Micro-fluidic valve and micro-fluidic chip
By employing a flexible layer that abuts against the bottom wall of the valve cavity in the microfluidic valve, the structure is simplified, the high cost problem in the prior art is solved, and low-cost and high-efficiency production is achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGZHOU BAOCHUANG BIOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing microfluidic valves have complex structures, requiring the assembly of multiple components or complex injection molding processes, resulting in high costs and hindering mass production.
A microfluidic valve is designed with a flexible layer that abuts against the bottom wall of the valve cavity. External force is used to deform the flexible layer and block the inlet and outlet orifices, thereby opening and closing the valve and simplifying the structure.
It reduces the cost and manufacturing difficulty of microfluidic valves, improves production efficiency, and is suitable for mass production.
Smart Images
Figure CN224162109U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of microfluidics, and in particular to a microfluidic valve and a microfluidic chip. Background Technology
[0002] In related technologies, microfluidic chips, also known as lab-on-a-chip technologies, are... Microfluidic chip technology offers advantages such as small sample volume, fast analysis speed, ease of manufacturing into portable instruments, and suitability for point-of-care and on-site analysis, and has been widely applied in many fields including biology, chemistry, and medicine. Microfluidic valves are widely used in microfluidic chips. By opening or closing the channels on the microfluidic chip, microfluidic valves can control the flow of fluid within those channels.
[0003] Valves commonly used in the field of microfluidic chips, such as rotary valves, pneumatic valves, and plunger valves, often have complex structures. For example, rotary valves usually require two parts to fit together tightly, and often require the use of flexible / elastic rubber materials with low hardness to maintain sealing. Their injection molds and injection molding processes are complex and costly. Pneumatic valves require multi-layer structures to fit together, which is complex in structure and manufacturing process. Plunger valves require the valve cavity and valve core to fit together tightly, which is also relatively complex in structure and process.
[0004] The valves mentioned above all require assembly of more than one different component or complex injection molding processes, which is not conducive to mass production and large-scale production. Their mold and material costs are high, which drives up the overall cost of the chip. Utility Model Content
[0005] This application aims to address at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this application proposes a microfluidic valve and a microfluidic chip, which can effectively reduce the cost of the microfluidic valve.
[0006] An embodiment of the first aspect of this application provides a microfluidic valve, comprising:
[0007] A valve structure, wherein the valve structure is provided with a valve cavity having an opening, and the bottom wall of the valve cavity is provided with an inlet hole and an outlet hole;
[0008] A sealing assembly includes a flexible layer disposed on the side of the valve cavity with an opening. Pressing the flexible layer along the direction close to the bottom wall allows the flexible layer to abut against the bottom wall.
[0009] Furthermore, the valve cavity includes a first cavity and a second cavity that are interconnected. The bottom wall of the second cavity is lower than the bottom wall of the first cavity. One of the inlet hole and the outlet hole is disposed on the bottom wall of the first cavity, and the other is disposed on the bottom wall of the second cavity.
[0010] Furthermore, the inlet hole is located on the bottom wall of the first cavity, and the outlet hole is located on the bottom wall of the second cavity.
[0011] Furthermore, the area of the bottom wall of the first cavity is larger than the area of the bottom wall of the second cavity.
[0012] Furthermore, the inlet hole is located in the middle of the bottom wall of the first cavity.
[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a pressing mechanism, which includes a pressing block disposed on the side of the valve cavity with an opening. The pressing block matches the valve cavity and is used to push the flexible layer to abut against the bottom wall of the valve cavity.
[0014] Furthermore, the system includes a substrate on which the valve structure is formed. The substrate is provided with a first flow channel and a second flow channel. One end of the first flow channel is in fluid communication with the inlet hole, and the other end of the first flow channel is used for connection to the outside. One end of the second flow channel is in fluid communication with the outlet hole, and the other end of the second flow channel is used for connection to the outside.
[0015] Furthermore, the sealing assembly includes a sealing layer, the first flow channel and the second flow channel are formed as grooves on the substrate, and the sealing layer is disposed on one side of the substrate having the first flow channel and the second flow channel.
