Drainage device and micro-fluidic chip with same

Abstract

The utility model provides a liquid drainage device and a microfluidic chip with the same, the liquid drainage device is used for being arranged on a chip body, the chip body is provided with an electrode point position, the liquid drainage device comprises a liquid guide part, one end of the liquid guide part is arranged on the electrode point position so as to be in contact with liquid in the electrode point position, and the other end of the liquid guide part is provided with a liquid outlet; the other end of the liquid guide part is arranged in the recycling box, so that liquid in the electrode point position moves in the extending direction of the liquid guide part until the liquid is guided into the recycling box; wherein the liquid guide part is made of a hydrophilic and oleophobic material or a hydrophilic and oleophylic material. The problems that in the prior art, waste liquid on a micro-fluidic chip cannot be discharged in time, a reaction system is polluted, and the reaction efficiency is affected are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of waste liquid treatment of digital microfluidic chips, in particular to a liquid discharge device and a microfluidic chip having the same. Background Art

[0002] Digital microfluidics is a micro-droplet processing technology based on the principle of electrowetting. Specifically, by applying a potential through electrodes, microliter-sized droplets can be merged, mixed, distributed or separated on an electrode array coated with a hydrophobic layer, realizing "chip experiments" and "fluid processing functions."

[0003] At present, after the reagent reaction in the digital microfluidic chip, how to discharge the waste liquid from the system has always been an important problem that plagues the use of the chip. In the existing technology, electrodes are mainly used to control the transportation of waste liquid to a specific point, and waste liquid is absorbed by manual suction or machine extraction. In this process, it takes time for the electrode to drive the waste liquid to move, and the reaction may be suspended in the middle to discharge the waste liquid. For biological reactions with very strict time and temperature requirements, the above waste liquid discharge method will not only reduce the efficiency of the reaction, but also affect the overall experimental results. In addition, if the waste liquid is not discharged in time, it will also pollute the entire reaction system. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of the utility model is to provide a liquid discharge device and a microfluidic chip having the same, so as to solve the problem in the prior art that waste liquid on the microfluidic chip cannot be discharged in time, causing pollution to the reaction system and affecting the reaction efficiency.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to one aspect of the utility model, a liquid discharge device is provided, which is used to be arranged on a chip body, and electrode points are arranged on the chip body. The liquid discharge device includes: a liquid conducting component, one end of the liquid conducting component is arranged on the electrode point to contact with the liquid in the electrode point, and the other end of the liquid conducting component is arranged in a recovery box, so that the liquid in the electrode point moves along the extension direction of the liquid conducting component until it is diverted to the recovery box; wherein the liquid conducting component is made of hydrophilic and oleophobic material or hydrophilic and oleophilic material.

[0006] Furthermore, there are multiple electrode points, and the liquid conducting component includes: a liquid conducting branch body, a first end of the liquid conducting branch body is arranged at the electrode point and in contact with the liquid, there are multiple liquid conducting branch bodies, and the multiple liquid conducting branch bodies are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the multiple electrode points; a confluence body, the second end of each liquid conducting branch body is respectively connected to the confluence body, and the end of the confluence body away from the liquid conducting branch body is arranged in a recovery box.

[0007] Furthermore, the electrode points include a first electrode point and a second electrode point arranged side by side; the liquid conducting component includes: a first liquid conducting branch body, a first end of the first liquid conducting branch body is arranged in the first electrode point and in contact with the liquid, and a second end of the first liquid conducting branch body is arranged in a recovery box; a second liquid conducting branch body, a first end of the second liquid conducting branch body is arranged in the second electrode point and in contact with the liquid, and a second end of the second liquid conducting branch body is connected to the first liquid conducting branch body; wherein the first liquid conducting branch body and the second liquid conducting branch body are an integrally formed structure.

