Microdroplet production system based on microfluidic technology

Abstract

The utility model provides a microdroplet production system based on a microfluidic technology, which comprises at least a first storage tank and a second storage tank, the first storage tank is used for storing a first solution, the second storage tank is used for storing a second solution, and the first solution is different from the second solution; the micro-fluidic chip unit is provided with an inlet end and an outlet end, and the first storage tank and the second storage tank are respectively in fluid connection with the inlet end; the pumping device is used for correspondingly pumping the first solution and the second solution into the micro-fluidic chip unit from the first storage tank and the second storage tank; the micro-droplet collecting unit is in fluid connection with the outlet end of the micro-fluidic chip unit and is used for collecting micro-droplets prepared by the micro-fluidic chip unit; the temperature control system is respectively connected to the first storage tank, the second storage tank, the micro-fluidic chip unit and the micro-droplet collecting unit, and is configured to be used for detecting and controlling the temperature of the first solution, the second solution, the micro-fluidic chip unit and the micro-droplet collecting unit; the flow control system is used for controlling the flow of the pumping device; and the central control system is configured to be in communication connection with the temperature control system and the flow control system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of microfluidics, in particular to a microdroplet production system based on the microfluidics technology. Background Art

[0002] Microfluidics involves the use of miniaturized devices to manipulate and process extremely small volumes of fluids and perform complex fluid operations. It is widely used in chemistry, biology, food and medicine, medical diagnosis, and engineering. In microfluidic systems, liquids usually flow through microchannels that can precisely control the flow state of the liquid. Although the preparation of droplets using microfluidics has achieved good results on a laboratory scale, its mass production on an industrial scale still faces some challenges, such as production efficiency, cost, and production stability.

[0003] In the process of producing droplets using microfluidic technology, the production equipment involved is mostly laboratory equipment. In industrial applications, it is impossible to arrange a complete system, resulting in discontinuous droplet production process and inability to achieve large-scale production.

[0004] Therefore, in order to meet the needs of commercial production, it is also necessary to develop and optimize microfluidic systems that can operate stably and continuously produce high-quality droplets. Utility Model Content

[0005] The utility model aims to provide a micro-droplet production system. The micro-droplet production system is based on microfluidic technology and can not only continuously produce micro-droplet products, but also realize stable and controllable micro-droplet batch production with a high yield.

[0006] To this end, the utility model provides a microfluidic technology-based droplet production system, comprising: at least a first storage tank and a second storage tank, wherein the first storage tank is used to store a first solution, and the second storage tank is used to store a second solution, and the first solution is different from the second solution; a microfluidic chip unit for preparing droplets, the microfluidic chip unit having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the first storage tank and the second storage tank are respectively connected to the inlet end fluid; a pumping device, the pumping device is used to pump the first solution and the second solution from the first storage tank and the second storage tank into the microfluidic chip unit accordingly; a droplet collecting unit, the droplet collecting unit A fluid connected to the outlet end of the microfluidic chip unit, used to collect droplets prepared by the microfluidic chip unit; a temperature control system, which is respectively connected to the first storage tank, the second storage tank, the microfluidic chip unit and the droplet collection unit, and is configured to detect and control the temperature of the first solution, the second solution, the microfluidic chip unit and the droplet collection unit; a flow control system, which is used to control the flow of the pumping device; and a central control system, which is configured to be communicatively connected to the temperature control system and the flow control system.

[0007] In the above-mentioned droplet production system including two solution storage tanks, namely a first storage tank and a second storage tank, single-layer coated droplets, such as water-in-oil type droplets or oil-in-water type droplets, can be prepared by pumping a first solution from the first storage tank and a second solution from the second storage tank into a microfluidic chip unit via a pumping device.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the droplet production system may further include a third storage tank for storing a third solution, wherein the third solution is different from the first solution and / or the second solution, and the third storage tank is fluidically connected to the inlet end of the microfluidic chip unit. In a droplet production system including three solution storage tanks, it can be used to prepare a complex system with multiple coatings, such as oil-in-water-in-oil type droplets or water-in-oil-in-water type droplets.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pumping device may include: a first pump unit for pumping a first solution from a first tank to a microfluidic chip unit; a second pump unit for pumping a second solution from a second tank to the microfluidic chip unit; and a third pump unit for pumping a third solution from a third tank to the microfluidic chip unit.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature control system may include: a first temperature control device and a first temperature sensor for a first storage tank; a second temperature control device and a second temperature sensor for a second storage tank; a third temperature control device and a third temperature sensor for a third storage tank; a fourth temperature control device and a fourth temperature sensor for the microfluidic chip unit; and a fifth temperature control device and a fifth temperature sensor for a droplet collection unit.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the flow control system may include: a first flow controller for controlling the flow of a first pump unit; a second flow controller for controlling the flow of a second pump unit; and a third flow controller for controlling the flow of a third pump unit.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the droplet production system further comprises an image acquisition system communicatively connected to the central control system, wherein the image acquisition system is configured to acquire droplet image data of droplets in the droplet collection unit, and can transmit the acquired droplet image data to the central control system.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the droplet production system further comprises a sample weighing system communicatively connected to the central control system, the sample weighing system being configured to weigh the weight of the droplet sample in the droplet collection unit and capable of transmitting the acquired droplet sample weight data to the central control system.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the microfluidic chip unit includes one or more microfluidic chips. When a plurality of microfluidic chips are included, the plurality of microfluidic chips are arranged in series or in parallel.

