Combined microfluidic channel chip

Abstract

The utility model discloses a combined microfluidic channel chip, which comprises at least one standard module, the standard module comprises a first substrate, the middle area of the first substrate is provided with a flow channel, the first substrate is respectively provided with three mounting tables with blind groove structures at the upper end of the flow channel, and the mounting tables are respectively provided with a plurality of through holes. A fluid hole is formed in the center area of the bottom of each mounting table, the fluid holes are communicated with the flow channels, and one of a sample adding connector, an adapter or a ball outlet connector is arranged in each mounting table. Through the integral detachable structure and replacement of accessories, on the premise that liquid phase cutting is achieved, good universality is achieved, cost is effectively reduced, the first substrate is the same in structure, assembly difficulty is reduced, consistency of product assembly is high, and liquid phase cutting precision is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In biomedicine, microfluidic chips enable rapid detection of disease biomarkers, allowing for fast and accurate disease assessment. In drug development, they can simulate the in vivo environment for drug screening and pharmacokinetic studies, and can also be used to construct miniature organ models to evaluate drug efficacy and toxicity. In liquid biopsy, they can capture and detect biomarkers such as circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA from blood and other bodily fluids, aiding in early cancer diagnosis, disease monitoring, and prognostic assessment.

[0003] In the current assembly process of three-way microfluidic chips, inconsistencies in the internal flow channels can easily occur due to manual operation during assembly. This affects the shearing of the water and oil phases within the microfluidic chip, resulting in inconsistent shearing results among different three-way microfluidic chips. Ensuring the stability of microfluidic chips is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above problems, this utility model is proposed to provide a combined microfluidic channel chip that overcomes or at least partially solves the above problems.

[0005] This invention provides a combined microfluidic channel chip, the combined microfluidic channel chip comprising:

[0006] At least one standard module, the standard module includes a first substrate, a flow channel is provided in the middle region of the first substrate, and three blind slot structure mounting platforms are respectively provided on the upper end of the first substrate at the flow channel. A fluid hole is opened in the central region of the bottom of the mounting platform, and the fluid hole communicates with the flow channel.

[0007] Each of the mounting stations is provided with one of a sample dispensing connector, an adapter, or a ball dispensing connector. The sample dispensing connector is an oil phase sample dispensing head or an aqueous phase sample dispensing head. The combined microfluidic channel chip includes at least one oil phase sample dispensing head, one aqueous phase sample dispensing head, and one ball dispensing connector. The sample dispensing connector, adapter, or ball dispensing connector is connected to the flow channel through the fluid orifice.

[0008] Optionally, the combined microfluidic channel chip includes two standard modules arranged side by side, and the two standard modules are connected by first substrate latches.

[0009] In one of the two first substrates, the three mounting stages on one first substrate are respectively provided with a sample feeding connector, an adapter, and a ball dispensing connector; the three mounting stages on the other first substrate are respectively provided with two sample feeding connectors and an adapter; the adapters on the two first substrates are connected by an adapter pipe; the ball dispensing connector and the adapter have the same structure and are both threaded connectors.

[0010] Optionally, the oil phase sample feed head is a pin connector.

[0011] Optionally, the aqueous phase sample feeding head is a silicone aqueous phase connector or a threaded connector.

[0012] Optionally, the diameter of the fluid orifice is larger than the diameter of the flow channel.

[0013] Optionally, a plurality of first card heads are provided on the side of the first substrate, and a plurality of first card slots are provided on the other side of the first substrate away from the first card heads. The number, position, shape and size of the first card heads are matched with the number, position and shape and size of the first card slots.

[0014] Optionally, the combined microfluidic channel chip further includes a detachable functional module, which is connected to two of the standard modules via latches. The functional module is either a liquid storage module or a liquid mixing module, and the liquid mixing module is one or more of the standard modules.