[0008] Furthermore, the liquid-conducting component includes: a first body and a second body connected to each other, the first body is arranged on the chip body, and the first body is in contact with the liquid; the first end of the second body is connected to the first body, and the second end of the second body is arranged in a recovery box; wherein, from the first end to the second end, the second body is gradually inclined so that the liquid moves under the action of its own gravity.

[0009] Furthermore, the liquid discharge device further comprises: a mounting groove, which is arranged on the chip body, the mounting groove is recessed relative to the surface of the chip body, and at least a part of the liquid guide component is embedded in the mounting groove.

[0010] Furthermore, a protective coating is provided on the groove wall surface of the installation groove, and at least a portion of the surface of the liquid-conducting component is in contact with the protective coating; wherein the protective coating is a hydrophobic coating or an oleophobic coating.

[0011] Furthermore, the chip body includes a chip surface and a chip bottom surface that are relatively arranged, and the electrode points and the liquid-conducting components are respectively arranged on the chip surface; the mounting groove includes: a first groove port and a second groove port that are relatively arranged, the first groove port is opposite to the electrode point, and the second groove port is located at the edge of the chip body, and from the first groove port to the second groove port, the mounting groove is inclined in a direction gradually approaching the chip bottom surface.

[0012] Furthermore, the liquid-conducting component is one or more of absorbent paper, absorbent cotton, non-woven fabric, sponge and linen.

[0013] Furthermore, the liquid discharge device further comprises: an adhesive layer, which is arranged on the chip body, and at least a part of the liquid guide component is bonded to the adhesive layer.

[0014] According to another aspect of the utility model, a microfluidic chip is provided, comprising a chip body and a liquid discharge device, at least a portion of the liquid discharge device is arranged on the chip body, and the liquid discharge device is the above-mentioned liquid discharge device.

[0015] The technical solution of the utility model is applied, and the liquid discharge device is used to be arranged on the chip body, and the chip body is provided with an electrode potential. The liquid discharge device includes a liquid guide component, one end of the liquid guide component is arranged on the electrode point to contact with the liquid in the electrode point, and the other end of the liquid guide component is arranged in the recovery box, so that the liquid in the electrode point moves along the extension direction of the liquid guide component until it is diverted to the recovery box; wherein, the liquid guide component is a hydrophilic and oleophobic material or a hydrophilic and oleophobic material. In the present application, the hydrophilic and oleophobic properties or hydrophilic and oleophobic properties of the liquid guide component are utilized, and when the liquid guide component contacts the liquid, the liquid is introduced into the liquid guide component, and then the liquid moves along the extension direction of the liquid guide component until it is diverted to the recovery box, and the liquid is collected and recovered, so that the liquid can be discharged from the chip body without pumping drive, which greatly reduces the labor cost consumed by the waste liquid treatment in the experiment, and the liquid discharge process will not interfere with the reaction process, which greatly improves the efficiency of the reaction unit, provides sufficient reaction space for the reaction reagent, and ensures the cleanliness of the reaction system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The drawings constituting part of the present application are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present invention. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a liquid discharge device according to the utility model is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a first embodiment of a liquid discharge device according to the utility model is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a second embodiment of a liquid discharge device according to the utility model is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 A first side view of the liquid discharge device according to the utility model is shown;

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a fourth embodiment of a liquid discharge device according to the utility model is shown;

[0022] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the mounting groove of the liquid discharge device according to the utility model is shown.

[0023] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0024] 1. Chip body; 10. Chip surface; 11. Chip bottom; 2. Electrode points; 21. First electrode points; 22. Second electrode points; 3. Liquid-conducting components; 30. Liquid-conducting branches; 31. Converging body; 32. First liquid-conducting branches; 33. Second liquid-conducting branches; 34. First body; 35. Second body; 4. Recovery box; 5. Mounting slot; 50. Slot wall; 51. Protective coating; 52. First slot port; 53. Second slot port; 6. Adhesive layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other. The present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6 The utility model provides a liquid discharge device, which is used to be arranged on a chip body 1, and an electrode point 2 is arranged on the chip body 1. The liquid discharge device includes: a liquid guiding component 3, one end of the liquid guiding component 3 is arranged on the electrode point 2 to contact with the liquid in the electrode point 2, and the other end of the liquid guiding component 3 is arranged in a recovery box 4, so that the liquid in the electrode point 2 moves along the extension direction of the liquid guiding component 3 until it is guided into the recovery box 4; wherein the liquid guiding component 3 is a hydrophilic and oleophobic material or a hydrophilic and oleophilic material.

