shaped microfluidic chip described in Embodiment 1.

[0045] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the method of using a sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip as described in Embodiment 2.

[0046] The components include: handle 1, rotating carrier 2, microfluidic chip carrier 3, spring mechanism 4, locking device 5, base plate 6, top cover 7, carrier wheel 8, fixed bracket 9, optical detection module 10, foot assembly 11, outer shell 12, fan motor 13, turbulence fan 14, microfluidic chip carrier slide rail 15, fixed guide rail 16, pressure cover 17, and elastic buckle 18. Detailed Implementation

[0047] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them.

[0048] Implementation Method 1, see [link] Figures 1-9This embodiment describes a sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip. The device specifically includes a handle 1, a rotating carrier 2, a microfluidic chip carrier 3, a spring mechanism 4, a locking device 5, a base plate 6, a top cover 7, carrier wheels 8, a fixed bracket 9, an optical detection module 10, a foot assembly 11, a housing 12, a fan motor 13, a turbulence fan 14, a microfluidic chip carrier slide rail 15, a fixed guide rail 16, a pressure cover 17, and a spring-loaded buckle 18. The base plate 6 and the rotating carrier 2 are securely fastened together with screws. The spring mechanism 4 is mounted on the base plate 6, and one end of the locking device 5 is fixed to the base plate 6. The other ends of both are connected to the bottom of the microfluidic chip carrier 3, forming a stable support structure. The fixed guide rail 16 and the microfluidic chip carrier slide rail 15 are installed together. The fixed guide rail 16 is mounted on the base plate 6. The microfluidic chip carrier slide rail 15 and the microfluidic chip carrier 3 are fixedly installed with screws and set screws. The fan-shaped microfluidic chip is mounted on the microfluidic chip carrier 3. Each microfluidic chip carrier 3 has four chip compartments, which can support the simultaneous detection of four chips or flexibly adapt to the single chip detection requirements. The fan-shaped microfluidic chip is equipped with three detection chambers, which can complete the detection of three samples at a time. It also has a sample loading port and a venting port, which are distributed on the same circumference to facilitate the pressing operation of the cap 17. A sealing ring is equipped under the cap 17 to significantly enhance the chip sealing performance. Its fan-shaped design and the microfluidic chip carrier 3 are installed with fixing bolts to form a spring hinge-like structure to achieve flexible opening and closing. In addition, the device is also equipped with a spring buckle 18, which automatically locks after the cap 17 is pressed to achieve efficient sealing of the microfluidic chip, ensuring reliable sample sealing in high-temperature environments and eliminating the risk of volatile contamination. This invention integrates the advantages of convenient operation and integrated equipment, and can flexibly adjust the number of test samples according to actual needs, providing an innovative solution for the field of biochip detection.

[0049] The fan-shaped microfluidic chip has an overall fan-shaped structure with a central angle of 75°. Based on the precise fluid control requirements of microfluidic technology, its spatial layout is orderly planned, with three detection systems evenly distributed. Each detection system follows the sample processing flow and is constructed sequentially from a sample chamber, a reaction chamber, and a detection chamber, forming an independent and parallel detection unit. This allows for simultaneous multi-sample analysis, improving detection efficiency and throughput. The detection chamber is circular. From the perspective of optical detection adaptability, the circular structure allows for uniform light coverage of the optical system, reducing optical distortion and facilitating clear observation of the detection. It is located on the outer ring of the fan shape and is connected to the reaction chamber via a capillary valve. The capillary valve utilizes the surface tension and wettability of fluids at the micro-nano scale to precisely control the flow of fluid, ensuring that the reaction liquid enters the detection chamber as needed and avoiding unexpected flow. The reaction chamber is fan-shaped, conforming to the overall form of the chip and located in the central ring area. Utilizing the fluid-guiding properties of the fan shape, it allows the reaction liquid to form a specific flow path and residence time within the chamber, creating a stable microenvironment for the biochemical reaction. It is connected to the sample chamber via capillary valves, enabling orderly sample transfer. The sample chamber has a V-shaped structure, positioned within the inner ring of the chip. The V-shaped design utilizes the fluid's own gravity and surface tension to facilitate rapid and precise sample filling. The three sample chambers are interconnected, with an inlet and an vent at each end. The inlet introduces the sample, while the vent removes air from the chamber during sample injection, preventing air bubbles from interfering with fluid transfer and the reaction. In terms of materials, the fan-shaped microfluidic chip is made of high-performance polymer materials. These materials possess excellent chemical stability, resisting the erosion of common biological reagents and samples, ensuring stable chip performance. They also possess moderate mechanical strength, facilitating processing and subsequent operations, and their transparency provides researchers with a clear and intuitive "window" for observing sample flow and reaction processes within the chambers. The chip also features four ventilation holes, located between the detection chambers and the reaction chambers. When the fan-shaped microfluidic chip is in an air bath heating or cooling environment, the ventilation holes accelerate airflow, ensuring uniform temperature changes across the chip and maintaining stable reaction conditions. Additionally, the fan-shaped microfluidic chip features a sealing valve on the capillary valve between the reaction chamber and the detection chamber. This capillary valve is sealed using UV adhesive, preventing sample and reaction liquid evaporation and contamination, thus maintaining a clean detection environment. To ensure accurate loading, the outer ring of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip has a positioning hole, and the inner ring has two asymmetrical positioning pins. During loading, the positioning hole engages with the external carrier positioning structure, while the asymmetrical positioning pins restrict the chip's installation direction, effectively preventing chip position deviation and reverse installation, thus laying a solid foundation for stable subsequent detection.

