Magnetic control device and method for micro-fluidic chip

Abstract

The invention discloses a magnetic control device and method for a micro-fluidic chip, the magnetic control device comprises a magnet and a driving assembly, the driving assembly comprises a first driving mechanism and a second driving mechanism, the first driving mechanism is connected with the magnet, and the second driving mechanism is connected with the magnet. The driving module is used for driving the magnet to move along a first direction parallel to an inner flow channel of the micro-fluidic chip; the second driving mechanism is connected with the first driving mechanism and is used for driving the magnet to move along the vertical direction, so that the magnet is in contact with the bottom surface of the micro-fluidic chip. According to the invention, the driving assembly drives the magnet in the vertical direction and in the front-back direction, so that the accurate position adjustment of the magnet in the space is realized, the magnet can accurately act on a target area in the micro-fluidic chip, and the accuracy and reliability of magnetic bead operation are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of magnetic field control technology for microfluidic chips, and particularly to a magnetic control device and method for microfluidic chips. Background Technology

[0002] Immunomagnetic bead technology is a novel immunological technology that has been developed in recent years. It combines the unique advantages of micro and nanomaterials with the high specificity of immunological reactions. Based on immunology, it has penetrated into fields such as pathology, microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics. With its advantages such as non-contact manipulation, easy immobilization of biomolecules, and good magnetic response, magnetic beads are increasingly being used in microfluidic chips to achieve highly sensitive and specific detection.

[0003] Magnetic beads, commonly used in biomedical engineering, are magnetic microspheres coated with antibodies. They can specifically bind to target substances containing corresponding antigens, forming a complex of magnetic beads and target substances. When an external magnetic field is applied, this complex separates from other components due to the magnetic field. Magnetic field control typically relies on a permanent magnet providing a magnetic field outside the channel to achieve the directional movement of the magnetic beads. Due to the size limitations of microfluidic chips, smaller diameter permanent magnets are usually used. The distance between the permanent magnet and the microfluidic chip should be small or in direct contact to increase the magnetic field strength within the microfluidic chip channel and better utilize the magnetic beads. Currently, manually loading permanent magnets can ensure positional accuracy, but the degree of automation is low; automatically loading permanent magnets has low control precision and is prone to causing large chip deformation or even damage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a magnetic control device and method that can automatically load permanent magnets and control them with high precision.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a magnetic control device for microfluidic chips, comprising a magnet and a driving assembly. The driving assembly includes a first driving mechanism and a second driving mechanism. The first driving mechanism is connected to the magnet and is used to drive the magnet to move along a first direction parallel to the flow channel inside the microfluidic chip. The second driving mechanism is connected to the first driving mechanism and is used to drive the magnet to move along a vertical direction so that the magnet contacts the bottom surface of the microfluidic chip.

[0006] Furthermore, the first driving mechanism includes a first driving motor and a first guiding unit. The power output end of the first driving motor is connected to the magnet bracket, and the magnet bracket is connected to the fixing frame of the first driving motor through the first guiding unit. When the first driving motor drives the magnet bracket to move along the first direction, the first guiding unit guides the movement of the magnet along the first direction.

[0007] Furthermore, the second driving mechanism includes a second driving motor and a second guiding unit. The power output end of the second driving motor is connected to the mounting frame of the first driving motor. The mounting frame is connected to the mounting frame of the second driving motor through the second guiding unit. When the second driving motor drives the mounting frame of the first driving motor to move in the vertical direction, the second guiding unit guides the movement of the magnet in the vertical direction.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes a housing, on the upper part of which a support plate for the microfluidic chip is provided. The first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism are fixedly installed on the housing below the support plate, and the support plate is provided with a preset space for the magnet to move along the first direction and the vertical direction.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a limiting component, which is disposed on the housing and the driving component, and is used to output a feedback signal to stop the driving component from operating when the magnet moves to a predetermined position.

[0010] Furthermore, the first guide unit includes a sliding column and a bushing. The bushing is disposed in a through hole on the magnet bracket. The sliding column is disposed parallel to the power output end of the first drive motor. One end of the sliding column is fixed on the mounting bracket of the first drive motor, and the other end is slidably sleeved in the bushing.

[0011] Furthermore, the second guide unit includes a sliding column and a bushing. The bushing is disposed in a through hole on the mounting bracket of the first drive motor. The sliding column is disposed parallel to the power output end of the second drive motor, and one end of the sliding column is fixed on the mounting bracket of the second drive motor, while the other end is slidably sleeved in the bushing.

[0012] Furthermore, the limiting component includes a photoelectric switch and a baffle. The photoelectric switch is disposed at a predetermined position on the housing, and the baffle is disposed on the driving component. When the baffle moves to the sensitive area of ​​the photoelectric switch under the drive of the driving component, it outputs a feedback signal to stop the driving component from operating.