[0027] The liquid discharge device provided by the utility model is used to be arranged on a chip body 1, and an electrode point 2 is arranged on the chip body 1. The liquid discharge device includes a liquid guiding component 3, one end of the liquid guiding component 3 is arranged on the electrode point 2 to contact with the liquid in the electrode point 2, and the other end of the liquid guiding component 3 is arranged in a recovery box 4, so that the liquid in the electrode point 2 moves along the extension direction of the liquid guiding component 3 until it is guided into the recovery box 4; wherein the liquid guiding component 3 is a hydrophilic and oleophobic material or a hydrophilic and oleophilic material. In the present application, the hydrophilic-oleophobic or hydrophilic-lipophilic properties of the liquid-conducting component 3 are utilized. When the liquid-conducting component 3 contacts the liquid, the liquid is introduced onto the liquid-conducting component 3. Then the liquid moves along the extension direction of the liquid-conducting component 3 until it is directed into the recovery box 4. The liquid is collected and recovered, and the liquid can be discharged from the chip body 1 without pumping drive, which greatly reduces the labor cost consumed for waste liquid treatment in the experiment. The drainage process will not interfere with the reaction process, which greatly improves the efficiency of the reaction unit, provides ample reaction space for the reaction reagents, and ensures the cleanliness of the reaction system.

[0028] It should be noted here that the hydrophilic and oleophobic materials have good adsorption function for water, but do not absorb oil, such as absorbent cotton or absorbent paper. During use, the difference in oil-water density can be used to make the hydrophilic and oleophobic materials only absorb water in the liquid; the hydrophilic and oleophobic materials have good adsorption function for both oil and water, such as linen and non-woven fabrics; according to the different actual reactions on the chip body 1 and the components of the waste liquid generated, the liquid guide components 3 of different materials are selected. It should be emphasized that the oil / water used in the reaction in the digital microfluidic system is adjusted according to the specific experimental conditions, so the tension of the oil / water actually used in the reaction is uncertain, so the different oil and water selections in different experiments affect the selection of waste liquid treatment materials. The oleophobic and hydrophilic materials are selected as much as possible, which greatly guarantees the absorption of waste liquid (aqueous solution) and the isolation of oil leakage. Before the waste liquid treatment, the waste liquid treatment material (liquid guide component) can be wetted with water in advance according to the specific situation, and the oil-water incompatibility is used to improve the oil drainage and water absorption of the material to prevent oil leakage.

[0029] Specifically, there are multiple electrode points 2, such as Figure 3 As shown, the liquid-conducting component 3 includes: a liquid-conducting branch body 30, the first end of which is arranged at the electrode point 2 and in contact with the liquid, and there are multiple liquid-conducting branch bodies 30, and the multiple liquid-conducting branch bodies 30 are arranged one-to-one with the multiple electrode points 2; a confluence fluid 31, the second end of each liquid-conducting branch body 30 is respectively connected to the confluence fluid 31, and the end of the confluence fluid 31 away from the liquid-conducting branch body 30 is arranged in the recovery box 4. During the reagent operation process, the chip body 1 is provided with multiple electrode points 2. During the chip reaction process, the electrode is used to drive the waste liquid to the waste liquid treatment place, and the waste liquid contacts the liquid-conducting branch body 30 and is absorbed, and then converges into the confluence fluid 31, and drips into the recovery box 4 through the confluence fluid 31 for collection. Preferably, the multiple electrode points 2 are arranged in a matrix structure, and the liquid-conducting branch bodies 30 between the electrode points 2 in the same column are connected in parallel, and then converge into the confluence fluid 31.

