Micro-fluidic chip and micro-fluidic system

Abstract

The utility model provides a micro-fluidic chip and a micro-fluidic system, a micron-sized main channel is arranged in the micro-fluidic chip, and a sample to be detected is introduced into a generation area of the main channel to form a large number of micro-droplets. The micro-droplets serve as a reaction container to react with tyrosine and tyrosinase which are guided into the reaction area of the main channel, and finally absorbance testing can be conducted on the micro-droplets in the detection area of the main channel. The micro-droplets are small in volume, have high surface area to volume ratio, and can form a reaction container for efficient reaction. The microfluidic system can rapidly and accurately measure to-be-detected samples with different concentrations, and has the advantages of low reagent consumption, energy conservation, environmental protection, small required detection space, large-scale parallel operation and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of compound detection, and in particular relates to a microfluidic chip and a microfluidic system. Background Art

[0002] Nowadays, more and more cosmetics with special effects appear in people's lives. With the widespread application of cosmetics in life and the continuous introduction of relevant laws and regulations, the efficacy of cosmetics and whether their efficacy has sufficient scientific basis are getting more and more attention.

[0003] The detection technology for the functional ingredients of cosmetics has become an extremely important link in the cosmetics industry chain. Taking whitening functional cosmetics as an example, in addition to the functional ingredients such as niacinamide and arbutin that have been launched on the market, there are more ingredients, such as ingredients extracted from specific animals and plants, or chemically synthesized organic derivatives, biosynthesized proteins, amino acids, etc., whose whitening effects need to be detected, analyzed and evaluated, and need to be screened and finally applied to whitening cosmetics. With the deepening of research and the development of extraction and synthesis technology, there will be more and more ingredients to be detected, evaluated and screened. Therefore, in the research and development of cosmetics, higher requirements are put forward for the testing, evaluation and screening of the specific effects of natural products or synthetic compounds used in cosmetics. The ability, efficiency and cost of the detection method directly affect the subsequent research and development and production process of functional cosmetics.

[0004] However, traditional methods have limitations when dealing with an increasing number of samples to be tested, and usually require high costs and a long time period. When faced with a larger number of samples to be tested in the form of "chemical libraries", the detection capabilities and efficiency of mainstream mature detection methods are still relatively weak, and the detection costs are high, and there is a great demand for high-end and expensive equipment. In summary, considering the limitations of the current whitening efficacy ingredient detection methods in the cosmetics research and development process, it is urgent to develop a detection device and detection method that can break through the limits, quickly, efficiently and accurately detect the ingredients of a large number of samples to be tested. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a microfluidic chip and a microfluidic system, aiming to solve the problems of low detection efficiency and high detection cost of compounds in related technologies.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the first aspect of the utility model provides a microfluidic chip, comprising: a substrate, a main channel and a detection device;

[0007] The main channel is arranged on the substrate, and the main channel comprises a generation area, a reaction area and a detection area which are connected in sequence;

[0008] The generation area is connected to a plurality of liquid inlet channels, at least one of the liquid inlet channels is provided with a sample inlet for injecting the sample into the generation area;

[0009] The reaction zone is connected to a plurality of injection channels, each of which is used to inject tyrosine and tyrosinase respectively, and the sample to be tested, the tyrosine and the tyrosinase can flow to the detection zone after mixed reaction in the reaction zone;

[0010] The detection area is provided with a sample outlet;

[0011] The detection device is used to detect the absorbance of the micro-droplets flowing through the detection area.

[0012] Further, the generation area includes a first generation channel and a second generation channel;

[0013] At least part of the liquid inlet channels are respectively provided with a water phase inlet and an oil phase inlet, wherein the water phase inlet and the oil phase inlet are respectively used to inject a water phase buffer solution and an oil phase liquid;

[0014] The first end of the first generation channel is connected to the water phase inlet and the sample inlet, and the second end of the first generation channel is connected to the oil phase inlet and the second generation channel.

