Clamping device of micro-fluidic chip

Abstract

The utility model discloses a clamping device of a micro-fluidic chip, which comprises a bottom plate and a clamping assembly arranged on the bottom plate, the clamping assembly comprises a plane block matched with the micro-fluidic chip, and a plurality of positioning pieces are arranged on the outer side of the plane block; the one or more positioning pieces and the side spring bolts are oppositely arranged on the two sides of the plane block; the side lock tongue is hinged to the bottom plate, and a tension spring is arranged on one side of the side lock tongue. The micro-fluidic chip is installed on the plane block, the plane block is attached to the large face of the chip, the height of the chip is determined, the side lock tongue and the positioning piece on the opposite side clamp the micro-fluidic chip under the action of the tension of the tension spring, and the effects of positioning and fixing the micro-fluidic chip are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of experimental device technology, specifically to a clamping device for microfluidic chips. Background Technology

[0002] Microfluidic chips, also known as lab-on-chips, are characterized by the manipulation of fluids in a micrometer-scale space. They integrate or essentially integrate basic operational units involved in fields such as chemistry and biology, such as sample preparation, reaction, separation, detection, cell culture, sorting, and lysis, onto a chip of a few square centimeters or even smaller.

[0003] The clamping and positioning device for microfluidic chips is one of the key supporting technologies for the systematic application of microfluidic technology. With the rapid development of microfluidic chips in fields such as biomedical detection, organ-on-a-chip, and point-of-care testing (POCT), higher requirements are being placed on the precision, stability, and automation of chip manipulation.

[0004] In biomedical testing, high-throughput drug screening and other scenarios, planar microfluidic chips (such as single-layer glass-based chips or PDMS-glass composite chips) are widely used due to their simple structure and strong optical compatibility. However, their thinness (usually 1-5 mm thick) and low rigidity characteristics pose special challenges to clamping and positioning: it is necessary to avoid chip warping or microchannel collapse caused by concentrated pressure on the contact surface. Furthermore, it is necessary to achieve coordinated control of high planar positioning accuracy and clamping force during chip loading.

[0005] Therefore, it is essential to develop a device suitable for positioning and clamping microfluidic chips. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems in the existing technology, this utility model provides a microfluidic chip clamping device that can position and clamp microfluidic chips.

[0007] This utility model discloses a clamping device for a microfluidic chip, including a base plate and a clamping assembly disposed on the base plate. The clamping assembly includes a planar block that cooperates with the microfluidic chip, and a plurality of positioning elements are disposed on the outer side of the planar block. One or more positioning elements and a side locking tongue are disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the planar block. The side locking tongue is hinged to the base plate, and a tension spring is disposed on one side of the side locking tongue.

[0008] Preferably, the planar block has at least two positioning elements on its length side and at least one positioning element in its width direction.

[0009] Preferably, it also includes a pressure cap assembly hinged to the base plate.

[0010] The capping assembly includes a cap shell.

[0011] The lower side of the cover is provided with a first connecting piece, and the outer end of the tension spring is connected to the first connecting piece;

[0012] Alternatively, the outer end of the tension spring can be mounted on the base plate.

[0013] Preferably, the base plate is provided with a rotating groove, and the side locking tongue is hinged within the rotating groove.

[0014] A spring is provided on the rotating groove, and one end of the spring is located on the side of the locking tongue facing the tension spring;

[0015] When the cover is closed, the restoring force of the spring is less than the tension of the tension spring; when the cover is fully opened, the restoring force of the spring is greater than the tension of the tension spring.

[0016] Preferably, the inner side of the cover is provided with a limiting groove or a limiting hole.

[0017] The inner side of the limiting groove is provided with at least one pressure plate that cooperates with the microfluidic chip.

[0018] Preferably, the inner side of the cover is further provided with a liquid inlet block that cooperates with the microfluidic chip.

[0019] When the cover is closed, the microchannel of the liquid inlet block is connected to the capillary of the microfluidic chip.

[0020] Preferably, the base plate is further provided with contouring parts and decorative parts;

[0021] The decorative component is provided with a groove that mates with the liquid inlet block.

[0022] Preferably, a pair of pivot seats are provided on the base plate, and the pivot on one side of the cover is rotatably mounted on the pivot seats;

[0023] The rotating shaft seat is provided with a second connecting piece.

[0024] One end of the torsion spring is mounted on the second connecting piece, and the other end is mounted on the rotating shaft seat.

[0025] Preferably, a locking assembly is provided on the front side of the base plate.

