Nucleic acid detection instrument driving structure based on micro-fluidic chip

Abstract

The utility model relates to a nucleic acid detection instrument driving structure based on micro-fluidic chips, which comprises a rack, a centrifugal driving device arranged on the rack, a clamping device arranged at the output end of the centrifugal driving device, a plurality of micro-fluidic chips arranged on the clamping device and a plunger valve opening device arranged on the rack, a plurality of cavities and a plurality of plunger valve groups are arranged in the micro-fluidic chip, each plunger valve group comprises a plurality of plunger valves, the plunger valves are mounted between every two connected cavities to control the two cavities to be connected or disconnected, and the plunger valve opening device is used for opening the plunger valves on the micro-fluidic chip. The plunger valve opening device can open the plunger valve to enable the connected cavities to be communicated, fluid in the micro-fluidic chip can flow among the cavities under the action of centrifugal force, various steps needed by nucleic acid detection are completed by controlling opening or closing of the plunger valve, the plunger valve opening device opens the plunger valve more quickly, and the detection efficiency is improved. The time required by nucleic acid detection is shortened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of nucleic acid detection, and particularly relates to a driving structure of a nucleic acid detection instrument based on a microfluidic chip. Background Art

[0002] In vitro diagnostic technology refers to products and services that obtain relevant clinical diagnostic information by detecting samples including blood, body fluids, and tissues outside the human body, so as to help judge diseases or body functions. Point-of-care testing (POCT) technology is a type of in vitro diagnostic technology, which refers to a detection method that is carried out at the sampling site and uses a portable analyzer and supporting reagents to quickly obtain test results. It has the characteristics of being fast, simple, and on-site analysis, can reduce the sample transfer process, and shorten the reporting time.

[0003] Nucleic acid amplification detection technology is a molecular detection technology that uses different amplification methods to replicate nucleic acid molecules multiple times and realizes high-sensitivity and high-specificity detection by detecting amplification products. As a typical representative of nucleic acid amplification technology, PCR has the characteristics of high sensitivity, high specificity, mature technology, and wide application. However, due to its complex thermal cycling process that requires three reaction stages including denaturation, annealing, and extension, it often needs to rely on precision instruments in hospitals or medical testing centers, which is not conducive to popularization and application in primary medical institutions.

[0004] A microfluidic chip is an integrated chip that uses microscale channels and microfluidic technology for fluid control. It consists of flow channels, microvalves, micropumps, etc., and can realize functions such as mixing, separation, transmission, manipulation, and detection of microfluids. Microfluidic chips have the characteristics of small size, fast speed, high efficiency, flexibility, and low cost, and are widely used in the fields of biomedicine, chemical analysis, environmental monitoring, drug screening, etc.

[0005] Inside the microfluidic chip, there are various chambers for realizing different functions, and flow channels are distributed between the chambers. It is necessary to install microvalves between the flow channels to control the flow of reagents in each chamber by controlling the opening or closing of the microvalves. Currently, a type of microvalve used in microfluidic chips is a plunger valve, which requires manual pressing to open the valve. This method has a long operation time and will increase the time for nucleic acid detection. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] One of the purposes of the utility model is to solve the problem of the long opening operation time of the plunger valve in the prior art, and provide a driving structure of a nucleic acid detection instrument based on a microfluidic chip, which can quickly open the plunger valve and make the nucleic acid detection faster.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present utility model is as follows:

[0008] A driving structure of a nucleic acid detection instrument based on a microfluidic chip, comprising a frame, a centrifugal driving device installed on the frame, a clamping device installed at the output end of the centrifugal driving device, a plurality of microfluidic chips installed on the clamping device, and a plunger valve opening device installed on the frame. A plurality of chambers and a plurality of plunger valve groups are provided in the microfluidic chip. Each plunger valve group includes a plurality of plunger valves. At least one of the plunger valves is installed between two connected chambers to control the connection or disconnection of the two chambers. The plunger valve opening device is used to open the plunger valves on the microfluidic chip.

[0009] In the above technical solution, the frame is fixedly connected to an external fixed object, and the stability of the whole device is better. The centrifugal driving device drives the clamping device to rotate, thereby driving the microfluidic chip to rotate. The plunger valve opening device can open any plunger valve on the microfluidic chip, so that two connected chambers are connected. Therefore, the fluid in the microfluidic chip will flow between the chambers under the action of centrifugal force. By controlling the opening or closing of the plunger valve, various steps required for nucleic acid detection are completed. Using the plunger valve opening device to open the plunger valve is faster, shortening the time required for nucleic acid detection.

