Sample introduction device for micro-droplet generation chip

Abstract

The utility model belongs to a micro-droplet generation technology, and particularly relates to a sampling device for a micro-droplet generation chip, which comprises an oil phase liquid storage tank, a reaction enzyme liquid storage tank and a sample liquid storage tank, the pressurizing module communicates with an inlet of the pressure storage tank; one end of the pressure reduction module is communicated with the outlet of the pressure storage tank, and the other end is communicated with the liquid storage pool; the plurality of pipelines are arranged in parallel, the oil phase liquid storage tank, the reaction enzyme liquid storage tank and the sample liquid storage tank are respectively arranged in each pipeline, the switch valve is arranged in each pipeline and is positioned at the downstream of the liquid storage tank, and an outlet of the switch valve is communicated with the micro-droplet generation chip. The micro-droplet generation device has the advantages of stable pressure, simple structure and the like, and is used for micro-droplet generation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to microdroplet generation, and more particularly to a sample introduction device for microdroplet generation chips. Background Technology

[0002] The chip generates microdroplets by adding one oil phase, one bioreactive enzyme solution, and one sample solution to three separate storage tanks. In practice, three different pressures are applied to these tanks to force the liquid into the microdroplet generation chip, creating tiny droplets containing the oil phase encapsulating the enzyme solution and sample solution. Adjusting the pressure applied to the storage tanks changes the size and generation rate of the droplets in the chip's generation channel. Because the droplets generated by this chip are very small (10 μm) and have a high generation rate of 40,000 droplets / s, the gas pressure supplied to the storage tanks should be >250 kPa, the pressure stability should be <±1 kPa, and the pressure fluctuation should be <±0.5 kPa. Therefore, a high-pressure, highly stable gas pressure is required to drive the rapid and stable generation of these tiny droplets.

[0003] The microdroplet generation chip is reusable, so the sample solution needs to be constantly replaced to achieve continuous sample loading. When changing the sample, in order to ensure that the new sample can enter the microdroplet generation chip smoothly, the liquid supply of the three channels needs to be temporarily cut off. However, the air pressure cannot be released, otherwise the droplets will backflow. Therefore, the on / off control of the three liquid supply channels is required.

[0004] The entire microdroplet generation device is placed inside the instrument, so an air pump is needed to pressurize the liquid storage tank in real time, and a micro valve is needed to control the air pressure.

[0005] Most commercial devices on the market that involve droplet generation rely on a single gas pressure system with a pressure of only about 40-50 kPa. The accuracy requirements for pressure are not high, and a miniature diaphragm pump can be used for pressurization.

[0006] Three-channel liquid simultaneous injection microdroplet generation chips are mostly used in laboratories. Laboratories generally use a syringe pump to inject oil phase, enzyme solution, and sample solution into the microdroplet generation chip to generate droplets. The on / off of the three liquid points is controlled by the operation and stopping of the syringe pump. Alternatively, a micro diaphragm valve can be used for on / off control, but this method is too expensive, with the cost of three channels exceeding 30,000 yuan.

[0007] Some laboratories use a pneumatically driven method, pressurizing the storage tank with a diaphragm air pump and a proportional pressure controller, and using a miniature diaphragm valve to control the flow of the three liquids. This solution is still very expensive, with an estimated cost of over 20,000 yuan. Furthermore, the required air pressure will increase due to changes in pipeline flow resistance after the installation of the miniature diaphragm valve. Utility Model Content

[0008] To address the shortcomings of the existing technical solutions, this utility model provides a sample introduction device for microdroplet generation chips.

[0009] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0010] A sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip includes an oil phase reservoir, a reactive enzyme reservoir, and a sample reservoir; the sample introduction device further includes:

[0011] A pressure tank and a pressurization module, wherein the pressurization module is connected to the inlet of the pressure tank;

[0012] A pressure reducing module, one end of which is connected to the outlet of the pressure storage tank and the other end of which is connected to the liquid storage tank;

[0013] Multiple pipelines and switching valves are provided, with the multiple pipelines arranged in parallel. The oil phase storage tank, the reaction enzyme storage tank, and the sample storage tank are respectively arranged in each pipeline. The switching valve is arranged in each pipeline and is located downstream of the storage tank. The outlet is connected to the microdroplet generating chip.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0015] 1. Stable pressure;

[0016] By combining pressure storage tanks and pressure reducing modules, high-stability, low-fluctuation air pressure is provided for parallel pipelines;

[0017] Using a normally open pinch valve does not affect the flow resistance of the pipeline or the working pressure of the microdroplet generation chip, making the equipment debugging process simpler and more reliable.