[0050] The turbulence fan 14 and fan motor 13 are described. The turbulence fan adopts a nine-blade right-angle centrifugal structure, and the fan blade material is made of high-temperature resistant engineering materials such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and PEEK. This material can withstand high temperatures of 300℃ and has excellent insulation and wear resistance. Fixed at the bottom center of the fixed bracket 9, the hot air generated by the heating module is directly delivered to the turbulence fan 14 mounted on the base through the guide channel. The fan is coupled to the fan motor 13 through a direct connection. When the fan motor 13 rotates at high speed, it quickly gathers the hot air output from the heating cylinder and surrounds the nucleic acid detection chamber. This centrifugal fan blade design can effectively improve the airflow disturbance efficiency, so that the hot air evenly covers the entire nucleic acid amplification area in a spiral trajectory, ensuring that the temperature field in the chamber is quickly and evenly balanced. The fan motor 13 precisely adjusts the fan speed through a closed-loop control system, and dynamically matches the power output of the heating cylinder to achieve coordinated control of the detection chamber temperature: when rapid heating is required, the fan accelerates the hot air circulation at high speed; when entering the constant temperature stage, the speed is automatically reduced to maintain a stable thermal convection state. This design ensures the heating rate of the nucleic acid detection chamber while eliminating temperature gradients through airflow disturbance, providing a stable temperature-controlled environment for subsequent quantitative fluorescence detection.

[0051] The mechanical support and protection system of the equipment, consisting of the top cover 7, the outer shell 12, and the foot assembly 11, forms a complete physical protection and environmental control system. The top cover 7 features an all-metal, double-sided design and is connected to the main body of the outer shell 12 via two sets of three-dimensional adjustable stainless steel hinges. The hinges have built-in damping buffer devices, allowing for stopping at any angle from 0 to 135 degrees, ensuring smooth and vibration-free opening and closing. The main body of the outer shell 12 is made using sheet metal bending technology, with an internal frame constructed from spliced ​​aluminum alloy profiles and an externally covered with electrostatically sprayed steel plates, providing electromagnetic shielding and impact resistance. The foot assembly 11 consists of four universal adjustable feet, each with a load-bearing capacity of 50 kg, employing a composite structure of threaded adjusting columns and anti-slip rubber pads. The surface of the adjusting columns is knurled for easy manual fine-tuning. The serrated texture design on the bottom of the rubber pads increases the static friction coefficient of the equipment on smooth surfaces to 0.85, effectively suppressing vibration displacement during centrifugation. This three-level support structure not only creates a stable physical operating space, but also eliminates the interference of external factors on the fluid dynamics characteristics within the microfluidic chip through environmental control and mechanical calibration, ensuring the temperature uniformity of the reaction system and the alignment accuracy of the detection optical path.

