Device for preparing double-droplet microspheres

Abstract

The utility model discloses a device for preparing a double-droplet microsphere. The device comprises a fluid injection unit, a liquid injection unit and a control unit, the micro-fluidic chip comprises a cover glass, one side of the cover glass is provided with a dispensing needle a, the dispensing needle a is connected with an internal phase glass capillary tube, the internal phase glass capillary tube is partially nested in an intermediate phase glass capillary tube, the intermediate phase glass capillary tube is partially nested in an external phase glass capillary tube, and the external phase glass capillary tube is connected with the external phase glass capillary tube. A dispensing needle b is vertically arranged above one end, which is overlapped with the inner phase glass capillary, of the intermediate phase glass capillary, and a dispensing needle c is vertically arranged above one end, which is overlapped with the intermediate phase glass capillary, of the outer phase glass capillary; and a micro-droplet collection unit. According to the utility model, through the coaxially arranged glass capillary tube and the dispensing needle head communicated with the glass capillary tube, the double-droplet microsphere is prepared, meanwhile, the groove is formed in the dispensing needle head, so that the construction of a coaxial glass capillary tube micro-fluidic chip is facilitated, the preparation equipment is simple, and the operation is simple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of material technology preparation and sustained release, and particularly relates to a device for preparing double-droplet microspheres. Background Art

[0002] During the microsphere production process, it is necessary to consider the size and particle size distribution of the microspheres, the loading capacity and release performance of the microspheres, and the stability and storage conditions of the microspheres. Among them, the size and particle size distribution have the greatest impact on controlled-release microspheres. Droplet microfluidics technology is relatively simple to operate, and the prepared microspheres are uniform in size, the system is closed, and the monodispersity is good. The particle size deviation can be stably controlled to below 5%. Therefore, using microfluidic chips to produce microspheres is a good choice. However, when manually constructing coaxial flow microfluidic chips and preparing droplet microspheres based on microfluidics technology, some problems are encountered, such as the inability to ensure coaxiality in the absence of a fixture, and difficulty in disassembly and cleaning. Therefore, the development of a simple dual droplet generation device based on coaxial flow microfluidics technology is urgent. Utility Model Content

[0003] An object of the present invention is to solve at least the above problems and / or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages to be described hereinafter.

[0004] In order to achieve these purposes and other advantages according to the present invention, a device for preparing double droplet microspheres is provided, comprising:

[0005] Fluid injection unit;

[0006] A microfluidic chip, comprising a cover glass, a dispensing needle a provided on one side of the cover glass, the dispensing needle a being connected to an inner-phase glass capillary, the inner-phase glass capillary partially nested in an intermediate-phase glass capillary, the intermediate-phase glass capillary partially nested in an outer-phase glass capillary, a dispensing needle b being vertically provided above one end where the intermediate-phase glass capillary overlaps with the inner-phase glass capillary, and the dispensing needle b being in communication with the intermediate-phase glass capillary, a dispensing needle c being vertically provided above one end where the outer-phase glass capillary overlaps with the intermediate-phase glass capillary, and the dispensing needle c being in communication with the outer-phase glass capillary;

[0007] The micro-droplet collecting unit is located below the external glass capillary.

[0008] Preferably, the inner phase glass capillary, the middle phase glass capillary, and the outer phase glass capillary are coaxially arranged.

[0009] Preferably, the portion where the inner phase glass capillary tube overlaps with the middle phase glass capillary tube forms a shear zone a, and the portion where the middle phase glass capillary tube overlaps with the outer phase glass capillary tube forms a shear zone b.

[0010] Preferably, the dispensing needle a includes a needle portion a and a bottom portion a, the dispensing needle b includes a needle portion b and a bottom portion b, and the dispensing needle c includes a needle portion c and a bottom portion c.

[0011] Preferably, a groove I is formed on the bottom b, a groove II is formed on the bottom c, the middle phase glass capillary is passed through the groove I, and the outer phase glass capillary is passed through the groove II.

[0012] Preferably, the bottom b is bonded to the end where the middle phase glass capillary tube overlaps with the inner phase glass capillary tube, and the point bottom c is bonded to the end where the outer phase glass capillary tube overlaps with the middle phase glass capillary tube.

[0013] Preferably, the inner diameter of the dispensing needle a is consistent with the outer diameter of the inner phase glass capillary.

[0014] Preferably, the inner diameter of the inner phase glass capillary is 0.2 mm and the outer diameter is 0.34 mm; the inner diameter of the middle phase glass capillary is 0.5 mm and the outer diameter is 0.76 mm; the inner diameter of the outer phase glass capillary is 0.9 mm and the outer diameter is 1.2 mm.

[0015] Preferably, the fluid injection unit includes a microprocessor controller, a sealed liquid inlet bottle and a pressure pump, the microprocessor controller is electrically connected to the pressure pump, the sealed liquid inlet bottle is connected to the pressure pump, and the pressure pump is connected to the microfluidic chip.

