Micro-droplet and micro-particle control pen

Abstract

The invention is suitable for the technical field of microfluidics, and provides a micro-droplet and micro-particle control pen, which comprises a control pen outer sleeve, an inner sleeve and a heating control part, the piston push rod is arranged in the inner sleeve; the piston spring is arranged in the inner sleeve and is in contact with the piston push rod; the sealing component is arranged between the piston push rod and the inner sleeve; a liquid outlet hole and a V-shaped guide plate are arranged at the bottom of the inner sleeve; a separable pen holder shell is assembled at the bottom end of the control pen outer sleeve, a cleaning cavity and an assembling cavity are formed in the pen holder shell, and the V-shaped guide plate can be contained in the cleaning cavity; and the cleaning mechanism is arranged in the cleaning cavity and used for cleaning the V-shaped guide plate. According to the micro-droplet and micro-particle control pen provided by the scheme, dual-mode driving and convenient maintenance of micro-droplets and micro-particles are integrally realized, the manufacturing and use cost is reduced, the micro-droplet and micro-particle control pen is adaptive to multi-scene micro-fluidic chemical or biological analysis requirements, and a solution which is low in cost and easy to operate is provided for a micro-droplet and micro-fluidic technology.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of microfluidics technology, and in particular relates to a microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen. Background Technology

[0002] Microfluidics is an interdisciplinary technology that precisely controls and manipulates fluids at the microscale. Its channel size is typically between tens and hundreds of micrometers. It has unique physical characteristics such as significant laminar flow effect, dominant surface tension and viscosity, and large specific surface area. It can achieve efficient, rapid, and low-consumption chemical and biological analysis and has wide applications in drug development and screening, single-cell analysis, synthetic chemistry and other fields.

[0003] Currently, mainstream microparticle manipulation methods include inertial manipulation, electric field manipulation, acoustic tweezers manipulation, optical tweezers manipulation, magnetic field manipulation, thermal field manipulation, and multi-field composite manipulation. These technologies have several limitations: they rely on high-precision control systems or the construction of complex micro-functional components on microfluidic chips, leading to complex control systems, high requirements for automated control precision, and high manufacturing costs; acoustic tweezers manipulation has low precision and places stringent requirements on the sound field generation device; electric or thermal field manipulation can easily affect particles or cells due to electric force and temperature fields, increasing dead volume and analytical errors. Therefore, developing novel, low-cost, and structurally simple microfluidic manipulation devices is of great academic significance and engineering application value for the development of droplet microfluidics technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a microdroplet microparticle manipulation pen, which aims to solve the problem of complex control systems in current mainstream microparticle manipulation technologies as mentioned in the background.

[0005] This invention is implemented as follows: a microdroplet / microparticle control pen includes: an outer tube, an inner tube, and a heating control component; a piston rod disposed within the inner tube; a piston spring disposed within the inner tube and in contact with the piston rod; a sealing component disposed between the piston rod and the inner tube; a liquid outlet and a V-shaped guide plate at the bottom of the inner tube; a detachable pen holder shell fitted to the bottom end of the outer tube, the pen holder shell having a cleaning chamber and an assembly chamber, the cleaning chamber accommodating the V-shaped guide plate; and a cleaning mechanism disposed within the cleaning chamber for cleaning the V-shaped guide plate.

[0006] Preferably, the heating control component includes: a heating resistance wire, a thermocouple wire, a cable and signal line, a selector switch, a temperature control board, and spring contacts; the heating resistance wire is laid in an S-shape on the side of the V-shaped guide plate; the selector switch is mounted on the outer sleeve of the control pen; the spring contacts are electrically connected to the heating resistance wire and adapted to the selector switch; the temperature control board is electrically connected to the heating resistance wire through the cable and signal line; the cable and signal line lead out the thermocouple wire and attach it to the side of the V-shaped guide plate to collect the temperature of the V-shaped guide plate in real time.

[0007] Preferably, the cleaning mechanism includes: a spray pipe fixed in the cleaning chamber; a plurality of nozzles fixedly connected to the spray pipe for spraying cleaning liquid; a rotatable sweeping frame disposed in the cleaning chamber, the sweeping frame being provided with bristles; a first rotating rod rotatably mounted in the cleaning chamber via a sealed bearing, the top end of the first rotating rod being fixedly connected to the sweeping frame, and the bottom end of the first rotating rod extending into the assembly chamber; and a motor fixed in the assembly chamber, the output shaft of the motor being fixedly connected to a first bevel tooth meshing with the first rotating rod.

[0008] Preferably, the inner sleeve includes a plastic sleeve, a first retaining ring, and a second retaining ring. The plastic sleeve is fixedly connected to the outer sleeve of the control pen by threads. The first retaining ring and the second retaining ring are both located inside the plastic sleeve. The vertical distance between the first retaining ring and the second retaining ring is greater than the radius of the bottom surface of the rubber piston of the piston push rod.

[0009] Preferably, the sealing component is a T-shaped rubber sealing ring, which is composed of two semi-circular T-shaped rubber rings and is clamped onto the piston shaft of the piston push rod.

