A tank and pressure supply device

Abstract

The application discloses a box and a pressure supply device, and relates to the technical field of organoids. The box is used for mounting a microfluidic component of an organ culture system, and comprises: a shell comprising a base and a cover, the base and the cover being detachably connected and enclosing a mounting cavity; a support component located in the mounting cavity and connected with the base, the support component being used for mounting the microfluidic component; and a connector mounted on the base and penetrating through the base, one end of the connector being located in the mounting cavity and the other end being located outside the mounting cavity. By arranging the support component in the mounting cavity of the box, each component in the microfluidic component can be compactly fixed on the support component, which helps to realize the neat and orderly layout of the microfluidic component, reduces the space occupation of the microfluidic component, and improves the space utilization of the mounting cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of organoids, and more particularly to a box and pressure supply device. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional preclinical models (including two-dimensional cell models, three-dimensional spherical cells, and various experimental animal models) have limitations in realistically simulating human physiological structures and functions, leading to significant challenges in predicting drug responses. Organ-on-a-chip technology can differentiate cells into organoid-specific cell types, highly mimicking the development of human organs in vitro, and reconstructing the structure of human organs to replace animal models, providing more possibilities for research on human diseases.

[0003] Currently, organ-on-a-chip culture requires a specific carbon dioxide incubator to provide the necessary growth conditions (such as suitable carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and humidity). During organ-on-a-chip culture, microfluidic pressure technology is a crucial element in constructing physiologically relevant models. By precisely controlling parameters such as pressure and flow rate, the complex microenvironment of organs in vivo can be simulated.

[0004] Microfluidic pressure technology is achieved through microfluidic components, which can provide positive and negative pressure to the culture chamber. These components include pumps, pipes, valves, and other parts. However, in related technologies, microfluidic components have a non-compact layout and occupy a large amount of space. Utility Model Content

[0005] Based on this, this application provides a housing and a pressure supply device to solve the problem of large space occupation of microfluidic components in related technologies.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a housing for mounting microfluidic components of an organ culture system, including:

[0007] The outer casing includes a base and a cover, the base and the cover being detachably connected and enclosing a mounting cavity;

[0008] A support assembly is located within the mounting cavity and connected to the base; the support assembly is used to mount the microfluidic component.

[0009] The connector is installed on the base and penetrates the base, with one end located inside the mounting cavity and the other end located outside the mounting cavity.

[0010] In some embodiments, the base includes:

[0011] The base plate, on which the bracket assembly is mounted;

[0012] The first substrate and the second substrate are disposed opposite to each other along the first direction and are respectively connected to the two sides of the base plate along the first direction. The connector is installed on the first substrate and / or the second substrate.

[0013] The cover is detachably connected to at least one of the base plate, the first substrate, and the second substrate, and the base plate, the first substrate, the second substrate, and the cover together form the mounting cavity.

[0014] In some embodiments, both the first substrate and the second substrate are detachably connected to the base plate.

[0015] In some embodiments, the connector includes:

[0016] The first air passage connector is mounted on the second base plate;

[0017] The second air passage connector is installed on the first substrate;

[0018] The third air passage connector is installed on the second base plate;

[0019] A circuit connector is mounted on the first substrate.

[0020] In some embodiments, the support assembly includes: a first support, a second support, and a third support arranged sequentially along the first direction, wherein the first support, the second support, and the third support are all located within the mounting cavity, between the first substrate and the second substrate, connected to the base plate, and used to mount the microfluidic component.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first support and the first substrate are spaced apart along the first direction, and a first receiving cavity is formed between the first support and the first substrate;

[0022] The first bracket and the second bracket are spaced apart along the first direction, and a second receiving cavity is formed between the first bracket and the second bracket;

[0023] The first bracket has a wire passage hole connecting the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity.

[0024] In some embodiments, along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second bracket is disposed in the middle of the base plate, and the second bracket, the first bracket, the third bracket, the base plate and the cover form a third receiving cavity and a fourth receiving cavity; along the second direction, the third receiving cavity and the fourth receiving cavity are respectively located on both sides of the second bracket.

[0025] In some embodiments, the third support includes:

[0026] The fifth plate and the sixth plate are spaced apart along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a fifth receiving cavity is formed between the fifth plate and the sixth plate; the sixth plate and the side wall of the cover away from the bottom plate form a sixth receiving cavity;

[0027] The column is connected to the fifth plate, the sixth plate, and the base plate.

[0028] In some embodiments, the sixth plate is provided with a clearance hole, which communicates with the fifth accommodating cavity and the sixth accommodating cavity.

[0029] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a pressure supply device, comprising:

[0030] The housing described in the first aspect;

[0031] The microfluidic component is located inside the mounting cavity of the housing and is mounted on the support assembly of the housing.

