Active micro-fluidic chip

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of micro-fluidic chip design, and particularly relates to an active micro-fluidic chip which comprises an upper chip, a middle chip and a lower chip, the middle chip is provided with a sample introduction channel, a flow sample channel, a confluence channel, a quantitative reaction cavity, an outflow channel and a waste flow cavity, and when bubbles exist in liquid, the flow sample channel, the confluence channel, the quantitative reaction cavity, the outflow channel and the waste flow cavity are communicated. When the liquid flows into the micro-fluidic chip, bubbles easily penetrate through the hydrophobic breathable film block under the pushing pressure of the fluid and are exhausted through the exhaust pipe, the liquid continuously flows to the quantitative reaction cavity due to the existence of the hydrophobic breathable film block, so that the bubbles in the liquid flowing on the micro-fluidic chip can be eliminated or the generation condition of the bubbles is reduced, and a one-way valve is mounted on the exhaust pipe; the one-way valve can prevent external air from entering the chip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of microfluidic chip design, in particular to an active microfluidic chip. Background Art

[0002] Microfluidics is a technology that controls tiny volumes of fluid to achieve various microscale physical, chemical and biological processes. Microfluidics can integrate reactions carried out in many laboratories onto microfluidic chips, so it is called a laboratory on a chip in many scenarios. In some specific cases, the volume of the fluid processed can also be larger or smaller. Microfluidic chips usually have one or more fluid channels. Under the action of different mechanisms such as external pressure, density, gravity, surface tension, capillary action, mechanical action, etc., fluids can be transmitted in the flow channels of microfluidic chips.

[0003] Microfluidics can be divided into passive and active types. Active microfluidics can give forward thrust, making the liquid flow forward evenly, avoiding differences in test values ​​caused by different flow rates. Active microfluidics are driven by centrifugal force, electrowetting, and pressure (electrolytic pump, compressed gas pump, chemical decomposition pump, direct pressure difference drive).

[0004] Various biochemical reactions of different mechanisms can be realized on microfluidic chips, and analysis and research at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels can be carried out. For example, the amplification and detection of specific nucleic acid sequences can be achieved on microfluidic chips through polymerase chain reaction (PCR); for another example, specific proteins can be detected on microfluidic chips through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Microfluidic chips can also be used for cell culture to study the response of cells to different biochemical substances. The fluid on the microfluidic chip can be liquid or gas. Most of the current transmission methods are complex, costly, and difficult to implement. For external automated equipment, the cost and manufacturing difficulty are also increased. In the process of fluid transmission in microfluidic chips, in some cases, the liquid fluid will produce bubbles, the chamber will not be filled, and other fluid problems. In order to eliminate the bubbles inside the liquid flowing on the microfluidic chip or reduce the bubble generation, we propose an active microfluidic chip. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the utility model provides an active microfluidic chip to solve the background problem.

[0006] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0007] An active microfluidic chip comprises an upper chip, a middle chip and a lower chip, wherein the middle chip is provided with an injection channel, a sample flow channel, a confluence channel, a quantitative reaction chamber, an outflow channel and a waste flow chamber, a groove is provided on the upper surface of the upper chip, a mounting notch communicating with the confluence channel is provided inside the groove, a hydrophobic breathable membrane block is installed inside the mounting notch, a sealing sheet is compounded above the groove, a gas collecting piece is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the sealing sheet, an exhaust pipe is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the gas collecting piece, a liquid inlet communicating with the injection channel is provided on the upper surface of the upper chip, and a plurality of air holes communicating with the gas collecting piece are provided at the bottom of the upper chip.

[0008] Preferably, a one-way valve is installed on the exhaust pipe.

[0009] Preferably, the upper chip, the middle chip and the lower chip are fixed by hot pressing.

[0010] Preferably, a plurality of positioning protrusions are fixedly connected to the bottom of the upper chip, a plurality of first positioning holes are opened on the middle chip, a plurality of second positioning holes are opened on the lower chip, and the positioning protrusions are inserted into the corresponding first positioning holes and second positioning holes.

[0011] Preferably, a sample injection tube is fixedly connected to the top of the liquid inlet, a connector is provided at the top of the sample injection tube, a ferrule is fixedly sleeved on the outer surface of the connector, the ferrule is fixedly clamped on the outer surface of the sample injection tube, and a blood filter membrane block is provided between the ferrule and the sample injection tube.