[0015] Optionally, the liquid storage module includes a second substrate and a liquid storage component. The liquid storage component is disposed on the second substrate, and the liquid storage inlet and liquid storage outlet of the liquid storage component are respectively connected to the two adapters through the adapter pipe.

[0016] Optionally, the second substrate has a plurality of second locking heads on its side and a plurality of second locking slots on the side of the second substrate away from the second locking heads. The number, position, shape and size of the second locking heads match the number, position, shape and size of the first locking slots, and the number, position and shape and size of the first locking heads match the number, position and shape and size of the second locking slots. This allows the second locking heads of the second substrate to be engaged in the first locking slot of one of the first substrates, and allows the first locking head of the other first substrate to be engaged in the second locking slot of the second substrate, thus achieving a locking connection.

[0017] Optionally, the liquid storage component is a liquid storage container or a coiled adapter.

[0018] The technical solution provided in this embodiment of the utility model has at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0019] The combined microfluidic channel chip described in this embodiment of the invention, through its overall detachable structure and replaceable components, achieves good versatility while realizing liquid phase cutting, effectively reducing costs. Furthermore, the identical structure of the first substrate reduces assembly difficulty, resulting in high product assembly consistency and improved precision of liquid phase cutting.

[0020] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of this utility model. In order to better understand the technical means of this utility model and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this utility model more obvious and understandable, specific embodiments of this utility model are given below. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the combined microfluidic channel chip described in this utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the combined microfluidic channel chip assembled from two standard modules;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A bottom view of the combined microfluidic channel chip described in the figure;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a side sectional view of the first module of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the mounting platform;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention with a liquid storage module added;

[0028] Figure 7 A bottom view of the present invention with a liquid storage module installed;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention with the addition of a mixing module;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model with an additional mixing module.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0032] 1. First substrate; 2. Flow channel; 3. Mounting stage; 4. Adapter pipe; 5. Oil phase sample dispensing head; 6. Silica gel aqueous phase connector; 7. Adapter; 8. Ball outlet connector; 9. Connecting pipe; 10. First clamp; 11. First clamping slot; 12. Fluid orifice; 13. Second substrate; 14. Second clamp; 15. Second clamping slot; 16. Liquid storage assembly; 17. Liquid storage inlet; 18. Liquid storage outlet; 19. Third substrate. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. The accompanying drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and complete.

[0035] Unless otherwise specified, all raw materials, instruments and equipment used in this invention can be purchased from the market or prepared by existing methods.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a combined microfluidic channel chip provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The combined microfluidic channel chip includes at least one standard module. The standard module includes a first substrate 1. A flow channel 2 is provided in the middle region of the first substrate 1. Three blind slot structure mounting platforms 3 are respectively provided on the upper end of the first substrate 1 at the flow channel 2. A fluid hole 12 is opened in the central region of the bottom of the mounting platform 3. The fluid hole 12 communicates with the flow channel 2.

[0037] Each mounting platform 3 is provided with one of a sample dispensing connector, an adapter 7, or a ball dispensing connector 8. The sample dispensing connector can be an oil phase sample dispensing head 5 or an aqueous phase sample dispensing head. The combined microfluidic channel chip includes at least one oil phase sample dispensing head 5, one aqueous phase sample dispensing head, and one ball dispensing connector 8. The sample dispensing connector, adapter 7, or ball dispensing connector 8 are all connected to the flow channel 2 through the fluid hole 12.

[0038] In this embodiment of the invention, oil phase fluid and water phase fluid are injected through the oil phase sampling head 5 and the water phase sampling head, respectively. As the sampling head continuously injects fluid into the flow channel 2, the oil phase fluid and water phase fluid merge and are output at the ball outlet 8 through pressure transmission. Since the flow rates of the oil phase fluid and water phase fluid are different, a uniform gap can be formed at the ball outlet 8 to achieve liquid phase cutting and generate microspheres.