[0032] This application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0033] First, by setting a support assembly inside the mounting cavity of the housing, the various components of the microfluidic assembly can be compactly fixed on the support assembly, which helps to achieve a neat and orderly layout of the microfluidic assembly, reduce the space occupation of the microfluidic assembly, and improve the space utilization of the mounting cavity.

[0034] Second, the base and the cover adopt a detachable connection method. When it is necessary to install or remove the microfluidic components, simply remove the cover from the base to expose the support components. This makes it convenient for operators to install, debug and maintain the microfluidic components, thus improving work efficiency.

[0035] Third, after the base and the housing are connected, the microfluidic component is enclosed inside, which can effectively prevent external dust, moisture and other impurities from entering and avoid contamination and corrosion of the microfluidic component; at the same time, it can also resist the impact, squeezing and other external forces of external devices, reduce the risk of component damage caused by external forces and extend the service life of the microfluidic component.

[0036] Fourth, the connector serves as the external interface for the microfluidic component. The microfluidic component connects to external devices through the connector without needing to extend the microfluidic component itself out of the housing, thus avoiding potential accidental damage due to the exposure of the microfluidic component, further ensuring the safety of the microfluidic component, and helping to ensure the stable operation of the microfluidic component.

[0037] 5. When the entire microfluidic assembly needs to be replaced, the operator only needs to disconnect the connector from the external device, thus disconnecting the microfluidic assembly from the external device. If the base or housing is connected to the external device, then disconnect the base or housing from the external device as well. Since the microfluidic assembly is integrated and installed inside the housing, these two simple steps indirectly achieve the overall disassembly of the microfluidic assembly, eliminating the need to dismantle numerous connections as required by related technologies. This simplifies the microfluidic assembly replacement process, reduces operational difficulty, and helps improve work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0038] 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 some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pressure supply device in one or more embodiments of this application. Figure 1 .

[0040] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pressure supply device in one or more embodiments of this application. Figure 2 .

[0041] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the enclosure concealed behind the casing in one or more embodiments of this application. Figure 1 .

[0042] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a positive pressure supply component in one or more embodiments of this application.

[0043] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a negative pressure supply component in one or more embodiments of this application.

[0044] Figure 6 This is a top view of the box body after the cover is hidden in one or more embodiments of this application.

[0045] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the enclosure concealed behind the casing in one or more embodiments of this application. Figure 2 .

[0046] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second bracket in one or more embodiments of this application.

[0047] Figure 9 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the pressure supply device in one or more embodiments of this application.

[0048] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure supply device with its concealed housing in one or more embodiments of this application. Figure 1 .

[0049] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure supply device with its concealed housing in one or more embodiments of this application. Figure 2 .

[0050] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0051] 300 - Pressure supply device; 310 - Housing; 310a - Mounting cavity; 310h - First receiving cavity; 310b - Second receiving cavity; 310c - Third receiving cavity; 310d - Fourth receiving cavity; 310e - Fifth receiving cavity; 310f - Sixth receiving cavity; 310g - Seventh receiving cavity; 311 - Outer shell; 312 - Base; 3121 - Base plate; 3122 - First substrate; 3123 - Second substrate; 313 - Cover; 313a - Heat dissipation hole; 314 - Support assembly; 315 - First support; 315a - Wiring hole; 316 - Second support; 316a - Receiving groove; 316b - First opening; 316c - Second opening; 3161 - First plate; 3162 - Second plate; 3163 - Third plate; 316 4-Fourth plate, 317-Third bracket, 3171-Fifth plate, 3172-Sixth plate, 3172a-Allowing hole, 3173-Column, 318-Connector, 3181-First gas line connector, 3182-Second gas line connector, 3183-Third gas line connector, 3184-Circuit connector, 320-Positive pressure supply component, 321-First pipe, 321a-First gas inlet, 321b-First gas outlet, 322-First pump, 323-First proportional valve, 324-First gas storage tank, 325-Second gas storage tank, 330-Negative pressure supply component, 331-Second pipe, 331a-Second gas inlet, 331b-Second gas outlet, 332-Second pump, 333-Second proportional valve, 334-Third gas storage tank, 340-Switching power supply, 350-Controller. Detailed Implementation

[0052] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components or components having the same or similar functions throughout. The described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of this application. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. The embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0054] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the accompanying drawings, and 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0055] The terms "first," "second," and "third" in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application, if present, are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0056] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product, or display that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or display.

[0057] In related technologies, the various components of microfluidic modules are typically scattered across the frame and culture apparatus of organ-on-a-chip culture systems. This results in a loose, space-consuming layout. Furthermore, microfluidic modules lack adequate protective measures, and replacing the entire module requires dismantling numerous connections.

