Microfluidic device

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model relates to the field of medical equipment, in particular to a microfluidic device which comprises a base body, a liquid inlet part and an elastic pressing part, and the base body is provided with a plurality of detection channels; the liquid inlet piece is arranged on the base body and provided with a hollow liquid inlet channel. The liquid inlet channel is communicated with the detection channels and is used for allowing to-be-detected liquid to enter each detection channel; the elastic pressing piece is arranged on the liquid inlet piece, seals the end, away from the detection channel, of the liquid inlet channel and is used for driving the to-be-detected liquid in the liquid inlet channel to flow when pressed. According to the technical scheme, the detection efficiency can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical equipment, and in particular to a microfluidic device. Background Art

[0002] Traditional nucleic acid testing requires multiple steps including extraction, purification, amplification, and detection, and requires the use of multiple instruments, which results in multiple pipetting, complicated operation process, and low detection efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a microfluidic device.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a microfluidic device, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A microfluidic device, comprising:

[0006] A substrate is provided with a plurality of detection channels;

[0007] A liquid inlet component is provided on the base body and is provided with a hollow liquid inlet channel; the liquid inlet channel is communicated with the detection channel and is used for allowing the liquid to be detected to enter each of the detection channels;

[0008] The elastic pressing member is mounted on the liquid inlet member and seals one end of the liquid inlet channel away from the detection channel, and is used for driving the liquid to be detected in the liquid inlet channel to flow when under pressure.

[0009] Furthermore, a mounting cavity is provided at one end of the elastic pressing member close to the liquid inlet channel;

[0010] One end of the liquid inlet component close to the elastic pressing component is installed in the installation cavity.

[0011] Furthermore, the elastic pressing member includes a pressing portion and a mounting portion connected to each other, the pressing portion defines a first inner cavity, the mounting portion defines a second inner cavity, and the first inner cavity is in communication with the second inner cavity;

[0012] Wherein, the installation cavity is the second inner cavity; or,

[0013] The installation cavity is formed by enclosing the first inner cavity and the second inner cavity, and the inner end surface of the first inner cavity is spaced apart from an end of the liquid inlet member close to the elastic pressing member.

[0014] Further, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first inner cavity gradually increases in a direction approaching the second inner cavity; and / or,

[0015] The shape of the second inner cavity matches the outer peripheral shape of one end of the liquid inlet member close to the elastic pressing member.

[0016] Further, the pressing portion is made of elastic plastic; or,

[0017] The pressing portion and the mounting portion are both made of elastic plastic.

[0018] Further, the elastic pressing member is detachably mounted on one end of the liquid inlet member close to the elastic pressing member; or,

[0019] The elastic pressing piece is installed at one end of the liquid inlet piece close to the elastic pressing piece, and the elastic pressing piece has a cover plate, and the cover plate is used to open or close the liquid inlet.

[0020] Furthermore, the base body is also provided with a main channel communicating with the liquid inlet channel;

[0021] Each of the detection channels comprises a shunt channel and a detection cavity opened in the substrate, and two ends of the shunt channel are respectively connected with the main channel and the detection cavity.

[0022] Further, the detection cavities are sequentially staggered and arranged on the substrate; and / or,

[0023] Each of the detection channels also includes an exhaust channel, and two ends of the exhaust channel are respectively connected to the detection cavity and the atmosphere.

[0024] Furthermore, each of the detection channels further comprises an exhaust hole, and two ends of the exhaust hole are respectively connected to the exhaust channel and the atmosphere;

[0025] The microfluidic device further comprises a hydrophobic breathable membrane, and at least one of the exhaust holes is covered with a hydrophobic breathable membrane.

[0026] Further, the base includes a first shell and a second shell;

[0027] The detection channel is formed by the first shell and the second shell being connected together;

[0028] The liquid inlet component is installed on the first shell and / or the second shell.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of the present application mainly have the following beneficial effects: the elastic pressing part of the present application is used, on the one hand, to seal the liquid inlet channel; on the other hand, it is used to drive the liquid to be tested in the liquid inlet channel to flow to the detection channel for detection when under pressure, thereby realizing multi-target detection of a single sample of the liquid to be tested, without the need for multiple pipetting operations externally, effectively improving the detection efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the scheme of the present application, a brief introduction is given below to the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0031] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the microfluidic device of the present application.

[0032] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structural decomposition of the microfluidic device of the present application.

