A droplet microfluidic device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of droplet microfluidic preparation instruments, belong to microfluidic control field.A kind of droplet microfluidic preparation instrument, including preparation instrument main body, the pusher being set at the exterior of preparation instrument main body, fixedly connected at the top of preparation instrument main body and placed frame and the microfluidic chip being set in placed frame interior, further include: flushing component, the flushing component includes liquid storage tank, fixedly set at the exterior of liquid storage tank water pump and fixedly set at water pump output end flushing spray head;Liquid collection component, the liquid collection component includes the mount bracket being fixed in the lower surface of placed frame, fixedly set at the exterior of placed frame waste liquid collection pipe and fixedly connected at the lower part of placed frame solution collection pipe;The utility model is flushed to microfluidic chip by flushing component using water pump and flushing spray head, waste liquid after flushing is discharged using waste liquid collection pipe, reduces the step of manually extracting cleaning fluid and then installing injection pipe, improves the efficiency of use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microfluidic control, and in particular to a droplet microfluidic control device. Background Technology

[0002] A droplet microfluidic control instrument is a device used to generate and control droplets, widely used in biological experiments, chemical reactions, drug screening, food processing, and other fields. It can control liquid flow and precisely generate tiny droplets through microfluidic technology. The precision control capability of the droplet microfluidic control instrument allows for precise control of droplets at the microscale, enabling high-throughput experiments, reactions, and analyses, and improving experimental efficiency and data accuracy.

[0003] Current droplet microfluidic control devices mostly require manual installation of syringes during use. When cleaning chips, the first set of syringes needs to be disassembled, and then a syringe filled with cleaning fluid needs to be installed. Then, the pusher is activated to push the cleaning fluid into the chip for cleaning. This process involves many steps and is inefficient. In addition, existing devices discharge waste liquid and finished solution through a single outlet during use, and the finished solution is collected using a test tube at the bottom, which leads to solution contamination. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that the existing technology requires changing different syringes to achieve the cleaning effect, which involves many steps and is slow. Therefore, a droplet microfluidic control device is proposed.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A droplet microfluidic preparation device includes a preparation device body, a pusher disposed outside the preparation device body, a placement frame fixedly connected to the top of the preparation device body, and a microfluidic chip disposed inside the placement frame, and further includes:

[0007] A rinsing assembly, comprising a liquid storage tank, a water pump fixedly installed outside the liquid storage tank, and a rinsing nozzle fixedly installed at the output end of the water pump;

[0008] A liquid collection assembly, comprising a mounting bracket fixed to the lower surface of a placement frame, a waste liquid collection pipe fixed to the outside of the placement frame, and a solution collection pipe fixedly connected to the lower part of the placement frame;

[0009] An airflow assist component is disposed on the top of the preparation instrument body, and the airflow assist component is used to agitate the liquid inside the placement frame.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the upper surface of the placement frame is provided with a cover plate, the liquid storage tank is provided on the upper surface of the cover plate, the bottom of the cover plate is provided with a fixing plate, a plurality of flushing nozzles are provided, and the plurality of flushing nozzles are evenly arranged on the surface of the fixing plate, the flushing nozzles are connected to the output end of the water pump, and the water outlet of the flushing nozzles is in contact with the upper surface of the microfluidic chip.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the input end of the water pump is connected to the inside of the storage tank, the output end of the water pump is connected to the flushing nozzle via a water delivery pipe, and a control valve is provided on the outer surface of the water delivery pipe.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution of this application, a mounting frame is fixedly connected to the lower part of the placement frame, and a connector for installing an injection tube is provided inside the mounting frame, and the solution collection tube is fixedly connected to the lower part of the mounting frame.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the top of the liquid storage tank is provided with a water inlet pipe, and the water inlet pipe, the solution collection pipe and the waste liquid collection pipe are all provided with solenoid valves. The solution collection pipe and the waste liquid collection pipe are both connected to the inside of the microfluidic chip.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the airflow auxiliary component includes an air pump fixedly installed on the top of the preparation instrument body, the output end of the air pump is fixedly connected to an air delivery pipe, and the end of the air delivery pipe away from the air pump is connected to the inside of the microfluidic chip.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution of this application, an airflow regulator and a pressure sensor are provided on the outside of the gas delivery pipe, and both the airflow regulator and the pressure sensor are electrically connected to the inside of the preparation instrument body.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a droplet microfluidic control device with the following features:

[0017] Beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. The flushing assembly uses a water pump to draw cleaning fluid from the storage tank and flushes the microfluidic chip through the flushing nozzle. The waste liquid after flushing is discharged through the waste liquid collection tube, which facilitates the cleaning of the microfluidic chip, reduces the step of manually drawing cleaning fluid and reinstalling the injection tube, and improves the efficiency of use. Moreover, the setting of waste liquid collection tube and solution collection tube can reduce the contact between liquid and the outside environment and reduce the possibility of contamination.

[0019] 2. By setting up an airflow generated by an air pump and adjusting the airflow rate through an airflow regulator, the airflow is guided to the droplet generation area of ​​the microfluidic chip through an air delivery tube. The guiding effect of the airflow can effectively change the flow state of the liquid in the chip channel, thereby affecting the size and generation frequency of the droplets, optimizing the stability and uniformity of the droplets, and improving the efficiency of use. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 A perspective view of a droplet microfluidic control device proposed in this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a front view of a droplet microfluidic control device proposed in this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid storage tank of a droplet microfluidic control device proposed in this utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the placement frame of a droplet microfluidic control apparatus proposed in this utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 This invention provides a droplet microfluidic control device. Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A.

[0025] In the picture:

[0026] 1. Main body of the preparation instrument; 2. Pusher; 3. Placement frame; 301. Mounting bracket; 302. Solution collection tube; 303. Waste liquid collection tube; 304. Microfluidic chip; 4. Cover plate; 5. Storage tank; 501. Water pump; 502. Rinsing nozzle; 503. Control valve; 504. Water inlet pipe; 6. Air pump; 601. Gas delivery pipe; 602. Airflow regulator; 603. Pressure sensor; 7. Solenoid valve. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0028] Example:

[0029] Reference Figure 1-4A droplet microfluidic control apparatus includes a preparation device body 1, a pusher 2 disposed outside the preparation device body 1, a placement frame 3 fixedly connected to the top of the preparation device body 1, and a microfluidic chip 304 disposed inside the placement frame 3. It also includes a rinsing assembly, a liquid collection assembly, and an airflow assist assembly. The rinsing assembly includes a liquid storage tank 5, a water pump 501 fixedly disposed outside the liquid storage tank 5, and a rinsing nozzle 502 fixedly disposed at the output end of the water pump 501. The liquid collection assembly includes a mounting bracket 301 fixedly disposed on the lower surface of the placement frame 3, a waste liquid collection pipe 303 fixedly disposed outside the placement frame 3, and a solution collection pipe 302 fixedly connected to the lower part of the placement frame 3. The airflow assist assembly is disposed on the top of the preparation device body 1 and is used to agitate the liquid inside the placement frame 3.

[0030] By placing the microfluidic chip 304 inside the placement frame 3, the droplet generation process is controlled. The water pump 501 is responsible for sending the cleaning liquid in the storage tank 5 to the rinsing nozzle 502. The rinsing nozzle 502 sprays the cleaning liquid evenly, effectively removing impurities inside the chip and ensuring the cleanliness of the chip after long-term use. This avoids the interference of impurities on the droplet generation process and ensures that the generated droplets are stable and uniform. The waste liquid collection tube 303 and the solution collection tube 302 in the liquid collection component can respectively recover excess waste liquid and processed solution, reducing the contact time between the solution and the outside world, improving cleanliness, and facilitating subsequent processing and recycling. The airflow auxiliary component can adjust the airflow speed, enhance the droplet splitting stability, and prevent the phenomenon of irregular droplet shape or unstable generation caused by uneven airflow. This can greatly improve the efficiency and quality of droplet generation.