[0058] In view of this, the inventors designed a housing 310 and a pressure supply device 300. The housing 310, through the design of the outer shell 311, the support assembly 314 and the connector 318, enables each component in the microfluidic assembly to be compactly fixed on the support assembly 314 and located inside the outer shell 311. This helps to achieve a neat and orderly layout of the microfluidic assembly, reduces the space occupied by the microfluidic assembly, and also provides protection for the microfluidic assembly and facilitates the disassembly of the microfluidic assembly.

[0059] The housing 310 and pressure supply device 300 provided in the embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] In the attached diagram, X represents the first direction, Y represents the second direction, and Z represents the third direction. The first, second, and third directions are perpendicular to each other.

[0061] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing 310 is used to mount the microfluidic components of the organ culture system, and includes: a shell 311, a support assembly 314, and a connector 318. The shell 311 includes a base 312 and a cover 313, which are detachably connected and enclose a mounting cavity 310a. The support assembly 314 is located within the mounting cavity 310a and connected to the base 312 for mounting the microfluidic components. The connector 318 is mounted on the base 312 and penetrates the base 312, with one end located inside the mounting cavity 310a and the other end located outside the mounting cavity 310a.

[0062] Microfluidic components can provide positive and negative pressure to the culture box. Microfluidic components may include pumps, valves, pipes, gas tanks and other components. Their structures are diverse and known to those skilled in the art, and are not limited in this application.

[0063] The base 312 and the housing 313 are detachably connected. When the base 312 and the housing 313 are connected, they together form a mounting cavity 310a. The bracket assembly 314 is located within the mounting cavity 310a and is connected to the base 312. When the housing 313 is removed from the base 312, the bracket assembly 314 can be exposed. The detachable connection can be made in various ways, such as bolted connection or snap-fit ​​connection, and is not limited in this application.

[0064] The microfluidic component is mounted on the support assembly 314. The support assembly 314 supports and secures the microfluidic component.

[0065] The connector 318 can be a gas connector for connecting gas pipelines; it can also be a circuit connector for transmitting electrical energy; or it can be a communication connector for realizing data exchange and transmission, etc., and is not limited in this application.

[0066] By setting the bracket assembly 314 in the mounting cavity 310a of the housing 310, the various components in the microfluidic assembly can be compactly fixed on the bracket assembly 314, which helps to achieve a neat and orderly layout of the microfluidic assembly, reduce the space occupation of the microfluidic assembly, and improve the space utilization of the mounting cavity 310a.

[0067] The base 312 and the cover 313 are detachably connected. When it is necessary to install or remove the microfluidic component, simply remove the cover 313 from the base 312 to expose the support assembly 314. This makes it convenient for operators to install, debug and maintain the microfluidic component, thus improving work efficiency.

[0068] After the base 312 and the housing 313 are connected, the microfluidic component is enclosed inside, which can effectively prevent external dust, moisture and other impurities from entering and avoid contamination and corrosion of the microfluidic component; at the same time, it can also resist the impact, squeezing and other external forces of external devices, reduce the risk of component damage caused by external forces and extend the service life of the microfluidic component.

[0069] Connector 318 serves as the external interface for the microfluidic component. The microfluidic component connects to external devices through connector 318 without having to extend the microfluidic component itself out of the housing 310. This avoids potential accidental damage caused by the exposure of the microfluidic component, further ensuring the safety of the microfluidic component and helping to ensure its stable operation.

[0070] When the entire microfluidic assembly needs to be replaced, the operator only needs to disconnect the connector 318 from the external device, thus disconnecting the microfluidic assembly from the external device. If the base 312 or housing 312 is connected to the external device, then disconnect the base 312 or housing 313 from the external device as well. Since the microfluidic assembly is integrated and installed inside the housing 310, the entire microfluidic assembly can be disassembled indirectly through these two simple steps, eliminating the need to dismantle numerous connections as in related technologies. This simplifies the microfluidic assembly replacement process, reduces operational difficulty, and helps improve work efficiency.

[0071] In some embodiments, the microfluidic assembly includes a positive pressure supply assembly 320 and a negative pressure supply assembly 330, both of which are mounted on the support assembly 314 and located within the mounting cavity 310a.

[0072] like Figure 4As shown, the positive pressure supply assembly 320 includes a first pipe 321, a first pump 322, and a first proportional valve 323. The first pipe 321 has a first gas inlet 321a and a first gas outlet 321b. The first gas inlet 321a is used to communicate with a gas source, and the first gas outlet 321b is used to communicate with the positive pressure interface of the culture box. The first pump 322 and the first proportional valve 323 are both installed in the first pipe 321, and the first proportional valve 323 is located between the first pump 322 and the first gas outlet 321b.