[0016] The utility model includes at least the following beneficial effects: double droplet microspheres are prepared by coaxially arranging a glass capillary and a dispensing needle connected thereto, and a groove is arranged at the dispensing needle to facilitate the construction of a coaxial glass capillary microfluidic chip, and the preparation equipment is simple and easy to operate.

[0017] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be reflected in part through the following description, and in part will be understood by those skilled in the art through research and practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is an overall schematic diagram of the utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the microfluidic chip in this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the microfluidic chip in the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 For this utility model Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0022] Figure 5 For this utility model Figure 2 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the dispensing needle b of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the dispensing needle c of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention will be described in further detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can implement the invention with reference to the description.

[0026] It should be understood that terms such as “having”, “including” and “comprising” used herein do not preclude the existence or addition of one or more other elements or combinations thereof.

[0027] It should be noted that in the description of this utility model, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are intended solely to facilitate the description of this utility model and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "provided with", "sleeved / connected", "connected", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. It can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. It can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. It can be a communication between the internal parts of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0029] In addition, in the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, when a first feature is "above" or "below" a second feature, it can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, when a first feature is "above," "above," or "above" a second feature, it can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. When a first feature is "below," "below," or "below" a second feature, it can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, a device for preparing double droplet microspheres includes:

[0031] Fluid injection unit 1;

[0032] A microfluidic chip 2 includes a cover glass 21, a dispensing needle a22 disposed on one side of the cover glass 21, the dispensing needle a22 being connected to an inner-phase glass capillary 25, the inner-phase glass capillary 25 partially nested in an intermediate-phase glass capillary 26, the intermediate-phase glass capillary 26 partially nested in an outer-phase glass capillary 27, a dispensing needle b23 disposed vertically above the end where the intermediate-phase glass capillary 26 overlaps with the inner-phase glass capillary 25, and a dispensing needle c24 disposed vertically above the end where the outer-phase glass capillary 27 overlaps with the intermediate-phase glass capillary 26.

[0033] The micro-droplet collecting unit 3 is located below the external glass capillary 27 .

[0034] Working principle:

[0035] The inner phase solution, the middle phase solution, and the outer phase solution in the fluid injection unit 1 are sequentially introduced into the microfluidic chip 2. The cover glass 21 is used to support the entire microfluidic chip 2. The specific process is as follows: the inner phase solution is injected from the inner phase glass capillary 25 using the dispensing needle a 22. After the inner phase solution fully fills the entire inner phase glass capillary 25, the dispensing needle b 23 is connected to the middle phase glass capillary 26, and the middle phase solution is then injected into the middle phase glass capillary 26 using the dispensing needle b 23; the middle phase solution enters the middle phase glass capillary 26, and the inner phase solution and the middle phase solution are sheared at the end of the inner phase glass capillary 25 to form a single emulsion droplet after stable flow. 24 is connected to the external phase glass capillary 27, and then the external phase solution is injected from the external phase glass capillary 27 using a dispensing needle c24. The external phase solution enters the intermediate phase glass capillary 27. The intermediate phase solution and the external phase solution shear at the end of the intermediate phase glass capillary to wrap the single emulsion droplet to form a double droplet, and then the double droplet is dropped into the collecting liquid of the micro-droplet collecting unit 3, and solidified in the collecting liquid to form a double droplet microsphere.

[0036] In the above technical solution, the inner phase glass capillary 25, the middle phase glass capillary 26, and the outer phase glass capillary 27 are coaxially arranged. The coaxial arrangement of the inner phase glass capillary 25, the middle phase glass capillary 26, and the outer phase glass capillary 27 facilitates manual construction of the microfluidic chip 2.

[0037] In the above technical solution, the overlapping portion of the inner phase glass capillary 25 and the middle phase glass capillary 26 forms a shear zone a 261, and the overlapping portion of the middle phase glass capillary 26 and the outer phase glass capillary 27 forms a shear zone b 271. The inner phase solution and the middle phase solution form single emulsion droplets in shear zone a 261, and the single emulsion droplets and the outer phase solution form double droplets in shear zone b 271.

[0038] In the above technical solution, the dispensing needle a 22 includes a needle portion a 221 and a bottom portion a 222, the dispensing needle b 23 includes a needle portion b 231 and a bottom portion b 232, and the dispensing needle c 24 includes a needle portion c 241 and a bottom portion c 242. The needle portions of all dispensing needles are used to inject solution, and the bottom portions are used to fix the components.

[0039] In the above technical solution, a groove I 41 is formed on the bottom b 232 , a groove II 42 is formed on the bottom c 242 , the middle phase glass capillary 26 is passed through the groove I 41 , and the outer phase glass capillary 27 is passed through the groove II 42 .