[0012] Preferably, the injection channel, the sample flow channel, the confluence channel, the quantitative reaction chamber, the outflow channel and the waste flow chamber are interconnected. Beneficial Effects

[0013] The utility model provides an active microfluidic chip. When bubbles exist in liquid, the bubbles will easily pass through the hydrophobic and breathable membrane block under the pushing pressure of the fluid, and the bubbles will be discharged through the exhaust pipe. Due to the presence of the hydrophobic and breathable membrane block, the liquid will continue to flow to the quantitative reaction chamber, thereby eliminating the bubbles in the liquid flowing on the microfluidic chip or reducing the bubble generation. A one-way valve is installed on the exhaust pipe, which can prevent external air from entering the interior of the chip. Compared with the prior art, it has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] 1. This is an active microfluidic chip. When the liquid flows from the injection channel to the sample flow channel and then flows from the sample flow channel to the confluence channel, the inner diameter of the channel will decrease successively. The pressure of the liquid flow can be increased by reducing the inner diameter of the channel. When there are bubbles in the liquid, the bubbles will easily pass through the hydrophobic breathable membrane block under the pushing pressure of the fluid, and the bubbles will be discharged through the exhaust pipe. Due to the presence of the hydrophobic breathable membrane block, the liquid will continue to flow to the quantitative reaction chamber, thereby eliminating the bubbles in the liquid flowing on the microfluidic chip or reducing the generation of bubbles. A one-way valve is installed on the exhaust pipe, which can prevent external air from entering the interior of the chip.

[0015] 2. This is an active microfluidic chip, and the blood filter membrane block can filter the incoming blood. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a top view schematic diagram of the main body split structure of the utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a bottom view schematic diagram of the main body split structure of the utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the main composite structure of the utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the main cross-sectional structure of the utility model from another perspective.

[0020] In the figure: 1. upper chip; 2. middle chip; 3. lower chip; 4. exhaust pipe; 5. one-way valve; 6. positioning protrusion; 7. waste flow chamber; 8. outflow channel; 9. quantitative reaction chamber; 10. confluence channel; 11. flow channel; 12. second positioning hole; 13. first positioning hole; 14. injection channel; 15. injection tube; 16. blood filter membrane block; 17. connector; 18. gas collecting part; 19. sealing sheet; 20. groove; 21. liquid inlet; 22. ferrule; 23. hydrophobic breathable membrane block; 24. air hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0022] See also Figure 1-4The utility model provides a technical solution: an active microfluidic chip, comprising an upper chip 1, a middle chip 2 and a lower chip 3, wherein the middle chip 2 is provided with an injection channel 14, a flow sample channel 11, a confluence channel 10, a quantitative reaction chamber 9, an outflow channel 8 and a waste flow chamber 7, a groove 20 is provided on the upper surface of the upper chip 1, a mounting notch communicating with the confluence channel 10 is provided inside the groove 20, a hydrophobic breathable membrane block 23 is installed inside the mounting notch, a sealing sheet 19 is compounded above the groove 20, a gas collecting piece 18 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the sealing sheet 19, an exhaust pipe 4 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the gas collecting piece 18, a liquid inlet 21 communicating with the injection channel 14 is provided on the upper surface of the upper chip 1, a plurality of air holes 24 communicating with the gas collecting piece 18 are provided at the bottom of the upper chip 1, and a one-way valve 5 is installed on the exhaust pipe 4.

[0023] When using an active microfluidic chip, the external liquid passes through the injection channel 14, the flow sample channel 11, the confluence channel 10, the quantitative reaction chamber 9, the outflow channel 8 in sequence, and finally flows to the waste flow chamber 7. When the liquid flows from the injection channel 14 to the flow sample channel 11, and then flows from the flow sample channel 11 to the confluence channel 10, the inner diameter of the channel will decrease in sequence. The pressure of the liquid circulation can be increased by reducing the inner diameter of the channel. When there are bubbles in the liquid, the bubbles will easily pass through the hydrophobic breathable membrane block 23 under the pushing pressure of the fluid, and the bubbles will be discharged through the exhaust pipe 4. Due to the presence of the hydrophobic breathable membrane block 23, the liquid will continue to flow to the quantitative reaction chamber 9, thereby eliminating the bubbles in the liquid flowing on the microfluidic chip or reducing the generation of bubbles. A one-way valve 5 is installed on the exhaust pipe 4, and the one-way valve 5 can prevent external air from entering the interior of the chip.

[0024] The upper chip 1, the middle chip 2 and the lower chip 3 are fixed by hot pressing.