[0030] In the first embodiment provided by the present utility model, as Figure 2As shown, the electrode point 2 includes a first electrode point 21 and a second electrode point 22 arranged side by side; the liquid-conducting component 3 includes: a first liquid-conducting branch body 32, the first end of the first liquid-conducting branch body 32 is arranged in the first electrode point 2 and in contact with the liquid, and the second end of the first liquid-conducting branch body 32 is arranged in the recovery box 4; a second liquid-conducting branch body 33, the first end of the second liquid-conducting branch body 33 is arranged in the second electrode point 22 and in contact with the liquid, and the second end of the second liquid-conducting branch body 33 is connected to the first liquid-conducting branch body 32; wherein the first liquid-conducting branch body 32 and the second liquid-conducting branch body 33 are an integrally formed structure. In this embodiment, after the liquid in the second electrode point 22 contacts the second liquid-conducting branch body 33, it moves along the second liquid-conducting branch body 33 to the first liquid-conducting branch body 32 and merges with the liquid in the first liquid-conducting branch body 32, and then moves together to the recovery box 4. The first liquid guiding branch body 32 and the second liquid guiding branch body 33 are arranged as an integrally formed structure, so that the liquid in the second liquid guiding branch body 33 can converge more smoothly with the liquid in the first liquid guiding branch body 32, and no additional connecting components are required between the two, thereby avoiding the obstruction of the connecting components on the liquid flow.

[0031] In the specific implementation process, Figure 4 As shown, the liquid-conducting component 3 includes: a first body 34 and a second body 35 connected to each other, the first body 34 is arranged on the chip body 1, and the first body 34 is in contact with the liquid; the first end of the second body 35 is connected to the first body 34, and the second end of the second body 35 is arranged in the recovery box 4; wherein, from the first end to the second end, the second body 35 is gradually inclined so that the liquid moves under the action of its own gravity. wherein, the first body 34 is connected to each liquid-conducting branch body 30, and the second body 35 is inclined so that a liquid level difference is formed between the second body 35 and the first body 34, and under the action of the liquid level difference, the movement speed of the liquid is accelerated.

[0032] In order to make the arrangement of the liquid-conducting component 3 more stable, the liquid-discharging device further includes: an adhesive layer 6, which is arranged on the chip body 1, and at least part of the liquid-conducting component 3 is bonded to the adhesive layer 6. The liquid-conducting component 3 is attached to the surface of the chip body 1 through the adhesive layer 6, and the hydrophobicity and / or oleophobicity of the adhesive layer 6 are utilized to prevent the liquid in the liquid-conducting component 3 from adhering to the adhesive layer 6 and affecting the viscosity of the adhesive layer 6. Preferably, the adhesive layer 6 is a silicone material or acrylic glue, which has good adhesiveness and good waterproof performance.

[0033] In the second embodiment provided by the present utility model, Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the liquid discharge device further includes: a mounting groove 5, which is provided on the chip body 1, the mounting groove 5 is recessed relative to the surface of the chip body 1, and at least a portion of the liquid guide component 3 is embedded in the mounting groove 5. In this embodiment, by providing the mounting groove 5 on the chip body 1, the liquid guide component 3 is limited to prevent the liquid guide component 3 from moving on the chip body 1.

[0034] Furthermore, a protective coating 51 is provided on the groove wall 50 of the installation groove 5, and at least part of the surface of the liquid-conducting component 3 is in contact with the protective coating 51; wherein the protective coating 51 is a hydrophobic coating or an oleophobic coating. Preferably, the protective coating 51 is a silane coating or a nano-silicon dioxide coating.