[0015] In one embodiment, the microfluidic chip is selected from a group including but not limited to a 3D printed chip, a PDMS chip and a glass capillary chip, and the microfluidic chip can be configured to have but not limited to a T-shaped channel, a Y-shaped channel, a cross-shaped channel or a coaxial channel. It should be understood that the types of the above chips and the channel layout of the chips are merely exemplary, and the utility model is not limited thereto. According to practical applications, other suitable chip types and channel layouts are also included in the scope of this application.

[0016] According to one scheme of the utility model, the central control system is configured to: perform temperature control on the temperature control system based on an input set temperature; perform flow control on the flow control system based on an input set flow; receive droplet image data from the image acquisition system and perform particle size analysis to determine whether the temperature and flow need to be changed; and receive droplet sample weight data from the sample weighing system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The drawings constituting a part of the present invention 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. Among them:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a microdroplet production system based on microfluidics technology according to the utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a microdroplet production system based on microfluidics technology according to the present invention; and

[0020] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 The control logic diagram of the central control system over the image acquisition system, sample weighing system, flow control system and temperature control system in the droplet production system shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The microfluidic droplet production system implemented according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and by way of example. In the following description, many specific details are set forth so that those skilled in the art can more fully understand the present invention. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the implementation of the present invention may not have some of these specific details. In addition, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, any combination of the following features and elements may be considered to implement the present invention, regardless of whether they relate to different embodiments.

[0022] The generation of droplets by microfluidic technology is mainly based on controlling the flow interaction of two or more immiscible fluids in microscale channels. In this process, the fluid of the dispersed phase is injected into the fluid flow of the continuous phase. These fluids meet at the intersection in the microfluidic channel, and the dispersed phase breaks into micro droplets, i.e., "droplets" under the shearing action of the continuous phase. The size of the droplets is generally between a few microns and a few millimeters, and they can be used to encapsulate drugs, cosmetic active ingredients or other chemicals to control the release rate of the encapsulation or protect the sensitive ingredients therein. Through microfluidic technology, the size, shape and composition of the droplets can be precisely controlled to achieve highly uniform production.

[0023] Figure 1A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a microfluidic technology-based droplet production system 100 according to the utility model is shown. As can be seen from the figure, this droplet production system includes a first storage tank 1, a second storage tank 2, a third storage tank 3, a microfluidic chip unit 4 for preparing droplets, a pumping device, a droplet collection unit 5, a temperature control system 6, a flow control system 7 and a central control system 8 arranged at intervals. The first storage tank 1 is used to store a first solution, the second storage tank 2 is used to store a second solution, and the third storage tank 3 is used to store a third solution. In this embodiment, for example, the first solution can be an oil phase solution, the second solution can be an aqueous phase solution, and the third solution can be an oil phase solution or an aqueous phase solution. The microfluidic chip unit 4 has an inlet end 41 and an outlet end 42, wherein the inlet end 41 of the microfluidic chip unit 4 is fluidly connected to the first tank 1, the second tank 2 and the third tank 3 (specifically, their outlets), respectively, for receiving two or three of the first solution, the second solution and the third solution from the first tank, the second tank and the third tank; the outlet end 42 of the microfluidic chip unit 4 is fluidly connected to the droplet collection unit 5 to transport the droplets prepared by the microfluidic chip unit 4 to the droplet collection unit 5.

[0024] In one embodiment, the microfluidic chip unit 4 may include one or more microfluidic chips. In the case of including a plurality of microfluidic chips, these microfluidic chips may be arranged in series or in parallel according to the type of droplets to be prepared. In addition, the microfluidic chip may be selected from a group including but not limited to 3D printed chips, PDMS chips and glass capillary chips, and the microfluidic chip may have but not limited to T-channels, Y-channels, cross-shaped channels or coaxial channels. According to the type of droplets to be prepared, such as oil-in-water or water-in-oil droplets, or a complex system of multiple coatings, a suitable type of microfluidic chip and a suitable layout may be selected.

