Micro-fluidic chip

Abstract

The micro-fluidic chip comprises a shell, a sample adding hole and a micro-channel located in the shell, the shell comprises an upper cover plate and a bearing substrate, the upper cover plate and / or the bearing substrate are / is provided with a sunken space used for forming the micro-channel, and a sample adding area, a liquid storage area, a reaction area, a detection area and a waste liquid area which are sequentially communicated through the micro-channel, the liquid storage area is provided with a liquid storage bag, staining fluid is stored in the liquid storage bag, the reaction area is a snake-shaped channel, the staining fluid is released by the liquid storage area while a sample is added through the sample adding hole, and the staining fluid is pushed by the sample to enter the snake-shaped channel and is mixed in the snake-shaped channel. According to the device, slide pollution is avoided through integrated operation, meanwhile, the operation of dyeing and uniform mixing is achieved through the S-shaped channel, the operation is simple and convenient, instrument modules of full-automatic microscopic examination instruments can be simplified, the steps of dyeing and uniform mixing can be reduced, and therefore the time of the whole experiment process is shortened, and the detection efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of biomedical device technology, and in particular to a microfluidic chip. Background Technology

[0002] Vaginal diseases are common among women's diseases. They are important risk factors for infertility, urinary tract infections, ectopic pregnancy, uterine cavity infection, fallopian tube inflammation, endometritis and other diseases. In obstetrics, they are the main cause of pregnancy complications such as amniotic fluid infection, neonatal infection and premature birth. The diagnosis of vaginal diseases usually involves the analysis and testing of vaginal secretions. The analysis of the formed elements of secretions usually uses secretion analysis slides.

[0003] Conventional analytical slides are usually separate, consisting of a slide and a coverslip. When handling the coverslip, manual handling can easily contaminate the slide. Common slide preparation methods include smearing, pressing, and mounting. Current slide preparation procedures are numerous, resulting in a cumbersome process and a long preparation time for testing personnel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to realize a microfluidic chip that avoids glass slide contamination while having high detection efficiency.

[0005] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A microfluidic chip includes a housing, a sample dispensing port, and microchannels located inside the housing. The housing includes a top cover and a support substrate. The top cover and / or the support substrate have recessed spaces to form the microchannels and a sample dispensing area, a liquid storage area, a reaction area, a detection area, and a waste liquid area that are sequentially connected through the microchannels. The liquid storage area has a liquid reservoir containing a staining solution. The reaction area is a serpentine channel. When a sample is added through the sample dispensing port, the liquid reservoir releases the staining solution. The sample pushes the staining solution into the serpentine channel, where the solution is mixed.

[0007] Preferably, the sample application area and the liquid storage area are located on one side of the serpentine channel, and the detection area and the waste liquid area are located on the other side of the serpentine channel.

[0008] Preferably, the waste liquid area is provided with a settling tank, which is formed by the inward indentation of the inner surface of the supporting substrate and the upper cover plate.

[0009] Preferably, the depth of the settling tank is 0.10~0.15mm.

[0010] Preferably, the carrier substrate is bonded to the upper cover plate.

[0011] Preferably, the microchannel includes a first microchannel, a second microchannel, and a third microchannel. One end of the first microchannel is connected to the sample application port, and the other end is connected to the third microchannel. One end of the second microchannel is connected to the liquid storage area, and the other end is connected to the third microchannel. The third microchannel is connected to the serpentine channel.

[0012] Preferably, the first microchannel and the second microchannel have an intersection area.

[0013] Preferably, the height of the detection area is 0.06~0.10mm.

[0014] Preferably, the microchannel and the detection area are located on the same horizontal plane.

[0015] Preferably, both the substrate and the top cover are made of transparent material.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the microfluidic chip of this invention has the following advantages:

[0017] (1) The microfluidic chip of this application realizes the staining and mixing operation through the serpentine channel, which is simple and convenient. For fully automatic microscopic instruments, it can simplify the instrument modules, reduce the staining and mixing steps, thereby speeding up the time of the entire experimental process, improving detection efficiency, and facilitating observation and analysis of results.

[0018] (2) The microfluidic chip of this application is equipped with a staining solution reservoir to realize the pre-embedding of liquid reagents, and the reservoir is made of opaque material to realize the room temperature and light protection of staining solution.