[0031] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 A droplet microfluidic control device is further described, wherein a cover plate 4 is provided on the upper surface of the placement frame 3, a liquid storage tank 5 is provided on the upper surface of the cover plate 4, a fixing plate is provided at the bottom of the cover plate 4, and several rinsing nozzles 502 are provided, which are evenly arranged on the surface of the fixing plate. The rinsing nozzles 502 are connected to the output end of the water pump 501, and the water outlet of the rinsing nozzle 502 is in contact with the upper surface of the microfluidic chip 304. The input end of the water pump 501 is connected to the inside of the liquid storage tank 5, and the output end of the water pump 501 is connected to the rinsing nozzles 502 via a water supply pipe, and a control valve 503 is provided on the outer surface of the water supply pipe.

[0032] The cover plate 4 is fixed to the placement frame 3 by bolts. The fixing plate on the outer surface of the flushing nozzle 502 is recessed, and its edge protrudes from the cover plate 4 to squeeze and fix the microfluidic chip 304, thereby improving the stability of the installation of the microfluidic chip 304 and improving the airtightness of the placement frame 3. The flushing nozzle 502 is located at the channel position of the microfluidic chip 304, so that it can flush the inside when water is discharged. The control valve 503 is used to precisely adjust the flow rate and flushing pressure of the cleaning fluid, so as to achieve the required liquid flow rate and pressure at different cleaning stages, ensuring that dirt and deposits are thoroughly removed.

[0033] The lower part of the placement frame 3 is fixedly connected to a mounting bracket 301. The mounting bracket 301 has a connector for installing the injection tube inside. The solution collection tube 302 is fixedly connected to the lower part of the mounting bracket 301. The top of the liquid storage tank 5 is provided with a water inlet pipe 504. The water inlet pipe 504, the solution collection tube 302, and the waste liquid collection tube 303 are all equipped with solenoid valves 7. The solution collection tube 302 and the waste liquid collection tube 303 are all connected to the interior of the microfluidic chip 304.

[0034] Mounting bracket 301 facilitates stable fixation of the injection tube and solution collection tube 302. The injection tube can be used to precisely inject liquid into the microfluidic chip 304. The connector ensures a firm connection of the injection tube to guarantee the smoothness and accuracy of the liquid during injection. The solution collection tube 302 and waste liquid collection tube 303 can effectively recover waste liquid and finished solution in the microfluidic chip 304, avoid liquid waste, and prevent the leakage of pollutants during the experiment, ensuring environmental cleanliness and safety. The use of solenoid valve 7 allows for precise control of liquid flow. It can be switched on and off as needed. Combined with the input of water inlet pipe 504, the liquid flow rate can be adjusted at different stages to achieve precise control and automated operation in the droplet generation process.

[0035] Reference Figure 5 A droplet microfluidic control apparatus is further described, wherein the airflow auxiliary component includes an air pump 6 fixedly mounted on the top of the apparatus body 1, and an air supply pipe 601 fixedly connected to the output end of the air pump 6. The end of the air supply pipe 601 away from the air pump 6 is connected to the inside of the microfluidic chip 304. An airflow regulator 602 and a pressure sensor 603 are disposed outside the air supply pipe 601, and both the airflow regulator 602 and the pressure sensor 603 are electrically connected inside the apparatus body 1.

[0036] The air pump 6 can output a stable airflow to promote the stable generation and splitting of droplets in the microfluidic chip 304. The airflow regulator 602 can adjust the airflow rate according to experimental requirements to ensure that airflow interference does not cause droplet irregularity or instability during droplet generation, thereby improving the uniformity and consistency of droplets. The pressure sensor 603 monitors the pressure change of the airflow in real time to ensure the stability of the airflow output and avoid the impact of pressure fluctuations on the droplet shape and generation process.