[0052] The fixed bracket 9 serves to connect the entire instrument cover 7, the base, and the entire internal rotating frame 2. An optical detection hole is provided below the fixed bracket 9 to facilitate the optical detection module 10 to detect the microfluidic chip detection chamber.

[0053] The optical detection module 10 is mechanically connected to the bottom of the fixing bracket 9 via screws, ensuring stable installation of the optical path system. The core of this module adopts a Y-shaped branched fiber structure, with one end serving as the beam combiner and the other as the beam splitter. The common end in the middle performs the dual functions of exciting the sample and collecting fluorescence signals. The beam combiner connects to a high-stability excitation light source through a high-precision optical interface, achieving efficient input and conversion of optical signals. The beam splitter, with the help of an internal reflective grating, supports simultaneous splitting and processing of multi-channel fluorescence signals. The unique design of the Y-shaped branched fiber achieves efficient integration of the excitation and fluorescence detection optical paths, maximizing fluorescence signal acquisition efficiency while ensuring stable transmission of excitation light energy. This structural design effectively reduces optical signal loss, significantly improves the accuracy and sensitivity of fluorescence detection, and enables high-precision real-time monitoring of fluorescence signals during the PCR reaction process, providing reliable data support for quantitative analysis of nucleic acid amplification.

[0054] The device also includes a drive pulley, a servo motor, a carrier pulley 8, a tension pulley, and a synchronous belt, wherein the synchronous belt is made of high-strength polyurethane material. This material gives the drive belt excellent wear resistance, allowing it to withstand high-frequency, long-term operation without damage, while also possessing efficient power transmission performance and low-noise operation advantages, providing a fundamental guarantee for the stable operation of the device. The synchronous belt and the toothed structure of the carrier pulley 8 mesh precisely, and the carrier pulley 8 and the rotating carrier 2 are interlocked. Through the positioning holes of the rotating carrier 2 and the positioning pins on the carrier pulley 8, the precise positioning of the rotating carrier 2 and the microfluidic chip carrier 3 installed inside it is ensured during movement. The drive pulley, rotating platform, and tension pulley are all made of lightweight, high-strength aluminum alloy material, and the surface is treated with anodizing process, which significantly improves surface hardness and corrosion resistance, extending the service life of the components. The drive pulley is rigidly connected to the output shaft of the servo motor module via a precision coupling, achieving backlash-free power transmission. The tension pulley is mounted on the linear guide rail of the external support module, and its position on the guide rail can be adjusted to precisely calibrate the tension of the synchronous belt, ensuring that the transmission belt is always in optimal tension and effectively preventing slippage or slack. After the servo motor module is started, the drive pulley begins to rotate under the motor drive, driving the transmission belt to circulate through the toothed engagement with the synchronous belt, thereby driving the rotating carrier 2 mounted on the synchronous belt to rotate. During this process, the detection chambers of the microfluidic chip pass through the optical detection holes at the bottom of the fixed bracket 9 sequentially along the preset trajectory with the rotating carrier 2. The microcontroller control system precisely controls the dwell position and residence time of the detection chambers by adjusting the speed and angle of the servo motor in real time, perfectly matching the strict requirements of the PCR reaction procedure for the detection sequence, ensuring that the optical detection module 10 accurately acquires signals from each reaction chamber.

[0055] This implementation demonstrates a sophisticated synergy in its structural design and operational mechanism. The microfluidic chip carrier 3, as the core load-bearing component, comprises four loading spaces, each a uniformly distributed 75-degree angled fan-shaped structure. Each loading structure contains a positioning hole and a positioning pin, which precisely correspond to the positioning holes and pins on the fan-shaped microfluidic chip itself. When the microfluidic chip is placed on the carrier, the positioning structures quickly engage, and the tight fit of the holes and pins spatially restricts the displacement of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip, achieving precise positioning and effectively preventing sealing failures or detection errors caused by chip misalignment. This lays a stable foundation for subsequent sealing operations and experimental runs. To enable flexible switching between the working and loading states of the microfluidic chip carrier 3, the device innovatively employs a spring structure as a power support. The spring is connected to the microfluidic chip carrier 3, and its extension and retraction characteristics directly determine the carrier's lifting and lowering motion. Between the loading structures are horizontal ribs with a 15-degree central angle, which serve to fix and support the entire microfluidic chip carrier 3. Below the horizontal ribs are ball-operated locking devices 5, which can be locked together. The entire microfluidic chip carrier has four horizontal ribs evenly distributed. The four ball-operated locking devices 5 installed can lock together with the four ball-operated locking devices 5 main components installed on the base plate 6, so as to ensure that the microfluidic chip carrier 3 is fixed at the detection position after descent and is evenly stressed and kept on the same horizontal plane.

