Wearable sweat detection micro-fluidic chip
By designing a wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip, using colorimetric method and PDMS flexible materials, the pollution, complexity and environmental limitations in sweat detection are solved, and rapid, real-time and non-invasive sweat detection is achieved, suitable for daily life use in.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202420890224.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-04-25
AI Technical Summary
The existing sweat detection methods have problems such as sweat contamination, complex equipment and environmental limitations, making it difficult to achieve real-time and non-invasive sweat detection.
A wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip is designed, with a chip body and cover plate made of flexible materials, including independent sweat loss microchannels, pH detection microchannels and urea concentration detection microchannels, using colorimetric method Perform detection, combine PDMS flexible material and paper-based detection unit to achieve sealed transmission and rapid detection of sweat.
It realizes pollution-free, fast, real-time and non-invasive detection of sweat detection, reduces equipment complexity and environmental limitations, and can conduct real-time detection in daily life indoors and outdoors, and is at low cost.
Smart Images
Figure CN222318788U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of microfluidic chips, and in particular to a wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip. Background Art
[0002] In the 21st century, health is a topic that people are paying more and more attention to. People pay attention to their health status in various ways, such as physical examinations, blood tests, etc. However, this traditional detection method often has disadvantages such as long detection cycle and invasive sampling. Compared with the above detection methods, sweat detection, a non-invasive test, overcomes the shortcomings of sampling. There are a large number of health-related parameters in sweat, for example, pH in sweat is a sign of hydration status, and urea concentration reflects the level of kidney function. However, sweat testing in the laboratory is often a cumbersome process, and its detection cycle is relatively long, requiring more samples, which seriously limits the development of real-time sweat detection.
[0003] In view of the shortcomings of sweat testing in laboratories, some scholars have proposed sweat testing based on microfluidic chips. By using designed microscale channels (channel width is usually 50-300um), sweat can flow along pre-designed channels. Moreover, this detection method requires less sweat and can be tested in environments not limited to laboratories. This type of microfluidic chip is often made of flexible materials and is small in size, which can realize wearable detection.
[0004] There are currently a variety of methods for sweat detection, including colorimetry, electrochemical methods, and fluorescence methods. As for the electrochemical method, the sensors of the electrochemical sweat detection devices currently under research often use patch-type sensors, which are in direct contact with the skin and have no technology to control the flow of sweat, resulting in possible cross-contamination between sweat during the detection process; and in order to achieve real-time analysis, it is often necessary to use complex wearable flexible circuits, which increases the size of the device and is not conducive to wear. At the same time, the current fluorescence sweat detection often requires complex analysis equipment, and also has certain restrictions on the detection environment, and cannot achieve real-time sampling and analysis.
[0005] Therefore, the development of a novel wearable microfluidic chip for sweat detection is urgently needed. Utility Model Content
[0006] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip to address the problems of sweat contamination, equipment complexity and environmental limitations of existing sweat detection sensors.
[0007] A wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip, comprising:
[0008] The chip body is made of a flexible material, and is provided with a sweat loss microchannel, a pH value detection microchannel and a urea concentration detection microchannel separated from each other, wherein the pH value detection microchannel is provided with a pH value colorimetric detection unit, and the urea concentration detection microchannel is provided with a urea concentration colorimetric detection unit;
[0009] A cover plate made of a flexible material is stacked on the chip body to cover the sweat loss microchannel, the pH value detection microchannel and the urea concentration detection microchannel;
[0010] The skin adhesive layer is stacked below the chip body, and the skin adhesive layer is provided with a sweat inlet corresponding to the sweat inlets of the sweat loss microchannel, the pH value detection microchannel and the urea concentration detection microchannel.
[0011] In one embodiment, the sweat loss microchannel extends in a ring shape along the circumferential direction.
[0012] In one embodiment, the sweat loss microchannel extends in a serpentine shape during its extension.
[0013] In one embodiment, the sweat loss microchannel and the pH value detection microchannel are arranged in the area surrounded by the sweat loss microchannel.
[0014] In one embodiment, the pH colorimetric detection unit includes a test paper on which a reagent that reacts in color with acid or alkali is provided.