[0010] Preferably, the V-shaped guide plate is a V-shaped column structure with a cross-sectional angle of 100°~170°, the heating resistance wire is laid in an S-shape on the side of the V-shaped guide plate, and the thermocouple wires led out by the cable and signal line are pasted on the side of the V-shaped guide plate.

[0011] Preferably, a fixing plate is provided inside the outer tube of the control pen. The fixing plate is a U-shaped rubber shell with one open side, and its open side is fitted with the side of the plastic sleeve. The opposite side walls are provided with a first through hole and a second through hole, and the bottom surface is provided with a third through hole. A selection switch is assembled at the assembly port of the outer tube of the control pen. The selection switch is provided with a first metal contact and a second metal contact. The first metal contact and the second metal contact are respectively adapted to the first through hole and the second through hole. There are two spring contacts, which are respectively electrically connected to the positive and negative poles of the heating resistance wire. When the first metal contact contacts the spring contact, the heating circuit is closed.

[0012] Preferably, the pen holder housing is provided with a limiting ring, and both the limiting ring and the outer tube of the control pen are provided with magnets that attract each other. The limiting ring is used to support the outer tube of the control pen.

[0013] Preferably, the pen holder housing is provided with a drain pipe, which is connected to the cleaning chamber and is equipped with a valve.

[0014] Preferably, both the outer tube of the control pen and the plastic sleeve are made of transparent plastic. The outer wall of the outer tube of the control pen is provided with a liquid level scale and has a rectangular hole for installing a selector switch and a circular hole for the cable and signal line to pass through.

[0015] Compared with related technologies, the microdroplet and microparticle manipulation pen provided by this invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. The microdroplet / microparticle control pen proposed in this invention has a small and lightweight structure, low manufacturing cost, and intuitive and convenient operation. Users can quickly get started, which facilitates its widespread production and use in microfluidic chemical or biological analysis systems. 2. This invention allows multiple robotic arms or other intelligent devices to control a single microdroplet / microparticle manipulator pen, enabling the rapid completion of tasks such as large-scale droplet transport, sample preparation, and biochemical reactions. It is not only highly efficient but also has a wide range of applications, including scenarios where microdroplets / microparticles contain hazardous chemical elements, require continuous 24-hour operation, or involve large-scale simultaneous operation. 3. The microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen proposed in this invention provides a new solution for sample preparation, mixing, reaction, and transportation in biological, chemical, and medical analysis processes without damaging the activity of the controlled droplets and particles (without affecting parameters such as pH, surface charge, and viscosity). 4. The microdroplet / microparticle control pen proposed in this invention has two driving modes, which can be used in combination or independently, providing a new solution for the precise control of microdroplets / microparticles. By changing the concentration of the surface-active solution or changing the target temperature of the V-shaped guide plate, the magnitude of the driving force can be changed, thereby adjusting the distance of each movement of the microdroplet / microparticle. It has the characteristics of multiple control methods, adjustable driving force, and flexible and convenient operation. 5. The microdroplet / microparticle manipulator proposed in this invention only requires pushing the piston rod at a fixed distance or controlling the temperature of the V-shaped guide plate. It has a simple working principle, can achieve high-precision and high-efficiency control, and realize non-contact manipulation. It has significant academic significance and engineering application value for the development of droplet microfluidics technology. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a microdroplet microparticle control pen provided by the present invention; Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the main cross-sectional structure of a microdroplet microparticle control pen provided by the present invention; Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged structural diagram of part A shown in the figure; Figure 4 for Figure 2 An enlarged structural diagram of part B shown in the figure; Figure 5 for Figure 2 An enlarged structural diagram of section C shown in the figure; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixed perforated plate in the invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of half a T-shaped rubber sealing ring in this invention; Figure 8 This is a front view schematic diagram of the V-shaped guide plate in this invention; Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a flowchart illustrating the process of generating a surface tension difference to drive microdroplets and microparticles through the injection of a surface-active solution; Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the V-shaped guide plate in this invention.