[0015] Further, a cross-sectional area of ​​the first generation channel is smaller than a cross-sectional area of ​​the second generation channel.

[0016] Furthermore, the microfluidic chip also includes a microelectrode channel, which can form an electric field in the reaction zone, and the electric field is used to provide an electric field force for the tyrosine and the tyrosinase to be injected into the reaction zone.

[0017] Furthermore, the microelectrode channel includes a ground port and a voltage signal port, the microelectrode channel is filled with conductive material, and each of the ground port and the voltage signal port is used to be electrically connected to a voltage amplifier.

[0018] Furthermore, the reaction zone also includes a curved channel, and the injection channel for injecting the tyrosine, the injection channel for injecting the tyrosinase, and the curved channel are sequentially arranged along the flow direction of the microdroplets in the microfluidic chip.

[0019] Further, the detection device includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber;

[0020] The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are arranged on the substrate, the first optical fiber is used to connect to a light source to output test light, the test light passes through the detection area in one direction, and the second optical fiber is used to receive the test light after passing through the detection area and is connected to a light detector.

[0021] Furthermore, the detection device includes two micro-optical fiber channels, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the detection area, and the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are respectively fixed in each of the micro-optical fiber channels.

[0022] Furthermore, each of the micro-optical fiber channels includes a main optical fiber channel and at least one auxiliary channel, wherein the main optical fiber channels corresponding to the two micro-optical fiber channels are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the detection area, and the auxiliary channels are connected to the corresponding main optical fiber channels. The auxiliary channels are filled with polymers, and the polymers abut and fix the first optical fiber / the second optical fiber.

[0023] The second aspect of the utility model discloses a microfluidic system, comprising: a control device, a liquid pumping device, a voltage amplifier, a light source, a light detector and the microfluidic chip as described above;

[0024] The control device is connected to the liquid pumping device, the voltage amplifier, the light source and the light detector;

[0025] The liquid pumping device is connected to a plurality of liquid inlet channels and injection channels of the microfluidic chip, and is used to pump the sample to be tested, the aqueous buffer solution and the oil phase liquid into each of the liquid inlet channels, and is also used to pump tyrosine and tyrosinase into each of the injection channels;

[0026] The voltage amplifier is electrically connected to the voltage signal port and the ground port of the microelectrode channel;

[0027] The light source is connected to a first optical fiber of the microfluidic chip, and the light source is used to output a test light to the first optical fiber, and the test light passes through a detection area of ​​the microfluidic chip in one direction;

[0028] The light detector is connected to a second optical fiber of the microfluidic chip, the second optical fiber receives the test light after passing through the detection area, and the light detector is used to detect the absorbance of the microdroplets flowing through the detection area.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the microfluidic chip, microfluidic system and compound detection method based on the microfluidic system in the utility model have the following beneficial effects:

[0030] The microfluidic chip is equipped with a micron-scale main channel. After the sample to be tested is introduced into the generation area of ​​the main channel, a large number of microdroplets are formed. The microdroplets act as reaction vessels and react with tyrosine and tyrosinase introduced into the reaction area of ​​the main channel. Finally, the absorbance of the microdroplets can be tested in the detection area of ​​the main channel.

[0031] Microdroplets are small in size and have a high surface area to volume ratio, which can form a reaction vessel for efficient reaction. By controlling the flow rate of liquid pumping into each inlet channel and injection channel of the microfluidic chip, it is possible to quickly and accurately measure samples of different concentrations to be tested. The whole process is highly automated, reducing manual intervention and enabling batch test results. In addition, the microfluidic chip consumes less reagents, is energy-saving and environmentally friendly, requires less detection space, and can operate multiple microfluidic chips in parallel on a large scale. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the microfluidic chip in the embodiment of the utility model;

[0033] Figure 2 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip in the embodiment of the utility model;

[0034] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The enlarged view at 20a in the middle;

[0035] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The enlarged view of position 20b;

[0036] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 The enlarged view at 20c in the middle;

[0037] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a microfluidic system in an embodiment of the utility model.