[0018] 2. Safety;

[0019] By monitoring the air pressure in the parallel pipeline through a pressure sensor, setting a certain pressure threshold and pressure fluctuation value per unit time and alarming in real time, the working stability of the microdroplet generation chip is improved.

[0020] 3. Simple structure and low cost;

[0021] Pressure tanks, pressure reducing valves, and switching valves are all mature components with simple structures and low costs. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The disclosure of this utility model will become more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the sample introduction device for microdroplet generation chips according to this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figure 1 The following description illustrates optional embodiments of the present invention to teach those skilled in the art how to implement and reproduce it. For the purpose of teaching the technical solutions of the present invention, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art should understand that variations or substitutions derived from these embodiments will be within the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the following features can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the following optional embodiments, but is defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0025] Example 1.

[0026] A sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes.

[0027] Oil phase storage tank 11, enzyme reaction tank 12 and sample storage tank 13.

[0028] The pressurization module is connected to the inlet of the pressure tank 21.

[0029] One end of the pressure reducing module is connected to the outlet of the pressure storage tank 21, and the other end is connected to the liquid storage tank.

[0030] Multiple pipelines are connected in parallel. The oil phase storage tank 11, the reaction enzyme storage tank 12 and the sample storage tank 13 are respectively installed in each pipeline. The switch valve 61 is installed in each pipeline and is located downstream of the storage tank. The outlet is connected to the microdroplet generating chip 81.

[0031] To ensure stable pressurization, the pressurization module further includes:

[0032] The air pump 31, the pressurizing valve 32, and the pressure tank 21 are connected in sequence.

[0033] To achieve the automatic pressure relief function, the pressurization module further includes:

[0034] The first switching valve 33 is used to selectively connect the pressurization valve 32 to air and the air pump 31.

[0035] To improve operational reliability, the sample introduction device further includes a filter 34, which is disposed on the pipeline between the air pump 31 and the first switching valve 33.

[0036] To ensure pressure stability, the pressure reduction module further includes:

[0037] The first pressure reducing valve 41 is located between the outlet of the pressure tank 21 and the parallel pipeline;

[0038] The second pressure reducing valve 42 is installed on each pipeline and is located upstream of the liquid storage tank.

[0039] To achieve automatic pressure relief, the injection device further includes:

[0040] The second switching valve 43 is used to selectively connect the pressure reducing module to either air or the pressure tank 21.

[0041] To monitor the pressure in the flow path, the injection device further includes:

[0042] Pressure sensor 51 is used to detect the pressure of the pressure tank 21 and the pipeline.

[0043] Example 2.

[0044] According to the application example of the sample introduction device for microdroplet generation chip in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0045] In this application example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the pressurization module includes an air pump 31, a filter 34, a first switching valve 33, and a pressurization valve 32 connected in sequence. Both the first switching valve 33 and the pressurization valve 32 are two-position three-way solenoid valves. When the power is off, the first switching valve 33 and the pressure tank 21 are disconnected, while the filter 34 and the pressurization valve 32 are connected. When the power is on, the pressure tank 21 is connected to air through the pressurization valve 32 and the first switching valve 33 to achieve the pressure relief function.

[0046] The oil phase storage tank 11, the enzyme reaction tank 12, and the sample storage tank 13 are respectively installed in three parallel pipelines. The switching valve 61 is a normally open pinch valve (the addition of the pinch valve has a very small impact on the flow resistance of the entire liquid pipeline, so the air pressure between each device does not need to be specially adjusted. The pressure that the normally open pinch valve can block can be increased by increasing the electromagnetic force of the pinch valve, which is much more convenient than the normally closed pinch valve which requires adjusting the spring force and electromagnetic force to increase the blocking pressure), installed in each pipeline, downstream of the storage tank, with the outlet connected to the microdroplet generating chip 81.