[0016] Furthermore, the opening of the valve cavity has a circular outline.
[0017] An embodiment of the second aspect of this application provides a microfluidic chip, including the microfluidic valve as described above.
[0018] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the embodiments of this application have at least the following beneficial effects:
[0019] In the microfluidic valve and microfluidic chip provided in this application embodiment, the flexible layer disposed on the opening side of the valve cavity is flexible and can deform under external force. Therefore, by pressing the flexible layer towards the bottom wall of the valve cavity, the flexible layer abuts against the bottom wall of the valve cavity, and at least one of the inlet and outlet holes located on the bottom wall can be blocked and sealed. This allows the microfluidic valve to switch from an open state to a closed state. The microfluidic valve structure of the embodiments of this application is simple, which helps to reduce the cost and processing difficulty of microfluidic valves. Attached Figure Description
[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a microfluidic chip provided in one embodiment of this application;
[0022] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a microfluidic chip provided in one embodiment of this application.
[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified schematic diagram of part A in the middle section;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the microfluidic valve in the open state in one embodiment of this application;
[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a microfluidic valve in the closed state in one embodiment of this application.
[0026] Figure label:
[0027] 100. Substrate; 110. Valve structure; 111. First cavity; 112. Second cavity; 113. Inlet hole; 114. Outlet hole; 115. First flow channel; 116. Second flow channel;
[0028] 210. Flexible layer; 220. Sealing layer;
[0029] 310. Pressing block. Detailed Implementation
[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0031] See Figures 1 to 3 As shown, an embodiment of the first aspect of this application discloses a microfluidic valve, including a substrate 100 and a sealing assembly.
[0032] Specifically, the valve structure 110 is provided with a valve cavity having an opening, and the bottom wall of the valve cavity has an inlet hole 113 and an outlet hole 114; the sealing assembly includes a flexible layer 210, which is disposed on the side of the valve cavity with the opening. Pressing the flexible layer 210 along the direction close to the bottom wall allows it to abut against the bottom wall. When the flexible layer 210 abuts against the bottom wall, it can completely cover or block at least one of the inlet hole 113 and the outlet hole 114.
[0033] It is worth noting that both the inlet hole 113 and the outlet hole 114 have at least one quantity. In practical applications, the quantity of inlet holes 113 and outlet holes 114 can be set according to functional requirements. The quantity of inlet holes 113 and outlet holes 114 can be equal or unequal, and this is not limited here.
[0034] It is worth noting that in the above embodiments, the terms "in" in inlet hole 113 and "out" in outlet hole 114 are descriptions that do not limit the direction of fluid flow. For example, in some embodiments, fluid can flow into the valve cavity from inlet hole 113 or flow out of the valve cavity from inlet hole 113. The same applies to outlet hole 114.
[0035] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in the microfluidic valve provided in this embodiment, the flexible layer 210 disposed on the opening side of the valve cavity is flexible and can deform under the action of external force. Thus, by pressing the flexible layer 210 toward the bottom wall of the valve cavity, the flexible layer 210 abuts against the bottom wall of the valve cavity, and at least one of the inlet hole 113 and outlet hole 114 located on the bottom wall can be blocked and sealed by the flexible layer 210. In this way, the microfluidic valve can be changed from the open state to the closed state.
[0036] For ease of description, the following example illustrates the microfluidic valve of this application embodiment using fluid flowing into the valve cavity from the inlet hole 113 and out of the valve cavity from the outlet hole 114 as an example.
[0037] See Figure 4 As shown, when the microfluidic valve is in the open state, there is a certain gap between the flexible layer 210 and the bottom wall of the valve cavity. The gap between the flexible layer 210 and the bottom wall of the valve cavity serves to connect the inlet hole 113 and the outlet hole 114, so that the fluid can flow from the inlet hole 113 through the valve cavity to the outlet hole 114.