[0038] In the accompanying drawings, each reference numeral represents:

[0039] 1. Microfluidic chip; 2. Liquid pumping device; 3. Voltage amplifier; 4. Light source; 5. Photodetector; 6. Automatic sampling device; 7. Waste liquid collection device;

[0040] 10. Base;

[0041] 20, main channel; 20a, generation area; 20b, reaction area; 20c, detection area; 210, liquid inlet channel; 211, water phase inlet; 212, sample inlet; 213, oil phase inlet; 220, injection channel; 230, sample outlet; 241, first generation channel; 242, second generation channel;

[0042] 30, microelectrode channel; 310, ground port; 320, voltage signal port;

[0043] 40, micro optical fiber channel; 410, optical fiber main channel; 420, auxiliary channel; 430, first optical fiber; 440, second optical fiber;

[0044] 50. Curved channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The in vitro whitening efficacy test method is a method used to evaluate the efficacy of whitening cosmetics or whitening products. Among them, the tyrosinase test method is one of the commonly used detection methods. The traditional tyrosinase test method usually includes the following steps:

[0046] Prepare samples: Prepare the sample to be tested into a solution of standard concentration;

[0047] Tyrosinase reaction: tyrosinase and tyrosine are added to the sample to be tested, allowing them to react under certain conditions;

[0048] Determine the reaction product: By determining the amount of the reaction product or the change in tyrosinase activity, the effect of the test sample on tyrosinase is evaluated, thereby indirectly evaluating the efficacy of the test sample.

[0049] In the related art, the equipment for the above-mentioned tyrosinase test method is complicated, usually requiring a spectrophotometer, a test tube, a microplate, a constant temperature device, a pipette and other equipment. The test method requires manual operation of multiple steps and precise reagent configuration. The reaction time during the test is long, and the price of tyrosinase and tyrosine substrate reagents is expensive and the cost is high. Due to the above limitations, in order to improve the detection accuracy and efficiency of the efficacy of whitening cosmetics or whitening products, it is urgent to design a detection device and detection method that breaks through the limits of related technologies, is more efficient and can more accurately detect the samples to be tested.

[0050] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the utility model more clear, the utility model is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here are only used to explain the utility model and are not used to limit the utility model.

[0051] Example:

[0052] See also Figures 1 to 6 In this embodiment, a first aspect provides a microfluidic chip 1, comprising: a substrate 10, a main channel 20 and a detection device;

[0053] The main channel 20 is disposed on the substrate 10, and the main channel 20 includes a generation area 20a, a reaction area 20b and a detection area 20c which are connected in sequence;

[0054] The generation area 20a is connected to a plurality of liquid inlet channels 210, at least one of the liquid inlet channels 210 is provided with a sample inlet 212 for injecting the sample into the generation area 20a;

[0055] The reaction area 20b is connected to a plurality of injection channels 220, each of which is used to inject tyrosine and tyrosinase respectively. The sample to be tested, tyrosine and tyrosinase can be mixed and reacted in the reaction area 20b and then flow to the detection area 20c;

[0056] The detection area 20c is provided with a sample outlet 230;

[0057] The detection device is used to detect the absorbance of the micro-droplets flowing through the detection area 20c.

[0058] In this embodiment, a micron-scale main channel 20 is provided in the microfluidic chip 1, and a large number of microdroplets are formed after the sample to be tested is introduced into the generation area 20a of the main channel 20. The microdroplets, as reaction containers, react with tyrosine and tyrosinase introduced into the reaction area 20b of the main channel 20, and finally the absorbance test of the microdroplets can be performed in the detection area 20c of the main channel 20, and finally the microdroplets are discharged from the sample outlet 230 of the detection area 20c.