[0056] To ensure the microfluidic chip carrier 3 maintains a stable trajectory during lifting and lowering, preventing deviation or swaying, the device is equipped with a fixed guide rail 16 and a microfluidic chip carrier slide rail 15. These two components work together to form a precise guiding structure, providing a fixed path for the lifting and lowering of the microfluidic chip carrier 3. Simultaneously, limit blocks are specially installed on the fixed guide rail 16 and the microfluidic chip carrier slide rail 15. When the microfluidic chip carrier 3 rises or falls to its limit position, the limit block contacts the microfluidic chip carrier 3 and provides a blocking effect, thus achieving a strict limiting effect and preventing damage to device components or impact on chip loading and sealing due to excessive lifting and lowering.

[0057] The cap 17 is designed as a fan-shaped structure with a central angle of 82.5°. This angle precisely matches the fan-shaped contour of the microfluidic chip carrier 3, ensuring both a sealed coverage area and providing operational space for chip loading. One side of the cap 17 is hinged to the top edge of the microfluidic chip carrier 3 via a stainless steel spring hinge. The spring hinge has a built-in torsion spring structure, which allows the cap 17 to remain in an 80~90° open state by elastic restoring force when no external force is applied, making it easy to observe the chip loading position. A spring-loaded buckle 18 is installed above the horizontal rib structure of the microfluidic chip carrier 3. When the cap 17 is pressed, the wedge-shaped guide surface on its edge pushes the buckle to elastically deform until the bottom surface of the cap 17 is completely attached to the upper surface of the microfluidic chip carrier 3. At this point, the buckle's barb precisely engages with the groove on the edge of the cap 17, forming a mechanical locking force. A 0.5mm thick annular high-temperature resistant silicone rubber sealing gasket is embedded on the lower side of the inner ring of the pressure cap 17. After being molded, it fits the inner wall of the pressure cap 17 with an interference fit. When the pressure cap 17 is locked, the sealing gasket undergoes elastic deformation under pressure, filling the tiny gap between the pressure cap 17 and the fan-shaped microfluidic chip. For unloading, simply manually move the protruding tab on the top of the latch to release the barb lock. The pressure cap 17 will automatically spring open under the action of the spring hinge. The entire operation can be completed with one hand, and the loading and unloading time is controlled within 3 seconds, significantly improving chip replacement efficiency. This structure, through mechanical linkage design, organically combines sealing performance with ease of operation, meeting the frequent loading and unloading requirements of microfluidic chips in high-precision experimental environments.

[0058] Implementation Method 2, see below Figure 10 This embodiment describes a method for using a sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip, which includes the following steps:

[0059] Step 1: After accurately measuring the sample liquid using a pipette, place the pipette tip close to the wall of the 2mm diameter sample well on the top of the disc-shaped microfluidic chip and slowly inject the sample at a uniform speed. This operation can effectively avoid the generation of air bubbles that may interfere with subsequent experiments. After the sample is injected, place the microfluidic chip stably in the centrifuge adapter fixture and start the preset centrifugation program: First, run at a high speed of 5000 rpm for 30 seconds, using centrifugal force to drive the sample quickly through the capillary into the reaction chamber; then, add the reaction reagent to the sample chamber in the same way, and run at a high speed of 5000 rpm for 30 seconds, using centrifugal force to drive the reagent quickly through the capillary into the reaction chamber; then, reduce the speed to 1500 rpm and maintain the low speed for 2 minutes to provide sufficient time for the reagent and sample to mix; finally, return to the high speed of 5000 rpm and continue centrifuging for 1 minute to ensure that the liquid is mixed evenly and to facilitate the transfer of the mixture to the detection chamber through the microchannel.