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the combined microfluidic channel chip assembled from two standard modules; the figure shows... Figure 2 A bottom view of the combined microfluidic channel chip described in the figure. Figure 4 This is a side sectional view of the first module of this utility model. Figure 5 For a cross-sectional view of mounting platform 3, please refer to... Figure 2-5 As shown, the combined microfluidic channel chip includes two standard modules arranged side by side, and the two standard modules are connected by a first substrate 1 with a latch.

[0040] In one of the two first substrates 1, the three mounting stages 3 on one first substrate 1 are respectively provided with a sample feeding connector, an adapter 7 and a ball dispensing connector 8; the three mounting stages 3 on the other first substrate 1 are respectively provided with two sample feeding connectors and an adapter 7; the adapters 7 on the two first substrates 1 are connected by an adapter pipe 4.

[0041] In this embodiment of the present invention, the ball outlet connector 8 and the adapter 7 have the same structure and are both threaded connectors. The ball outlet connector 8 and the adapter 7 are respectively screwed into the mounting platform 3. According to actual application requirements, in other embodiments of the present invention, a ball outlet connector 8 of a different specification can also be selected. This embodiment of the present invention does not limit this.

[0042] The ball outlet connector 8 is provided with a connecting pipe 9, which is used to output fluid or to input fluid in conjunction with a sample feeding device.

[0043] In this embodiment of the present invention, the oil phase sampling head 5 is a pin connector. The oil phase sampling head 5 is inserted into the mounting platform 3. An external sampling device is inserted into the oil phase sampling head 5 by means of pin piercing to inject oil phase fluid. After the external sampling device is removed, the oil phase sampling head 5 has a certain sealing effect. In other embodiments of the present invention, the oil phase sampling head 5 can also be a threaded connector.

[0044] In this embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous phase dispensing head is a silicone aqueous phase connector 6 or a threaded connector; the silicone aqueous phase connector 6 is inserted into the mounting platform 3, and the threaded connector is screwed into the mounting platform 3. The silicone aqueous phase connector 6 can be used for dispensing devices of different specifications and has a certain degree of sealing. When the aqueous phase dispensing head is a threaded connector, it has the same structure as the ball outlet connector 8 and the adapter 7, and has universality and is easy to use. It can be selected according to actual application requirements, and this embodiment of the present invention does not limit this.

[0045] In this embodiment of the utility model, the diameter of the fluid hole 12 is larger than the diameter of the flow channel 2, thereby preventing the adapter pipe 4 or connecting pipe 9 from directly extending into the flow channel 2 and obstructing the fluid flow, thus having a limiting effect.

[0046] The first substrate 1 has a plurality of first locking heads 10 on its side and a plurality of first locking slots 11 on the other side of the first substrate 1 away from the first locking heads 10. The number, position and shape of the first locking heads 10 are matched with the number, position and shape of the first locking slots 11, so that the first locking head 10 of one first substrate 1 can be locked into the first locking slot 11 of another first substrate 1 to achieve a locking connection.

[0047] To further improve the connection stability of the two first substrates 1, a reinforcing plate is also provided at the bottom of the first substrate 1. The reinforcing plate is fixed and attached to the bottom of the two first substrates 1 by double-sided adhesive film, which can effectively prevent the two from separating due to external factors in actual scenarios and improve the overall stability of the structure.

[0048] Specifically, combined Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, a pin connector, a silicone aqueous phase connector 6, and an adapter 7 are sequentially arranged from top to bottom in the three mounting platforms 3 of one first substrate 1; a pin connector, a ball outlet connector 8, and an adapter 7 are sequentially arranged from top to bottom in the three mounting platforms 3 of another first substrate 1; the adapter 7 on the two first substrates 1 are connected by an adapter pipe 4; the two pin connectors respectively inject oil phase fluid through a sample feeding device, the silicone aqueous phase connector 6 injects aqueous phase fluid through a sample feeding device, and finally the oil phase fluid and aqueous phase fluid are transferred to the ball outlet connector 8 through the adapter 7 and then output.