[0019] (3) The microfluidic chip of this application, compared with the existing separate analytical slides, eliminates the need for cover slip installation, realizes integrated operation, avoids contamination of the slide during manual touch when operating the cover slip, the whole design eliminates the liquid circuit system and cover slip handling of the traditional microscopic module, reduces the risk of droplet splashing and aerosol, and is more compatible with fully automatic gynecological secretion analysis instruments, which facilitates automatic slide loading, sample loading and detection. Finally, it realizes automated reproductive tract secretion detection through automatic imaging and intelligent image interpretation technology. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the microfluidic chip structure of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A structural diagram of the back of the top cover plate.

[0023] In the diagram: 1000, shell; 100, top cover; 101, sample loading area; 102, liquid storage area; 103, reaction area; 104, detection area; 105, waste liquid area; 106, microchannel; 1061, first microchannel; 1062, second microchannel; 1063, third microchannel; 107, vent; 200, support substrate; 201, settling tank. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0025] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or it can be fixed through another intermediate component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or it may be fixed through another intermediate component. When a component is said to be "set on" another component, it can be set directly on the other component or it may be set through another intermediate component. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] Figures 1-3 This invention relates to a microfluidic chip, comprising a housing 1000, a sample dispensing port, and a microchannel 106 located inside the housing 1000. The housing 1000 includes an upper cover plate 100 and a support substrate 200. The upper cover plate 100 and / or the support substrate 200 have recessed spaces to form the microchannel 106 and a sample dispensing area 101, a liquid storage area 102, a reaction area 103, a detection area 104, and a waste liquid area 105 that are sequentially connected through the microchannel 106. The liquid storage area 102 has a liquid storage sac containing a staining solution. The reaction area 103 is a serpentine channel. When the sample is added through the sample dispensing port, the liquid storage area 102 releases the staining solution. The sample pushes the staining solution into the serpentine channel, where the solution is mixed.

[0028] In this embodiment, the recessed space is formed by the upper cover plate 100. In other embodiments, the recessed space is formed by the support substrate 200, or by the upper cover plate 100 and the support substrate 200 together.

[0029] Specifically, both the substrate 200 and the top cover 100 are made of transparent material. The selected material has high light transmittance, which facilitates observation and acquisition of high-quality images. It also facilitates automated detection of reproductive tract secretions using automated imaging and intelligent image interpretation technologies when using an automated analysis platform. In some other preferred embodiments, the transparent material is glass, PMMA, or PDMS.

[0030] In other embodiments, the microfluidic chip of this application is suitable for any sample that needs to be stirred and mixed before being observed under a microscope.

[0031] A sample application hole is provided at the sample application area 101. One end of the serpentine channel is connected to the sample application hole and the staining solution in the storage area 102 through the microfluidic channel 106, and the other end is connected to the detection area 104 through the microfluidic channel 106.

[0032] Specifically, the sample feeding port is located on the upper cover plate 100.

[0033] The storage area 102 contains a storage bladder. In this embodiment, the storage bladder contains staining solution. After the staining solution is added to the sample application area 101, it enters the serpentine channel through the microfluidic channel 106. The staining solution storage bladder is made of an opaque material, which allows for light-proof preservation of the sample.

[0034] The liquid storage area 102 is also provided with a squeezing hole, which is located on the upper cover plate 100, so that the squeezing component can accurately squeeze the liquid storage bladder and make the dyeing liquid flow out.

[0035] The microchannel 106 includes a first microchannel 1061, a second microchannel 1062, and a third microchannel 1063. One end of the first microchannel 1061 is connected to the sample application port, and the other end is connected to the third microchannel 1063. One end of the second microchannel 1062 is connected to the liquid storage area 102, and the other end is connected to the third microchannel 1063. The third microchannel 1063 is connected to the serpentine channel.

[0036] Specifically, the first microchannel 1061 and the second microchannel 1062 have an intersection area. In a preferred embodiment, the first microchannel 1061 and the second microchannel 1062 are arranged in a V-shape, and the paths of the first microchannel 1061 and the second microchannel 1062 are of equal length, so that after the sample and the staining solution are released together, they can converge in the third microchannel 1063 and enter the serpentine channel to complete thorough mixing.

[0037] In some other embodiments, the path of the first microchannel 1061 is greater than that of the second microchannel 1062, so that the release of the staining solution can be later than the time point of sample introduction, and it can still merge with the sample and enter the serpentine channel of the reaction zone 103 through the third microchannel 1063 to complete thorough mixing.

[0038] In this embodiment, the reaction zone 103 is a serpentine channel, and the flow of the sample within the serpentine channel achieves mixing and staining. The serpentine channel is used to mix the staining solution and the sample, thereby realizing the staining operation. This eliminates the need for separate staining and mixing steps, enabling an integrated operation from sample loading to microscopic examination.

