Micro-fluidic chip capable of releasing pressure

Abstract

The utility model discloses a micro-fluidic chip capable of releasing pressure, which relates to the field of detection equipment and comprises a chip main body and a sealing cover, and the sealing cover comprises a cover body and a plug body. The plug body comprises a plug body upper portion, a plug body middle portion and a plug body lower portion, a gap exists between the plug body middle portion and the boss, an annular protrusion is arranged in the plug body middle portion, and an airflow channel is formed in the plug body lower portion. After the sealing cover moves downwards for a certain distance or when the downward moving speed is too high, the plug body can reduce the pressure applied to the air in the sample adding cavity through deformation, so that the pressure of liquid to the breathable film is reduced, and the breathable film is prevented from being damaged due to the fact that the pressure is too large.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of testing equipment, specifically a pressure-relief microfluidic chip. Background Technology

[0002] As described in Chinese utility model patent publication CN 118179625 A, a microfluidic chip typically consists of a chip body, a screw cap, a breathable membrane, and other components. It relies on gravity and air pressure to propel the liquid flow and requires a sealed design during use. The breathable membrane is relatively fragile and cannot tolerate excessive internal pressure. If the liquid has already filled the flow channels of the reagent card, further pressurization will cause the breathable membrane to withstand excessive pressure, posing a risk of breakage. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pressure-relief microfluidic chip, which aims to overcome the aforementioned problems in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0005] A pressure-relief microfluidic chip includes a chip body and a sealing cap. The chip body has a sample dispensing chamber. The sealing cap includes a cap body and an elastically deformable plug body, with the plug body fixed to the cap body. The cap body is movably disposed at the sample dispensing port of the sample dispensing chamber. By moving the cap body, the plug body moves downward, thereby compressing the internal space of the sample dispensing chamber. A boss is provided on the inner side of the cap body, and the plug body is sleeved on the outside of the boss. The plug body includes an upper part, a middle part, and a lower part. There is a gap between the inner sidewall of the middle part and the outer sidewall of the boss. An annular protrusion is provided on the outer sidewall of the middle part, and the annular protrusion seals against the inner sidewall of the sample dispensing chamber.

[0006] Furthermore, the outer side wall of the lower part of the plug abuts against the inner side wall of the sample application chamber, and the lower part of the plug is provided with at least one airflow channel running vertically through it.

[0007] Furthermore, the outer side wall of the lower part of the plug is provided with several grooves distributed in a ring shape, which serve as the airflow channel.

[0008] Furthermore, the inner wall of the upper part of the plug body is sealed against the outer wall of the boss.

[0009] Furthermore, the upper part of the plug body is provided with an annular flange facing outward.

[0010] Furthermore, the annular flange is replaced by a sealing gasket.

[0011] Furthermore, the inner wall of the sample addition chamber is provided with at least one protrusion; when the stopper moves up and down due to the movement of the cover, the upper end of the protrusion switches back and forth between the top and bottom of the annular protrusion.

[0012] Furthermore, the protrusion is provided with a pressure relief groove; when the cover moves and drives the plug to move up and down, the upper end of the pressure relief groove switches back and forth between the top and bottom of the annular protrusion.

[0013] Furthermore, the cover is movably disposed at the sample inlet of the sample dispensing chamber via a threaded structure.

[0014] Furthermore, the lower end face of the annular protrusion is an upward-sloping surface.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages:

[0016] When the sealing cap moves downwards, the annular protrusion initially pressurizes the air in the sample application chamber, increasing the air pressure and thus delivering the liquid into the microfluidic channel. After the sealing cap moves a certain distance downwards, or if the downward movement is too rapid, the excessive air pressure in the sample application chamber forces the middle of the plug to deform, specifically, to indent towards the outer wall of the protrusion. This creates a gap between the annular protrusion and the inner wall of the sample application chamber. High-pressure air fills the depression and simultaneously overflows through the gap into the space above the annular protrusion, thus achieving pressure reduction. As the sealing cap continues to move downwards, the upper ends of the ridge and the pressure relief groove both pass over the annular protrusion, further causing the middle of the plug to indent towards the outer wall of the protrusion, increasing the depression area and the gap, further achieving the purpose of pressure relief. As can be seen, when the sealing cap moves downward a certain distance or moves downward too quickly, the plug can reduce the pressure on the air in the sample application chamber by deformation, thereby reducing the pressure of the liquid on the permeable membrane and preventing the permeable membrane from being damaged due to excessive pressure. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is the front view of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the present invention in its disassembled state.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention in its disassembled state.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the cover in this utility model.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a front view of the plug body in this utility model.