[0060] After the liquid transfer process is completed, a pre-cut circular silicone sealing sheet is selected. This material possesses excellent sealing properties and chemical resistance, and its diameter precisely matches the circumference of the sample loading orifice and pore distribution of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip. The sealing sheet is tightly adhered to the surface of the sample loading orifice and pores, ensuring no gaps or air bubbles remain during the operation, thus completing the initial sealing treatment. After sealing, the chip surface is gently wiped with a lint-free cloth to remove residual liquid or impurities. The fan-shaped microfluidic chip is then placed horizontally on a sterilized dedicated worktable, preparing for subsequent carrier installation and the next round of experimental operations. The process continues with carrier installation and the next round of experimental procedures.

[0061] Step 2: When opening the instrument cover, pull handle 1 upwards. The pulling force of handle 1 will precisely act on the ball-operated structure of the locking device 5, causing the internal steel ball to separate from the slot, thereby releasing the lock on the microfluidic chip carrier 3. At this time, the spring that was originally storing elastic potential energy under the compressed state is freed from its restraint and springs upwards with the elastic restoring force of the high-quality spring steel, generating a stable thrust. This thrust drives the microfluidic chip carrier 3 to rise along the guide structure until it is level with the upper edge of the rotating carrier 2. Then, manually move the spring-loaded buckle 18 on the microfluidic chip carrier 3, and the cover 17 will automatically spring open under the action of the torsion spring inside the spring hinge, creating ample operating space for chip loading.

[0062] Step 3: Carefully place the pre-prepared sector-shaped microfluidic chip to be tested horizontally into the microfluidic chip carrier 3. During operation, ensure the sector-shaped outline of the microfluidic chip is precisely aligned with the grooves in the microfluidic chip carrier, so that the positioning pins on the edge of the microfluidic chip engage with the positioning holes on the carrier. Ensure the microfluidic chip is in a perfectly centered initial position within the microfluidic chip carrier 3, providing a reference for subsequent sealing and testing.

[0063] Step 4: When pressing the cap 17, its wedge-shaped edge will compress the elastic arm of the spring clip 18, causing the spring clip 18 to undergo elastic deformation. When the cap 17 is fully attached to the surface of the microfluidic chip, the barb of the clip will precisely engage with the slot of the cap 17, forming a vertical downward pressure. The sealing gasket of the inner ring of the cap 17 applies uniform pressure to the edge of the microfluidic chip, achieving initial sealing. Then, press the handle 1 down. The force of the handle 1 is transmitted to the spring through the linkage mechanism, causing the spring to be compressed to a preset compression amount, storing elastic potential energy. The microfluidic chip carrier 3 then descends smoothly along the preset trajectory formed by the fixed guide rail 16 and the microfluidic chip carrier slide rail 15. At the same time, the locking device 5 enters the working state simultaneously. When the carrier descends to the working position, the spring top ball in its ball-bearing structure quickly engages with the positioning groove on the side of the microfluidic chip carrier 3, firmly fixing the microfluidic chip carrier 3. At this time, the microfluidic chip carrier 3 is kept absolutely parallel to the device base, ensuring that the sealing device enters a stable working state.

[0064] Step 5: After starting the temperature control system, the chip will complete the repeated amplification process within the preset temperature cycle. The temperature control system uses a hot air bath system, achieving temperature rise and fall through hot air and a turbulence fan 14. After amplification is complete, the synchronous pulley starts rotating under the drive of a stepper motor, driving the rotating carrier 2 to rotate at a uniform speed of 5° / s via a toothed belt. The rotating carrier 2 drives the chip to rotate synchronously, ensuring that each detection chamber on the chip is positioned directly above the lens of the optical detection system. The optical detection module 10 adopts a Y-shaped branched fiber structure. The unique design of the Y-shaped branched fiber achieves efficient integration of the excitation optical path and the fluorescence detection optical path, maximizing the acquisition efficiency of the fluorescence signal while ensuring stable transmission of excitation light energy.