[0073] A gas source supplies gas to the first pump 322. When the first pump 322 is working, it draws gas from the gas source through the first gas inlet 321a and delivers the gas to the culture chamber through the first gas outlet 321b, providing positive pressure to the culture chamber. Positive pressure can be used to drive the flow of culture medium or gas in the microfluidic channel, ensuring uniform distribution of nutrients and gases. Positive pressure can also be used to simulate blood flow or respiratory movements; for example, in a lung-on-a-chip, positive pressure drives gas flow to simulate the respiratory process. A first proportional valve 323 is located between the first pump 322 and the first gas outlet 321b. The gas flow rate can be adjusted by regulating the opening of the first proportional valve 323 to simulate the complex microenvironment of organs in the body.

[0074] In some embodiments, the gas source is CO2 with a concentration of 5%, and the CO2 is stored in a gas cylinder.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first pipeline 321 has a plurality of first gas outlets 321b, and the positive pressure supply assembly 320 includes a plurality of first proportional valves 323, with the first gas outlets 321b and the first proportional valves 323 being configured in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0076] The number of first gas outlets 321b and first proportional valves 323 is the same. Multiple first gas outlets 321b are provided, allowing each outlet to be connected to multiple positive pressure ports, thus controlling the gas intake at multiple positive pressure ports on a single culture chamber, or controlling the gas intake at positive pressure ports on multiple culture chambers. The gas flow rate at each first gas outlet 321b can be independently controlled by adjusting each first proportional valve 323.

[0077] In some embodiments, the positive pressure supply assembly 320 further includes a first gas storage tank 324 and a second gas storage tank 325. The first gas storage tank 324 is installed in the first pipeline 321 and is located between the first pump 322 and the first proportional valve 323. The second gas storage tank 325 is installed in the first pipeline 321 and is located between the first proportional valve 323 and the first gas outlet 321b.

[0078] When the first pump 322 is operating, it can store gas in the first gas storage tank 324 and the second gas storage tank 325 respectively. When gas needs to be supplied to the culture chamber, the first gas storage tank 324 and the second gas storage tank 325 can be opened directly to supply gas to the culture chamber using the gas stored in the tanks, without having to start the first pump 322. This design effectively reduces the number of times the first pump 322 is started and stopped, reduces the wear and tear caused by frequent start and stop, extends the service life of the first pump 322, and also reduces energy consumption and improves the operating efficiency and stability of the positive pressure supply component 320.

[0079] When the gas pressure in the first gas storage tank 324 and the second gas storage tank 325 falls below a certain value, the second pump 332 starts working to replenish gas to the first gas storage tank 324 and the second gas storage tank 325, raising their gas pressure to a certain value. This design ensures that the first gas storage tank 324 and the second gas storage tank 325 always have sufficient gas reserves. Even if the first pump 322 malfunctions or requires maintenance, the gas in the first gas storage tank 324 and the second gas storage tank 325 can continue to provide gas to the culture box for a period of time, ensuring the continuity of gas supply and avoiding adverse effects on experiments or production in the culture box due to gas supply interruption. During the process of the first pump 322 working to fill the first gas storage tank 324 and the second gas storage tank 325 and supply gas to the culture box, the first gas storage tank 324 and the second gas storage tank 325 can balance the fluctuations in gas pressure, and the first gas storage tank 324 and the second gas storage tank 325 also play a buffering role in the system.

[0080] like Figure 5 As shown, the negative pressure supply assembly 330 includes: a second pipe 331, a second pump 332, and a second proportional valve 333. The second pipe 331 has a second gas inlet 331a and a second gas outlet 331b. The second pump 332 is installed in the second pipe 331. The second proportional valve 333 is located between the second pump 332 and the second gas inlet 331a. The second gas inlet 331a is used to communicate with the negative pressure connector of the culture box.

[0081] When the second pump 332 is operating, it draws air from the culture chamber through the second gas inlet 331a, and the gas is finally discharged through the second gas outlet 331b, thus creating a negative pressure inside the culture chamber. This negative pressure can be used to simulate the inhalation and exhalation processes of the lungs; for example, in a lung-on-a-chip, negative pressure can cause changes in the volume of the air chambers to simulate respiratory movements. Negative pressure can also be used to precisely control the direction and speed of fluid flow; for example, in a microfluidic chip, negative pressure can be used to attract culture medium or cell suspensions. A second proportional valve 333 is positioned between the second gas inlet 331a and the second pump 332. The gas flow rate can be adjusted by regulating the opening of the second proportional valve 333 to simulate the complex microenvironment of organs in the body.