[0025] In one embodiment, the temperature control system 6 may include a first temperature control device 61 for the first storage tank 1 and a first temperature sensor (not shown) for real-time detection of the temperature of the first solution; a second temperature control device 62 for the second storage tank 2 and a second temperature sensor (not shown) for real-time detection of the temperature of the second solution; a third temperature control device 63 for the third storage tank 3 and a third temperature sensor (not shown) for real-time detection of the temperature of the third solution; a fourth temperature control device 64 for the microfluidic chip unit 4 and a fourth temperature sensor (not shown) for real-time detection of the temperature of the solution in the microfluidic chip unit; and a fifth temperature control device 65 for the droplet collection unit 5 and a fifth temperature sensor (not shown) for real-time detection of the temperature of the droplets in the droplet collection unit. The temperature control system 6 is connected in communication with the central control system 8, and performs temperature control on the corresponding temperature control device based on the set temperature information obtained from the central control system (see Figure 3In this embodiment, the first temperature control device 61, the second temperature control device 62, the third temperature control device 63, the fourth temperature control device 64 and the fifth temperature control device 65 are preferably constant temperature devices. It should be understood that a suitable temperature control device can be selected according to specific working conditions.

[0026] In the above embodiment, the pumping device may include a first pump unit 51, a second pump unit 52 and a third pump unit 53, wherein the first pump unit 51 is arranged between the first tank 1 and the microfluidic chip unit 4, and is used to pump the first solution from the first tank 1 to the microfluidic chip unit 4; the second pump unit 52 is arranged between the second tank 2 and the microfluidic chip unit 4, and is used to pump the second solution from the second tank 2 to the microfluidic chip unit 4; the third pump unit 53 is arranged between the third tank 3 and the microfluidic chip unit 4, and is used to pump the third solution from the third tank 3 to the microfluidic chip unit. In a preferred embodiment, in order to obtain a better temperature control effect, the first pump unit 51, the second pump unit 52 and the third pump unit 53 and the pipelines respectively connecting the first tank 1, the second tank 2 and the third tank 3 and the microfluidic chip unit 4 can also be provided with a temperature control device. The type of the temperature control device can be selected according to the actual working conditions, and will not be repeated here.

[0027] In the above embodiment, the pumping device is provided with a flow control system 7, which includes a first flow controller 71 for controlling the flow of the first pump unit 51, a second flow controller 72 for controlling the flow of the second pump unit 52; and a third flow controller 73 for controlling the flow of the three pump units 53. The flow control system 7 is connected to the central control system 8 for communication, and is used to obtain the set flow information, and based on the set flow information, the corresponding pump unit is controlled by the corresponding flow controller (see Figure 3 ).

[0028] See again Figure 1 and Figure 3 Preferably, the droplet production system 100 also includes an image acquisition system 9 that is communicatively connected to the central control system 8, wherein the image acquisition system 9 is arranged close to the droplet collecting unit and is configured to acquire droplet image data of droplets in the droplet collecting unit, and can transmit the acquired droplet image data to the central control system 8 for analyzing the particle size of the droplets.

[0029] Advantageously, the droplet production system 100 further comprises a sample weighing system 10 communicatively connected to the central control system 8 , the sample weighing system being configured to weigh the droplet sample in the droplet collection unit and capable of transmitting the acquired droplet sample weight data to the central control system 8 .

[0030] Figure 2FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a microdroplet production system 100 based on microfluidics technology according to the present invention. Figure 1 The difference of the embodiment shown is that the droplet production system 100 includes two storage tanks, namely, a first storage tank for storing the first solution and a second storage tank for storing the second solution. In other words, the droplet production system 100 removes the third storage tank and its corresponding temperature control device, pump unit and flow controller. Figure 1 The embodiments shown are basically the same and will not be described in detail here.

[0031] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 The control logic diagram of the central control system for the image acquisition system, the sample weighing system, the flow control system and the temperature control system in the droplet production system shown in the figure. It can be seen from the figure that in the process of preparing the droplets, the central control system 8 controls the temperature control system 6 based on the input initial data 20, for example, based on the input set temperature, for example, adjusting the first temperature control device 61 to the set temperature, thereby adjusting the first solution in the first storage tank 1 to the set temperature; adjusting the second temperature control device 62 to the set temperature, thereby adjusting the second solution in the second storage tank 2 to the set temperature; optionally adjusting the third temperature control device 61 to the set temperature, thereby adjusting the third solution in the third storage tank 3 to the set temperature.