[0033] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structural decomposition of the microfluidic device of the present application after the second shell and the hydrophobic breathable membrane are hidden.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structural decomposition of the microfluidic device of the present application from another perspective after the second shell and the hydrophobic breathable membrane are hidden.

[0035] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the elastic pressing member in the microfluidic device of the present application.

[0036] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the liquid inlet component and the elastic pressing component in the microfluidic device of the present application.

[0037] Figure 7 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of another embodiment of the liquid inlet member and the elastic pressing member in the microfluidic device of the present application.

[0038] Reference numerals:

[0039] 100, substrate; 110, detection channel; 111, shunt channel; 112, detection cavity; 113, exhaust channel; 114, exhaust hole; 120, main channel; 130, first shell; 140, second shell; 200, liquid inlet member; 210, liquid inlet channel; 300, elastic pressing member; 310, pressing part; 311, first inner cavity; 320, mounting part; 321, second inner cavity; 400, hydrophobic breathable membrane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by technicians in the technical field of this application; the terms used in the specification of the application herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of this application or the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order.

[0041] Reference to "embodiments" herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0042] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of the present application provides a microfluidic device, including a substrate 100 , a liquid inlet member 200 and an elastic pressing member 300 .

[0043] In some embodiments, see Figure 4 The substrate 100 is provided with a plurality of detection channels 110, and the detection channels 110 are used to detect the liquid to be detected. It can be understood that after the liquid to be detected enters the detection channel 110, an amplification reaction is performed with the detection reagent stored in the detection channel 110, thereby realizing the detection of the liquid to be detected.

[0044] In some embodiments, see Figures 2 to 4 The liquid inlet member 200 is provided on the base 100 and is provided with a hollow liquid inlet channel 210; the liquid inlet channel 210 is connected with the detection channel 110 and is used to allow the liquid to be tested to enter each of the detection channels 110. It can be understood that the liquid inlet channel 210 is arranged along the length direction of the liquid inlet member 200; in actual application, the liquid to be tested is added to the end of the liquid inlet channel 210 away from the detection channel 110, and is transported by the liquid inlet channel 210 and flows into the detection channel 110 for detection.

[0045] In some embodiments, see Figures 2 to 4The elastic pressing member 300 is installed on the liquid inlet member 200 and seals one end of the liquid inlet channel 210 away from the detection channel 110, and is used to drive the liquid to be detected in the liquid inlet channel 210 to flow when under pressure. Understandably, after adding the test liquid into the liquid inlet channel 210, the elastic pressing piece 300 is installed on the liquid inlet piece 200. On the one hand, it is used to seal the end of the liquid inlet channel 210 away from the detection channel 110 to prevent external impurities or liquid from entering the liquid inlet channel 210; on the other hand, after applying pressing force to the elastic pressing piece 300, the elastic pressing piece 300 is deformed and moves toward the liquid inlet channel 210, thereby compressing the space at one end of the liquid inlet channel 210 away from the detection channel 110 to form a driving force to drive the test liquid in the liquid inlet channel 210 to flow into each detection channel 110 respectively, thereby realizing multi-target detection of a single sample of the test liquid, with high integration, without the need for multiple pipetting operations externally, effectively improving the detection efficiency and detection accuracy, and can be applied to constant temperature amplification and variable temperature amplification, with a wide range of applications.

[0046] For example, in nucleic acid detection, the liquid to be tested is a purified nucleic acid liquid, and a solid reagent is provided in the detection channel 110; after the purified nucleic acid liquid is added to the liquid inlet channel 210, a pressing force is applied to the elastic pressing member 300 to drive the purified nucleic acid liquid in the liquid inlet channel 210 to flow to each detection channel 110 respectively, and dissolve with the solid reagent in the detection channel 110, and the entire matrix 100 is oscillated to mix the purified nucleic acid liquid and the solid reagent, and then the purified nucleic acid liquid and the solid reagent undergo an amplification reaction under heating conditions to generate fluorescence, and finally the fluorescence signal in each detection channel 110 is collected by the optical sensor, thereby realizing the detection of the purified nucleic acid liquid.

[0047] In some embodiments, see Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the elastic pressing member 300 has an installation cavity at one end close to the liquid inlet channel 210; the liquid inlet member 200 is installed in the installation cavity at one end close to the elastic pressing member 300. It can be understood that the installation cavity is sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the liquid inlet member 200, and the inner side wall of the installation cavity abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the liquid inlet member 200; in this way, on the one hand, the connection strength between the elastic pressing member 300 and the liquid inlet member 200 can be ensured, thereby improving the use stability of the microfluidic device, and on the other hand, the sealing of the end of the liquid inlet channel 210 away from the detection channel 110 can be improved, further preventing external impurities or liquid from entering the liquid inlet channel 210.