[0059] In this way, the detection steps of the traditional tyrosinase test method are highly integrated on the microfluidic chip 1. The microdroplets in the microfluidic chip 1 are small in size and have a high surface area to volume ratio, which can form a reaction container for efficient reaction, with low reagent consumption, energy saving and environmental protection, and small detection space required. By controlling the liquid pumping flow rate of each liquid inlet channel 210 and injection channel 220 of the microfluidic chip 1, samples of different concentrations can be measured quickly and accurately. The whole process is highly automated, reducing manual intervention, and can obtain test results in batches and can be operated in parallel on a large scale.

[0060] In this embodiment, preferably, the substrate 10 includes two bonded transparent substrates, and the substrate 10 can be formed by bonding any one or more transparent substrates selected from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), quartz glass, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polycarbonate (PC). The main channel 20 is formed on a transparent substrate by photolithography / hot stamping and other processes. The size of the main channel 20 is micrometer-level, and the cross section of the detection area 20c of the main channel 20 perpendicular to the extension direction is rectangular to ensure that the detection device can smoothly test the absorbance of the micro-droplet. It can be understood that this embodiment does not limit the cross-sectional shape of the part other than the detection area 20c of the main channel 20.

[0061] Further, the generation area 20a includes a first generation channel 241 and a second generation channel 242;

[0062] At least part of the liquid inlet channel 210 is provided with a water phase inlet 211 and an oil phase inlet 213, respectively, and the water phase inlet 211 and the oil phase inlet 213 are used to inject a water phase buffer solution and an oil phase liquid respectively;

[0063] The first end of the first generation channel 241 is connected to the water phase inlet 211 and the sample inlet 212 , and the second end of the first generation channel 241 is connected to the oil phase inlet 213 and the second generation channel 242 .

[0064] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the first end of the first generation channel 241 is the intersection of the aqueous buffer solution and the sample to be tested in the main flow channel. The concentration of the sample to be tested can be adjusted by controlling the flow rate of the aqueous buffer solution and the sample to be tested pumped into the first generation channel 241.

[0065] The second end of the first generation channel 241 is the intersection of the sample solution after the concentration is adjusted and the oil phase liquid. The sample solution after the concentration is adjusted serves as the dispersed phase, and the oil phase liquid serves as the continuous phase. After the sample solution and the oil phase liquid meet, the sample solution will be divided into tiny droplets and surrounded by the oil phase liquid, that is, at the second generation channel 242 connected to the second end of the first generation channel 241, the sample solution after the concentration is adjusted and the oil phase liquid form micro droplets.

[0066] Therefore, in this embodiment, the oil phase liquid can encapsulate the sample solutions of different concentrations, and the multiple micro-droplets formed by the microfluidic chip 1 can be effectively isolated without cross contamination. A single micro-droplet is equivalent to a micro-scale reaction container, with fast transmission speed and reaction speed, which can achieve high-throughput realization and analysis, and save the sample to be tested and other experimental solvents.

[0067] Preferably, in this embodiment, the liquid inlet channels 210 with the oil phase inlet 213 include at least two, and the multiple liquid inlet channels 210 with the oil phase inlet 213 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first generation channel 241. In this way, the oil phase liquid can evenly wrap the sample solution to be tested.

[0068] Preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the liquid inlet channel 210 with the water phase inlet 211 and the liquid inlet channel 210 with the sample inlet 212 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the intersection with the first end of the first generation channel 241. Such an arrangement can ensure that the water phase buffer and the sample to be tested have a more uniform speed and flow state when they intersect, which is conducive to accurately controlling the concentration of the sample solution to be tested and making the size of the microdroplets more controllable.

[0069] It is understandable that in other embodiments, the number, cross-sectional shape, size and geometric structure of each liquid inlet channel 210 are not limited, and those skilled in the art can obtain the desired liquid inlet flow rate and droplet size by reasonably designing the structure of the liquid inlet channel 210.

[0070] Further, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first generation channel 241 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second generation channel 242 .