[0037] Specifically, in use, the microfluidic chip 304 is first placed inside the placement frame 3. Then, the cover plate 4 is fixed inside the placement frame 3 with bolts. The fixing plate of the rinsing nozzle 502 can squeeze the microfluidic chip 304 to improve the fixing effect. Then, the syringe containing the raw material is fixedly installed on the mounting frame 301 through the connector. Then, the pusher 2 is activated by the main body of the preparation instrument to push the syringe to allow the raw material to enter the interior of the microfluidic chip 304 for processing. After processing, the solenoid valve 7 of the solution collection tube 302 is opened to collect the finished solution, reducing the contact between the solution and air. Then, the solenoid valve 7 of the waste liquid collection tube 303 is opened to collect the waste liquid. During processing, the air pump 6 is started. Gas is blown into the microfluidic chip 304 through the gas delivery tube 601. The pressure sensor 603 transmits the detected data back to the main body 1 of the preparation instrument for analysis. By controlling the opening of the airflow regulator 602, the airflow speed can be adjusted, enhancing the droplet splitting stability and preventing irregular droplet shapes or unstable formation caused by uneven airflow, thereby improving processing efficiency. After long-term use, the water pump 501 is started to extract the cleaning fluid from the storage tank 5, and then the cleaning fluid is sprayed into the microfluidic chip 304 through the rinsing nozzle 502 to rinse it. The waste liquid after rinsing is discharged through the waste liquid collection tube 303, thereby reducing the step of manually extracting the cleaning fluid and reinstalling the injection tube, and improving the efficiency of use.

[0038] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A droplet microfluidic preparation device, comprising a preparation device body (1), a pusher (2) disposed outside the preparation device body (1), a placement frame (3) fixedly connected to the top of the preparation device body (1), and a microfluidic chip (304) disposed inside the placement frame (3), characterized in that, Also includes: The flushing assembly includes a liquid storage tank (5), a water pump (501) fixedly installed outside the liquid storage tank (5), and a flushing nozzle (502) fixedly installed at the output end of the water pump (501). The liquid collection assembly includes a mounting bracket (301) fixed to the lower surface of the placement frame (3), a waste liquid collection pipe (303) fixed to the outside of the placement frame (3), and a solution collection pipe (302) fixedly connected to the lower part of the placement frame (3). An airflow assist component is disposed on the top of the preparation instrument body (1) and is used to agitate the liquid inside the placement frame (3).

2. The droplet microfluidic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the placement frame (3) is provided with a cover plate (4), the liquid storage tank (5) is provided on the upper surface of the cover plate (4), the bottom of the cover plate (4) is provided with a fixing plate, a number of flushing nozzles (502) are provided, and the number of flushing nozzles (502) are evenly arranged on the surface of the fixing plate. The flushing nozzles (502) are connected to the output end of the water pump (501), and the water outlet of the flushing nozzles (502) is in contact with the upper surface of the microfluidic chip (304).

3. The droplet microfluidic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The input end of the water pump (501) is connected to the inside of the liquid storage tank (5), and the output end of the water pump (501) is connected to the flushing nozzle (502) via a water supply pipe. A control valve (503) is provided on the outer surface of the water supply pipe.

4. The droplet microfluidic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower part of the placement frame (3) is fixedly connected to a mounting bracket (301), and the mounting bracket (301) is provided with a connector for installing an injection tube. The solution collection tube (302) is fixedly connected to the lower part of the mounting bracket (301).

5. The droplet microfluidic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the liquid storage tank (5) is provided with a water inlet pipe (504). The water inlet pipe (504), the solution collection pipe (302) and the waste liquid collection pipe (303) are all equipped with solenoid valves (7). The solution collection pipe (302) and the waste liquid collection pipe (303) are both connected to the inside of the microfluidic chip (304).

6. The droplet microfluidic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The airflow assist component includes an air pump (6) fixedly installed on the top of the preparation instrument body (1). The output end of the air pump (6) is fixedly connected to an air delivery pipe (601). The end of the air delivery pipe (601) away from the air pump (6) is connected to the inside of the microfluidic chip (304).

7. The droplet microfluidic control device according to claim 6, characterized in that, An airflow regulator (602) and a pressure sensor (603) are provided on the outside of the gas delivery pipe (601), and the airflow regulator (602) and the pressure sensor (603) are electrically connected to the inside of the preparation instrument body (1).

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