[0049] Based on the above embodiments, the combined microfluidic channel chip of this utility model embodiment also includes a detachable functional module. The functional module is connected to the two standard modules by latches. The functional module is a liquid storage module or a liquid mixing module. The liquid mixing module is one or more of the standard modules.

[0050] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model with a liquid storage module added. Figure 7 A bottom view of the present invention with a liquid storage module installed, see reference. Figure 6-7 As shown, the liquid storage module includes a second substrate 13 and a liquid storage component 16. The liquid storage component 16 is disposed on the second substrate 13. The liquid storage inlet 17 and the liquid storage outlet 18 of the liquid storage component 16 are respectively connected to the two adapters 7 through the adapter pipe 4.

[0051] The second substrate 13 has a plurality of second locking heads 14 on its side and a plurality of second locking slots 15 on the side of the second substrate 13 away from the second locking heads 14. The number, position, shape and size of the second locking heads 14 match the number, position, shape and size of the first locking slots 11. The number, position, shape and size of the first locking heads 10 match the number, position and shape and size of the second locking slots 15. This allows the second locking heads 14 of the second substrate 13 to be locked into the first locking slot 11 of one of the first substrates 1, and allows the first locking head 10 of the other first substrate 1 to be locked into the second locking slot 15 of the second substrate 13, thus achieving a locking connection.

[0052] It should be noted that the liquid storage component 16 can be a liquid storage container or a coiled adapter pipe 4. The liquid storage component 16 is used to increase temporary storage space to accommodate more (aqueous and / or oil phase) fluid. When the liquid storage component 16 is a liquid storage container, more fluid is accommodated through additional accommodating space. When the liquid storage component 16 is a coiled adapter pipe 4, more fluid is accommodated by extending the length of the adapter pipe 4. According to actual application requirements, this utility model embodiment can select a liquid storage container or a coiled adapter pipe 4 as the liquid storage component 16, and the volume of the liquid storage container or the length of the adapter pipe 4 can also be adaptively adjusted.

[0053] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention with the addition of a mixing module. (See attached diagram.) Figure 8 As shown in the present invention, the mixing module is a standard module. Specifically, the mixing module includes a third substrate 19, which has the same structure as the first substrate 1. In the three mounting stages 3 on the third substrate 19, a sample dispensing connector and two adapters 7 are respectively arranged in sequence. The two adapters 7 on the third substrate 19 are respectively connected to the two adapters 7 on the first substrate 1 through adapter pipes 4.

[0054] For some cases where a coagulant needs to be added to the aqueous phase and the curing time is short, the two aqueous phases on the left are mixed and then fed into the middle mixing module. The two aqueous phases are mixed by the middle mixing module and then injected into the sample feeding connector at the first substrate 1 on the right. The oil phase is then pushed to the sample discharge connector for shearing to achieve liquid phase cutting and generate microspheres.

[0055] Figure 9 For a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model with an additional mixing module, please refer to... Figure 9 As shown in this embodiment of the present invention, the mixing module is a plurality of standard modules. Specifically, the first substrate 1 corresponding to the mixing module is connected to the first substrate 1 corresponding to the two outer standard modules by a snap-fit ​​connection. Each standard module includes an adapter 7 and an oil phase sample dispensing head 5. One of the standard modules (defined as a ball-ejection module) is provided with a ball-ejection connector 8 in the middle. The remaining standard modules (defined as sample dispensing modules) are provided with an aqueous phase sample dispensing head. The adapters 7 of each standard module are located on the same side. The adapters 7 of all sample dispensing modules are connected to the adapters 7 of the sample dispensing modules through the adapter tube 4.

[0056] For the assembly requirements of multiple standard modules, this utility model embodiment reduces the resistance in the flow channel by directly connecting the adapters of each standard module to the adapters on the ball outlet module, thereby achieving the technical effect of pressure and flow division. Before actually assembling each standard module, the required pressure division for the scenario can be determined according to the actual application requirements, and the number of standard modules to be assembled can be selected according to the pressure division requirements, which has better applicability.