[0013] Furthermore, the magnets include multiple magnets, and the arrangement direction of the multiple magnets on the magnet support corresponds to the flow channel direction of the microfluidic chip.

[0014] Furthermore, both the first drive motor and the second drive motor are stepper linear motors.

[0015] The magnetic control method of the present invention, utilizing the above-mentioned magnetic control device, includes the following steps:

[0016] The position between the magnet and the microfluidic chip is adjusted by driving the magnet to move relative to the microfluidic chip through the driving component;

[0017] The drive component stops operating when the magnet moves to contact the bottom surface of the microfluidic chip.

[0018] This invention achieves precise position adjustment of the magnet in space by driving it bidirectionally in both the vertical and forward / backward directions using a driving component. This allows the magnet to accurately act on the target area within the microfluidic chip, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the magnetic bead operation. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of a magnetron sputtering device for a microfluidic chip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a side view schematic diagram of a magnetron sputtering device for a microfluidic chip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first guide unit and the second guide unit in a magnetic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the limiting component in a magnetic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the magnetic control device for microfluidic chips of the present invention includes a magnet 1 and a driving component 2. The driving component 2 includes a first driving mechanism 21 and a second driving mechanism 22. The first driving mechanism 21 is connected to the magnet 1 and is used to drive the magnet 1 to move along a first direction parallel to the flow channel inside the microfluidic chip 3. The second driving mechanism 22 is connected to the first driving mechanism 21 and is used to drive the magnet 1 to move in a vertical direction so that the magnet 1 contacts the bottom surface of the microfluidic chip 3. By driving the magnet in both the vertical and forward / backward directions through the driving component, the precise position adjustment of the magnet in space can be achieved.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first driving mechanism 21 includes a first driving motor 211 and a first guiding unit. The power output end of the first driving motor 211 is connected to the magnet support 4. The magnet support 4 is connected to the fixing frame 212 of the first driving motor 211 through the first guiding unit. When the first driving motor 211 drives the magnet support 4 to move along the first direction, the first guiding unit guides the movement of the magnet 1 along the first direction.

[0027] The second drive mechanism 22 includes a second drive motor 221 and a second guide unit. The power output end of the second drive motor 221 is connected to the mounting frame 212 of the first drive motor 211. The mounting frame 212 is connected to the mounting frame 222 of the second drive motor 221 via the second guide unit. When the second drive motor 221 drives the mounting frame 212 of the first drive motor 211 to move vertically, the second guide unit guides the movement of the magnet 1 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the first guide unit and the second guide unit precisely control the movement direction of the magnet driven by the first drive motor and the second drive motor, ensuring stable movement of the magnet under the drive assembly while further improving the accuracy of the magnet's position.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first guide unit includes a sliding column 81 and a bushing 82. The bushing 82 is disposed in a through hole on the magnet bracket 4. The sliding column 81 is disposed parallel to the power output end of the first drive motor 211. One end of the sliding column 81 is fixed on the fixing frame 212 of the first drive motor 211, and the other end is slidably sleeved in the bushing 82.

[0029] The second guide unit includes a sliding column 83 and a bushing 84. The bushing 84 is disposed in a through hole on the mounting bracket of the first drive motor 211. The sliding column 83 is disposed parallel to the power output end of the second drive motor 221, with one end fixed to the mounting bracket of the second drive motor 221 and the other end slidably sleeved in the bushing 84. The bushings 82 and 84 are made of graphite copper bushings. Due to the self-lubricating function of graphite, the clearance between the hole and the shaft is reduced, while the vertical sliding friction resistance of the sliding column in the graphite copper bushing is reduced, further improving the positional accuracy in the vertical and forward / backward movement directions.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 and 5As shown, the magnetic control device also includes a housing 5, on the upper part of which a support plate 6 for the microfluidic chip 3 is provided. The first driving mechanism 21 and the second driving mechanism 22 are fixedly installed on the housing 5 below the support plate 6, and the support plate 6 is provided with a preset space 61 for the magnet 1 to move along the first direction and the vertical direction.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 and 5 As shown, the magnetic control device also includes a limiting component, which is disposed on the housing 5 and the driving component 2, and is used to output a feedback signal to stop the driving component 2 from operating when the magnet 1 moves to a predetermined position.