[0022] Figure 6 In this utility model, the plug body is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view along the AA direction is shown.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the sample filling cavity in this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The specific embodiments of this utility model are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many details are described below to provide a comprehensive understanding of this utility model; however, those skilled in the art can implement this utility model without these details.

[0025] like Figures 1-7 As shown, a pressure-relief microfluidic chip includes a chip body 1 and a sealing cap. The chip body 1 has a sample application chamber 31. The chip body 1 also has a detection chamber 33 containing a lyophilized bulb, and a microfluidic channel 32 connecting the sample application chamber 31 and the detection chamber 33. Meanwhile, common accessories such as pressure-sensitive membranes and hydrophobic breathable membranes are fixed to the front and back of the chip body 1, respectively. These are common designs for microfluidic chips and will not be described in detail here.

[0026] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the sealing cap includes a cap body 1 and an elastically deformable plug body 2, with the plug body 1 fixedly mounted on the cap body 2. The cap body 1 is movably disposed at the sample inlet of the sample application chamber 31; in use, the movement of the cap body 1 causes the plug body 2 to move up and down inside the sample application chamber 31. When the plug body 2 moves down, it compresses the internal space of the sample application chamber 31, thereby pressurizing the air inside the sample application chamber 31, and then allowing the liquid inside the sample application chamber 31 to enter the detection chamber 33 through the microfluidic channel 32, where it contacts the lyophilized bulb.

[0027] like Figures 1-6 As shown, in one specific embodiment, the cover 1 is movably disposed at the sample inlet of the sample dispensing chamber via a threaded structure. Specifically, the threaded structure refers to the internal thread 12 of the cover 1 and the external thread 312 of the sample dispensing chamber 31. In use, rotating the cover 1 will cause the plug 2 to move up and down.

[0028] like Figures 1-6 As shown, in one specific embodiment, the inner side of the cover 1 is provided with a boss 11, and the lower end of the boss 11 is provided with a mounting hole 110. The plug 2 has a cover-like structure with an open upper end and a connector 24 is provided inside. During assembly, the connector 24 is snapped into the mounting hole 110, thereby detachably fixing the plug 2 to the cover 1, and the plug 2 is fitted over the outside of the boss 11. Of course, the plug 2 can also be fixed to the boss 11 by screws or other common assembly methods.

[0029] like Figures 1-6 As shown, preferably, the cover 1 is made of plastic, and the boss 11 is integrally molded using injection molding. The plug 2 is made of rubber, and not limited to.

[0030] like Figures 1-6As shown, for ease of description, the plug 2 is divided into three parts from top to bottom: upper part 201, middle part 202, and lower part 203. Correspondingly, the boss 11 is divided into upper part 101, middle part 102, and lower part 103 from top to bottom.

[0031] like Figures 1-6 As shown, after assembly, the inner wall of the upper part 201 of the plug body seals against the outer wall of the boss 11, that is, seals against the outer wall of the upper part 101 of the boss. This can play a role in shaping and fixing the upper part 201 of the plug body; at the same time, it can also enhance the sealing performance and prevent the liquid in the sample filling chamber 31 from evaporating and overflowing from the assembly gap between the upper part 201 of the plug body and the boss 11.

[0032] like Figures 1-6 As shown, preferably, the upper part 201 of the stopper body has an outwardly facing an annular flange 21. When the cover body 1 moves, causing the stopper body 2 to move downwards, the annular flange 21 is sandwiched between the cover body 1 and the sample inlet of the sample dispensing chamber 31. The annular flange 21 serves a sealing function, preventing liquid in the sample dispensing chamber 31 from evaporating and overflowing from the assembly gap between the cover body 1 and the sample dispensing chamber 31. Therefore, a sealing gasket can also be used instead of the annular flange 21.

[0033] like Figures 1-6 As shown, after assembly, there is a gap between the inner wall of the upper part 201 of the plug and the outer wall of the boss 110, that is, a gap between the upper part 201 of the plug and the outer wall of the middle part 102 of the boss. The outer wall of the middle part 202 of the plug is provided with an annular protrusion 22, and the annular protrusion 22 seals against the inner wall of the sample filling chamber 31.

[0034] Preferably, the lower end face of the annular protrusion 22 is an upward-sloping surface. This facilitates the deformation (inward concavity) of the middle part 202 of the plug body when it moves downward due to increased pressure or contact with the protrusion 3101, which can reduce the pressure on the air in the sample filling chamber and play a depressurization role.

[0035] like Figures 1-6 As shown, after assembly, the outer wall of the lower part 203 of the plug abuts against the inner wall of the sample application chamber 31, serving a guiding function. Simultaneously, the lower part 203 of the plug has at least one airflow channel 23 extending vertically. Preferably, there are several airflow channels 23, arranged in a ring-shaped configuration within the lower part 203 of the plug. The airflow channel 23 can be a groove on the outer wall of the lower part 203 of the plug, or a through hole in the lower part 203 of the plug.