[0015] In one embodiment, the urea concentration colorimetric detection unit comprises a test paper on which a reagent that reacts with urea in color is disposed.
[0016] In one embodiment, the sweat outlets of the sweat loss microchannel, the pH value detection microchannel and the urea concentration detection microchannel converge at one point and are parallel to each other.
[0017] In one embodiment, the sweat inlets of the sweat loss microchannel, the pH value detection microchannel and the urea concentration detection microchannel penetrate downwardly through the bottom surface of the chip body, and the sweat outlets of the sweat loss microchannel, the pH value detection microchannel and the urea concentration detection microchannel penetrate through the side surface of the chip body.
[0018] In one embodiment, the sweat inlet of the sweat loss microchannel is located in the middle of the chip body, and the sweat inlet of the pH value detection microchannel and the sweat inlet of the urea concentration detection microchannel are symmetrically arranged with respect to the sweat inlet of the sweat loss microchannel.
[0019] In one of the embodiments, the chip body and the cover plate are made of PDMS flexible material.
[0020] The above-mentioned wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip has at least the following advantages:
[0021] 1. The design of the microfluidic chip can achieve sealed sweat transmission, avoiding sweat contamination during sweat detection.
[0022] 2. The microfluidic chip is small in size (1 cm*1 cm*0.5 cm) and can be easily worn on various sweating areas of the human body.
[0023] 3. The sweat loss microchannel is annular and extends in a serpentine shape. Without increasing the size of the microfluidic chip, a total of 12 microliters of sweat can be filled, which is sufficient for sweat detection in daily life.
[0024] 4. The pH and urea detection units use paper-based detection, which is rapid and can be completed within two or three seconds. The amount of sweat required is small, and only 2.5 microliters of sweat is needed during the entire detection process.
[0025] 5. The detection part adopts an independent microchannel to avoid cross contamination of samples during the detection process.
[0026] 6. The use of PDMS flexible material and paper-based detection unit greatly reduces the production cost.
[0027] 7. Easy to use, no complicated operation and professional equipment are required, and the user can complete real-time detection indoors or outdoors alone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation of the utility model, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the specific implementation. In all the drawings, each element or part is not necessarily drawn according to the actual scale.
[0029] Figure 1 is a top view of a wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip in one embodiment;
[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The front view of the wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip shown;
[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Left view of the wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip shown.
[0032] Reference numerals:
[0033] 10-chip body, 11-sweat loss microchannel, 112-sweat loss detection sweat inlet, 114-sweat loss detection sweat outlet, 12-pH value detection microchannel, 122-pH value detection sweat inlet, 124-pH value detection sweat outlet, 126-pH value colorimetric detection unit, 136-urea concentration colorimetric detection unit, 13-urea concentration detection microchannel, 13-urea concentration detection microchannel, 132-urea concentration detection sweat inlet, 134-urea concentration detection sweat outlet, 136-urea concentration colorimetric detection unit, 20-cover plate, 30-skin adhesive layer, 32-sweat inlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the utility model more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation of the utility model is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the utility model. However, the utility model can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the connotation of the utility model, so the utility model is not limited by the specific implementation disclosed below.
[0035] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation method.
[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.
[0037] See also Figures 1 to 3 In one embodiment, a wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip includes a chip body 10 made of a flexible material, a cover plate 20 made of a flexible material, and a skin adhesive layer 30.
[0038] The chip body 10 is provided with a sweat loss microchannel 11, a pH value detection microchannel 12 and a urea concentration detection microchannel 13, wherein the sweat loss microchannel 11, the pH value detection microchannel 12 and the urea concentration detection microchannel 13 are separated from each other so that each detection area uses an independent microchannel, thereby avoiding cross contamination of samples during the detection process.
[0039] In one embodiment, the sweat loss microchannel 11 extends in a ring shape along the circumferential direction, that is, the sweat loss channel extends along the edge of the chip body 10. Without increasing the size of the microfluidic chip, more sweat can be filled to meet the sweat detection in daily life. Furthermore, the sweat loss microchannel 11 extends in a serpentine shape during the extension process to further increase the length of the sweat loss channel, ensuring that more sweat can be filled.