[0082] In some embodiments, the second pipe 331 has a plurality of second gas inlets 331a, and the negative pressure supply component 330 includes a plurality of second proportional valves 333, with the second gas inlets 331a and the second proportional valves 333 being configured in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0083] The number of second gas inlets 331a and second proportional valves 333 is the same. Multiple second gas inlets 331a are provided, allowing each inlet to connect to multiple negative pressure interfaces, thus controlling the gas output from multiple negative pressure interfaces on a single culture chamber, or controlling the gas output from multiple negative pressure connectors on multiple culture chambers. The gas flow rate of each second gas inlet 331a can be independently controlled by adjusting each second proportional valve 333.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first pipe 321 has six first gas outlets 321b, and each culture box is provided with three positive pressure ports. The positive pressure supply component 320 can provide positive pressure to two culture boxes simultaneously.

[0085] In some embodiments, the second pipe 331 has two second gas inlets 331a, and each culture box is provided with a negative pressure port. The negative pressure supply component 330 can provide positive pressure to two culture boxes at the same time.

[0086] In some embodiments, the negative pressure supply assembly 330 further includes a third gas storage tank 334, which is installed in the second pipeline 331 and located between the second pump 332 and the second proportional valve 333.

[0087] When the second pump 332 operates, it draws gas from the third gas tank 334, creating a negative pressure environment inside. When a negative pressure environment is needed for the culture chamber, the gas inside the culture chamber is drawn into the third gas tank 334 by the negative pressure, eliminating the need to start the second pump 332. This effectively reduces the number of times the second pump 332 is started and stopped, preventing mechanical wear caused by frequent starts and stops, extending the service life of the second pump 332, and reducing energy consumption caused by frequent starts and stops, thus improving the energy efficiency of the entire pressure supply device 300. The third gas tank 334 also plays an important buffering role in the system.

[0088] Understandably, valves can be installed at the inlet and outlet of each storage tank to control the opening and closing of the inlet and outlet of each tank.

[0089] In some embodiments, the microfluidic assembly further includes a switching power supply 340 and a controller 350. The first proportional valve 323 and the second proportional valve 333 of the microfluidic assembly are both solenoid valves. The switching power supply 340 is electrically connected to a circuit connector 3184 and is also electrically connected to other electrical components such as the first proportional valve 323, the second proportional valve 333, the first pump 322, the second pump 332, and the controller 350. The switching power supply 340 can maintain a stable output voltage or current, and its structure varies; therefore, it is not limited or described in detail in this application. The controller 350 is electrically connected to the first proportional valve 323, the second proportional valve 333, the first pump 322, and the second pump 332, and is used to control the operation of these components.

[0090] In some embodiments, both the first pump 322 and the second pump 332 are diaphragm pumps.

[0091] In some embodiments, a silencer is installed at the second gas outlet 331b to reduce noise during gas discharge.

[0092] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the base 312 includes: a base plate 3121, a first substrate 3122, and a second substrate 3123. A support assembly 314 is mounted on the base plate 3121; the first substrate 3122 and the second substrate 3123 are disposed opposite to each other along a first direction and are respectively connected to both sides of the base plate 3121 along the first direction; a connector 318 is mounted on the first substrate 3122 and / or the second substrate 3123; a cover 313 is detachably connected to at least one of the base plate 3121, the first substrate 3122, and the second substrate 3123; the base plate 3121, the first substrate 3122, the second substrate 3123, and the cover 313 together form a mounting cavity 310a.

[0093] One or more connectors 318 can be provided. When one connector is provided, the connector 318 can be installed on the first substrate 3122 or the second substrate 3123. When multiple connectors are provided, all connectors 318 can be installed on the first substrate 3122 or the second substrate 3123, or some connectors 318 can be installed on the first substrate 3122 and the other part can be installed on the second substrate 3123.

[0094] The connection methods between the support assembly 314 and the base plate 3121, the first substrate 3122 and the base plate 3121, and the second substrate 3123 and the base plate 3121 are varied, such as bolt connection, snap-fit, adhesive bonding, etc., and are not limited in this application. The base 312 includes the base plate 3121, the first substrate 3122 and the second substrate 3123. The base plate 3121, the first substrate 3122 and the second substrate 3123 can be processed separately and then connected to form the base 312, which facilitates the manufacturing of the base 312.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first substrate 3122 and the second substrate 3123 are both detachably connected to the base plate 3121.

[0096] Microfluidic components come in a wide variety of types, and different types and specifications may require connectors 318 of different sizes and types to achieve gas, power, or signal connections with external devices. Since the first substrate 3122 and the second substrate 3123 are detachably connected to the base plate 3121, when a microfluidic component needs to be replaced, the first substrate 3122 and the second substrate 3123 with the corresponding connectors 318 can be easily replaced together without needing to replace the housing 131 and the base plate 3121. This ensures that the connectors 318 are compatible with the new microfluidic component, improving the compatibility and adaptability of the housing 310.