[0026] The cover is provided with a latch that cooperates with the latch assembly.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: the microfluidic chip is mounted on the planar block, the planar block fits with the microfluidic chip, the chip height is determined, and the side locking tongue clamps the microfluidic chip with the positioning member on the opposite side under the action of the tension spring, thereby playing the role of positioning and fixing the microfluidic chip. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping device structure for microfluidic chips;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the capping assembly;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping assembly installation;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the side locking tongue assembly;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the locking assembly.

[0033] The markings in the diagram are: 1. Cap assembly, 11. Cap shell, 111. Limiting groove, 12. Liquid inlet block, 13. Pressure plate, 14. First connecting piece, 15. Rotary shaft seat, 16. Torsion spring, 17. Second connecting piece, 18. Rotary shaft, 19. Locking buckle.

[0034] 2. Base plate; 3. Clamping assembly; 31. Positioning component; 32. Flat block; 33. Side latch assembly; 331. Side latch; 332. Rotating groove; 333. Spring; 334. Tension spring.

[0035] 4. Contouring component, 5. Locking assembly, 51. Lock body, 52. Button, 53. Lock tongue, 54. Pin, 55. Compression spring, 56. Snap fastener, 6. Decorative panel. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0037] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0038] Overview: Microfluidic chips, hereinafter referred to as chips, are networks of microchannels through which a controllable fluid flows, enabling various functions in conventional chemistry, biology, materials science, optics, and other laboratories. As an analytical platform characterized by low sample consumption, high analysis speed, and high sensitivity, microfluidic chips have enormous application potential in the field of point-of-care testing (POCT). The industrial-scale application of microfluidic chips in POCT primarily focuses on molecular diagnostics, represented by nucleic acid analysis, and immunodiagnostics, represented by protein analysis, as well as some biochemical diagnostics, such as metabolite analysis. Furthermore, due to the heterogeneity of cell populations, droplet microfluidic chips are also applied in single-cell analysis techniques to study individual cells.

[0039] This utility model provides a clamping device for microfluidic chips, such as... Figures 1-5 The device includes a base plate 2, a clamping assembly 3 disposed on the base plate 2, and a side locking tongue assembly 33. The clamping assembly 3 includes a planar block 32 that cooperates with the microfluidic chip. The side locking tongue assembly 33 includes a side locking tongue 331. Multiple positioning elements 31 are disposed on the outer side of the planar block 32. One or more positioning elements 31 and the side locking tongue 331 are disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the planar block 32. The side locking tongue 331 is hinged to the base plate 2, and a tension spring 334 is disposed on one side of the side locking tongue 331.

[0040] The microfluidic chip is mounted on the planar block 32, with the planar block fitting against the large surface of the chip to determine the chip height. Under the tension of the tension spring 334, the side locking tongue clamps the microfluidic chip with the positioning member 31 on the opposite side, thus positioning and fixing the microfluidic chip.

[0041] More specifically, such as Figure 3 The planar block 32 has at least two positioning elements 31 on its length side and at least one positioning element 31 on its width side.

[0042] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cover assembly 1 hinged to the base plate 2 is shown. The cover assembly 1 includes a cover shell 11. A first connecting piece 14 is provided on the lower side of the cover shell 11. The outer end of the tension spring 334 is connected to the first connecting piece 14. When the cover shell 11 is closed, the first connecting piece 14 rotates at the same time and stretches the tension spring 334 outward, clamping the chip in a linkage manner.

[0043] However, the clamping method is not limited to this. The outer end of the tension spring 334 can also be installed on the base plate 2, that is, the chip can be clamped in a non-linkage manner.

[0044] like Figure 3 and Figure 4The side latch assembly 33 also includes a rotating groove 332 and a spring 333. The base plate 2 has a rotating groove 332, and the side latch 331 is hinged within the rotating groove 332. A spring 333 is provided on the rotating groove 332, with one end of the spring 333 positioned on the side of the side latch 331 facing the tension spring 334. The spring 333 is used for the reset of the side latch 331. More specifically, when the cover is closed, the restoring force of the spring 333 is less than the tension of the tension spring 334; when the cover is fully open, the restoring force of the spring 333 is greater than the tension of the tension spring 334. The spring 333 can be made of thin, elastic steel, and the elastic force of the spring 333 and the tension of the tension spring 334 are always in opposite directions.

[0045] like Figure 2 The inner side of the cover 11 is provided with a limiting groove 111 or a limiting hole. The inner side of the limiting groove 111 is provided with at least one pressure plate 13 that cooperates with the microfluidic chip, pressing the chip when the cover 11 is closed. The inner side of the cover 11 is also provided with a liquid inlet block 12 that cooperates with the microfluidic chip. When the cover 11 is closed, the microchannel of the liquid inlet block 12 connects to the capillary of the microfluidic chip, used to deliver and discharge liquid into and out of the microfluidic chip. The driving force for the liquid is provided by an external mechanism, such as a pump or permeation force.