[0035] In the specific implementation process, the chip body 1 includes a chip surface 10 and a chip bottom surface 11 that are arranged oppositely, and the electrode point 2 and the liquid guide component 3 are respectively arranged on the chip surface 10; the mounting groove 5 includes: a first groove port 52 and a second groove port 53 that are arranged oppositely, the first groove port 52 is opposite to the electrode point 2, and the second groove port 53 is located at the edge of the chip body 1, and the mounting groove 5 is inclined in a direction gradually approaching the chip bottom surface 11 from the first groove port 52 to the second groove port 53. In this arrangement, when the liquid guide component 3 is arranged in the mounting groove 5, it is inclined along the inclined direction of the mounting groove 5, and in the process of the liquid moving along the extension direction of the liquid guide component 3, under the action of gravity, the flow speed of the liquid can be accelerated.

[0036] In the present application, the liquid-conducting component 3 is one or more of absorbent paper, absorbent cotton, non-woven fabric, sponge and linen. When the liquid is water, the liquid-conducting component 3 is fully moistened before being arranged on the chip body 1, so as to prevent the silicone oil on the chip body 1 from infiltrating into the liquid-conducting component 3. Among them, the absorbent paper, absorbent cotton and sponge are hydrophilic and oleophobic materials, and the non-woven fabric and linen are hydrophilic and oleophilic materials.

[0037] The utility model further provides a microfluidic chip, comprising a chip body 1 and a liquid discharge device, at least part of which is arranged on the chip body 1, and the liquid discharge device is the liquid discharge device of the above embodiment.

[0038] Taking water as an example of liquid, the present application selects water-absorbing materials in microfluidic chips with or without oil, and utilizes the incompatibility principle of oil-water system and the liquid level difference to drive the reaction waste liquid in the water-absorbing material (liquid-conducting component 3) without pumping. The microfluidic chip solution can be selected according to the actual situation, and the optimal shape and structure of the water-absorbing material can be designed to realize the transfer of waste liquid in the reaction unit.

[0039] In actual application, firstly, waste liquid treatment structures of different shapes and sizes are designed for the specific microfluidic chip selected, and the liquid guiding component is cut according to the designed shape. Then, the liquid guiding component 3 is assembled with the chip body 1, and the liquid guiding component 3 is fully moistened before use. During the chip reaction process, the electrode is used to drive the waste liquid to the waste liquid treatment outlet, and the droplets are absorbed by contacting the structure and are pumped to the waste liquid tank through the liquid level difference without external force, thereby realizing the rapid transfer of the waste liquid.

[0040] From the above description, it can be seen that the above embodiments of the utility model achieve the following technical effects:

[0041] The liquid discharge device provided by the utility model is used to be arranged on a chip body 1, and an electrode point 2 is arranged on the chip body 1. The liquid discharge device includes a liquid guiding component 3, one end of the liquid guiding component 3 is arranged on the electrode point 2 to contact with the liquid in the electrode point 2, and the other end of the liquid guiding component 3 is arranged in a recovery box 4, so that the liquid in the electrode point 2 moves along the extension direction of the liquid guiding component 3 until it is guided into the recovery box 4; wherein the liquid guiding component 3 is a hydrophilic and oleophobic material or a hydrophilic and oleophilic material. In the present application, the hydrophilic-oleophobic or hydrophilic-lipophilic properties of the liquid-conducting component 3 are utilized. When the liquid-conducting component 3 contacts the liquid, the liquid is introduced onto the liquid-conducting component 3. Then the liquid moves along the extension direction of the liquid-conducting component 3 until it is directed into the recovery box 4. The liquid is collected and recovered, and the liquid can be discharged from the chip body 1 without pumping drive, which greatly reduces the labor cost consumed for waste liquid treatment in the experiment. The drainage process will not interfere with the reaction process, which greatly improves the efficiency of the reaction unit, provides ample reaction space for the reaction reagents, and ensures the cleanliness of the reaction system.

