Microfluidic device for preparing micro-capsule embedding

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of micro-fluidic devices, in particular to a micro-fluidic device for preparing micro-capsule embedding. Comprising an embedding balling chamber, an embedding structure and a feeding device, the embedding balling chamber and the feeding device are combined and installed through the embedding structure, the embedding balling chamber, the feeding device and the embedding structure form a device module, the interior of the device module is of a conical structure, and a conical body structure is formed in the connecting position of the lower end of the feeding device and the embedding structure. A channel is formed at the joint of the outer wall of the embedding balling chamber and the inner cavity of the embedding structure, the centers of the embedding balling chamber, the embedding structure and the feeder are coaxial, and the embedding balling chamber and the embedding structure are embedded in a closed manner. The device is simple in structure, is made of stainless steel materials, is low in cost, can be reused, is high-temperature-resistant, is high in precision, and is easy to clean.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microfluidic device technology, specifically to a microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule embedding. Background Technology

[0002] Biomaterials such as enzymes, cells, and bacteria are easily affected by external acidic or alkaline environments during use, which can damage their activity. Alternatively, biomaterials may require slow release, necessitating the processing of encapsulating materials to slow the release rate. Microfluidic technology has been applied to the fabrication of microcapsules, with most existing technologies using materials such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and glass. However, microfluidic devices made from these materials have several drawbacks in terms of reusability, high-temperature resistance, high precision, and manufacturing cost. Furthermore, they do not meet the efficiency requirements for large-scale encapsulation and protection of biomaterials in industrial production. Additionally, microfluidic chips are prone to clogging during use, which is difficult to clear and affects stable operation.

[0003] Therefore, how to provide a microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule embedding has become a technical problem that needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above situation and to overcome the current technical defects, this utility model provides a microfluidic device for preparing microcapsules that is easy to assemble and disassemble and can prevent clogging.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: The microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule embedding provided by this solution includes an embedding chamber, a fitting structure, and a feeder. The embedding chamber and the feeder are assembled together through the fitting structure. The embedding chamber, the feeder, and the fitting structure form a device module. The interior of the device module is a conical structure. The lower end of the feeder and the fitting structure form a conical structure. The outer wall of the embedding chamber and the inner cavity of the fitting structure form a channel. The centers of the embedding chamber, the fitting structure, and the feeder are on the same axis. The embedding chamber and the fitting structure are sealed and fitted together.

[0006] Furthermore, the diameter of the bottom opening of the fitting structure is 0.2-2mm.

[0007] Furthermore, the bottom diameter of the conical opening at the upper end of the embedded spherical chamber is 1.2-2.5 times the bottom diameter of the interlocking structure.

[0008] Furthermore, the distance between the bottom opening of the interlocking structure and the bottom of the upper conical opening of the embedded spherical chamber is -5mm to -5mm.

[0009] Furthermore, the pressure of the feeder is 0.01 MPa-5 MPa.

[0010] Furthermore, the solution pressure in the channel is 0.01 MPa-5 MPa, which is adapted to the feeder pressure, so that both the raw material and the solution flow downward through the cavity of the embedded sphere.

[0011] The embedded sphere chamber, the interlocking structure, and the feeder are all made of stainless steel.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this utility model using the above structure are as follows: This utility model provides a microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule embedding, the advantages of which are: This device improves the microfluidics system in a three-dimensional and modular way, consisting of three parts: an embedding chamber, an interlocking structure, and a feeder, which can be easily disassembled and installed, solving the clogging problem; Since the embedding chamber, interlocking structure, and feeder are all made of stainless steel, the preparation of each module is simple and convenient, and the stainless steel material has low cost and low processing cost, can be standardized and manufactured on a large scale, and can withstand high temperature, making it convenient for repeated high-temperature sterilization; This microfluidic device can also be used in parallel arrays, which can further increase the efficiency of microcapsule preparation. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall component structure of the microcapsule-embedded microfluidic device prepared according to this utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal assembly structure of the microcapsule-embedded microfluidic device prepared according to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the embedding chamber of the microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule-embedded microfluidics according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the microcapsule-embedded microfluidic device prepared according to this utility model;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the feeder for the microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule embedding according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the device module for preparing the microcapsule-embedded microfluidic device according to this invention.

[0020] Figure 7The image shows the encapsulation effect of the microcapsule-encapsulated microfluidic device prepared according to this invention.

[0021] Among them, 1. Embedded sphere chamber, 2. Interlocking structure, 3. Feeder, 4. Device module, 5. Channel. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0023] It should be noted that the terms “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “up,” and “down” used in the following description refer to the directions shown in the attached diagram, while the terms “inside” and “outside” refer to the directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.