[0039] Waste liquid area 105 is provided with a settling tank 201, which is formed by the inward indentation of the inner surface of the support substrate 200 and the inner surface of the upper cover plate 100. The support substrate 200 and the upper cover plate 100 are bonded together to form the waste liquid area 105.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the depth of the sedimentation tank 201 is 0.10~0.15mm. The appropriate thickness of the sample liquid space formed by the sedimentation tank 201 can reduce the stratification of the liquid sample, that is, each cell or tissue exists in a flat focal plane, which is less likely to cause blockage and air bubbles, and can obtain a clearer observation effect.

[0041] A vent 107 is provided above the waste liquid area 105, and the vent 107 is located on the upper cover plate 100. This facilitates the removal of air from the detection area 104, prevents the formation of air bubbles in the sample liquid, and also allows the sample mixture to quickly enter the detection area 104 from the sample application area 101. At the same time, it prevents the sample from overflowing from the chip through the vent 107.

[0042] Specifically, the height of the detection area 104 is 0.06~0.10mm.

[0043] Specifically, the microchannel 106 and the detection area 104 are located on the same horizontal plane.

[0044] In this application, when the microfluidic chip is in use, the instrument injects the sample into the sample loading port of the sample loading area 101. At the same time as the sample is injected, the device squeezes the reservoir containing the staining solution in the liquid storage area 102. The sample passes through the first microchannel 1061, and the staining solution passes through the second microchannel 1062, and they converge in the third microchannel 1063. The sample pushes the staining solution through the third microchannel 1063 and enters the serpentine channel of the reaction area 103 together. The flow process in the serpentine channel achieves mixing and staining, and then enters the detection area 104. When the sample fills the entire detection area 104, the excess sample enters the waste liquid area 105. This application presents a microfluidic chip that achieves staining and mixing via a serpentine channel, simplifying the process and reducing staining and mixing steps in fully automated microscopy instruments. This accelerates the entire experimental process, improves detection efficiency, and facilitates observation and analysis of results. The chip includes a staining solution reservoir for pre-embedding of liquid reagents, and the reservoir is made of opaque material, ensuring room-temperature, light-protected storage of the staining solution. Compared to existing separate analytical slides, this application eliminates the need for coverslip installation, enabling integrated operation and preventing contamination of the slide during manual handling. The entire design eliminates the need for the liquid path system and coverslip handling found in traditional microscopy modules, reducing the risk of droplet splashing and aerosol buildup. It is also more compatible with fully automated gynecological secretion analysis instruments, facilitating automatic slide loading, sample loading, and detection. Finally, automated reproductive tract secretion detection is achieved through automatic imaging and intelligent image interpretation technology.

[0045] The above embodiments only illustrate several implementation methods of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of this utility model. These are all equivalent modifications and improvements made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of this utility model, and all of these fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A microfluidic chip, comprising a housing, a sample application port, and microchannels located inside the housing, characterized in that: The housing includes a top cover and a supporting substrate. The top cover and / or the supporting substrate have recessed spaces to form the microchannels and a sample application area, a liquid storage area, a reaction area, a detection area, and a waste liquid area that are sequentially connected through the microchannels. The liquid storage area has a liquid storage bladder containing a staining solution. The reaction area is a serpentine channel. When the sample is added through the sample application hole, the liquid storage area releases the staining solution. The sample pushes the staining solution into the serpentine channel and completes the mixing of the solution within the serpentine channel.

2. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample loading area and the liquid storage area are located on one side of the serpentine channel, while the detection area and the waste liquid area are located on the other side of the serpentine channel.

3. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waste liquid area is provided with a settling tank, which is formed by the inward indentation of the inner surface of the supporting substrate and the upper cover plate.

4. The microfluidic chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The depth of the settling tank is 0.10~0.15mm.

5. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The carrier substrate is bonded to the upper cover plate.

6. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microchannel includes a first microchannel, a second microchannel, and a third microchannel. One end of the first microchannel is connected to the sample application port, and the other end is connected to the third microchannel. One end of the second microchannel is connected to the liquid storage area, and the other end is connected to the third microchannel. The third microchannel is connected to the serpentine channel.

7. The microfluidic chip according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first microchannel and the second microchannel have an intersection area.

8. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height of the detection area is 0.06~0.10mm.

9. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microchannel and the detection area are located on the same horizontal plane.

10. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the substrate and the top cover are made of transparent material.

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