[0042] The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the utility model, and is not intended to limit the utility model. For those skilled in the art, the utility model can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the utility model shall be included in the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A liquid discharge device, used to be arranged on a chip body (1), wherein the chip body (1) is provided with electrode points (2), characterized in that: The liquid discharge device comprises: a liquid guiding component (3), one end of the liquid guiding component (3) being arranged on the electrode point (2) so as to contact the liquid in the electrode point (2), and the other end of the liquid guiding component (3) being arranged in a recovery box (4) so ​​as to move the liquid in the electrode point (2) along the extension direction of the liquid guiding component (3) until the liquid is guided into the recovery box (4); Wherein, the liquid-conducting component (3) is made of a hydrophilic and oleophobic material or a hydrophilic and oleophilic material.

2. The liquid discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode points (2) are multiple, and the liquid-conducting component (3) comprises: a liquid-conducting branch body (30), wherein a first end of the liquid-conducting branch body (30) is arranged at the electrode point (2) and in contact with the liquid, and the liquid-conducting branch body (30) is multiple, and the multiple liquid-conducting branch bodies (30) are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the multiple electrode points (2); A confluence body (31), the second end of each of the liquid-conducting branch bodies (30) is respectively connected to the confluence body (31), and one end of the confluence body (31) away from the liquid-conducting branch body (30) is arranged in the recovery box (4).

3. The liquid discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode points (2) include a first electrode point (21) and a second electrode point (22) arranged side by side; The liquid-conducting component (3) comprises: a first liquid-conducting branch body (32), wherein a first end of the first liquid-conducting branch body (32) is arranged in the first electrode point (21) and in contact with the liquid, and a second end of the first liquid-conducting branch body (32) is arranged in the recovery box (4); a second liquid-conducting branch body (33), wherein a first end of the second liquid-conducting branch body (33) is arranged in the second electrode point (22) and in contact with the liquid, and a second end of the second liquid-conducting branch body (33) is connected to the first liquid-conducting branch body (32); Wherein, the first liquid-conducting branch body (32) and the second liquid-conducting branch body (33) are an integrally formed structure.

4. The liquid discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid-conducting component (3) comprises: a first body (34) and a second body (35) connected to each other, wherein the first body (34) is arranged on the chip body (1), and the first body (34) is in contact with the liquid; The first end of the second body (35) is connected to the first body (34), and the second end of the second body (35) is arranged in the recovery box (4); Wherein, the second body (35) is gradually inclined from the first end to the second end, so that the liquid moves under the action of its own gravity.

5. The liquid discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid discharge device also includes: The mounting groove (5) is arranged on the chip body (1); the mounting groove (5) is recessed relative to the surface of the chip body (1); and at least a portion of the liquid guide component (3) is embedded in the mounting groove (5).

6. The liquid discharge device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A protective coating (51) is provided on the groove wall surface (50) of the installation groove (5), and at least part of the surface of the liquid-conducting component (3) is in contact with the protective coating (51); Wherein, the protective coating (51) is a hydrophobic coating or an oleophobic coating.

7. The liquid discharge device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The chip body (1) comprises a chip surface (10) and a chip bottom surface (11) arranged opposite to each other, the electrode points (2) and the liquid guide component (3) are respectively arranged on the chip surface (10); the mounting groove (5) comprises: A first slot port (52) and a second slot port (53) are arranged opposite to each other, wherein the first slot port (52) is opposite to the electrode point (2), and the second slot port (53) is located at the edge of the chip body (1), and in the direction from the first slot port (52) to the second slot port (53), the mounting slot (5) is inclined in a direction gradually approaching the chip bottom surface (11).

8. The liquid discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid-conducting component (3) is one or more of absorbent paper, absorbent cotton, non-woven fabric, sponge and linen.

9. The liquid discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid discharge device also includes: An adhesive layer (6) is arranged on the chip body (1), and at least a portion of the liquid-conducting component (3) is bonded to the adhesive layer (6).

10. A microfluidic chip, comprising a chip body (1) and a liquid discharge device, wherein at least part of the liquid discharge device is arranged on the chip body (1), characterized in that: The liquid discharge device is the liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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