[0097] In some embodiments, connector 318 includes: a first gas connector 3181, a second gas connector 3182, a third gas connector 3183, and a circuit connector 3184. The first gas connector 3181 is mounted on the second substrate 3123; the second gas connector 3182 is mounted on the first substrate 3122; the third gas connector 3183 is mounted on the second substrate 3123; and the circuit connector 3184 is mounted on the first substrate 3122.

[0098] It should be noted that these connectors all penetrate the first substrate 3122 or the second substrate 3123, with one end of each connector located inside the mounting cavity 310a and the other end located outside the mounting cavity 310a.

[0099] The first gas connector 3181, the second gas connector 3182, and the third gas connector 3183 are all used to connect the pipes outside the housing 310 with the pipes of the microfluidic component inside the housing 310 to achieve gas transmission. The circuit connector 3184 is used to electrically connect the wires outside the housing 310 with the wires of the microfluidic component to achieve the transmission of power or control signals.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first gas connector 3181 is used to connect the second gas inlet 331a of the second pipe 331 to the negative pressure interface of the culture box.

[0101] In some embodiments, the second gas connector 3182 is used to connect the gas source and the first gas inlet 321a of the first pipeline 321.

[0102] In some embodiments, the third gas connector 3183 is used to connect the first gas outlet 321b of the first pipe 321 to the positive pressure interface of the culture box.

[0103] In some embodiments, the support assembly 314 includes a first support 315, a second support 316 and a third support 317 arranged sequentially along a first direction. The first support 315, the second support 316 and the third support 317 are all located in the mounting cavity 310a, are all located between the first substrate 3122 and the second substrate 3123, are all connected to the base plate 3121 and are all used to mount microfluidic components.

[0104] The connection methods between the first bracket 315 and the base plate 3121, the second bracket 316 and the base plate 3121, and the third bracket 317 and the base plate 3121 are all varied, such as bolt connection, adhesive bonding, snap-fit ​​connection, etc., and are not limited in this application.

[0105] By sequentially arranging a first bracket 315, a second bracket 316, and a third bracket 317 along the first direction within the mounting cavity 310a of the housing 310, each component of the microfluidic assembly can be individually mounted and fixed on its corresponding bracket, achieving a neat and orderly layout. This layout utilizes the space along the first direction within the mounting cavity 310a, helping to neatly arrange the microfluidic components, effectively reducing space occupation and improving space utilization.

[0106] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the first support 315 and the first substrate 3122 are spaced apart along a first direction, and a first receiving cavity 310h is formed between the first support 315 and the first substrate 3122; the first support 315 and the second support 316 are spaced apart along the first direction, and a second receiving cavity 310b is formed between the first support 315 and the second support 316; the first support 315 has a wire through hole 315a that connects the first receiving cavity 310h and the second receiving cavity 310b.

[0107] The first support 315 and the first substrate 3122 are spaced apart to form a first receiving cavity 310h, and the first support 315 and the second support 316 are spaced apart to form a second receiving cavity 310b, so that each component of the microfluidic assembly can be placed in a different receiving cavity. This classified storage method helps to make the layout of the various components of the microfluidic assembly clearer and more orderly, making it easier for operators to quickly identify and find the required components, thus improving work efficiency.

[0108] The wire-passing hole 315a on the first bracket 315 connects the first receiving cavity 310h and the second receiving cavity 310b, providing a passage for wires, pipes, etc. to pass through the two receiving cavities. This allows for convenient electrical connection and gas transmission between components in different receiving cavities, avoids the messy distribution of wires and pipes in the mounting cavity 310a, reduces the risk of wire and pipe entanglement and damage, and improves the efficiency and safety of wire and pipe layout.

[0109] In some embodiments, the switching power supply 340 is disposed in the first receiving cavity 310h and connected to the first bracket 315, and the controller 350 is disposed in the second receiving cavity 310b and also connected to the first bracket 315.

[0110] In some embodiments, the first bracket 315 is a support plate, which is perpendicular to the first direction, and the wire hole 315a is provided on the side of the support plate near the bottom plate 3121.

[0111] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 11 As shown, in some embodiments, along the second direction, the second bracket 316 is disposed in the middle of the base plate 3121, and the second bracket 316, the first bracket 315, the third bracket 317, the base plate 3121 and the cover 313 together form a third receiving cavity 310c and a fourth receiving cavity 310d; along the second direction, the third receiving cavity 310c and the fourth receiving cavity 310d are respectively located on both sides of the second bracket 316.

[0112] Along the second direction, a third receiving cavity 310c and a fourth receiving cavity 310d are formed on both sides of the second support 316, respectively. Components of different functions or types of microfluidic components can be placed in different receiving cavities to achieve classified storage, which makes it convenient for operators to quickly find the required components during installation, debugging and maintenance, and improves work efficiency.