[0017] Reference numerals: 1. Outer sleeve of control pen; 2. Inner sleeve; 201. Plastic sleeve; 202. First retaining ring; 203. Second retaining ring; 204. Liquid outlet; 205. V-shaped guide plate; 206. Heating resistance wire; 3. Piston push rod; 4. Piston spring; 5. T-shaped rubber sealing ring; 6. Fixing hole plate; 601. First through hole; 602. Second through hole; 603. Third through hole; 7. Spring contact; 8. Selector switch; 9. Assembly port; 10. Cable and signal line; 11. Temperature control board; 12. First metal contact; 13. Second metal contact; 14. Pen holder housing; 15. Assembly cavity; 16. Spray pipe; 17. Spray head; 18. Cleaning frame; 19. First rotating rod; 20. Motor; 21. First bevel gear; 22. Liquid extraction shell; 23. Second rotating rod; 24. Impeller; 25. Connecting pipe; 26. Liquid extraction pipe; 27. Transmission rod; 28. Second bevel gear; 29. ​​Third bevel gear; 30. Scraper; 31. Brush plate; 32. Limiting ring; 33. Magnet block; 34. Drain pipe; 35. Valve. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0019] This invention provides a microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen, such as... Figure 1-10 As shown, the microdroplet / microparticle control pen includes: an outer tube 1, an inner tube 2, and a heating control component; a piston rod 3 disposed within the inner tube 2; a piston spring 4 disposed within the inner tube 2 and in contact with the piston rod 3; a sealing component disposed between the piston rod 3 and the inner tube 2; a liquid outlet 204 and a V-shaped guide plate 205 provided at the bottom of the inner tube 2; a detachable pen holder shell 14 assembled at the bottom end of the outer tube 1, the pen holder shell 14 having a cleaning chamber and an assembly chamber 15, the cleaning chamber accommodating the V-shaped guide plate 205; a cleaning mechanism disposed within the cleaning chamber for cleaning the V-shaped guide plate 205; and the microdroplet / microparticle control pen. The particle manipulation pen supports three driving methods. First, a liquid immiscible with the microparticles / microparticles is injected into the surface of the reaction dish (or microfluidic plate, microfluidic channel) where the microparticles or microdroplets are placed or injected. Method 1: The surface tension difference generated by pushing the piston rod to inject a surface-active solution near the microparticles / microdroplets drives the microparticles / microdroplets to move directionally on the liquid surface. Method 2: The V-shaped guide plate is heated to a specified temperature by turning on the selector switch. The guide plate is inserted into the solution near the microparticles / microdroplets, and the solution is heated. The surface tension difference generated by the temperature gradient drives the microparticles / microdroplets to move directionally on the liquid surface. Method 3: Methods 1 and 2 are combined to drive the movement of microparticles / microdroplets.

[0020] In this embodiment, during use, a liquid immiscible with the microdroplets or microparticles is first injected into the surface of the reaction dish, microfluidic plate, or microfluidic channel where the microdroplets or microparticles are placed. Holding the outer tube 1 of the control pen, the piston rod 3 is pushed or pulled. Combined with the elastic action of the piston spring 4, the surface-active solution is drawn into the inner tube 2 and then discharged through the outlet hole 204 to the V-shaped guide plate 205. The solution flows along the V-shaped guide plate 205 to the target area, generating a surface tension difference that drives the microdroplets or microparticles to move along the angle of the V-shaped guide plate 205. If a temperature gradient drive is used... The heating function is activated by the heating control component to heat the V-shaped guide plate 205. The heated V-shaped guide plate 205 is then inserted into the solution. The surface tension difference created by the temperature difference allows the microdroplets and microparticles to move in a directional manner. The two driving methods can be used alone or in combination. After use, the outer tube 1 of the control pen is assembled with the pen base shell 14, so that the V-shaped guide plate 205 is placed in the cleaning chamber. The surface of the V-shaped guide plate 205 is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism to remove residual solution or impurities. After cleaning, the pen base shell 14 is separated for subsequent use. The microdroplet and microparticle manipulator pen has a simple structure, requiring no complex control system or micro-functional components. It is easy to operate and has a low manufacturing cost. The cleaning mechanism can perform targeted cleaning of the V-shaped guide plate 205, which helps maintain the stable use of the device. The design of two driving methods provides more options for the manipulation of microdroplets and microparticles, and is suitable for a variety of microfluidic chemical or biological analysis scenarios. The liquid outlet 204 of the inner sleeve 2 and the V-shaped guide plate 205 work together to realize the export and guidance of the solution. The cleaning chamber of the pen holder shell 14 provides a suitable space for cleaning the V-shaped guide plate 205. The cooperation between the piston push rod 3 and the piston spring 4 ensures the suction and export of the solution. The coordinated operation of each component enables the device to complete the manipulation and subsequent cleaning of microdroplets and microparticles in an orderly manner, supporting its application in relevant analytical scenarios. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heating control component includes: a heating resistance wire 206, a thermocouple wire, a cable and signal line 10, a selector switch 8, a temperature control board 11, and a spring contact 7; the heating resistance wire is laid in an S-shape on the side of the V-shaped guide plate; the selector switch 8 is mounted on the outer sleeve 1 of the control pen; the spring contact 7 is electrically connected to the heating resistance wire 206 and adapted to the selector switch 8; the temperature control board 11 is electrically connected to the heating resistance wire through the cable and signal line 10; the cable and signal line 10 leads out a thermocouple wire and attaches it to the side of the V-shaped guide plate to collect the temperature of the V-shaped guide plate in real time; In this embodiment, when using the temperature gradient drive function, the target temperature is first set via the temperature control board. Then, pressing the corresponding side of the selector switch causes the first metal contact on the selector switch to contact the spring contact, closing the heating circuit. The heating resistance wire then begins heating the V-shaped guide plate. The temperature control board compares the real-time temperature with the target temperature. When the V-shaped guide plate reaches the target temperature, the heating circuit is disconnected to maintain temperature stability. After inserting the V-shaped guide plate into a solution containing microdroplets and microparticles, the heated guide plate creates a temperature gradient in the surrounding solution, generating a surface tension difference that pushes the microdroplets and microparticles along the angle of the V-shaped guide plate. After completing the temperature gradient drive operation, pressing the other side of the selector switch separates the first metal contact on the selector switch from the spring contact, disconnecting the heating circuit and causing the V-shaped guide plate to gradually cool down. Simultaneously, the temperature change can be monitored via the temperature control board. Once the guide plate temperature drops to a suitable range, subsequent storage or cleaning operations can be performed. The heating control component allows for convenient on / off control of the heating circuit via a selector switch, making it simple and easy to use. The temperature control board can monitor and adjust the temperature in real time, helping to maintain the temperature stability of the V-shaped guide plate and ensuring the temperature gradient driving effect. The absence of a complex external control system further lowers the barrier to entry for the device and makes it suitable for more microfluidic operation scenarios.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning mechanism includes: a spray pipe 16 fixed in the cleaning chamber; a plurality of nozzles 17 fixedly connected to the spray pipe 16 for spraying cleaning liquid; a rotatable sweeping frame 18 disposed in the cleaning chamber, the sweeping frame 18 being provided with bristles; a first rotating rod 19 rotatably mounted in the cleaning chamber via a sealed bearing, the top end of the first rotating rod 19 being fixedly connected to the sweeping frame 18, and the bottom end of the first rotating rod 19 extending into the assembly cavity 15; and a motor 20 fixed in the assembly cavity 15, the output shaft of the motor 20 being fixedly fitted with a first bevel tooth 21 meshing with the first rotating rod 19.