[0010] Preferably, the plunger valve opening device includes a plurality of electric push rods and driving members respectively used to drive the electric push rods to move. The electric push rods squeeze the plunger valves to open the plunger valves. The driving member drives the electric push rod to move. When the electric push rod contacts the plunger valve, a thrust will be applied to the plunger valve to squeeze the plunger valve. Under the action of the thrust, the plunger valve is converted from a closed state to an open state, so that the chambers adjacent to the plunger valve are connected. The electric push rod has a fast reaction speed, can quickly open the plunger valve, makes the detection time shorter, and can accept signal control, with higher automation and better convenience.

[0011] Preferably, the distances from all the plunger valves in each plunger valve group to the rotation axis of the clamping device are equal, and the distances from the plunger valves in different plunger valve groups to the rotation axis of the clamping device are not equal. Since the chambers of the microfluidic chip are irregularly distributed on the microfluidic chip, the setting of the plunger valve group can not only realize the connection between the chambers, but also make the driving of the plunger valve more integrated and convenient.

[0012] Preferably, each plunger valve group is provided with at least one corresponding electric push rod and driving member. Each electric push rod squeezes the plunger valve in the corresponding plunger valve group under the drive of the driving member, reducing the number of electric push rods, saving costs, and reducing the volume of the device.

[0013] Preferably, it further includes an induction device for sensing the rotation position of the clamping device. By sensing the rotation position of the microfluidic chip through the induction device, the target plunger valve can be positioned at the position of the electric push rod through a control program, and the electric push rod can accurately open the plunger valve with better accuracy.

[0014] Preferably, the induction device includes a photoelectric sensor installed on the frame and a light-shielding sheet installed on the clamping device, and the rotation path of the light-shielding sheet passes through the photoelectric sensor. When the light-shielding sheet passes through the photoelectric sensor, the light entering the photoelectric sensor can be reduced, and the photoelectric sensor can sense the change in light and convert it into an electrical signal, and the positioning of the plunger valve can be achieved through a control program.

[0015] Preferably, the clamping device includes a clamping plate and a cover plate for fixing the microfluidic chip on the clamping plate, and several through holes corresponding to the plunger valve are provided on the clamping plate. The clamping plate and the cover plate are respectively used to support and fix the microfluidic chip, and through holes are provided on the clamping plate, and the electric push rod can pass through the through holes to open the plunger valve on the microfluidic chip.

[0016] Preferably, the microfluidic chip is provided with positioning holes, the cover plate is provided with positioning posts, the positioning posts are installed in the positioning holes, and the cover plate and the clamping plate are fixed by magnetic attraction. The positioning posts are installed in the positioning holes, so that the microfluidic chip and the cover plate are fixed, and the microfluidic chip cannot perform radial displacement. The cover plate and the clamping plate are fixed by magnetic attraction, and the cover plate and the clamping plate will provide a clamping force to the microfluidic chip, so that the microfluidic chip cannot perform axial displacement, and the microfluidic chip cannot generate circumferential displacement under the friction force of the cover plate and the clamping plate, so that the microfluidic chip is fixed on the clamping plate with better stability.

[0017] Preferably, the clamping device further includes several positioning blocks fixed on the clamping plate and arranged circumferentially and evenly, and one microfluidic chip is installed between every two positioning blocks, and the adjacent two positioning blocks respectively abut against both sides of one microfluidic chip. The positioning blocks will abut against both sides of the microfluidic chip, making its circumferential fixing effect better, and avoiding the circumferential displacement of the microfluidic chip when the centrifugal drive device drives the clamping device to rotate, resulting in inaccurate positioning.

[0018] Preferably, the centrifugal drive device includes a servo motor, and the output shaft of the servo motor is fixedly connected to the clamping device. The positioning accuracy of the servo motor is high, so that the clamping device can be accurately rotated to make the target plunger valve located above the electric push rod, and the electric push rod can accurately open the target plunger valve with better accuracy.