[0113] like Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, in some embodiments, the second pump 332 and the third gas tank 334 are both placed in the fourth receiving cavity 310d, and the second pump 332 is connected to the second bracket 316, while the third gas tank 334 is connected to the base plate 3121.

[0114] like Figure 11 As shown, in some embodiments, the first pump 322 and the first gas storage tank 324 are both placed in the third receiving cavity 310c, and the first pump 322 is connected to the first bracket 315, while the first gas storage tank 324 is connected to the base plate 3121.

[0115] like Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the second support 316 has a receiving groove 316a located between the third receiving cavity 310c and the fourth receiving cavity 310d; the receiving groove 316a has a communicating first opening 316b and a second opening 316c, the first opening 316b being located on the side of the receiving groove 316a away from the base plate 3121, and the second opening 316c being located on the side of the receiving groove 316a close to the first support 315.

[0116] The first opening 316b facilitates the placement of components within the receiving slot 316a, while the second opening 316c facilitates the entry of wires, pipes, etc., into the receiving slot 316a. Since the receiving slot 316a is located between the third receiving cavity 310c and the fourth receiving cavity 310d, and the distances between the receiving slot 316a and the third and fourth receiving cavities 310c and 310d are roughly equal, it provides an optimal location for components shared by components in these two receiving cavities. For example, the controller 350 can be placed in the receiving slot 316a, which reduces wiring length and makes the overall wiring layout of the device simpler, more organized, and improves space utilization efficiency.

[0117] In some embodiments, a cooling fan is installed in the receiving slot 316a, and an air outlet is provided on the cover 313, which is opposite to the first opening 316b. The cooling fan is also opposite to the first opening 316b, and several through holes are provided on the second bracket 316. The cooling fan is electrically connected to the switching power supply 340. Under the action of the cooling fan, the hot air in the mounting cavity 310a is quickly discharged through the air outlet, which helps the microfluidic components to dissipate heat quickly.

[0118] like Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the second support 316 includes a first plate 3161, a second plate 3162, a third plate 3163, and a fourth plate 3164. The first plate 3161 and the second plate 3162 are disposed opposite each other along a second direction. The third plate 3163 is disposed on the side of the first plate 3161 near the third support 317 and is located between the first plate 3161 and the second plate 3162. The fourth plate 3164 is disposed on the side of the first plate 3161 near the base plate 3121 and is connected to the base plate 3121, the first plate 3161, the second plate 3162, and the third plate 3163; the first plate 3161, the second plate 3162, and the third plate 3163 together form a receiving groove 316a.

[0119] like Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the third support 317 and the second substrate 3123 are spaced apart along a first direction, and a seventh receiving cavity 310g is formed between the third support 317 and the second substrate 3123.

[0120] The third support 317 and the second substrate 3123 are spaced apart along the first direction to form a seventh receiving cavity 310g, providing an independent placement space for microfluidic components or other related parts. This allows different types of components to be rationally distinguished and placed, avoiding mutual interference and confusion between components.

[0121] like Figure 7As shown, in some embodiments, the third support 317 includes a fifth plate 3171, a sixth plate 3172, and a column 3173. The fifth plate 3171 and the sixth plate 3172 are spaced apart along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, forming a fifth receiving cavity 310e between the fifth plate 3171 and the sixth plate 3172; the sixth plate 3172 and the sidewall of the cover 313 away from the bottom plate 3121 form a sixth receiving cavity 310f. The column 3173 is connected to the fifth plate 3171, the sixth plate 3172, and the bottom plate 3121.

[0122] Both the fifth plate 3171 and the sixth plate 3172 are connected to the column 3173, which supports them. The column 3173 is also connected to the base plate 3121. The fifth plate 3171 supports and secures the components located within the fifth receiving cavity 310e. Similarly, the sixth plate 3172 supports and secures the components located within the sixth receiving cavity 310f. With this design, the sixth receiving cavity 310f is located above the fifth receiving cavity 310e, allowing the various components of the microfluidic assembly to be layered on the third support 317. This helps to fully utilize the space in the third direction of the mounting cavity 310a, resulting in a more compact layout of the microfluidic components. Simultaneously, the layered structure also improves the maintainability of the device, allowing operators to quickly locate and perform maintenance operations based on the component's layer, reducing maintenance difficulty and costs, and ensuring the efficient and stable operation of the microfluidic assembly.

[0123] In some embodiments, the fifth receiving cavity 310e and the sixth receiving cavity 310f are both used to house the first proportional valve 323 and the second gas storage tank 325.

[0124] In some embodiments, eight first proportional valves 323 and eight second gas storage tanks 325 are provided, and four first proportional valves 323 and four second gas storage tanks 325 are placed in each of the fifth receiving cavity 310e and the sixth receiving cavity 310f.

