A variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of organ-on-a-chip technology, specifically a variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture, including a lower clamp assembly, a sealing ring, an upper clamp assembly, locking screws, a clamp assembly, and connecting screws. Its key feature is that the upper and lower clamp assemblies are hinged together by the connecting screws, and both assemblies can be stretched and locked along their length. The upper clamp assembly has a sample inlet / outlet port, and the clamp assembly is fitted into the inlet / outlet port to fix the infusion tube. One section of the inlet / outlet port has an annular groove. In this variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture, the upper clamp assembly engages with the insertion groove of the stretching upper clamp through the insertion shaft of the base upper clamp, and the lower clamp assembly engages with the guide groove of the stretching lower clamp through the guide shaft of the base lower clamp. It can be freely stretched along its length and locked by the locking screws, adapting to organ-on-a-chips with different length specifications without requiring replacement of the entire fixture set, thus solving the specification constraints of traditional fixtures that require only one clamp per chip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of organ-on-a-chip technology, and more specifically, to a variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture. Background Technology

[0002] Organ-on-a-chip, as a miniature cell culture device that simulates the functional units of human organs in vitro, has the core value of precisely constructing the microenvironment of organisms on a chip carrier to achieve in vitro directional culture and biological behavior regulation of cells and tissues. This provides efficient, low-cost, and physiologically realistic experimental models for fields such as organ transplantation research, drug toxicity evaluation, and disease mechanism analysis, and has become one of the key technological tools in the fields of biomedicine and life sciences.

[0003] In the practical application of organ-on-a-chip, the experimental process has strict requirements for chip fixation, fluid perfusion, and ease of operation: on the one hand, the chip needs to be stably fixed to ensure the airtightness and safety of the culture environment and avoid cell contamination or fluid leakage caused by displacement; on the other hand, most multi-channel organ-on-a-chips require external perfusion connectors to achieve precise delivery of culture medium and reagents and discharge of waste liquid. The efficiency of this process directly affects the experimental cycle and data stability.

[0004] However, current organ-on-a-chip fixtures on the market generally suffer from two major technical bottlenecks, which severely restrict experimental efficiency and application flexibility: Limited adaptability and poor compatibility with various chip sizes: Traditional fixtures have fixed structural dimensions, only compatible with organ-on-a-chip devices of specific sizes (length, width, interface position). When experiments require changing to different chip models (such as small single-channel chips or large multi-array chips selected to simulate different organ functions or adjust culture scale), the corresponding dedicated fixtures must be replaced simultaneously. This not only leads to laboratories needing to stock multiple sizes of fixtures, increasing equipment procurement and management costs, but also prolongs experimental preparation time and reduces overall experimental efficiency due to the cumbersome fixture replacement process.

[0005] The infusion connector is cumbersome to install and remove, resulting in low chip replacement efficiency: Traditional fixtures only serve the function of positioning and fixing the chip, and the infusion connector needs to be manually connected to the chip interface each time a chip is installed. Since multi-channel chips typically have 4-8 or even more interfaces, each connection operation requires calibrating the interface position and ensuring a seal, which is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also prone to leakage due to human error. In addition, each time a chip is replaced, the old connector must be removed and the new chip reconnected, further increasing the number of steps and making it difficult to meet the needs of high-throughput experiments or continuous sample testing for rapid sample changeover. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture to solve the problem of poor compatibility of multi-specification chips mentioned in the background art: the structural dimensions of traditional fixtures are fixed and can only match organ-on-a-chips of specific specifications (length, width, interface position).

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture, comprising a lower clamp assembly, a sealing ring, an upper clamp assembly, a locking screw, a clamp assembly, and a connecting screw; characterized in that: the upper clamp assembly and the lower clamp assembly are hinged by the connecting screw, and both the upper clamp assembly and the lower clamp assembly can be stretched and locked along their length; the upper clamp assembly is provided with a sample inlet / outlet, and the clamp assembly is assembled in the sample inlet / outlet for fixing the infusion tube; a section of the sample inlet / outlet is provided with an annular groove, the sealing ring is placed in the annular groove, and the end face of the sealing ring protrudes from the surface of the upper clamp assembly; the lower clamp assembly is provided with a loading groove in the middle for placing the organ-on-a-chip; the locking screw is used to lock and fix the upper clamp assembly and the lower clamp assembly after stretching and adjustment.