[0065] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the features described in the various embodiments and / or technical solutions of this disclosure can be combined or combined in various ways, even if such combinations or combinations are not explicitly described in this disclosure. This is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0066] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended technical solutions are intended to be interpreted as including both the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the invention. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Thus, if these modifications and modifications of the invention fall within the scope of the claims of the invention and their equivalents, the invention also intends to include these modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip, characterized in that, The sealing device includes a handle (1), a rotating carrier (2), a microfluidic chip carrier (3), a spring mechanism (4), a locking device (5), a base plate (6), and a top cover (7). Carrier wheel (8), fixed bracket (9), optical detection module (10), foot assembly (11), housing (12), fan motor (13), turbulence fan (14), microfluidic chip carrier slide rail (15), fixed guide rail (16), pressure cap (17), elastic buckle (18). The base plate (6) and the rotating carrier (2) are fastened together with screws; the spring mechanism (4) is installed on the base plate (6), and one end of the locking device (5) is fixed on the base plate (6), while the other end is connected to the bottom of the microfluidic chip carrier (3) to form a support structure; the fixed guide rail (16) and the microfluidic chip carrier slide rail (15) are installed together, with the fixed guide rail (16) installed on the base plate (6), and the microfluidic chip carrier slide rail (15) and the microfluidic chip carrier (3) being fixed together with screws and set screws. The fan-shaped microfluidic chip is mounted on a microfluidic chip carrier (3). Each microfluidic chip carrier (3) has four chip compartments. The fan-shaped microfluidic chip is equipped with three detection chambers. Each detection chamber has a sample addition hole and an exhaust hole on its two sides. The two holes are distributed on the same circumference, which facilitates the pressing operation of the cap (17). A sealing ring is provided below the cap (17). Its fan-shaped design and the microfluidic chip carrier (3) are installed by fixing bolts to form a spring hinge structure, which realizes flexible opening and closing. The fan-shaped microfluidic chip has an overall central angle of 75° and includes a sample chamber, a reaction chamber, and a detection chamber. The detection chamber is circular and located on the outer ring of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip, and is connected to the reaction chamber via a capillary valve. The reaction chamber is fan-shaped and distributed in the inner ring region of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip, and is connected to the sample chamber through a capillary valve; the sample chamber is V-shaped and distributed in the inner ring of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip. The sample chamber, reaction chamber, and detection chamber are interconnected. Each of the sample chamber, reaction chamber, and detection chamber has an inlet and an exhaust port at both ends. The inlet is used to introduce the sample, and the exhaust port is used to expel air from the chamber when the sample is injected. The microfluidic chip carrier (3) is provided with four loading spaces, which are evenly distributed in four 75° angle fan-shaped structures. Each loading space is provided with a positioning hole and a positioning pin to achieve precise alignment of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip. The spring mechanism (4) is connected to the microfluidic chip carrier (3). The four loading spaces are connected by a horizontal rib structure with a 15° central angle. A ball-operated locking device is installed below the horizontal rib structure. The entire microfluidic chip carrier (3) has four horizontal rib structures evenly distributed. The four ball-operated locking devices are locked together with the four ball-operated locking main components installed on the base plate (6) to ensure that the microfluidic chip carrier (3) is fixed at the detection position after descent and is kept on the same horizontal plane with balanced force. An elastic buckle (18) is installed above the horizontal rib structure of the microfluidic chip carrier (3).

2. The sealing device for the fan-shaped microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fan-shaped microfluidic chip is also provided with four ventilation holes, located between the detection chamber and the reaction chamber respectively. A sealing valve is also provided on the capillary valve between the reaction chamber and the detection chamber, and the capillary valve is sealed with UV glue.

3. The sealing device for the fan-shaped microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top cover (7) adopts an all-metal double-sided design and is connected to the main body of the outer shell (12) through two sets of three-dimensional adjustable stainless steel hinges to achieve an opening angle of 0° to 90°. The main body of the outer shell (12) is made by sheet metal bending process, the internal frame is an aluminum alloy profile splicing structure, and the exterior is covered with electrostatic sprayed steel plate. The foot assembly (11) consists of four universal adjustable feet, which are achieved by a composite structure of threaded adjusting columns and anti-slip rubber pads. The surface of the threaded adjusting columns is knurled, and the bottom of the rubber pads has a serrated pattern, so that the static friction coefficient of the equipment on the smooth table is 0.

85.