[0125] like Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the sixth plate 3172 is provided with a clearance hole 3172a, which connects the fifth receiving cavity 310e and the sixth receiving cavity 310f.

[0126] With this design, the component can pass through the clearance hole 3172a and be located in both the fifth receiving cavity 310e and the sixth receiving cavity 310f, allowing components with a height higher than the fifth receiving cavity 310e to be placed on the fifth plate 3171, thus improving the flexibility of the third bracket 317.

[0127] In some embodiments, the clearance hole 3172a is formed on one side of the fifth plate 3171 along the second direction.

[0128] In some embodiments, the second proportional valve 333 passes through the clearance hole 3172a, is located in both the fifth receiving cavity 310e and the sixth receiving cavity 310f, and is connected to the fifth plate.

[0129] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides a pressure supply device 300, including a microfluidic component and the aforementioned housing 310. The microfluidic component is located within the mounting cavity 310a of the housing 310 and is mounted on the support assembly 314 of the housing 310.

[0130] Since the pressure supply device 300 includes the aforementioned housing 310, it naturally possesses all the beneficial effects of the housing 310, which will not be elaborated upon here. The structures of microfluidic components are diverse and are known to those skilled in the art; therefore, no limitation is made in this application.

[0131] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A case characterized by comprising: Microfluidic components for mounting organ culture systems include: The outer shell (311) includes a base (312) and a cover (313), the base (312) and the cover (313) being detachably connected and enclosing a mounting cavity (310a). A support assembly (314) is located within the mounting cavity (310a) and connected to the base (312), the support assembly (314) being used to mount the microfluidic component; The connector (318) is installed on the base (312) and penetrates the base (312), with one end located inside the mounting cavity (310a) and the other end located outside the mounting cavity (310a).

2. The case of claim 1, wherein, The base (312) includes: The base plate (3121) is on which the bracket assembly (314) is mounted. The first substrate (3122) and the second substrate (3123) are arranged opposite to each other along the first direction and are respectively connected to the two sides of the base plate (3121) along the first direction. The connector (318) is installed on the first substrate (3122) and / or the second substrate (3123). The cover (313) is detachably connected to at least one of the base plate (3121), the first substrate (3122) and the second substrate (3123), and the base plate (3121), the first substrate (3122), the second substrate (3123) and the cover (313) together form the mounting cavity (310a).

3. The case of claim 2, wherein, Both the first substrate (3122) and the second substrate (3123) are detachably connected to the base plate (3121).

4. The case of claim 2, wherein, The connector (318) includes: The first air passage connector (3181) is mounted on the second base plate (3123). The second air passage connector (3182) is installed on the first substrate (3122); The third air passage connector (3183) is installed on the second base plate (3123); A circuit connector (3184) is mounted on the first substrate (3122).

5. The case according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The support assembly (314) includes a first support (315), a second support (316) and a third support (317) arranged sequentially along the first direction. The first support (315), the second support (316) and the third support (317) are all located in the mounting cavity (310a), between the first substrate (3122) and the second substrate (3123), connected to the base plate (3121) and used to mount the microfluidic component.

6. The case of claim 5, wherein, The first support (315) and the first substrate (3122) are spaced apart along the first direction, and a first receiving cavity (310h) is formed between the first support (315) and the first substrate (3122). The first bracket (315) and the second bracket (316) are spaced apart along the first direction, and a second receiving cavity (310b) is formed between the first bracket (315) and the second bracket (316). The first bracket (315) has a wire hole (315a) that connects the first receiving cavity (310h) and the second receiving cavity (310b).

7. The housing according to claim 5, characterized in that, Along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second bracket (316) is disposed in the middle of the base plate (3121). The second bracket (316), the first bracket (315), the third bracket (317), the base plate (3121) and the cover (313) together form a third receiving cavity (310c) and a fourth receiving cavity (310d). Along the second direction, the third receiving cavity (310c) and the fourth receiving cavity (310d) are respectively located on both sides of the second bracket (316).

8. The case of claim 5, wherein, The third support (317) includes: The fifth plate (3171) and the sixth plate (3172) are spaced apart along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a fifth receiving cavity (310e) is formed between the fifth plate (3171) and the sixth plate (3172); the sixth plate (3172) and the side wall of the cover (313) away from the bottom plate (3121) form a sixth receiving cavity (310f). The column (3173) is connected to the fifth plate (3171), the sixth plate (3172) and the base plate (3121).

9. The case of claim 8, wherein, The sixth plate (3172) is provided with a clearance hole (3172a), which is connected to the fifth receiving cavity (310e) and the sixth receiving cavity (310f).

10. A pressure supply device characterized by comprising: include: The housing (310) according to any one of claims 1-9; The microfluidic component is located in the mounting cavity (310a) of the housing (310) and mounted on the support assembly (314) of the housing (310).

Images