[0048] In some embodiments, see Figures 3 to 5The elastic pressing member 300 includes a pressing portion 310 and a mounting portion 320 connected to each other, the pressing portion 310 defines a first inner cavity 311, the mounting portion 320 defines a second inner cavity 321, and the first inner cavity 311 is connected to the second inner cavity 321. It can be understood that the pressing portion 310 is used for the operator to press, and the mounting portion 320 is used to connect with one end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300, so as to seal the end of the liquid inlet channel 210 away from the detection channel 110.

[0049] In some embodiments, see Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the installation cavity is the second inner cavity 321. It can be understood that the end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300 is installed in the second inner cavity 321, and at this time the first inner cavity 311 is a deformation space for the pressing portion 310 to deform; in actual application, after an external force is applied to the pressing portion 310, the pressing portion 310 moves toward the second inner cavity 321 and compresses the space of the first inner cavity 311, thereby generating a driving force to drive the liquid in the liquid inlet channel 210 to flow.

[0050] In other embodiments, see Figure 5 and Figure 7 The installation cavity is formed by enclosing the first inner cavity 311 and the second inner cavity 321, and the inner end surface of the first inner cavity 311 is spaced apart from the end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300. It can be understood that the end portion of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300 is installed in the first inner cavity 311, and the other portion is installed in the second inner cavity 321. In this way, on the one hand, the connection strength between the elastic pressing member 300 and the liquid inlet member 200 can be further improved, and on the other hand, the end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300 is spaced apart from the inner end surface of the first inner cavity 311 to reserve a deformation space for the pressing portion 310 to deform when it is pressed, so that the pressing portion 310 can stably generate a driving force to drive the liquid in the liquid inlet channel 210 to flow when it is pressed.

[0051] Furthermore, the larger the distance between the inner end surface of the first inner cavity 311 and the end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300 is, the more deformation space is available for the pressing portion 310 to deform, thereby further enhancing the driving force generated when the pressing portion 310 is pressed.

[0052] In some embodiments, see Figures 3 to 5, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first inner cavity 311 gradually increases in the direction close to the second inner cavity 321. In this way, on the one hand, the resistance of the pressing part 310 when it is pressed can be reduced, so that it is easier for the user to deform the pressing part 310 to generate a driving force by applying a pressing force to the pressing part 310, thereby improving the convenience of use for the user; on the other hand, the pressing part 310 can generate a gradually increasing driving force when it is pressed, so that the driving force on the liquid to be tested in the liquid inlet channel 210 is also gradually increased, thereby improving the efficiency of transporting the solution to be tested in the liquid inlet channel 210 to the detection channel 110.

[0053] In some embodiments, see Figures 3 to 5 The shape of the second inner cavity 321 matches the outer circumference shape of the end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300. In this way, when the end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300 is mounted on the mounting portion 320, the outer circumference of the end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300 abuts against the second inner cavity 321, thereby further improving the sealing performance of the end of the liquid inlet channel 210 away from the detection channel 110.

[0054] In some embodiments, the pressing portion 310 is an elastic plastic. The elastic plastic has good elastic deformation ability, so that the pressing portion 310 can be deformed to a large extent when pressed, thereby ensuring the driving force generated by the pressing portion 310 when deformed under pressure; and after the pressing force on the pressing portion 310 stops, the pressing portion 310 is reset due to its good elastic deformation ability, thereby ensuring the subsequent stable use of the device.

[0055] In other embodiments, the pressing portion 310 and the mounting portion 320 are both made of elastic plastic. In this way, on the one hand, the pressing portion 310 can achieve the function of "the pressing portion 310 is elastic plastic" in the above embodiment, which will not be further described here; on the other hand, the mounting portion 320 is made of elastic plastic, and since the elastic plastic has good elastic deformation ability, the abutment strength between the second inner cavity 321 in the mounting portion 320 and the end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing portion 300 is further improved, thereby further improving the sealing ability between the two.

[0056] In some embodiments, the elastic pressing member 300 is detachably mounted on one end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300 , so that an operator can use the elastic pressing member 300 to open or close the liquid inlet channel 210 .

[0057] Furthermore, the detachable connection method between the elastic pressing member 300 and the end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300 includes but is not limited to a snap connection, a plug connection, a threaded connection, a mortise and tenon connection, a buckle connection, etc.