[0019] Advantages of the present utility model: The plunger valve opening device can open any plunger valve on the microfluidic chip, enabling the chambers connected to the plunger valve to communicate. Therefore, the fluid in the microfluidic chip will flow between the chambers under the action of the centrifugal force generated by rotation. By controlling the opening or closing of the plunger valve, various steps required for nucleic acid detection can be completed. Using the plunger valve opening device to open the plunger valve is faster, shortening the time required for nucleic acid detection. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a nucleic acid detection instrument drive structure based on a microfluidic chip of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a rear view of a nucleic acid detection instrument based on a microfluidic chip of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the clamping device and the microfluidic chip;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a schematic internal structure diagram of the microfluidic chip.

[0024] Among them, 1. Frame; 2. Centrifugal drive device; 201. Servo motor; 202. Coupling; 203. Bearing seat assembly; 3. Clamping device; 301. Clamping plate; 302. Cover plate; 303. Through hole; 304. Positioning post; 305. Positioning block; 4. Microfluidic chip; 401. Chamber; 402. Plunger valve group; 4021. First plunger valve group; 4022. Second plunger valve group; 4023. Third plunger valve group; 403. Plunger valve; 404. Positioning hole; 5. Plunger valve opening device; 501. Electric push rod; 502. Driving part; 6. Induction device; 601. Photoelectric sensor; 602. Light shielding sheet. Detailed Embodiment

[0025] The following will describe the embodiments of the present utility model with reference to the drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. The present utility model can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments. Various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present utility model. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments are only for explaining the present utility model and not for limiting the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0026] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments only schematically illustrate the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, only the components related to the present invention are shown in the drawings, rather than being drawn according to the number, shape, and size of the components in actual implementation. The type, quantity, and ratio of each component in actual implementation can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout type of its components may also be more complex.

[0027] Embodiment 1

[0028] As Figures 1-4 shown, Embodiment 1 of a driving structure of a nucleic acid detection instrument based on a microfluidic chip includes a frame 1, a centrifugal driving device 2 installed on the frame 1, a clamping device 3 installed at the output end of the centrifugal driving device 2, two microfluidic chips 4 installed on the clamping device 3, and a plunger valve opening device 5 installed on the frame 1. In this embodiment, the centrifugal driving device 2 includes a servo motor 201, a coupling 202, and a bearing seat assembly 203 installed on the frame 1. In addition, it can also be other rotary drivers. One end of the coupling 202 is connected to the output shaft of the servo motor 201, and the other end is connected to a fixed shaft located at the axis of the clamping device 3 and installed in the bearing seat assembly 203. The plunger valve opening device 5 includes three electric push rods 501 and a driving member 502 for driving the three electric push rods 501 to move respectively. In this embodiment, the driving member 502 is a linear driving motor. The three linear driving motors are staggeredly arranged at the same horizontal plane on the frame 1. Each microfluidic chip 4 is provided with seven chambers 401 and three plunger valve groups 402. In the direction away from the rotation axis, they are the first plunger valve group 4021, the second plunger valve group 4022, and the third plunger valve group 4023 respectively. The distances from all the plunger valves 403 in each plunger valve group 402 to the rotation axis of the clamping device 3 are equal, and the distances from the plunger valves 403 in different plunger valve groups 402 to the rotation axis of the clamping device 3 are not equal. Each plunger valve group 402 includes two plunger valves 403. A plunger valve 403 is installed between two adjacent chambers 401 to control the connection or disconnection of the two chambers 401. Each electric push rod 501 corresponds to a plunger valve group 402, and the electric push rod 501 opens the plunger valve 403 by squeezing it.

[0029] Specifically, the frame 1 is fixedly connected to an external fixture, making the stability of the entire device better. The centrifugal drive device 2 drives the clamping device 3 to rotate, thereby driving the microfluidic chip 4 to rotate. The linear drive motor drives the movement of the electric push rod 501. When the electric push rod 501 contacts the plunger valve 403, it applies a thrust to the plunger valve 403 to squeeze it. Under the action of the thrust, the plunger valve 403 switches from the closed state to the open state, enabling the communication between the adjacent chambers 401 of the plunger valve 403. The electric push rod 501 has a fast response speed, can quickly open the plunger valve 403, making the detection time shorter, and can receive signal control, with a higher degree of automation and better convenience. The fluid in the microfluidic chip 4 will flow between the chambers 401 under the action of the centrifugal force generated by the rotation. By controlling the opening or closing of the plunger valve 403, various steps required for nucleic acid detection can be completed. Using the plunger valve opening device 5 to open the plunger valve 403 is faster, shortening the time required for nucleic acid detection. Each electric push rod 501 squeezes the target plunger valve 403 under the drive of the linear drive motor. Then, the clamping device 3 rotates by a certain angle and positions to another plunger valve 403 in the same plunger valve group 402. Since the distances from the plunger valves 403 in the plunger valve group 402 to the rotation axis are all equal, the electric push rod 501 can open the other plunger valves 403 in the same plunger valve group 402. This design can reduce the number of electric push rods 501. By using three electric push rods, the control of the plunger valves of a microfluidic chip can be completed, saving costs and reducing the volume of the device. The positioning accuracy of the servo motor 201 is high, so that the clamping device 3 can be accurately rotated to make the target plunger valve 403 located above the electric push rod 501, enabling the electric push rod 501 to accurately open the target plunger valve 403 with better accuracy. The coupling 202 extends the rotating shaft of the servo motor 201 and can play a role in buffering and shock absorption.