[0022] In this embodiment, when cleaning the inner sleeve 2, first assemble the outer sleeve 1 of the control pen with the pen holder shell 14, so that the V-shaped guide plate 205 is placed in the cleaning chamber, and push the piston rod 3 to the bottom of the inner sleeve 2 so that the liquid outlet 204 contacts the cleaning fluid in the cleaning chamber; after releasing, the piston spring 4 drives the piston rod 3 to return to its original position, and the cleaning fluid in the cleaning chamber is sucked into the inner sleeve 2 through the liquid outlet 204 by using negative pressure, thus completing the suction operation of the cleaning fluid. 2. Keep the V-shaped guide plate 205 in the cleaning chamber, press the piston rod 3, and squeeze the cleaning fluid in the inner sleeve 2 through the liquid outlet 204 to the surface of the V-shaped guide plate 205. The cleaning fluid rinses the inner wall of the inner sleeve 2 and the liquid outlet 204 during the flow process; at the same time, start the motor 20. The motor 20 drives the first rotating rod 19 to rotate through the first bevel tooth 21, which in turn drives the cleaning frame 18 to rotate. The bristles, together with the cleaning fluid, wipe the V-shaped guide plate 205 and the area around the liquid outlet 204. 3. Repeat the above steps of liquid extraction and dripping 2-3 times to rinse the inner wall of the inner sleeve 2 multiple times by the repeated flow of cleaning fluid; after rinsing, pull the piston rod 3 to draw in air, and then press the piston rod 3 to expel the air, using the airflow to carry away the residual cleaning fluid in the inner sleeve 2; finally, separate the outer sleeve 1 of the control pen from the pen base shell 14 to complete the cleaning of the inner sleeve 2.

[0023] This cleaning method uses a combination of suction and dripping steps to allow the cleaning fluid to flow inside the inner sleeve 2, enabling targeted cleaning of the inner wall of the sleeve and the outlet hole 204, reducing the impact of residual solution on subsequent operation. Simultaneously, it works in conjunction with the wiping action of the cleaning frame 18 to achieve synchronous cleaning of the inner sleeve and the guide plate, improving cleaning efficiency. The entire process does not require disassembly of the device, making it easy to operate and reducing damage to device components during cleaning. This helps maintain the performance of the control pen and ensures the stability of subsequent micro-droplet and micro-particle control.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner sleeve 2 includes a plastic sleeve 201, a first retaining ring 202 and a second retaining ring 203. The plastic sleeve 201 is fixedly connected to the outer sleeve 1 of the control pen by threads. The first retaining ring 202 and the second retaining ring 203 are both disposed inside the plastic sleeve 201. The vertical distance between the first retaining ring 202 and the second retaining ring 203 is greater than the radius of the bottom surface of the rubber piston of the piston push rod 3.

[0025] In this embodiment, when using the piston push rod 3 for liquid extraction or dripping, pulling the piston push rod 3 upward causes its rubber piston to be pulled out from the hole in the second retaining ring 203. Since the vertical distance between the first retaining ring 202 and the second retaining ring 203 is greater than the radius of the bottom surface of the rubber piston of the piston push rod 3, the rubber piston will not contact the bottom surface of the first retaining ring 202 during movement, providing sufficient movement space for the piston push rod 3 and ensuring smooth liquid extraction or dripping. 3. When pressing the piston push rod 3 to inject solution or cleaning fluid, the second retaining ring 203 can limit the movement stroke of the rubber piston to prevent excessive pressing of the piston push rod 3 from damaging the components; at the same time, the first retaining ring 202 can provide support for the rubber piston when the piston spring 4 returns to its original position, preventing the spring force of the piston spring 4 from causing the rubber piston to fall out of the plastic sleeve 201, ensuring the stability of the device operation; In the structural design of the inner sleeve 2, the threaded connection between the plastic sleeve 201 and the outer sleeve 1 of the control pen takes into account both connection stability and ease of disassembly and assembly; the setting of the first retaining ring 202 and the second retaining ring 203 not only provides reasonable space for the movement of the piston push rod 3, but also limits and protects the piston movement, reducing component wear; the overall structure is simple and highly practical, which helps to improve the operational reliability and service life of the microdroplet and microparticle control pen, and is suitable for long-term repetitive microfluidic operation scenarios.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing component is a T-shaped rubber sealing ring 5, which is composed of two semi-annular T-shaped rubber rings and is fitted onto the piston shaft of the piston push rod 3.