[0046] The base plate 2 is also provided with a contoured part 4 and a decorative part 6; the decorative part 6 is provided with a groove that cooperates with the liquid inlet block 12.

[0047] A pair of pivot seats 15 are provided on the base plate 2. The pivot 18 on one side of the cover 11 is rotatably mounted on the pivot seat 15. A second connecting piece 17 is provided on the pivot seat 15. One end of the torsion spring 16 is mounted on the second connecting piece 17, and the other end is mounted on the pivot seat 15.

[0048] A locking assembly 5 is provided on the front side of the base plate 2, and a locking buckle 19 that cooperates with the locking assembly 5 is provided on the cover 11. Figure 5 The specific latch assembly 5 is shown, including a lock body 51, a button 52, a bolt 53, a pin 54, a spring 55, and a latch 56. The middle part of the bolt 53 is connected to the lock body 51 by a movable pin 54, and a spring 55 is located between the bolt 53 and the lock body 51. One end of the bolt 53 is a triangular latch 56, and the other end of the bolt 53 has a wedge-shaped structure, which is in sliding frictional connection with the button 52, which also has a wedge-shaped structure. When the button 52 is pressed, the bolt 53 rotates and compresses the spring 55, the latch 56 on the bolt 53 retracts, and the cover opens. When the cover 11 is closed, the button 52 is exposed on the outside of the cover 11. However, the structure of the latch assembly 5 is not limited to this, and other existing latch structures on the market can also be used.

[0049] This invention can clamp the chip in conjunction with the cover 11, fixing the chip to one side of the planar block 32. This distributes the contact surface pressure across the planar plate, preventing chip warping or microchannel collapse caused by concentrated pressure. Through the cooperation of multiple positioning elements 31 and the side locking tongue 331, high planar positioning accuracy and clamping force are coordinated and controlled during chip loading. It features simple operation and stable positioning.

[0050] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A clamping device for a microfluidic chip, characterized in that, Includes a base plate (2) and a clamping assembly (3) disposed on the base plate (2). The clamping assembly (3) includes a planar block (32) that cooperates with the microfluidic chip, and a plurality of positioning elements (31) are provided on the outer side of the planar block (32); One or more positioning elements (31) and side locking tongues (331) are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the planar block (32); The side latch (331) is hinged to the base plate (2), and a tension spring (334) is provided on one side of the side latch (331).

2. The clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The planar block (32) has at least two positioning elements (31) on its length side and at least one positioning element (31) on its width side.

3. The clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a capping assembly (1), The cap assembly (1) includes a cap shell (11) hinged to the base plate (2). The lower side of the cover (11) is provided with a first connecting piece (14), and the outer end of the tension spring (334) is connected to the first connecting piece (14); Alternatively, the outer end of the tension spring (334) may be mounted on the base plate (2).

4. The clamping device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The base plate (2) is provided with a rotating groove (332), and the side locking tongue (331) is hinged in the rotating groove (332). A spring (333) is provided on the rotating groove (332), and the free end of the spring (333) is located on the side of the locking tongue (331) facing the tension spring (334); When the cover is closed, the restoring force of the spring (333) is less than the tension of the tension spring (334); when the cover is fully opened, the restoring force of the spring (333) is greater than the tension of the tension spring (334).

5. The clamping device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner side of the cover (11) is provided with a limiting groove (111) or a limiting hole. The inner side of the limiting groove (111) is provided with at least one pressure plate (13) that cooperates with the microfluidic chip.

6. The clamping device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner side of the cover (11) is also provided with a liquid inlet block (12) that cooperates with the microfluidic chip. When the cover (11) is closed, the microchannel of the liquid inlet block (12) is connected to the capillary of the microfluidic chip.

7. The clamping device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The base plate (2) is also provided with a contour piece (4) and a decorative piece (6); The decorative part (6) is provided with a groove that cooperates with the liquid inlet block (12).

8. The clamping device according to claim 3, characterized in that, A pair of pivot seats (15) are provided on the base plate (2), and the pivot (18) on one side of the cover (11) is rotatably mounted on the pivot seats (15); A second connecting piece (17) is provided on the rotating shaft seat (15). One end of the torsion spring (16) is mounted on the second connecting piece (17), and the other end is mounted on the rotating shaft seat (15).

9. The clamping device according to claim 3, characterized in that, A locking assembly (5) is provided on the front side of the base plate (2). The cover (11) is provided with a latch (19) that cooperates with the latch assembly (5).

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