4. The sealing device for the fan-shaped microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical detection module (10) is a Y-shaped branched fiber structure, with one end being the beam combining end and the other end being the beam splitting end. The middle common end is used to perform the dual functions of exciting the sample and collecting fluorescence signals. The beam combining end is connected to the excitation light source through an optical interface to achieve efficient import and conversion of optical signals. The beam splitting end is equipped with a reflective grating to support the synchronous beam splitting processing of multi-channel fluorescence signals.

5. The sealing device for the fan-shaped microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure cap (17) is a fan-shaped structure with a central angle of 82.5°. One side of the pressure cap (17) is hinged to the top edge of the microfluidic chip carrier (3) by a stainless steel spring hinge. The spring hinge has a built-in torsion spring structure. The inner ring of the pressure cap (17) is embedded with an annular high-temperature resistant silicone rubber sealing gasket with a thickness of 0.5mm.

6. The sealing device for the fan-shaped microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The turbulence fan (14) is a nine-blade right-angle centrifugal structure and is fixed at the bottom center of the fixed bracket (9).

7. A method of using a sealing device for a fan-shaped microfluidic chip, characterized in that, The method of use is implemented based on the sealing device according to any one of claims 1-6, and the method of use includes the following steps: Step 1: After accurately measuring the sample liquid using a pipette, place the pipette tip close to the wall of the 2mm diameter sample well at the top of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip and slowly inject the sample at a uniform speed. After the sample is injected, place the fan-shaped microfluidic chip stably in the centrifuge adapter fixture and start the preset centrifugation program. After the liquid transfer process is completed, select a pre-cut circular silicone sealing sheet and tightly attach the sealing sheet to the sample well and pore surface to complete the initial sealing treatment. After sealing, gently wipe the surface of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip with a lint-free wiping cloth to remove residual liquid or impurities, and place the fan-shaped microfluidic chip horizontally on a sterilized special operating table. Step 2: When opening the instrument cover, pull the handle (1) upwards. The pulling force of the handle (1) will be precisely applied to the ball-shaped locking mechanism. Then, manually push the spring buckle (18) on the microfluidic chip carrier (3). The cover (17) will automatically pop open under the action of the torsion spring built into the spring hinge, creating sufficient operating space for loading the fan-shaped microfluidic chip. Step 3: Place the pre-prepared fan-shaped microfluidic chip to be tested into the microfluidic chip carrier (3) in a horizontal position. During operation, the fan-shaped outline of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip should be precisely aligned with the groove of the microfluidic chip carrier (3) so that the positioning pins on the edge of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip fit into the positioning holes on the microfluidic chip carrier (3) one by one, ensuring that the fan-shaped microfluidic chip is in the initial position of absolute center in the microfluidic chip carrier (3). Step 4: When pressing the cover (17), the wedge-shaped surface of its edge will squeeze the elastic arm of the elastic buckle (18), causing the elastic buckle (18) to undergo elastic deformation; when the cover (17) is completely attached to the surface of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip, the barb of the elastic buckle (18) will precisely engage with the slot of the cover, forming a vertical downward pressure, and applying uniform pressure to the edge of the fan-shaped microfluidic chip through the sealing gasket of the inner ring of the cover (17), thus achieving initial sealing; Then press down on the handle (1). The force of the handle (1) is transmitted to the spring through the linkage mechanism, so that the spring is compressed to the preset compression amount and stores elastic potential energy. The microfluidic chip carrier (3) descends smoothly along the preset trajectory formed by the fixed guide rail (16) and the microfluidic chip carrier slide rail (15). At the same time, the locking device (5) enters the working state simultaneously. When the carrier descends to the working position, the spring top ball in its ball-bearing structure quickly engages with the positioning groove on the side of the microfluidic chip carrier (3) to firmly fix the microfluidic chip carrier (3). At this time, the microfluidic chip carrier (3) and the sealing device base remain absolutely parallel to each other, ensuring that the sealing device enters a stable working state. Step 5: After starting the temperature control system, the fan-shaped microfluidic chip will complete the repeated amplification process in the preset temperature cycle. After the amplification is completed, the synchronous pulley starts to run under the drive of the stepper motor, and drives the rotating carrier to rotate at a uniform speed of 5° / s through the toothed belt. The rotating carrier (2) drives the fan-shaped microfluidic chip to rotate synchronously, so that each detection chamber on the fan-shaped microfluidic chip stops in sequence above the lens of the optical detection system.

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