[0036] like Figures 1-7As shown, the inner wall of the sample loading cavity 31 is provided with at least one protrusion 310. When the cover 1 moves, causing the stopper 2 to move up and down, the upper end of the protrusion 310 switches back and forth above and below the annular protrusion 22. Preferably, two protrusions 310 are symmetrically distributed on the inner wall of the sample loading cavity 31 to balance the force on the stopper 2 from left to right. The number of protrusions 310 can be increased as needed, without much limitation.

[0037] like Figures 1-7 As shown, preferably, the protrusion 310 is provided with a pressure relief groove 3101. When the cover 1 moves and drives the plug 2 to move up and down, the upper end of the pressure relief groove 3101 switches back and forth between the top and bottom of the annular protrusion.

[0038] Preferably, the protrusion of the rib 310 is about 0.3 mm high and about 1 mm wide, and the pressure relief groove 3101 is about 0.3 mm deep and about 0.3 mm wide.

[0039] like Figures 1-7 As shown, the working principle of this invention is roughly as follows:

[0040] When the sealing cap moves downward, the annular protrusion 22 initially pressurizes the air in the sample dispensing chamber 31, increasing the air pressure in the sample dispensing chamber 31, thereby sending the liquid in the sample dispensing chamber 31 into the microfluidic channel 32.

[0041] When the sealing cap moves down a certain distance, or moves down too fast, the air pressure in the sample filling chamber 31 becomes too high, forcing the middle part 202 of the plug to deform, that is, to be recessed towards the outer wall of the protrusion 11. This causes a gap to appear between the annular protrusion 22 and the inner wall of the sample filling chamber 31. High-pressure air fills the depression and overflows into the space above the annular protrusion 22 through the gap, thereby reducing the pressure on the air in the sample filling chamber, playing a pressure relief role, reducing the pressure of the liquid on the permeable membrane, and preventing the permeable membrane from being damaged due to excessive pressure.

[0042] After the sealing cap continues to move down a certain distance, the upper ends of the protrusion 310 and the pressure relief groove 3101 will both pass over the annular protrusion 22, further causing the middle part 202 of the plug to be recessed towards the outer wall of the boss 11, increasing the recessed area and gap, and further playing a pressure relief role, thereby preventing the breathable membrane from being damaged due to excessive pressure.

[0043] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the design concept of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any non-substantial modifications made to this utility model using this concept shall be considered as an infringement of the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A pressure-relief microfluidic chip, comprising a chip body and a sealing cap, wherein the chip body has a sample dispensing chamber, and the sealing cap includes a cap body and an elastically deformable plug body, wherein the plug body is fixedly disposed on the cap body; the cap body is movably disposed at the sample dispensing port of the sample dispensing chamber; by moving the cap body, the plug body is moved downward, thereby compressing the internal space of the sample dispensing chamber; characterized in that: The inner side of the cover is provided with a boss, and the plug is sleeved on the outside of the boss; the plug includes an upper part, a middle part and a lower part, there is a gap between the inner wall of the middle part and the outer wall of the boss, the outer wall of the middle part is provided with an annular protrusion, and the annular protrusion seals against the inner wall of the sample dispensing chamber.

2. The pressure-relief microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side wall of the lower part of the plug abuts against the inner side wall of the sample application chamber, and the lower part of the plug is provided with at least one airflow channel running vertically through it.

3. The pressure-relief microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer side wall of the lower part of the plug is provided with several grooves distributed in a ring, which serve as the airflow channel.

4. A pressure-relief microfluidic chip according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that: The inner wall of the upper part of the plug body seals against the outer wall of the boss.

5. A pressure-relief microfluidic chip according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that: The upper part of the plug body has an outward-facing annular flange.

6. A pressure-relief microfluidic chip according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that: The inner wall of the sample addition chamber is provided with at least one protrusion; when the stopper moves up and down due to the movement of the cover, the upper end of the protrusion switches back and forth between the top and bottom of the annular protrusion.

7. A pressure-relief microfluidic chip according to claim 6, characterized in that: The protrusion is provided with a pressure relief groove; when the cover moves and the plug moves up and down, the upper end of the pressure relief groove switches back and forth between the top and bottom of the annular protrusion.

8. A pressure-relief microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover is movably disposed at the sample inlet of the sample dispensing chamber via a threaded structure.

9. A pressure-relief microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end face of the annular protrusion is an upward-sloping surface.

10. A pressure-relief microfluidic chip according to claim 5, characterized in that: The annular flange is replaced by a sealing gasket.

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