[0030] Advantages of this embodiment: The plunger valve 403 opening device can open any plunger valve 403 on the microfluidic chip 4, enabling the communication between the adjacent chambers 401 of the plunger valve 403. Therefore, the fluid in the microfluidic chip 4 will flow between the chambers 401 under the action of the centrifugal force. By controlling the opening or closing of the plunger valve 403, various steps required for nucleic acid detection can be completed. Using the plunger valve 403 opening device to open the plunger valve 403 is faster, shortening the time required for nucleic acid detection. The positioning accuracy of the servo motor 201 is high, and the positioning accuracy is better.

[0031] Embodiment 2

[0032] As Figure 1Embodiment 2 of a driving structure of a nucleic acid detection instrument based on a microfluidic chip, different from Embodiment 1, further includes an induction device 6. The induction device 6 is used to sense the rotation position of the clamping device 3. In this embodiment, the induction device 6 includes a photoelectric sensor 601 installed on the frame 1 and a light-shielding sheet 602 installed on the clamping device 3. The rotation path of the light-shielding sheet 602 passes through the photoelectric sensor 601. When the light-shielding sheet 602 passes through the photoelectric sensor 601, the light entering the photoelectric sensor 601 can be reduced. The photoelectric sensor 601 can sense the change in light and convert it into an electrical signal. Through the control program, the positioning of the plunger valve 403 can be achieved, enabling the electric push rod 501 to accurately open the plunger valve 403 with better accuracy.

[0033] In addition, the induction device 6 can also be a rotating magnetosensitive sensor or a rotating inductive sensor, etc. The rotating magnetosensitive sensor measures the rotation position of the clamping device 3 using principles such as magnetic field induction or Hall effect, and the rotating inductive sensor measures the rotation angle or position through inductance changes.

[0034] The remaining features and technical effects of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1.

[0035] Embodiment 3

[0036] As Figure 3 and Figure 4Embodiment 3 of a driving structure of a nucleic acid detection instrument based on a microfluidic chip is shown. The difference from Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 is that the microfluidic chip 4 is fan-shaped. The clamping device 3 includes a circular clamping plate 301, a positioning block 305, and a circular cover plate 302 for fixing the microfluidic chip 4 on the clamping plate 301. There are six through holes 303 corresponding to the plunger valves 403 on the clamping plate 301. Each microfluidic chip 4 is provided with a positioning hole 404. The cover plate 302 is provided with four positioning posts 304, and the positioning posts 304 are installed in the positioning holes 404. The cover plate 302 and the clamping plate 301 are fixed by magnetic attraction. In this embodiment, there are four positioning blocks 305. The four positioning blocks 305 are all fixed on the clamping plate 301 and are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction. A clamping position is formed between every two positioning blocks 305. Therefore, four clamping positions are formed in this embodiment. The microfluidic chip 4 is installed in the clamping position, and the two adjacent positioning blocks 305 respectively abut against both sides of a microfluidic chip 4. The clamping plate 301 and the cover plate 302 are respectively used to support and fix the microfluidic chip 4. Through holes 303 are provided on the clamping plate 301, and the electric push rod 501 can pass through the through holes 303 to open the plunger valve 403 on the microfluidic chip 4. The positioning posts 304 are installed in the positioning holes 404, so that the microfluidic chip 4 and the cover plate 302 are fixed, and the microfluidic chip 4 cannot perform radial displacement. The cover plate 302 and the clamping plate 301 are fixed by magnetic attraction, and the cover plate 302 and the clamping plate 301 will provide a clamping force on the microfluidic chip 4, so that the microfluidic chip 4 cannot perform axial displacement, and the stability is better. The positioning blocks 305 will abut against both sides of the microfluidic chip 4, making its circumferential fixing effect better, and avoiding circumferential displacement of the microfluidic chip 4 when the centrifugal driving device 2 drives the clamping device 3 to rotate, resulting in inaccurate positioning.