[0071] like Figure 3 As shown, the smaller cross-sectional area of ​​the first generation channel 241 can help the sample solution to be tested to have a more uniform speed and flow state during subsequent diffusion or intersection, which is conducive to generating micro-droplets of uniform size.

[0072] Preferably, the width of the second generation channel 242 is 100-200 μm, and the width of the first generation channel 241 is 60-80 μm.

[0073] Furthermore, the microfluidic chip 1 further comprises a microelectrode channel 30, which can form an electric field in the reaction area 20b, and the electric field is used to provide an electric field force for tyrosine and tyrosinase to be injected into the reaction area 20b.

[0074] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the microelectrode channel 30 includes a ground port 310 and a voltage signal port 320 , and the microelectrode channel 30 is filled with conductive material. Each ground port 310 and voltage signal port 320 is used to be electrically connected to the voltage amplifier 3 .

[0075] Specifically, the microelectrode channel 30 includes two voltage signal ports 320 and two ground ports 310 respectively arranged corresponding to the two voltage signal ports 320. The two pairs of voltage signal ports 320 and ground ports 310 arranged correspondingly can form two electric fields, and the two electric fields are used to provide electric field forces for tyrosine and tyrosinase to be injected into the reaction area 20b respectively, so as to control the injection rates of tyrosine and tyrosinase respectively.

[0076] Furthermore, if Figure 2 and 4 As shown, the reaction zone 20b also includes a curved channel 50, and an injection channel 220 for injecting tyrosine, an injection channel 220 for injecting tyrosinase, and the curved channel 50 are arranged in sequence along the flow direction of the fluid in the microfluidic chip 1, that is, the curved channel 50 is arranged at one end of the reaction zone 20b close to the detection zone 20c, and the injection channel 220 is arranged at one end of the reaction zone 20b close to the generation zone 20a.

[0077] The curved channel 50 can help the multiple components inside the micro-droplet to be better mixed and dispersed, thereby promoting the contact and reaction between the sample to be tested, tyrosine and tyrosinase, increasing the contact area and improving the reaction rate.

[0078] Furthermore, since the size of the microfluidic chip 1 is usually in the millimeter level, the flow path of the reaction zone 20b of the microfluidic chip 1 is usually short, and the reaction time of the microdroplets in the reaction zone 20b is correspondingly short. When the area of ​​the reaction zone 20b is determined, the curved channel 50 can extend the flow path of the microdroplets and extend the residence time of the microdroplets in the reaction zone 20b, which is beneficial to improving the fullness of the reaction and further improving the accuracy of the detection.

[0079] The curved channel 50 can also appropriately slow down the flow rate of the micro-droplets, which helps to reduce the breakage of the micro-droplets and improves the reliability of the detection.

[0080] Preferably, the curved channel 50 is in a periodic oscillating waveform or a round shape. The amplitudes and frequencies of the curved channel 50 may be equal. In other embodiments, the amplitudes and frequencies of the curved channel 50 may be different, and the curved channel 50 may also be a non-periodically curved channel.

[0081] Preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the connection between the injection channel 220 and the reaction zone 20 b of the main channel 20 is smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the injection channel 220 and the main channel 20 .

[0082] On the projection plane perpendicular to the surface direction of the substrate 10, the dimension perpendicular to the extension direction of the main channel 20, the injection channel 220 and the liquid inlet channel 210 is defined as the width. The width of the connection between the injection channel 220 and the reaction zone 20b of the main channel 20 is 10% to 25% of the width of the injection channel 220 or the main channel 20. Specifically, in this embodiment, the width of the connection between the injection channel and the reaction zone 20b of the main channel 20 is 15μm, the width of the injection channel 220 is 60μm, and the width of the reaction zone 20b of the main channel 20 is 100μm.