[0032] The limiting component includes photoelectric switches 71 and 72 and baffles 73 and 74. Photoelectric switches 71 and 72 are positioned at predetermined locations on the housing, corresponding to the highest vertical position and the limit horizontal position of the magnet, respectively. Baffle 73 is mounted on the mounting bracket 212, and baffle 74 is located at the output end of the first drive motor 211. When baffle 73 moves to the sensitive area of ​​the photoelectric switch 71 under the drive of the second drive motor 221, it outputs a feedback signal to stop the upward drive of the second drive motor 221. At this time, the magnet 1 can make contact with the bottom surface of the microfluidic chip 3 without applying pressure to the chip. This ensures minimal spacing between the magnet and the magnetic beads in the microfluidic chip while avoiding additional pressure on the microfluidic chip, increasing the magnetic field strength applied to the microfluidic chip, and preventing excessive upward movement of the magnet from causing chip contact deformation and damage.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the magnet 1 includes a plurality of magnets, and the arrangement direction of the plurality of magnets 1 on the magnet support 4 corresponds to the flow channel direction of the microfluidic chip 3, thereby realizing the simultaneous control of multi-channel magnetic beads of the microfluidic chip 3.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first drive motor 211 and the second drive motor 221 are both stepper linear motors. For example, the selected motor step size is 0.005mm, the repeatability positioning accuracy is 0.02mm, and the control accuracy that can be achieved is 0.025mm, which meets the requirements of the microfluidic chip 3 for the use of magnetic fields.

[0035] The present invention also provides a magnetic control method, which utilizes the above-mentioned magnetic control device and includes the following steps:

[0036] The position between the magnet and the microfluidic chip is adjusted by driving the magnet to move relative to the microfluidic chip through the driving component;

[0037] The drive component stops operating when the magnet moves to contact the bottom surface of the microfluidic chip.

[0038] In summary, this invention achieves precise position adjustment of the magnet in space by driving the magnet bidirectionally in both the vertical and forward / backward directions through the driving component. This enables the magnet to accurately act on the target area within the microfluidic chip, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the magnetic bead operation.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. 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.

Claims

1. A magnetocontrol device for microfluidic chips, characterized in that, The device includes a magnet and a driving assembly. The driving assembly includes a first driving mechanism and a second driving mechanism. The first driving mechanism is connected to the magnet and is used to drive the magnet to move along a first direction parallel to the flow channel inside the microfluidic chip. The second driving mechanism is connected to the first driving mechanism and is used to drive the magnet to move along a vertical direction so that the magnet contacts the bottom surface of the microfluidic chip.

2. The magnetic control device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first driving mechanism includes a first driving motor and a first guiding unit. The power output end of the first driving motor is connected to the magnet bracket, and the magnet bracket is connected to the fixing frame of the first driving motor through the first guiding unit. When the first driving motor drives the magnet bracket to move along a first direction, the first guiding unit guides the movement of the magnet along the first direction.

3. The magnetic control device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second drive mechanism includes a second drive motor and a second guide unit. The power output end of the second drive motor is connected to the mounting frame of the first drive motor. The mounting frame is connected to the mounting frame of the second drive motor through the second guide unit. When the second drive motor drives the mounting frame of the first drive motor to move vertically, the second guide unit guides the movement of the magnet in the vertical direction.

4. The magnetic control device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a housing, on the upper part of which a support plate for the microfluidic chip is provided. The first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism are fixedly installed on the housing below the support plate, and the support plate is provided with a preset space for the magnet to move along the first direction and the vertical direction.

5. The magnetic control device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a limiting component, which is disposed on the housing and the drive component, and is used to output a feedback signal to stop the drive component from operating when the magnet moves to a predetermined position.

6. The magnetic control device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first guide unit includes a sliding column and a bushing. The bushing is disposed in a through hole on the magnet bracket. The sliding column is disposed parallel to the power output end of the first drive motor. One end of the sliding column is fixed on the mounting bracket of the first drive motor, and the other end is slidably sleeved in the bushing.

7. The magnetic control device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The second guide unit includes a sliding column and a bushing. The bushing is disposed in a through hole on the mounting bracket of the first drive motor. The sliding column is disposed parallel to the power output end of the second drive motor, and one end of the sliding column is fixed on the mounting bracket of the second drive motor, while the other end is slidably sleeved in the bushing.

8. The magnetic control device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The limiting component includes a photoelectric switch and a baffle. The photoelectric switch is disposed at a predetermined position on the housing, and the baffle is disposed on the driving component. When the baffle moves to the sensitive area of ​​the photoelectric switch under the drive of the driving component, it outputs a feedback signal to stop the driving component from operating.

9. The magnetic control device according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The magnets include multiple magnets, and the arrangement direction of the multiple magnets on the magnet support corresponds to the flow channel direction of the microfluidic chip.

10. A magnetic control method based on the magnetic control device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The position between the magnet and the microfluidic chip is adjusted by driving the magnet to move relative to the microfluidic chip through the driving component; The drive component stops operating when the magnet moves to contact the bottom surface of the microfluidic chip.

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