[0027] In this embodiment, when the piston rod 3 is pushed or pulled to perform liquid extraction or dripping operations, the T-shaped rubber sealing ring 5 is in close contact with the inner wall of the inner sleeve 2, forming a sealing structure. This reduces leakage of surface-active solutions or cleaning fluids from the gap between the piston shaft and the inner wall of the sleeve. Simultaneously, it provides stable guidance during piston shaft movement, making the movement of the piston rod 3 smoother. 3. If the T-shaped rubber sealing ring 5 is worn or aged and needs replacement, the two semi-circular rubber rings can be directly removed from the piston shaft groove, and a new semi-circular rubber ring can be spliced ​​and installed. There is no need to disassemble the inner sleeve 2 or other components, simplifying the replacement process and saving maintenance time. The spliced ​​structure of the T-shaped rubber sealing ring 5 not only ensures the sealing between the piston rod 3 and the inner sleeve 2, reducing the impact of liquid leakage on control accuracy, but also significantly improves the convenience of installation and replacement. At the same time, its guiding function can optimize the stability of piston movement, reduce frictional wear between components, help extend the service life of micro-droplet and micro-particle control pens, and adapt to long-term repetitive liquid pumping and dripping operation scenarios.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the V-shaped guide plate 205 has a cross-sectional angle of 100° to 170°, the heating resistance wire 206 is laid in an S-shape on the side of the V-shaped guide plate 205, and the thermocouple wires led out by the cable and signal line 10 are pasted on the side of the V-shaped guide plate 205. In this embodiment, before using the temperature gradient driving function, the target temperature is first set through the temperature control board 11; pressing the selection switch 8 closes the heating circuit, and the S-shaped heating resistance wire 206 begins to heat up. The heat is evenly transferred to the V-shaped guide plate 205, causing the overall temperature of the guide plate to gradually rise, preparing for the subsequent formation of a temperature gradient. 2. During the operation of the heating resistance wire 206, the thermocouple wires led out from the cable and signal line 10 collect the temperature data of the V-shaped guide plate 205 in real time and feed the data back to the temperature control board 11; when the guide plate temperature reaches the target temperature, the temperature control board 11 controls the heating circuit to disconnect, maintaining the guide plate temperature stability and ensuring that a stable temperature gradient can be formed when the solution is injected subsequently. 3. After inserting the temperature-stable V-shaped guide plate 205 into the solution containing microdroplets and microparticles, the solution around the guide plate forms a gradient due to the temperature, generating a surface tension difference, which pushes the microdroplets and microparticles to move along the angle direction of the V-shaped guide plate 205; after the operation is completed, the heating circuit is turned off, and the thermocouple wire continues to monitor the temperature change until the guide plate cools down to a suitable range. In the design of the V-shaped guide plate 205 in conjunction with the heating resistance wire 206 and thermocouple wire, the S-shaped arrangement of the heating resistance wire 206 enables the guide plate to be heated more evenly, reducing the impact of local temperature differences on the temperature gradient; the real-time temperature acquisition function of the thermocouple wire provides data support for temperature control, which helps to maintain the stability of the driving process; the overall structure can efficiently realize temperature gradient driving and is adapted to the directional movement requirements of microdroplets and microparticles, improving the applicability of the device in microfluidic operations.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fixing plate 6 is provided inside the outer tube 1 of the control pen. The fixing plate 6 is a U-shaped rubber shell with one open side, the open side of which is fitted to the side of the plastic sleeve 201. The opposite side walls are provided with a first through hole 601 and a second through hole 602, and the bottom surface is provided with a third through hole 603. The selector switch 8 is assembled at the assembly port 9 of the outer tube 1 of the control pen. The selector switch 8 is provided with a first metal contact 12 and a second metal contact 13. The first metal contact 12 and the second metal contact 13 are respectively adapted to the first through hole 601 and the second through hole 602. The spring contact 7 is provided with two contacts and is electrically connected to the positive and negative poles of the heating resistance wire 206 respectively. When the first metal contact 12 is in contact with the spring contact 7, the heating circuit is closed. When the second metal contact 13 is separated from the spring contact 7, the heating circuit is disconnected. In this embodiment, when the heating function needs to be activated, press the side of the selector switch 8 corresponding to the first metal contact 12 to push the first metal contact 12 into the first through hole 601 until the first metal contact 12 contacts the two spring contacts 7. Since the spring contacts 7 are electrically connected to the positive and negative poles of the heating resistance wire 206 respectively, the heating circuit is closed at this time, and the heating resistance wire 206 begins to heat the V-shaped guide plate 205, providing conditions for temperature gradient drive. 3. When heating is not needed or after heating is completed, press the side of the selector switch 8 corresponding to the second metal contact 13 to pull the first metal contact 12 out of the first through hole 601, and the heating circuit is disconnected; at the same time, the second metal contact 13 is inserted into the second through hole 602, fixing the selector switch 8 in the closed state to avoid accidental circuit closure due to accidental touch; the third through hole 603 on the bottom surface of the fixing plate 6 can be used to avoid cables and signal lines 10, ensuring a neat circuit layout; In this structure, the U-shaped design of the fixing plate 6 can fit tightly with the plastic sleeve 201, providing precise positioning for the metal contacts of the selector switch 8 and ensuring the reliability of circuit switching. The adaptation of the first and second metal contacts with the corresponding through holes enables convenient control of the heating circuit and stable fixation of the switch state. The overall design simplifies the operation process of heating control, while reducing the possibility of poor circuit contact through structural adaptation, improving the stability of the device and meeting the precise control requirements of heating function in microfluidic operation.