[0083] In this arrangement, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the connection between the injection channel 220 and the reaction zone 20b of the main channel 20 is small, a contraction structure is formed between the injection channel 220 and the main channel 20, and this contraction structure causes the interface between the injection reagent injected from the injection channel 220 and the oil phase to have a high curvature, that is, the interface between tyrosine / tyrosinase and the oil phase liquid of the microdroplet has a high curvature, forming a pressure difference, and under the action of the electric field force, the interface instability between the oil and water phases is increased, so that tyrosine or tyrosinase is accurately injected into the microdroplet. In addition, it can also effectively prevent the mixing and cross-contamination of fluids in different channels when no injection pressure is provided to tyrosine or tyrosinase.

[0084] Furthermore, if Figure 5 As shown, the detection device includes a first optical fiber 430 and a second optical fiber 440;

[0085] The first optical fiber 430 and the second optical fiber 440 are arranged on the substrate 10. The first optical fiber 430 is used to connect to the light source 4 to output the test light, and the test light passes through the detection area 20c along one direction. The second optical fiber 440 is used to receive the test light after passing through the detection area 20c and connect to the light detector 5.

[0086] In the traditional tyrosinase test method, the sample to be tested is sampled and the absorbance of the liquid is measured by a spectrophotometer, and the sampling process is complicated.

[0087] In this embodiment, the first optical fiber 430 and the second optical fiber 440 are used to connect the light source 4 and the light detector 5 respectively. The optical signal of the test light is transmitted through the first optical fiber 430 and the second optical fiber 440, and the optical fiber structure is integrated into the microfluidic chip 1, which simplifies the structure of the detection equipment, can reduce the size of the detection equipment, and can also realize online detection, which can meet the needs of rapid detection.

[0088] Furthermore, if Figure 5 As shown, the detection device includes two micro optical fiber channels 40 , which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the detection area 20 c , and the first optical fiber 430 and the second optical fiber 440 are fixed in each micro optical fiber channel 40 .

[0089] Two micro optical fiber channels 40 are defined on the substrate 10 , and the first optical fiber 430 and the second optical fiber 440 can be fixedly disposed in the corresponding micro optical fiber channels 40 .

[0090] Since the two micro-optical fiber channels 40 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the detection area 20c, when the micro-droplet passes between the first optical fiber 430 and the second optical fiber 440, the test light transmitted by the first optical fiber 430 passes through the micro-droplet, and the second optical fiber 440 receives the test light that passes through the micro-droplet. The light detector 5 connected to the second optical fiber 440 can detect the degree of absorption or transmission of the test light after passing through the micro-droplet, thereby realizing rapid detection of the components of the sample to be tested.

[0091] Furthermore, if Figure 5 As shown, each micro-fiber channel 40 includes a main fiber channel 410 and at least one auxiliary channel 420, wherein the main fiber channels 410 corresponding to the two micro-fiber channels 40 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the detection area 20c, and the auxiliary channels 420 are connected to the corresponding main fiber channels 410, and the auxiliary channels 420 are filled with polymers, which abut against and fix the first optical fiber 430 / the second optical fiber 440. Compared with designing and processing a structure for fixing the first optical fiber 430 / the second optical fiber 440 in the micro-fiber channel 40, the structure cost of designing the connected main fiber channel 410 and the auxiliary channel 420 is lower.

[0092] In this embodiment, the auxiliary channel 420 is arranged at an angle with the main optical fiber channel 410, and the two micro optical fiber channels 40 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the detection area 20c. It can be understood that there can be multiple auxiliary channels 420, and it is not limited to only one auxiliary channel 420 in this embodiment.

[0093] See also Figures 1 to 6 , this embodiment also provides a microfluidic system, including: a control device (not shown in the figure), a liquid pumping device 2, a voltage amplifier 3, a light source 4, a light detector 5 and the microfluidic chip 1 as described above;

[0094] The control device is connected to the liquid pumping device 2, the voltage amplifier 3, the light source 4 and the light detector 5;

[0095] The liquid pumping device 2 is connected to the multiple liquid inlet channels 210 and the injection channels 220 of the microfluidic chip 1. The liquid pumping device 2 is used to pump the sample to be tested, the aqueous buffer solution and the oil phase liquid into each liquid inlet channel 210 respectively. The liquid pumping device 2 is also used to pump tyrosine and tyrosinase into each injection channel 220 respectively.