[0037] The remaining features and technical effects of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2.

[0038] Another fixing method of the cover plate 302 and the clamping plate 301 is provided here. Different from the above embodiment, the clamping plate 301 is provided with four jacks corresponding to the positioning posts 304. The positioning posts 304 pass through the positioning holes 404 and are installed in the jacks. There is an interference fit between the positioning post 304 and the jack. This method can also fix the microfluidic chip 4, but it is not as convenient for disassembly and assembly as the above embodiment.

[0039] The above embodiments are the preferred embodiments cited to fully illustrate the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or transformations made by those skilled in the art on the basis of the present invention are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A nucleic acid detection instrument driving structure based on a microfluidic chip, characterized in that: The invention comprises a frame (1), a centrifugal drive device (2) mounted on the frame (1), a clamping device (3) mounted on the output end of the centrifugal drive device (2), a plurality of microfluidic chips (4) mounted on the clamping device (3), and a plunger valve opening device (5) mounted on the frame (1); a plurality of chambers (401) and a plurality of plunger valve groups (402) are arranged in the microfluidic chip (4); each of the plunger valve groups (402) comprises a plurality of plunger valves (403); at least one plunger valve (403) is installed between two connected chambers (401) to control the connection or disconnection of the two chambers (401); and the plunger valve (403) opening device is used to open the plunger valve (403) on the microfluidic chip (4).

2. According to claim 1, a nucleic acid detection instrument driving structure based on a microfluidic chip is characterized in that: The plunger valve opening device (5) comprises a plurality of electric push rods (501) and driving members (502) respectively used to drive the electric push rods (501) to move. The electric push rods (501) squeeze the plunger valve (403) to open the plunger valve (403).

3. A nucleic acid detection instrument driving structure based on a microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The distances between all the plunger valves (403) in each plunger valve group (402) and the rotation axis of the clamping device (3) are equal, and the distances between the plunger valves (403) in different plunger valve groups (402) and the rotation axis of the clamping device (3) are unequal.

4. A nucleic acid detection instrument driving structure based on a microfluidic chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the plunger valve groups (402) is provided with at least one corresponding electric push rod (501) and a driving member (502).

5. The driving structure of a nucleic acid detection instrument based on a microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a sensing device (6), wherein the sensing device (6) is used to sense the rotational position of the clamping device (3).

6. A nucleic acid detection instrument driving structure based on a microfluidic chip according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sensing device (6) comprises a photoelectric sensor (601) mounted on the frame (1) and a light shielding sheet (602) mounted on the clamping device (3), and the rotation path of the light shielding sheet (602) passes through the photoelectric sensor (601).

7. A nucleic acid detection instrument driving structure based on a microfluidic chip according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The clamping device (3) comprises a clamping plate (301) and a cover plate (302) for fixing the microfluidic chip (4) on the clamping plate (301), and the clamping plate (301) is provided with a plurality of through holes (303) corresponding to the plunger valve (403).

8. A nucleic acid detection instrument driving structure based on a microfluidic chip according to claim 7, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip (4) is provided with a positioning hole (404), the cover plate (302) is provided with a positioning column (304), the positioning column (304) is installed in the positioning hole (404), and the cover plate (302) and the clamping plate (301) are fixed by magnet attraction.

9. A nucleic acid detection instrument driving structure based on a microfluidic chip according to claim 8, characterized in that: The clamping device (3) further comprises a plurality of positioning blocks (305) fixed on the clamping plate (301) and evenly arranged in the circumferential direction, a microfluidic chip (4) is installed between every two positioning blocks (305), and two adjacent positioning blocks (305) respectively abut against two sides of a microfluidic chip (4).

10. A nucleic acid detection instrument driving structure based on a microfluidic chip according to claim 9, characterized in that: The centrifugal drive device (2) comprises a servo motor (201), and the output shaft of the servo motor (201) is fixedly connected to the clamping device (3).

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