[0057] The combined microfluidic channel chip described in this embodiment of the present invention, through its overall detachable structure and the replacement of accessories, has good versatility while achieving liquid phase cutting. Moreover, the first substrate 1 has the same structure, which reduces the assembly difficulty, ensures high product assembly consistency, and improves the accuracy of liquid phase cutting. With the addition of functional modules, multiple functions can be integrated and replaced, which effectively reduces costs compared to existing single-function microfluidic channel chips.

[0058] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0059] Similarly, it should be understood that, in order to simplify this disclosure and aid in understanding one or more of the various aspects of the invention, in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. However, this method of disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the claims, the inventive aspect lies in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into that detailed description, wherein each claim itself is a separate embodiment of the invention.

[0060] It should be noted that the above embodiments are illustrative of the present invention and not restrictive of the present invention, and that those skilled in the art can devise alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combined microfluidic channel chip, characterized in that, The combined microfluidic channel chip includes: at least one standard module, the standard module including a first substrate, a flow channel is provided in the middle region of the first substrate, and three blind slot structure mounting platforms are respectively provided on the upper end of the first substrate at the flow channel. A fluid hole is opened in the central region of the bottom of the mounting platform, and the fluid hole communicates with the flow channel. Each of the mounting stations is provided with one of a sample dispensing connector, an adapter, or a ball dispensing connector. The sample dispensing connector is an oil phase sample dispensing head or an aqueous phase sample dispensing head. The combined microfluidic channel chip includes at least one oil phase sample dispensing head, one aqueous phase sample dispensing head, and one ball dispensing connector. The sample dispensing connector, adapter, or ball dispensing connector is connected to the flow channel through the fluid orifice.

2. The combined microfluidic channel chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The combined microfluidic channel chip includes two standard modules arranged side by side, and the two standard modules are connected by a first substrate latch. In one of the two first substrates, the three mounting stages on one first substrate are respectively provided with a sample feeding connector, an adapter, and a ball dispensing connector; the three mounting stages on the other first substrate are respectively provided with two sample feeding connectors and an adapter; the adapters on the two first substrates are connected by an adapter pipe. The ball outlet joint and the adapter have the same structure; both are threaded joints.

3. The combined microfluidic channel chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oil phase sample feeding head is a pin connector or a threaded connector.

4. The combined microfluidic channel chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aqueous phase dispensing head is a silicone aqueous phase connector or a threaded connector.

5. The combined microfluidic channel chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter of the fluid orifice is larger than the diameter of the flow channel.

6. The combined microfluidic channel chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first substrate has a plurality of first card heads on its side and a plurality of first card slots on the side of the first substrate away from the first card heads. The number, position and shape of the first card heads are matched with the number, position and shape of the first card slots.

7. The combined microfluidic channel chip according to claim 6, characterized in that: The combined microfluidic channel chip also includes a detachable functional module, which is connected to two of the standard modules by latches. The functional module is a liquid storage module or a liquid mixing module, and the liquid mixing module is one or more of the standard modules.

8. The combined microfluidic channel chip according to claim 7, characterized in that: The liquid storage module includes a second substrate and a liquid storage component. The liquid storage component is disposed on the second substrate, and the liquid storage inlet and liquid storage outlet of the liquid storage component are respectively connected to the two adapters through the adapter pipe.

9. The combined microfluidic channel chip according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second substrate has a plurality of second card heads on its side and a plurality of second card slots on the side of the second substrate away from the second card heads. The number, position and size of the second card heads are matched with the number, position and size of the first card slots. The number, position and size of the first card heads are matched with the number, position and size of the second card slots.

10. The combined microfluidic channel chip according to claim 8, characterized in that: The liquid storage component is a liquid storage container or a coiled adapter.

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