[0096] The voltage amplifier 3 is electrically connected to the voltage signal port 320 and the ground port 310 of the microelectrode channel 30;

[0097] The light source 4 is connected to the first optical fiber 430 of the microfluidic chip 1, and the light source 4 is used to output test light to the first optical fiber 430, and the test light passes through the detection area 20c of the microfluidic chip 1 along one direction;

[0098] The light detector 5 is connected to the second optical fiber 440 of the microfluidic chip 1 . The second optical fiber 440 receives the test light after passing through the detection area 20 c . The light detector 5 is used to detect the absorbance of the micro-droplets flowing through the detection area 20 c .

[0099] The microfluidic system in this embodiment connects various components through a control device, realizes highly automated operation, the liquid pumping device 2 can accurately control the pumping of the sample to be tested, the aqueous buffer and the oil phase liquid, the voltage amplifier 3 can ensure the accuracy of tyrosine and tyrosinase injection into the micro droplets, and the light source 4, the light detection, and the detection device composed of the first optical fiber 430 and the second optical fiber 440 can provide real-time optical detection. In addition, compared with the traditional optical detection method of the sample to be tested, in this embodiment, the light source 4 outputs the test light to the microfluidic chip 1 through the first optical fiber 430, and the light detector 5 receives the test light passing through the detection area 20c through the second optical fiber 440, and can detect the absorbance of the micro droplets in real time. This optical detection method has the characteristics of high sensitivity and rapid response, and can realize real-time monitoring of the internal reaction of the micro droplets.

[0100] Since the liquid pumping device 2 is connected to the multiple liquid inlet channels 210 and injection channels 220 of the microfluidic chip 1, multiple samples or reactants can be processed simultaneously to achieve fast and efficient multi-channel operation. And through the precise control of the liquid pumping device 2 and the high sensitivity of the light detector 5, the system has high precision and repeatability, can perform accurate experimental measurements, and obtain reliable results.

[0101] In addition, due to the microstructure of the microfluidic chip 1, the system can perform experimental operations on trace amounts of samples, greatly reducing the consumption of samples to be tested and other reagents, and reducing detection costs.

[0102] Preferably, the light source 4 uses an ultraviolet-visible light source 4 .

[0103] Preferably, the microfluidic system further comprises a thermostat (not shown in the figure), on which the microfluidic chip 1 is placed, and the thermostat is used to provide a constant temperature for the microfluidic chip 1 .

[0104] Preferably, if Figure 6 As shown, the liquid pumping device 2 includes a plurality of liquid pumps, each of which is connected to each liquid inlet channel 210 and injection channel 220 of the microfluidic chip 1 in a one-to-one correspondence;

[0105] The microfluidic system further comprises an automatic sample injection device 6 , which is connected to the liquid inlet channel 210 for pumping in the sample to be tested; the automatic sample injection device 6 is used for switching and automatically adding the sample to be tested.

[0106] Multiple liquid pumps can achieve separate control of aqueous buffer, test samples, oil phase liquid, tyrosine, tyrosinase and other reagents. Different pumping pressures are provided by controlling different liquid pumps. For example, by adjusting the pumping pressures of the aqueous buffer and the test sample, the concentration of the test sample solution formed by the test sample and the aqueous buffer can be changed. Through the overall regulation of the control device, multiple microdroplets can have a continuous concentration gradient in turn, and the concentration gradient detection data of the input sample to be tested can be obtained in one operation, which is extremely efficient.

[0107] Preferably, the microfluidic system further comprises a waste liquid collecting device 7 , and the waste liquid collecting device 7 is connected to the sample outlet 230 of the detection area 20 c of the microfluidic chip 1 .