[0025] The bottom of the upper chip 1 is fixedly connected with a plurality of positioning protrusions 6, the middle chip 2 is provided with a plurality of first positioning holes 13, and the lower chip 3 is provided with a plurality of second positioning holes 12. The positioning protrusions 6 are passed through the corresponding first positioning holes 13 and second positioning holes 12. By coordinating the positioning protrusions with the positioning holes, the upper chip 1, the middle chip 2 and the lower chip 3 can be conveniently fixed by hot pressing.

[0026] The top of the liquid inlet 21 is fixedly connected with the sampling tube 15, and the top of the sampling tube 15 is provided with a connector 17. The outer surface of the connector 17 is fixedly sleeved with a ferrule 22, and the ferrule 22 is fixedly clamped on the outer surface of the sampling tube 15. A blood filter membrane block 16 is provided between the ferrule 22 and the sampling tube 15.

[0027] The blood filter membrane block 16 can filter the incoming blood.

[0028] The sample injection channel 14 , the sample flow channel 11 , the confluence channel 10 , the quantitative reaction chamber 9 , the outflow channel 8 and the waste flow chamber 7 are interconnected.

[0029] Working principle: When using an active microfluidic chip, the external liquid passes through the injection channel 14, the flow sample channel 11, the confluence channel 10, the quantitative reaction chamber 9, the outflow channel 8 in turn, and finally flows to the waste flow chamber 7. When the liquid flows from the injection channel 14 to the flow sample channel 11, and then flows from the flow sample channel 11 to the confluence channel 10, the inner diameter of the channel will decrease in turn. The pressure of the liquid circulation can be increased by reducing the inner diameter of the channel. When there are bubbles in the liquid, the bubbles will easily pass through the hydrophobic breathable membrane block 23 under the pushing pressure of the fluid, and the bubbles will be discharged through the exhaust pipe 4. Due to the presence of the hydrophobic breathable membrane block 23, the liquid will continue to flow to the quantitative reaction chamber 9, thereby eliminating the bubbles in the liquid flowing on the microfluidic chip or reducing the generation of bubbles. A one-way valve 5 is installed on the exhaust pipe 4, and the one-way valve 5 can prevent external air from entering the interior of the chip.

[0030] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device.

[0031] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An active microfluidic chip, comprising an upper chip (1), a middle chip (2) and a lower chip (3), characterized in that: The middle chip (2) is provided with an injection channel (14), a flow channel (11), a confluence channel (10), a quantitative reaction chamber (9), an outflow channel (8) and a waste flow chamber (7); the upper surface of the upper chip (1) is provided with a groove (20); the interior of the groove (20) is provided with a mounting notch communicating with the confluence channel (10); the interior of the mounting notch is provided with a hydrophobic breathable membrane block (23); a sealing sheet (19) is compounded above the groove (20); the upper surface of the sealing sheet (19) is fixedly connected to a gas collecting member (18); the upper surface of the gas collecting member (18) is fixedly connected to an exhaust pipe (4); the upper surface of the upper chip (1) is provided with a liquid inlet (21) communicating with the injection channel (14); and the bottom of the upper chip (1) is provided with a plurality of air holes (24) communicating with the gas collecting member (18).

2. An active microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: A one-way valve (5) is installed on the exhaust pipe (4).

3. An active microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper chip (1), the middle chip (2) and the lower chip (3) are fixed by hot pressing.

4. The active microfluidic chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bottom of the upper chip (1) is fixedly connected with a plurality of positioning protrusions (6), the middle chip (2) is provided with a plurality of first positioning holes (13), the lower chip (3) is provided with a plurality of second positioning holes (12), and the positioning protrusions (6) are inserted into the corresponding first positioning holes (13) and second positioning holes (12).

5. The active microfluidic chip according to claim 4, characterized in that: The top of the liquid inlet (21) is fixedly connected to a sample injection tube (15), the top of the sample injection tube (15) is provided with a connector (17), the outer surface of the connector (17) is fixedly sleeved with a ferrule (22), the ferrule (22) is fixedly clamped on the outer surface of the sample injection tube (15), and a blood filter membrane block (16) is provided between the ferrule (22) and the sample injection tube (15).

6. The active microfluidic chip according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sample injection channel (14), the sample flow channel (11), the confluence channel (10), the quantitative reaction chamber (9), the outflow channel (8), and the waste flow chamber (7) are interconnected.

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