[0040] In one embodiment, the pH value detection microchannel 12 and the urea concentration detection microchannel 13 are arranged in the area surrounded by the sweat loss microchannel 11. The microchannels of the chip body 10 are arranged compactly, which can reduce the size of the microfluidic chip. The sweat loss microchannel 11, the pH value detection microchannel 12 and the urea concentration detection microchannel 13 are all provided with corresponding sweat inlets and outlets.
[0041] Specifically, the two ends of the sweat loss microchannel 11 have a sweat loss detection sweat inlet 112 and a sweat loss detection sweat outlet 114, the two ends of the pH value detection microchannel 12 have a pH value detection sweat inlet 122 and a pH value detection sweat outlet 124, and the two ends of the urea concentration detection microchannel 13 have a urea concentration detection sweat inlet 132 and a urea concentration detection sweat outlet 134.
[0042] In one embodiment, the sweat loss detection sweat inlet 112 is disposed in the middle of the chip body 10, and the pH value detection sweat inlet 122 and the urea concentration detection sweat inlet 132 are symmetrically arranged about the sweat loss detection sweat inlet 112. The sweat loss detection sweat outlet 114, the pH value detection sweat outlet 124 and the urea concentration detection sweat outlet 134 converge at one point and are parallel to each other, so that sweat can be discharged in a centralized manner.
[0043] In one embodiment, the sweat loss detection sweat inlet 112, the pH value detection sweat inlet 122 and the urea concentration detection sweat inlet 132 penetrate downwardly through the bottom surface of the chip body 10, and the sweat loss detection sweat outlet 114, the pH value detection sweat outlet 124 and the urea concentration detection sweat outlet 134 penetrate through the side surface of the chip body 10. By rationally arranging the positions of the microchannel inlets and outlets, the size and volume of the microfluidic chip can be reduced.
[0044] In one embodiment, a pH value colorimetric detection unit 126 is provided in the pH value detection microchannel 12, and a urea concentration colorimetric detection unit 136 is provided in the urea concentration detection microchannel 13. When sweat with different pH values or sweat with different urea concentrations flows into the corresponding microchannels, they respectively cause color changes, and the current pH value or urea concentration of the sweat can be obtained.
[0045] Specifically, the pH value colorimetric detection unit 126 includes a test paper, the pH value detection microchannel 12 is provided with a pH value detection cavity with an enlarged diameter, the test paper is installed in the pH value detection cavity, and a reagent that reacts with acid and alkali in color is provided on the test paper. The urea concentration colorimetric detection unit 136 includes a test paper, the urea concentration detection microchannel 13 is provided with a urea concentration detection cavity with an enlarged diameter, the test paper is installed in the urea concentration detection cavity, and a reagent that reacts with urea in color is provided on the test paper.
[0046] The cover plate 20 made of flexible material is stacked on the chip body 10 to cover the sweat loss microchannel 11, the pH value detection microchannel 12 and the urea concentration detection microchannel 13 to achieve the sealing of the microchannel. At the same time, the microchannel is photoetched on the chip body 10, and then the microchannel is sealed with the cover plate 20, which can facilitate the processing of the microchannel. In one embodiment, the chip body 10 and the cover plate 20 are made of PDMS flexible material, which can facilitate the flexible deformation of the microfluidic chip. Among them, the PDMS flexible material of the chip body 10 is hydrophilic, which can easily absorb sweat.
[0047] The skin adhesive layer 30 is stacked under the chip body 10 so that the microfluidic chip can be bonded to any part of the human body. The skin adhesive layer 30 is provided with sweat inlets 32 corresponding to the sweat inlets of the sweat loss microchannel 11, the pH value detection microchannel 12, and the urea concentration detection microchannel 13. In other words, the skin adhesive layer 30 is provided with three groups of sweat inlets 32, and the three groups of sweat inlets 32 penetrate the skin adhesive layer 30 up and down, and the three groups of sweat inlets 32 correspond to the sweat loss detection sweat inlet 112, the pH value detection sweat inlet 122, and the urea concentration detection sweat inlet 132, respectively, so that sweat can pass through the sweat inlet 32 and enter the sweat inlets of different microchannels respectively. In one embodiment, the skin adhesive layer 30 uses a commercial skin adhesive tape.