[0108] In addition, the light detector 5 can be an optical detection instrument such as a spectrometer or a spectrometer, which is not limited here.

[0109] It should be noted that the various embodiments in the present application are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0110] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A microfluidic chip, characterized in that: include: substrate, main channel and detection device; The main channel is arranged on the substrate, and the main channel comprises a generation area, a reaction area and a detection area which are connected in sequence; The generation area is connected to a plurality of liquid inlet channels, at least one of the liquid inlet channels is provided with a sample inlet for injecting the sample into the generation area; The reaction zone is connected to a plurality of injection channels, each of which is used to inject tyrosine and tyrosinase respectively, and the sample to be tested, the tyrosine and the tyrosinase can flow to the detection zone after mixed reaction in the reaction zone; The detection area is provided with a sample outlet; The detection device is used to detect the absorbance of the micro-droplets flowing through the detection area.

2. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The generation area includes a first generation channel and a second generation channel; At least part of the liquid inlet channels are respectively provided with a water phase inlet and an oil phase inlet, wherein the water phase inlet and the oil phase inlet are respectively used to inject a water phase buffer solution and an oil phase liquid; The first end of the first generation channel is connected to the water phase inlet and the sample inlet, and the second end of the first generation channel is connected to the oil phase inlet and the second generation channel.

3. The microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of ​​the first generation channel is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second generation channel.

4. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip further comprises a microelectrode channel, which can form an electric field in the reaction zone, and the electric field is used to provide an electric field force for the tyrosine and the tyrosinase to be injected into the reaction zone.

5. The microfluidic chip according to claim 4, characterized in that: The microelectrode channel comprises a ground port and a voltage signal port. The microelectrode channel is filled with conductive material. Each of the ground port and the voltage signal port is used to be electrically connected to a voltage amplifier.

6. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reaction zone further comprises a curved channel, wherein the injection channel for injecting the tyrosine, the injection channel for injecting the tyrosinase and the curved channel are sequentially arranged along the flow direction of the micro-droplets in the microfluidic chip.

7. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection device comprises a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber; The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are arranged on the substrate, the first optical fiber is used to connect to a light source to output test light, the test light passes through the detection area in one direction, and the second optical fiber is used to receive the test light after passing through the detection area and is connected to a light detector.

8. The microfluidic chip according to claim 7, characterized in that: The detection device comprises two micro optical fiber channels, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the detection area, and the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are respectively fixed in each micro optical fiber channel.

9. The microfluidic chip according to claim 8, characterized in that: Each of the micro-optical fiber channels includes a main optical fiber channel and at least one auxiliary channel, wherein the main optical fiber channels corresponding to the two micro-optical fiber channels are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the detection area, and the auxiliary channels are connected to the corresponding main optical fiber channels. The auxiliary channels are filled with polymers, and the polymers abut and fix the first optical fiber / the second optical fiber.

10. A microfluidic system, characterized in that include: A control device, a liquid pumping device, a voltage amplifier, a light source, a light detector, and a microfluidic chip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9; The control device is connected to the liquid pumping device, the voltage amplifier, the light source and the light detector; The liquid pumping device is connected to a plurality of liquid inlet channels and injection channels of the microfluidic chip, and is used to pump the sample to be tested, the aqueous buffer solution and the oil phase liquid into each of the liquid inlet channels, and is also used to pump tyrosine and tyrosinase into each of the injection channels; The voltage amplifier is electrically connected to the voltage signal port and the ground port of the microelectrode channel; The light source is connected to a first optical fiber of the microfluidic chip, and the light source is used to output a test light to the first optical fiber, and the test light passes through a detection area of ​​the microfluidic chip in one direction; The light detector is connected to a second optical fiber of the microfluidic chip, the second optical fiber receives the test light after passing through the detection area, and the light detector is used to detect the absorbance of the microdroplets flowing through the detection area.

Images