[0038] See Figure 5As shown, when the microfluidic valve is in the closed state, the flexible layer 210 abuts against the bottom wall of the valve cavity. That is to say, there is no space or channel between the flexible layer 210 and the bottom wall of the valve cavity that connects the inlet hole 113 and the outlet hole 114.
[0039] It's understandable. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the diagram, the direction indicated by arrow X is towards the bottom wall of the valve cavity; the opposite direction of arrow X is away from the bottom wall of the valve cavity.
[0040] The microfluidic valves in the embodiments of this application have a simple structure, which helps to reduce the cost and manufacturing difficulty of microfluidic valves.
[0041] In some embodiments of this application, see Figures 3 to 5 The valve cavity includes a first cavity 111 and a second cavity 112 that are interconnected. The bottom wall of the second cavity 112 is lower than the bottom wall of the first cavity 111. One of the inlet hole 113 and the outlet hole 114 is located on the bottom wall of the first cavity 111, and the other is located on the bottom wall of the second cavity 112. By abutting the flexible layer 210 against the bottom wall of the first cavity 111, the inlet hole 113 and / or the outlet hole 114 located on the bottom wall of the first cavity 111 can be blocked, thereby allowing the microfluidic valve to switch from an open state to a closed state.
[0042] In one possible implementation, please continue to see Figures 3 to 5 An inlet orifice 113 is located on the bottom wall of the first cavity 111, and an outlet orifice 114 is located on the bottom wall of the second cavity 112. When the microfluidic valve is in the closed state, the flexible layer 210 abuts against the bottom wall of the first cavity 111, while there is a certain gap between the flexible layer 210 and the bottom wall of the second cavity 112. When the external force acting on the flexible layer 210 is removed, the fluid in the inlet orifice 113 can push the flexible layer 210 to move away from the bottom wall of the first cavity 111, causing the microfluidic valve to switch from the closed state to the open state. At this time, the inlet orifice 113 and the outlet orifice 114 are in fluid communication.
[0043] It is worth understanding that in some other embodiments, when the microfluidic valve is in the closed state, the flexible layer 210 can also simultaneously abut against the bottom wall of the first cavity 111 and the bottom wall of the second cavity 112.
[0044] Furthermore, the area of the bottom wall of the first cavity 111 is larger than the area of the bottom wall of the second cavity 112. This allows the flexible layer 210 to fully contact the bottom wall of the first cavity 111, which helps to reduce fluid leakage when the microfluidic valve is in the closed state.
[0045] In some embodiments of this application, the inlet hole 113 is located in the middle of the bottom wall of the first cavity 111. This allows the flexible layer 210 to completely seal the inlet hole 113, ensuring the flow control effect when the microfluidic valve is in the closed state.
[0046] In some embodiments of this application, the microfluidic valve includes a pressing mechanism, which includes a pressing block 310. The pressing block 310 is disposed on the side of the valve cavity with an opening, and matches the valve cavity. The pressing block 310 is used to push the flexible layer 210 to abut against the bottom wall of the valve cavity. When the microfluidic valve is in the closed state, the pressing block 310 remains in the pressed position to ensure that the flexible layer 210 abuts against the bottom wall of the valve cavity.
[0047] It should be noted that in some other embodiments, the microfluidic valve may not have a pressing mechanism, but may apply force to the flexible layer 210 through a pressing mechanism of an external device or other means, which is not limited here.
[0048] In some embodiments of this application, see Figure 4 and Figure 5 The microfluidic valve includes a substrate 100, and a valve structure 110 is formed on the substrate 100.
[0049] In practical applications, other cavities (such as reagent cavities, sample cavities, reaction cavities, etc.) and flow channels can be set on the substrate 100 to form a microfluidic chip. In other words, microfluidic valves can be fabricated simultaneously with the cavities and flow channels of the microfluidic chip, which can reduce the manufacturing cost of microfluidic valves.
[0050] Further reading is available upon request. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The substrate 100 is provided with a first flow channel 115 and a second flow channel 116. One end of the first flow channel 115 is in fluid communication with the inlet hole 113, and the other end of the first flow channel 115 is used to connect with the outside. One end of the second flow channel 116 is in fluid communication with the outlet hole 114, and the other end of the second flow channel 116 is used to connect with the outside.