[0030] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pen holder shell 14 is provided with a limiting ring 32, and both the limiting ring 32 and the control pen outer tube 1 are provided with magnet blocks 33 that attract each other. The limiting ring 32 is used to support the control pen outer tube 1.

[0031] In this embodiment, based on the limiting ring 32 supporting the outer tube, the angle of the control pen outer tube 1 is adjusted so that the magnet 33 on the outer tube and the magnet 33 on the limiting ring 32 are brought closer together. The attraction force of the magnet 33 is used to further fix the relative position of the two, reducing the possibility of relative displacement between the control pen outer tube 1 and the pen holder shell 14 during the cleaning process. 3. When it is necessary to separate the two after cleaning, pull the control pen outer tube 1 away from the pen holder shell 14. After the external force overcomes the attraction force of the magnet 33, the outer tube can be removed from the limiting ring 32. The operation does not require tools and can be easily completed by disassembly and assembly. When reassembling, the above alignment and attraction steps can be repeated to quickly complete the positioning and fixation.

[0032] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pen holder housing 14 is provided with a drain pipe 34, which is connected to the cleaning chamber and is provided with a valve 35.

[0033] In this embodiment, before cleaning the V-shaped guide plate 205, the status of valve 35 on the drain pipe 34 is checked to ensure that valve 35 is closed. Then, the cleaning solution is sprayed into the cleaning chamber through the spray pipe 16 and nozzle 17. Closing valve 35 allows the cleaning solution to remain temporarily in the cleaning chamber, working in conjunction with the bristles of the cleaning frame 18 to soak and wipe the guide plate, improving the cleaning effect. 2. During or after cleaning, valve 35 is opened, and the waste liquid carrying impurities in the cleaning chamber flows into the drain pipe 34 under gravity, and is discharged to an external collection device through the drain pipe 34. The opening and closing of valve 35 can be controlled at any time according to the amount of waste liquid to prevent excessive overflow of waste liquid from the cleaning chamber and to reduce the amount of waste liquid remaining in the chamber. 3. After all cleaning operations are completed, confirm that the waste liquid in the cleaning chamber has been basically drained, close valve 35 to prevent external dust or impurities from entering the cleaning chamber through drain pipe 34; if cleaning is required again, repeat the above steps of "closing valve - cleaning - opening valve to drain waste liquid", without disassembling the pen holder shell 14 to empty the liquid.

[0034] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the control pen outer tube 1 and the plastic sleeve 201 are made of transparent plastic. The outer wall of the control pen outer tube 1 is provided with a liquid level scale and has a rectangular hole for installing the selector switch 8 and a circular hole for the cable and signal line 10 to pass through.

[0035] In this embodiment, when assembling the selector switch 8 with the cable and signal line 10, the selector switch 8 is installed through the rectangular hole on the outer sleeve 1 of the control pen. The shape of the rectangular hole matches the selector switch 8, ensuring that the switch is stable and not easily shifted after installation. Then, the cable and signal line 10 are passed through the circular hole on the outer sleeve and connected to the temperature control board 11. The circular hole provides a neat passage for the wiring, avoiding messy wiring that may affect operation. 3. During temperature gradient drive or cleaning operations, the transparent material still allows the operator to observe whether there is any liquid residue or abnormality inside the plastic sleeve 201, and to promptly detect and deal with potential problems. The liquid level scale can help record the amount of liquid used in each operation, providing a reference for subsequent repeated operations and reducing control deviations caused by improper liquid usage. The transparent plastic material improves the visibility of the internal state of the device, making it convenient for the operator to monitor the liquid status in real time and reducing the probability of operational errors. The liquid level scale provides an intuitive basis for quantitative operation, adapting to the precise control requirements of liquid usage in microfluidic scenarios.