[0058] In other embodiments, the elastic pressing member 300 is installed at one end of the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300, and the elastic pressing member 300 has a cover plate (not shown), and the cover plate (not shown) is used to open or close the liquid inlet. Understandably, at this time, the elastic pressing member 300 is provided with a liquid inlet connected to the liquid inlet channel 210, and the cover plate (not shown) is detachably installed on the liquid inlet; in this way, on the one hand, it is convenient for operators to open or close the liquid inlet channel 210, and on the other hand, it is avoided that the abutment strength between the elastic pressing member 300 and the liquid inlet member 200 close to the elastic pressing member 300 is weakened due to frequent disassembly and assembly of the elastic pressing member 300, thereby improving the sealing of the liquid inlet channel 210.

[0059] Furthermore, the detachable connection method between the cover plate (not shown) and the liquid inlet includes but is not limited to a rotating connection, a snap connection, etc.

[0060] In some embodiments, see Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the substrate 100 is also provided with a main channel 120 connected to the liquid inlet channel 210; each of the detection channels 110 includes a shunt channel 111 and a detection chamber 112 opened in the substrate 100, and the two ends of the shunt channel 111 are respectively connected to the main channel 120 and the detection chamber 112. It can be understood that when the liquid to be tested in the liquid inlet channel 210 enters the detection channel 110, the liquid to be tested first enters the main channel 120 and then is shunted to each shunt channel 111, and then the liquid to be tested in each shunt channel 111 flows to the detection chamber 112 for detection, thereby realizing multi-target detection of a single sample of the liquid to be tested.

[0061] Furthermore, the main channel 120 and the diversion channel 111 are both capillary channels. In this way, after the driving force generated by pressing the elastic pressing piece 300 drives the liquid to be tested in the inlet channel to enter the main channel 120 and the diversion channel 111 in turn, the capillary action on the main channel 120 and the diversion channel 111 is utilized to accelerate the liquid to be tested to flow into the main channel 120 and the diversion channel 111 respectively, thereby further improving the flow efficiency of the liquid to be tested.

[0062] In some embodiments, see Figure 2 and Figure 4 The detection cavities 112 are staggered in sequence on the substrate 100, so as to fully utilize the space on the substrate 100, improve the rationality of the layout of the detection cavities 112, and make the structure of the substrate 100 more compact.

[0063] In some embodiments, see Figure 2 and Figure 4Each of the detection channels 110 further includes an exhaust channel 113, and the two ends of the exhaust channel 113 are respectively connected to the detection chamber 112 and the atmosphere. It can be understood that when the pressing elastic member is compressed to generate a driving force to drive the liquid to be tested in the liquid inlet channel 210 to flow, the flow of the liquid to be tested will squeeze the gas in the main channel 120, the shunt channel 111 and the detection chamber 112, so that the gas moves in the flow direction of the liquid to be tested, and finally is discharged from the exhaust channel 113 to the atmosphere, so that the liquid to be tested can flow to the main channel 120, the shunt channel 111 and the detection chamber 112 in sequence.

[0064] In some embodiments, see Figure 2 and Figure 4 Each of the detection channels 110 further includes an exhaust hole 114, and the two ends of the exhaust hole 114 are respectively connected to the exhaust channel 113 and the atmosphere; the microfluidic device further includes a hydrophobic breathable membrane 400, and at least one of the exhaust holes 114 is covered by a hydrophobic breathable membrane 400. It can be understood that the hydrophobic breathable membrane 400 is installed outside the substrate 100 and covers the exhaust hole 114 to prevent the liquid to be tested in the detection chamber 112 from flowing out to the outside after passing through the exhaust channel 113 and the exhaust hole 114 in sequence, and also prevent the liquid from the outside from entering the detection chamber 112 through the exhaust channel 113 from the exhaust hole 114.

[0065] In some embodiments, see Figure 2 and Figure 4 Each of the exhaust holes 114 is provided with a hydrophobic breathable membrane 400 to further prevent the liquid in the detection cavity 112 from leaking out and the external liquid to be tested from entering the detection cavity 112 .

[0066] Furthermore, when each of the exhaust holes 114 is provided with a hydrophobic breathable membrane 400 , each of the hydrophobic breathable membranes 400 is connected as a whole, so as to facilitate the installation of the hydrophobic breathable membrane 400 .