[0047] The pressure reducing module includes a first pressure reducing valve 41 and a second pressure reducing valve 42. The first pressure reducing valve 41 is located between the outlet of the pressure tank 21 and the parallel pipeline; the second pressure reducing valve 42 is located on each pipeline and upstream of the liquid storage tank. The second switching valve 43 is a two-position three-way solenoid valve, used to selectively connect the pressure reducing module to air or the pressure tank 21. When energized, the pressure tank 21 is connected to the liquid storage tank; when de-energized, the liquid storage tank is connected to air through the second switching valve 43, thus achieving the pressure relief function.

[0048] Pressure sensor 51 detects the gas pressure in pressure tank 21 and the three pipelines.

[0049] The working principle of the sample injection device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0050] The pressure monitoring sensor 51 monitors the internal pressure of the pressure tank 21 in real time. If the pressure is lower than the set value, air is supplied and pressurized by passing through the diaphragm air pump 31, filter 34, first switching valve 33 (power off) and pressurization valve 32 (power on) in sequence.

[0051] When the internal pressure of the pressure tank 21 is higher than the set value, it is necessary to release the pressure. The first switching valve 33 and the pressurizing valve 32 are energized, and the gas in the pressure tank 21 is discharged into the air through the pressurizing valve 32 and the first switching valve 33 in sequence.

[0052] When the second switching valve 43 is energized, the pressure in the pressure tank 21 is released into the three liquid storage pools. When the power is off, the pressure in the three liquid storage pools is released into the atmosphere through the second switching valve 43, thereby achieving pressure relief. At the same time, the connection with the pressure tank 21 is disconnected to prevent the pressure tank 21 from depressurizing.

[0053] The pressure sensor 51 in the parallel pipeline monitors the output pressure values ​​of the three pipelines in real time, which makes it convenient to directly view the accurate pressure value during the initial commissioning of the equipment. It can also monitor the pressure stability and pressure fluctuation in subsequent tests. By designing certain pressure thresholds and pressure fluctuation values ​​per unit time and setting real-time alarms, the working stability of the microdroplet generation chip can be improved.

Claims

1. A sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip, comprising an oil phase reservoir, a reactive enzyme reservoir, and a sample reservoir; characterized in that, The sample introduction device further includes: A pressure tank and a pressurization module, wherein the pressurization module is connected to the inlet of the pressure tank; A pressure reducing module, one end of which is connected to the outlet of the pressure storage tank and the other end of which is connected to the liquid storage tank; Multiple pipelines and switching valves are provided, with the multiple pipelines arranged in parallel. The oil phase storage tank, the reaction enzyme storage tank, and the sample storage tank are respectively arranged in each pipeline. The switching valve is arranged in each pipeline and is located downstream of the storage tank. The outlet is connected to the microdroplet generating chip.

2. The sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressurization module includes: An air pump and a pressurizing valve are connected in sequence to a pressure tank.

3. The sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pressurization module also includes: A first switching valve is used to selectively connect the pressurization valve to air and the air pump.

4. The sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pressurizing valve and the first switching valve are solenoid valves. When energized, the pressure tank is connected to air through the pressurizing valve and the first switching valve. When de-energized, the first switching valve is connected to air.

5. The sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sample introduction device also includes a filter, which is disposed on the pipeline between the air pump and the first switching valve.

6. The sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure reduction module includes: A first pressure reducing valve is disposed between the outlet of the pressure tank and the parallel pipeline; The second pressure reducing valve is installed on each pipeline and is located upstream of the liquid storage tank.

7. The sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sample introduction device further includes: The second switching valve is used to selectively connect the pressure reducing module to air or the pressure tank.

8. The sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second switching valve is a solenoid valve. When energized, the pressure tank is connected to the pressure reducing module. When de-energized, the pressure reducing module is connected to air.

9. The sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sample introduction device further includes: A pressure sensor is used to detect the pressure in the pressure tank and the pipeline.

10. The sample introduction device for a microdroplet generation chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching valve is a pinch valve.

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