[0036] To further improve the performance of this device, in addition to the above-mentioned solutions, this solution also includes the following embodiments: In another embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning mechanism further includes a liquid supply mechanism for supplying cleaning fluid to the spray pipe 16. The liquid supply mechanism includes: a liquid extraction shell 22, a second rotating rod 23, an impeller 24, a second conical tooth 28, a third conical tooth 29, a connecting pipe 25, and a liquid extraction pipe 26. The connecting pipe 25 is fixedly connected between the liquid outlet of the liquid extraction shell 22 and the spray pipe 16, and the liquid extraction pipe 26 is fixedly connected to the liquid inlet of the liquid extraction shell 22. The scraper 30 and the brush plate 31 are fixed to the first rotating rod 19 by a connecting frame and are in contact with the inner wall of the cleaning chamber. The liquid extraction shell 22 is fixed to the assembly cavity 15. The second rotating rod 23 is rotatably mounted on the liquid extraction shell 22 through a sealed bearing. The impeller 24 is fixed to the top of the second rotating rod 23. The second bevel tooth 28 is fixed to the transmission rod 27 and meshes with one of the first bevel teeth 21. There are two third bevel teeth 29, which are respectively fixed to the transmission rod 27 and the second rotating rod 23 and mesh with each other. The connecting pipe 25 is fixedly connected between the liquid outlet of the liquid extraction shell 22 and the spray pipe 16. The liquid extraction pipe 26 is fixedly connected to the liquid inlet of the liquid extraction shell 22.

[0037] In this embodiment, when using the cleaning mechanism, the liquid extraction pipe 26 is first connected to the external cleaning liquid supply device, the motor 20 is started, the output shaft of the motor 20 drives the first bevel gear 21 to rotate, the second bevel gear 28 meshing with the first bevel gear 21 rotates accordingly, and then drives the transmission rod 27 to rotate; the transmission rod 27 drives the second rotating rod 23 to rotate through the third bevel gear 29, and the impeller 24 at the top of the second rotating rod 23 rotates synchronously in the liquid extraction shell 22, generating negative pressure to draw the external cleaning liquid into the liquid extraction shell 22 through the liquid extraction pipe 26, and then transport it to the spray pipe 16 through the connecting pipe 25, and finally spray it into the cleaning chamber by the nozzle 17. 2. While the impeller 24 delivers the cleaning fluid, the first rotating rod 19 is driven to rotate by the first conical tooth 21. The scraper 30 and brush plate 31, which are fixedly connected to the first rotating rod 19, rotate accordingly within the cleaning chamber. The scraper 30 adheres to the inner wall of the cleaning chamber, scraping away impurities attached to the chamber wall, while the brush plate 31 assists in cleaning the residual cleaning fluid on the chamber wall. Combined with the spraying action of the spray pipe 16, synchronous cleaning of the interior of the cleaning chamber and the V-shaped guide plate 205 is achieved. 3. After cleaning is completed, the motor 20 is turned off, the impeller 24 stops rotating, and the delivery of cleaning fluid is interrupted. The valve 35 on the drain pipe 34 is opened, and the waste liquid in the cleaning chamber carrying impurities is discharged through the drain pipe 34. When using it again, simply reconnect the suction pipe 26 and start the motor 20 to repeat the above fluid supply and cleaning process without the need for manual addition of cleaning fluid.

[0038] The liquid supply mechanism uses a motor 20 to drive an impeller 24 to automatically deliver the cleaning liquid, eliminating the need for manual injection, simplifying the operation process and reducing the risk of liquid spillage. The scraper 30 and brush 31 expand the cleaning range, enabling targeted cleaning of the inner wall of the cleaning chamber and reducing impurity residue. The overall structure uses gear transmission to link the liquid supply and cleaning actions, improving cleaning efficiency. The well-organized layout of each component helps maintain the long-term stable operation of the device and adapts to high-frequency cleaning needs.

[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, a scraper 30 and a brush plate 31 are fixed on the first rotating rod 19 by a connecting frame, and the bristles on the scraper 30 and the brush plate 31 are in contact with the bottom inner wall of the cleaning chamber.

[0040] In this embodiment, while cleaning the V-shaped guide plate 205, the rotation of the scraper 30 and brush plate 31 can agitate the impurities at the bottom of the cleaning chamber into the cleaning fluid, preventing impurities from settling at the bottom and being difficult to clean. As the cleaning fluid flows, these impurities will be discharged through the drain pipe 34 along with the waste liquid, reducing the amount of impurities remaining in the cleaning chamber and providing a clean environment for subsequent cleaning operations. 3. After cleaning is completed, the motor 20 is turned off, and the scraper 30 and brush plate 31 stop rotating. After opening the valve 35 to discharge the waste liquid, the cleaning status of the bottom of the cleaning chamber can be observed by manipulating the transparent material of the pen outer tube 1. If there are still a small amount of residue, the motor 20 can be restarted again to repeat the above cleaning steps. The secondary cleaning of the bottom of the cleaning chamber can be completed without disassembling the pen holder shell 14. The scraper 30 and brush plate 31 fill the cleaning gap at the bottom of the cleaning chamber, preventing the accumulation of impurities at the bottom from affecting the subsequent cleaning effect; the two are linked with the first rotating rod 19, and can achieve synchronous cleaning without an additional power source, simplifying the device structure and reducing energy consumption; the overall design can improve the comprehensiveness of cleaning inside the cleaning chamber, reduce the contamination of the V-shaped guide plate 205 caused by the residue of impurities at the bottom, and help maintain the cleanliness and stability of the device.