[0032] Then, based on the input set flow rate, the flow control system 7 is flow controlled, for example, the flow rate of the first pump unit 51 is adjusted by the first flow controller 71, the flow rate of the second pump unit 52 is adjusted by the second flow controller 72, and the flow rate of the third pump unit 53 is optionally adjusted by the third flow controller 73, so as to pump the first solution, the second solution and / or the third solution into the microfluidic chip unit 4 to prepare the required droplets, and then the prepared droplets are collected by the droplet collection unit 6. As needed, the fourth temperature control device 64 and the fifth temperature control device 65 can also be controlled by the central control system 8 to adjust and control the temperature in the microfluidic chip unit 4 and the droplet collection unit 5. In addition, the central control system 8 can also receive the droplet image data from the image acquisition system 9 and perform particle size analysis to determine whether the temperature and flow rate need to be changed; and receive the droplet sample weight data from the sample weighing system 10.

[0033] In the microdroplet production system according to the utility model, the size, shape and composition of the microdroplets can be precisely controlled by microfluidic technology to achieve highly uniform production. In addition, this microdroplet production system can not only continuously produce microdroplet products, but also achieve stable and controllable microdroplet batch production with high yield, and can achieve large-scale and continuous industrial production.

[0034] Although the utility model has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment, the utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes and modifications made by any person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model should be included in the protection scope of the utility model, so the protection scope of the utility model should be based on the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A droplet production system based on microfluidics technology, characterized in that: The droplet production system (100) comprises: At least a first storage tank (1) and a second storage tank (2), wherein the first storage tank is used to store a first solution, and the second storage tank is used to store a second solution, the first solution being different from the second solution; A microfluidic chip unit (4) for preparing microdroplets, the microfluidic chip unit having an inlet end (41) and an outlet end (42), wherein the first storage tank and the second storage tank are respectively connected to the inlet end fluid; A pumping device, the pumping device is used to pump the first solution and the second solution from the first storage tank and the second storage tank into the microfluidic chip unit respectively; a droplet collecting unit (5), the droplet collecting unit being fluidically connected to the outlet end (42) of the microfluidic chip unit and being used for collecting droplets prepared by the microfluidic chip unit; a temperature control system (6), the temperature control system being connected to the first storage tank (1), the second storage tank (2), the microfluidic chip unit (4) and the droplet collection unit (5) respectively, and being configured to detect and control the temperature of the first solution, the second solution, the microfluidic chip unit and the droplet collection unit; a flow control system (7) for controlling the flow of the pumping device; and A central control system (8) is configured to be in communication connection with the temperature control system (6) and the flow control system (7).

2. The droplet production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The droplet production system further comprises a third storage tank (3) for storing a third solution, wherein the third solution is different from the first solution and / or the second solution, and the third storage tank is fluidically connected to the inlet end of the microfluidic chip unit.

3. The droplet production system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pumping device comprises: A first pump unit (51) for pumping the first solution from the first storage tank to the microfluidic chip unit; A second pump unit (52) for pumping the second solution from the second reservoir to the microfluidic chip unit; and A third pump unit (53) is used to pump the third solution from the third storage tank to the microfluidic chip unit.

4. The droplet production system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The temperature control system (6) comprises: A first temperature control device (61) and a first temperature measuring sensor for the first storage tank; A second temperature control device (62) and a second temperature measuring sensor for the second storage tank; A third temperature control device (63) and a third temperature measuring sensor for the third storage tank; A fourth temperature control device (64) and a fourth temperature sensor for the microfluidic chip unit; and A fifth temperature control device (65) and a fifth temperature measuring sensor are used for the droplet collecting unit.

5. The droplet production system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The flow control system (7) comprises: a first flow controller (71) for controlling the flow of the first pump unit; a second flow controller (72) for controlling the flow of the second pump unit; and A third flow controller (73) is used to control the flow rate of the third pump unit.

6. The droplet production system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The droplet production system further comprises an image acquisition system (9) in communication with the central control system (8), wherein the image acquisition system is configured to acquire droplet image data of the droplets in the droplet collection unit and to transmit the acquired droplet image data to the central control system.

7. The droplet production system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The droplet production system further comprises a sample weighing system (10) communicatively connected to the central control system, wherein the sample weighing system is configured to weigh the weight of the droplet sample in the droplet collection unit and can transmit the acquired droplet sample weight data to the central control system.

8. The droplet production system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip unit (4) comprises one or more microfluidic chips, and the multiple microfluidic chips are arranged in series or in parallel.

9. The droplet production system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip is selected from the group consisting of a 3D printed chip, a PDMS chip, and a glass capillary chip, and the microfluidic chip has a T-shaped channel, a Y-shaped channel, a cross-shaped channel, or a coaxial channel.

10. The droplet production system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The central control system is configured to: Based on the input set temperature, the temperature control system is temperature controlled; Based on the input set flow rate, the flow control system performs flow control; receiving the droplet image data from the image acquisition system and performing particle size analysis to determine whether the temperature and flow rate need to be changed; and Droplet sample weight data is received from the sample weighing system.

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