[0048] The working principle of the above-mentioned wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip is as follows:
[0049] The microfluidic chip can be bonded to any part of the human body through the skin adhesive layer 30. When the human body sweats, the PDMS that has been pre-hydrophilically treated can easily absorb sweat. The sweat flows into the corresponding microchannel through the sweat inlet 32 of the skin adhesive layer 30. Through the action of capillary force, the sweat can fill the entire microchannel.
[0050] When the sweat flows into the pH value colorimetric detection unit 126 through the pH value detection microchannel 12, the sweat can react with the reagent on the test paper of the pH value colorimetric detection unit 126. When the sweat flows into the urea concentration colorimetric detection unit 136 through the urea concentration detection microchannel 13, the sweat can react with the reagent on the test paper of the urea concentration colorimetric detection unit 136.
[0051] Sweat with different pH values or different urea concentrations can cause different color changes. Use a smartphone to take a photo to record the color change, then read the RGB value of the image in a pre-developed APP and compare it with the RGB value of the standard curve to quantitatively measure the current sweat pH value or urea concentration.
[0052] When sweat flows into the sweat loss microchannel 11, the serpentine channel can store sweat very well, and the current sweat loss can be quantitatively measured through the filling ratio of sweat in the serpentine channel.
[0053] The wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip uses sweat filling ratio and colorimetry to detect sweat loss, pH value and urea concentration in sweat. The microchannels used in the design can realize sweat sampling, storage and transportation, while avoiding sweat contamination and achieving real-time detection. At the same time, the microfluidic chip based on colorimetry does not require complex operating equipment and strict sampling environment. Users can use smartphones to take photos and samples in daily life, and accurately measure the above health parameters in sweat by analyzing the optical information of the image (usually RGB value).
[0054] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein by equivalents. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and they should all be included in the scope of the claims and specification of the present invention.
Claims
1. A wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip, characterized in that: include: The chip body is made of a flexible material, and is provided with a sweat loss microchannel, a pH value detection microchannel and a urea concentration detection microchannel separated from each other, wherein the pH value detection microchannel is provided with a pH value colorimetric detection unit, and the urea concentration detection microchannel is provided with a urea concentration colorimetric detection unit; A cover plate made of a flexible material is stacked on the chip body to cover the sweat loss microchannel, the pH value detection microchannel and the urea concentration detection microchannel; The skin adhesive layer is stacked below the chip body, and the skin adhesive layer is provided with a sweat inlet corresponding to the sweat inlets of the sweat loss microchannel, the pH value detection microchannel and the urea concentration detection microchannel.
2. The wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sweat loss microchannel extends in a ring shape along the circumferential direction.
3. The wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sweat loss microchannel extends in a serpentine shape during the extension process.
4. The wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sweat loss microchannel and the pH value detection microchannel are arranged in the area surrounded by the sweat loss microchannel.
5. The wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pH value colorimetric detection unit comprises a test paper on which a reagent that reacts in color with acid or alkali is arranged.
6. The wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The urea concentration colorimetric detection unit comprises a test paper on which a reagent that reacts with urea in color is arranged.
7. The wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sweat outlets of the sweat loss microchannel, the pH value detection microchannel and the urea concentration detection microchannel converge at one point and are parallel to each other.
8. The wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sweat inlets of the sweat loss microchannel, the pH value detection microchannel and the urea concentration detection microchannel penetrate downwardly through the bottom surface of the chip body, and the sweat outlets of the sweat loss microchannel, the pH value detection microchannel and the urea concentration detection microchannel penetrate through the side surface of the chip body.
9. The wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sweat inlet of the sweat loss microchannel is arranged in the middle of the chip body, and the sweat inlet of the pH value detection microchannel and the sweat inlet of the urea concentration detection microchannel are arranged symmetrically with respect to the sweat inlet of the sweat loss microchannel.
10. The wearable sweat detection microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The chip body and the cover plate are made of PDMS flexible material.