[0041] In summary, compared with related technologies, by manipulating the basic structure of the pen outer tube 1 and inner tube 2, combined with the liquid extraction and dripping cooperation of the piston push rod 3 and piston spring 4, and the sealing effect of the T-shaped rubber sealing ring 5, the directional delivery of the surface active solution and the surface tension difference drive are realized; furthermore, through the heating control component composed of heating resistance wire 206, selection switch 8, and temperature control board 11, combined with the S-shaped heating layout of V-shaped guide plate 205 and the temperature feedback of thermocouple wire, a stable temperature gradient drive is formed; at the same time, relying on the cleaning chamber and assembly chamber 15 of the pen holder shell 14, combined with the cleaning and drainage design of spray pipe 16, cleaning frame 18, motor 20, scraper 30, brush plate 31 and sewage pipe 34, the device can achieve simultaneous cleaning inside and outside; and through the structural optimization of transparent material, liquid level scale, limit ring 32, and magnet block 33, the ease of operation and stability are improved. It achieves dual-mode drive of microdroplets and microparticles and convenient maintenance, reduces manufacturing and usage costs, and adapts to the needs of microfluidic chemical or biological analysis in multiple scenarios, providing a low-cost and easy-to-operate solution for microdroplet microfluidic technology.

Claims

1. A microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen, characterized in that, include: The pen's outer sleeve, inner sleeve, and heating control components; Piston push rod disposed within the inner sleeve; A piston spring disposed inside the inner sleeve and in contact with the piston push rod; A sealing component disposed between the piston rod and the inner sleeve; The bottom of the inner sleeve is provided with a liquid outlet and a V-shaped guide plate; The bottom end of the outer tube of the control pen is fitted with a detachable pen base shell, which contains a cleaning chamber and an assembly chamber. The cleaning chamber can accommodate the V-shaped guide plate. A cleaning mechanism installed in the cleaning chamber is used to clean the V-shaped guide plate.

2. The microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The heating control component includes: Heating resistance wire, thermocouple wire, cable and signal line, selector switch, temperature control board and spring contacts; The heating resistance wire is laid in an S-shape on the side of the V-shaped guide plate; The selection switch is mounted on the outer tube of the control pen; The spring contact is electrically connected to the heating resistance wire and is adapted to the selector switch; The temperature control board is electrically connected to the heating resistance wire via cables and signal lines. Thermocouple wires are led out from the cables and signal lines and attached to the side of the V-shaped guide plate to collect the temperature of the V-shaped guide plate in real time.

3. The microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning facility includes: A nozzle fixed inside the cleaning chamber; A number of nozzles are fixedly connected to the nozzle and used to spray cleaning fluid; A rotatable cleaning frame is disposed within the cleaning chamber and is equipped with brush bristles. A first rotating rod is rotatably mounted in the cleaning chamber via a sealed bearing. The top end of the first rotating rod is fixedly connected to the cleaning frame, and the bottom end of the first rotating rod extends into the assembly chamber. The motor is fixed inside the assembly cavity, and the output shaft of the motor is fixed with a first bevel tooth that meshes with the first rotating rod.

4. The microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner sleeve includes: Plastic sleeve, first retaining ring and second retaining ring; The plastic sleeve and the outer sleeve of the control pen are fixedly connected by threads; Both the first retaining ring and the second retaining ring are located inside the plastic sleeve; The vertical distance between the first retaining ring and the second retaining ring is greater than the radius of the bottom surface of the rubber piston of the piston push rod.

5. The microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing component is a T-shaped rubber sealing ring, which consists of two semi-circular T-shaped rubber rings and is clamped onto the piston shaft of the piston push rod.

6. The microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The V-shaped guide plate has a V-shaped column structure. The heating resistance wire is laid in an S-shape on the side of the V-shaped guide plate. The thermocouple wires led out by the cable and signal line are attached to the side of the V-shaped guide plate.

7. The microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control pen outer tube is provided with a fixing plate, which is a U-shaped rubber shell with one open side. Its open side fits against the side of the plastic sleeve. The opposite side walls are provided with a first through hole and a second through hole, and the bottom surface is provided with a third through hole. The selector switch is assembled at the assembly port of the control pen outer tube. The selector switch is provided with a first metal contact and a second metal contact. The first metal contact and the second metal contact are respectively adapted to the first through hole and the second through hole. There are two spring contacts, which are respectively electrically connected to the positive and negative poles of the heating resistance wire. When the first metal contact contacts the spring contact, the heating circuit is closed.

8. The microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pen holder housing is provided with a limiting ring, and both the limiting ring and the outer tube of the control pen are provided with magnets that attract each other. The limiting ring is used to support the outer tube of the control pen.

9. The microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pen holder housing is equipped with a drain pipe, which is connected to the cleaning chamber and has a valve.

10. The microdroplet / microparticle manipulation pen as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both the outer tube and the plastic sleeve of the control pen are made of transparent plastic. The outer wall of the outer tube of the control pen is provided with liquid level scale and has a rectangular hole for installing the selector switch and a circular hole for the cable and signal line to pass through.

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