[0067] In some embodiments, the hydrophobic breathable membrane 400 is mounted to the exhaust hole 114 in a manner including but not limited to laser welding, ultrasonic welding, double-sided adhesive bonding, and the like.

[0068] In some embodiments, the pore size of the pores in the hydrophobic breathable membrane 400 is 0.01-50 μm. Within this range, the gas in the exhaust channel 113 can be exhausted, and the liquid in the detection chamber 112 can be effectively prevented from leaking out and the external liquid to be tested from entering the detection chamber 112.

[0069] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 and Figure 2The base 100 includes a first shell 130 and a second shell 140; the detection channel 110 is formed by the first shell 130 and the second shell 140 being coupled and connected; the liquid inlet 200 is installed in the first shell 130 and / or the second shell 140. It can be understood that the detection channel 110 is formed by the first shell 130 and the second shell 140 being coupled and connected, so that it is convenient to clean the inside of the detection channel 110, so that the microfluidic device of the present invention can be reused.

[0070] Furthermore, the connection method between the first shell 130 and the second shell 140 includes but is not limited to ultrasonic welding, laser welding, double-sided adhesive bonding, etc.

[0071] Obviously, the embodiments described above are only some embodiments of the present application, rather than all embodiments. The preferred embodiments of the present application are given in the accompanying drawings, but they do not limit the patent scope of the present application. The present application can be implemented in many different forms. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosure of the present application more thorough and comprehensive. Although the present application is described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, for those skilled in the art, it is still possible to modify the technical solutions recorded in the aforementioned specific implementation methods, or to perform equivalent replacement of some of the technical features therein. Any equivalent structure made using the contents of the specification and drawings of this application, directly or indirectly used in other related technical fields, is similarly within the scope of patent protection of this application.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device, characterized in that: include: A substrate is provided with a plurality of detection channels; A liquid inlet component is disposed on the base body and is provided with a hollow liquid inlet channel; The liquid inlet channel is communicated with the detection channel and is used for allowing the liquid to be detected to enter each of the detection channels; The elastic pressing member is mounted on the liquid inlet member and seals one end of the liquid inlet channel away from the detection channel, and is used for driving the liquid to be detected in the liquid inlet channel to flow when under pressure.

2. The microfluidic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic pressing member has a mounting cavity at one end close to the liquid inlet channel; One end of the liquid inlet component close to the elastic pressing component is installed in the installation cavity.

3. The microfluidic device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic pressing member comprises a pressing portion and a mounting portion connected to each other, the pressing portion defines a first inner cavity, the mounting portion defines a second inner cavity, and the first inner cavity is in communication with the second inner cavity; Wherein, the installation cavity is the second inner cavity; or, The installation cavity is formed by enclosing the first inner cavity and the second inner cavity, and the inner end surface of the first inner cavity is spaced apart from an end of the liquid inlet member close to the elastic pressing member.

4. The microfluidic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of ​​the first inner cavity gradually increases in a direction approaching the second inner cavity; and / or, The shape of the second inner cavity matches the outer peripheral shape of one end of the liquid inlet member close to the elastic pressing member.

5. The microfluidic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pressing portion is made of elastic plastic; or, The pressing portion and the mounting portion are both made of elastic plastic.

6. The microfluidic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The elastic pressing member is detachably mounted on one end of the liquid inlet member close to the elastic pressing member; or, The elastic pressing piece is installed at one end of the liquid inlet piece close to the elastic pressing piece, and the elastic pressing piece has a cover plate. The elastic pressing piece is provided with a liquid inlet connected to the liquid inlet channel, and the cover plate is used to open or close the liquid inlet.

7. The microfluidic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The base body is also provided with a main channel communicating with the liquid inlet channel; Each of the detection channels comprises a shunt channel and a detection cavity opened in the substrate, and two ends of the shunt channel are respectively connected with the main channel and the detection cavity.

8. The microfluidic device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The detection cavities are sequentially staggered and arranged on the substrate; and / or, Each of the detection channels also includes an exhaust channel, and two ends of the exhaust channel are respectively connected to the detection cavity and the atmosphere.

9. The microfluidic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: Each of the detection channels also includes an exhaust hole, and two ends of the exhaust hole are respectively connected to the exhaust channel and the atmosphere; The microfluidic device further comprises a hydrophobic breathable membrane, and at least one of the exhaust holes is covered with a hydrophobic breathable membrane.

10. The microfluidic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The base includes a first shell and a second shell; The detection channel is formed by the first shell and the second shell being connected together; The liquid inlet component is installed on the first shell and / or the second shell.

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