[0051] For example, a reagent chamber and a reaction chamber are provided on the substrate 100. A first flow channel 115, a microfluidic valve, and a second flow channel 116 are provided between the reagent chamber and the reaction chamber. One end of the first flow channel 115 is in fluid communication with the reagent chamber, and the other end of the first flow channel 115 is in fluid communication with the inlet orifice 113 of the microfluidic valve. One end of the second flow channel 116 is in fluid communication with the outlet orifice 114 of the microfluidic valve, and the other end of the second flow channel 116 is in fluid communication with the liquid inlet of the reaction chamber. In this way, the connection or blockage between the reagent chamber and the reaction chamber can be controlled by the microfluidic valve.
[0052] In some embodiments of this application, see Figure 4and Figure 5 The sealing assembly includes a sealing layer 220, a first flow channel 115 and a second flow channel 116 which are formed as grooves on the substrate 100, and the sealing layer 220 is disposed on the side of the substrate 100 having the first flow channel 115 and the second flow channel 116.
[0053] In this embodiment, the sealing layer 220 is a membrane structure, and the sealing layer 220 and the substrate 100 are provided with a first flow channel 115 and a second flow channel 116 in a planar sealing fit.
[0054] In some embodiments of this application, the outline of the valve cavity opening is circular.
[0055] It should be noted that the outline of the valve cavity opening can also be set to other shapes as needed, and is not limited here.
[0056] The second aspect of this application discloses a microfluidic chip, including the microfluidic valve as described above, which has all the technical effects of the aforementioned microfluidic valve, and will not be repeated here.
[0057] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.
[0058] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.
[0059] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0060] In the description of this specification, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0061] It should be understood that although the steps in the flowcharts of the accompanying figures are shown sequentially as indicated by the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless explicitly stated herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and they can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least some steps in the flowcharts of the accompanying figures may include multiple sub-steps or multiple stages. These sub-steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and their execution order is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed alternately or in turn with other steps or at least some of the sub-steps or stages of other steps.
Claims
1. A microfluidic valve, characterized in that, include: The valve structure includes a valve cavity with an opening, and the bottom wall of the valve cavity is provided with an inlet hole and an outlet hole; A sealing assembly includes a flexible layer disposed on the side of the valve cavity with an opening. Pressing the flexible layer along the direction close to the bottom wall allows the flexible layer to abut against the bottom wall.
2. The microfluidic valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve cavity includes a first cavity and a second cavity that are interconnected. The bottom wall of the second cavity is lower than the bottom wall of the first cavity. One of the inlet hole and the outlet hole is located on the bottom wall of the first cavity, and the other is located on the bottom wall of the second cavity.
3. The microfluidic valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inlet hole is located on the bottom wall of the first cavity, and the outlet hole is located on the bottom wall of the second cavity.
4. The microfluidic valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The area of the bottom wall of the first cavity is greater than the area of the bottom wall of the second cavity.
5. The microfluidic valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inlet hole is located in the middle of the bottom wall of the first cavity.
6. The microfluidic valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It also includes a pressing mechanism, which includes a pressing block disposed on the side of the valve cavity with an opening. The pressing block matches the valve cavity and is used to push the flexible layer to abut against the bottom wall of the valve cavity.
7. The microfluidic valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system includes a substrate, on which the valve structure is formed. The substrate is provided with a first flow channel and a second flow channel. One end of the first flow channel is in fluid communication with the inlet hole, and the other end of the first flow channel is used for connection to the outside. One end of the second flow channel is in fluid communication with the outlet hole, and the other end of the second flow channel is used for connection to the outside.
8. The microfluidic valve according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sealing assembly includes a sealing layer, the first flow channel and the second flow channel are formed as grooves on the substrate, and the sealing layer is disposed on the side of the substrate having the first flow channel and the second flow channel.
9. The microfluidic valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening of the valve cavity has a circular outline.
10. A microfluidic chip, characterized in that, Including the microfluidic valve as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.