[0040] In the above technical solution, the bottom portion b 232 is bonded to the end of the mesophase glass capillary 26 where it overlaps with the inner phase glass capillary 25, and the dot bottom portion c 242 is bonded to the end of the outer phase glass capillary 27 where it overlaps with the mesophase glass capillary 26. Grooves I 41 and II 42 are used to secure the mesophase glass capillary 26 and outer phase glass capillary 27, respectively. Epoxy resin glue is also used to secure the dispensing needles and glass capillaries and seal the gaps.

[0041] In the above technical solution, the inner-phase glass capillary 25 has an inner diameter of 0.2 mm and an outer diameter of 0.34 mm; the mesophase glass capillary 26 has an inner diameter of 0.5 mm and an outer diameter of 0.76 mm; and the outer-phase glass capillary 27 has an inner diameter of 0.9 mm and an outer diameter of 1.2 mm. These inner and outer diameters of the glass capillaries allow the mesophase solution and the outer-phase solution to flow smoothly into the mesophase glass capillary 26 and the outer-phase glass capillary 27, respectively, facilitating the formation of double droplets.

[0042] In the above technical solution, the inner diameter of the dispensing needle a 22 is consistent with the outer diameter of the inner phase glass capillary 25. The inner diameter of the dispensing needle a 22 is consistent with the outer diameter of the inner phase glass capillary 25 to prevent leakage of the inner phase solution.

[0043] In the above technical solution, the fluid injection unit 1 includes a microprocessor controller 11, a sealed liquid inlet bottle 13, and a pressure pump 12. The microprocessor controller 11 is electrically connected to the pressure pump 12, the sealed liquid inlet bottle 13 is connected to the pressure pump 12, and the pressure pump 12 is connected to the microfluidic chip. The microprocessor controller 11 is used to control the pressure pump 12 to further control the injection and flow rate of the fluid, and the sealed liquid inlet bottle 13 is used to store the fluid.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the description and implementation methods. They can be fully applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. For those familiar with this field, additional modifications can be easily implemented. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and the scope of equivalents, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and illustrations shown and described herein.

Claims

1. A device for preparing double droplet microspheres, characterized in that: include: Fluid injection unit; A microfluidic chip, comprising a cover glass, a dispensing needle a provided on one side of the cover glass, the dispensing needle a being connected to an inner-phase glass capillary, the inner-phase glass capillary partially nested in an intermediate-phase glass capillary, the intermediate-phase glass capillary partially nested in an outer-phase glass capillary, a dispensing needle b being vertically provided above one end where the intermediate-phase glass capillary overlaps with the inner-phase glass capillary, and the dispensing needle b being in communication with the intermediate-phase glass capillary, a dispensing needle c being vertically provided above one end where the outer-phase glass capillary overlaps with the intermediate-phase glass capillary, and the dispensing needle c being in communication with the outer-phase glass capillary; The micro-droplet collecting unit is located below the external glass capillary.

2. The device for preparing double droplet microspheres according to claim 1, characterized in that The inner phase glass capillary, the middle phase glass capillary and the outer phase glass capillary are coaxially arranged.

3. The device for preparing double droplet microspheres according to claim 1, characterized in that The portion where the inner phase glass capillary tube overlaps with the middle phase glass capillary tube forms a shear zone a, and the portion where the middle phase glass capillary tube overlaps with the outer phase glass capillary tube forms a shear zone b.

4. The device for preparing double droplet microspheres according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dispensing needle a includes a needle portion a and a bottom portion a, the dispensing needle b includes a needle portion b and a bottom portion b, and the dispensing needle c includes a needle portion c and a bottom portion c.

5. The device for preparing double droplet microspheres according to claim 4, characterized in that: A groove I is formed on the bottom b, a groove II is formed on the bottom c, the middle phase glass capillary is passed through the groove I, and the outer phase glass capillary is passed through the groove II.

6. The device for preparing double droplet microspheres according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom b is bonded to the end where the middle phase glass capillary tube overlaps with the inner phase glass capillary tube, and the bottom c is bonded to the end where the outer phase glass capillary tube overlaps with the middle phase glass capillary tube.

7. The device for preparing double droplet microspheres according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the dispensing needle a is consistent with the outer diameter of the inner phase glass capillary.

8. The device for preparing double droplet microspheres according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner phase glass capillary has an inner diameter of 0.2 mm and an outer diameter of 0.34 mm, the middle phase glass capillary has an inner diameter of 0.5 mm and an outer diameter of 0.76 mm, and the outer phase glass capillary has an inner diameter of 0.9 mm and an outer diameter of 1.2 mm.

9. The device for preparing double droplet microspheres according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fluid injection unit includes a microprocessor controller, a sealed liquid inlet bottle and a pressure pump. The microprocessor controller is electrically connected to the pressure pump, the sealed liquid inlet bottle is connected to the pressure pump, and the pressure pump is connected to the microfluidic chip.

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