[0024] The technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: The microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule embedding provided by this solution includes an embedding chamber 1, a fitting structure 2, and a feeder 3. The embedding chamber 1 and the feeder 3 are assembled together through the fitting structure 2. The embedding chamber 1, the feeder 3, and the fitting structure 2 form a device module 4. The interior of the device module 4 is a conical structure. The lower end of the feeder 3 forms a conical structure at the connection with the fitting structure 2. A channel 5 is formed at the connection between the outer wall of the embedding chamber 1 and the inner cavity of the fitting structure 2.

[0025] The bottom opening diameter of the interlocking structure 2 is 0.2-2mm.

[0026] Among them, the diameter of the spherical chamber 1 is 1.2-2.5 times the diameter of the bottom of the interlocking structure.

[0027] Among them, the sphere-embedding chamber 1, the interlocking structure 2, and the feeder 3 are made of stainless steel.

[0028] The distance between the bottom opening of the interlocking structure 2 and the bottom of the upper conical opening of the embedded spherical chamber 1 is -5mm to -5mm.

[0029] The pressure entering the feeder 3 is 0.01 MPa-5 MPa.

[0030] The pressure of solution N1 entering channel 5 is 0.01Mpa-5Mpa, which is adapted to the pressure of feeder 3, so that both raw material M1 and solution N1 flow downward through the inner cavity of the embedded ball chamber 1.

[0031] In practical use, the raw material is introduced through the inlet of the feeder 3 and pressed into the interlocking structure 2 through the outlet of the feeder 3. It then enters the embedding chamber 1 through the interlocking structure 2, forming a raw material jet. A conical channel is formed between the outer wall of the embedding chamber 1 and the inner cavity of the interlocking structure, allowing the solution to flow into the middle of the embedding chamber 1, forming a solution jet. The raw material jet and the solution jet contact each other in the middle of the embedding chamber 1, forming microcapsules W1 to encapsulate the cells. The raw material is a mixture of sodium alginate and the material to be embedded, which can be cells, bacteria, enzymes, or other substances as needed. The encapsulation protective component, sodium alginate, is in a ratio of 1:1 to 3:1 to the encapsulated material, and the solution is a calcium chloride solution. The encapsulation system, consisting of encapsulation ball-forming chamber 1, interlocking structure 2, and feeder 3, can be connected in parallel to become an encapsulation ball-forming system with two, three, or more channels, increasing the overall flow rate of encapsulation. When the encapsulation system becomes clogged, it can be cleared by soaking in a strong alkali followed by high-pressure air entering through the feed inlet. Sterilization during use can be performed by conventional 121℃ steam sterilization for 30 minutes, followed by drying in a 50℃ oven before reuse. Example

[0032] When encapsulating probiotics, 1 gram of lyophilized Lactobacillus curvaturei Roea powder (1.2 × 10⁻⁶) was used. 11 CFU / g) was dissolved in 100 mL of physiological saline to form a bacterial suspension. 2% sodium alginate was added and allowed to dissolve completely to form a gel solution. This gel solution was injected into feeder 3 at a pressure of 0.5 MPa. 2% calcium chloride solution was then injected into channel 5 at a pressure of 0.55 MPa, forming microspheres... Figure 7 As shown, after encapsulation, the spheres are uniform in diameter and small in size. The uniform size of the encapsulated microcapsules can meet the encapsulation and protection requirements of probiotics, enzyme preparations, etc.

[0033] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, material, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, material, or apparatus.

[0034] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule embeddings, characterized in that: The device includes an embedding sphere chamber, a fitting structure, and a feeder. The embedding sphere chamber and the feeder are assembled together via the fitting structure. The embedding sphere chamber, the feeder, and the fitting structure form a device module. The interior of the device module is a conical structure. The lower end of the feeder connects to the fitting structure to form a conical structure. The outer wall of the embedding sphere chamber connects to the inner cavity of the fitting structure to form a channel. The centers of the embedding sphere chamber, the fitting structure, and the feeder are on the same axis. The embedding sphere chamber and the fitting structure are sealed together.

2. The microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule embedding according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter of the bottom opening of the interlocking structure is 0.2-2mm.

3. The microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule embedding according to claim 2, characterized in that: The diameter of the bottom of the conical opening at the upper end of the embedded spherical chamber is 1.2-2.5 times the diameter of the bottom of the interlocking structure.

4. The microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule embedding according to claim 3, characterized in that: The distance between the bottom opening of the interlocking structure and the bottom of the upper conical opening of the embedded spherical chamber is -5mm to -5mm.

5. The microfluidic device for preparing microcapsules according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pressure of the feeder is 0.01 MPa-5 MPa.

6. The microfluidic device for preparing microcapsule embedding according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sphere-forming chamber, the interlocking structure, and the feeder are all made of stainless steel.

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