[0008] This design features upper and lower clamps that can be hinged together with connecting screws, and locking screws ensure chip fixation. The upper and lower clamps can be stretched and locked along their length to accommodate chips of different lengths. The upper clamp's sample inlet / outlet has a built-in clamp to secure the infusion connector, and a sealing ring presses to seal the interface. The lower clamp's loading slot positions the chip, preventing misalignment of the infusion interface. Preferably, the lower clamping plate assembly includes a base lower clamping plate, a tension lower clamping plate, and a first locking screw. The base lower clamping plate has two parallel guide shafts at its front end, stepped holes and connecting threaded holes at its rear end, a loading groove in the middle, T-slots on both sides of the loading groove for placing I-beams, a replacement groove at its front end, and an observation window at its lower end for organ-on-a-chip replacement. The tension lower clamping plate has a pair of guide grooves at its rear end that mate with the guide shafts, a threaded hole at its rear end for mounting the first locking screw, a first locking threaded hole at its front end, and a groove and window at its rear end for replacing the organ-on-a-chip. The first locking screw is used to brake the relative sliding between the guide shafts and the guide grooves to lock the length of the lower clamping plate assembly.

[0009] This feature allows the base and lower tension clamp to slide and lengthen via a guide shaft groove, secured by the first locking screw. Changing the slot facilitates chip removal, and the observation window allows for real-time monitoring. Stepped holes and threaded holes are adapted for connection and locking screws, and a T-slot provides ample width for adaptation.

[0010] Preferably, one side of the I-shaped block is embedded in the T-shaped groove, and the other side abuts against the side of the organ-on-a-chip; by replacing I-shaped blocks of different sizes, organ-on-a-chips of different widths can be adapted.

[0011] This feature allows for the insertion of a T-shaped loading slot into the I-block, which abuts against the chip. Different I-block widths can be used to adjust the spacing. The I-blocks on both sides provide bidirectional clamping to prevent chip misalignment.

[0012] Preferably, the upper clamping plate assembly includes a base upper clamping plate, a tension upper clamping plate, and a second locking screw. The base upper clamping plate has a pair of insertion shafts at its front end, a light-transmitting window in the middle, and a sample inlet / outlet next to the light-transmitting window. The sample inlet / outlet is a stepped hole with a thread at the top and an annular groove at the bottom, and a shaft hole for mounting the connecting screw at the rear end. The tension upper clamping plate has two insertion grooves on both sides that mate with the insertion shafts. A locking hole is provided above the insertion grooves, a second locking threaded hole is provided at the front end, and an opening for light transmission and sample inlet / outlet is provided at the rear end. The second locking screw is used to brake the relative sliding of the insertion shafts and the insertion grooves to lock the length of the upper clamping plate assembly.

[0013] This feature involves adjusting the length of the base and the upper clamping plate via an insert shaft groove, securing it with a second locking screw, and ensuring proper fit with the lower clamping plate. A light-transmitting window provides illumination, and the sample inlet / outlet integrates pouring and sealing functions, with a hinged shaft hole for compatibility.

[0014] Preferably, the clamp assembly includes a clamp, a compression ring, and an injection connector; the injection connector is nested inside the compression ring, and the ends of the two are aligned; the compression ring is nested at the bottom of the clamp, and the injection connector passes through the center of the clamp; the outer surface of the clamp is threaded, which engages with the thread at the upper end of the sample inlet / outlet; after tightening the clamp until the compression ring contacts the stepped surface of the sample inlet / outlet, continuing to tighten the clamp can compress the compression ring, causing the compression ring to deform and press the injection connector to restrict its displacement.

[0015] This design incorporates a connecting pipe, compression ring, and clamp nested together. The clamp engages with the threaded inlet and outlet ports to enable axial movement. The clamp deforms the compression ring, tightening the connecting pipe and assisting in sealing.

[0016] Preferably, the compression of the sealing ring is controlled within the range of 0.2~0.6mm; when the clamp is locked, the sealing ring is compressed and deformed, thereby sealing the infusion interface and the organ-on-a-chip interface; the engagement length of the clamp with the sample inlet / outlet is controlled within the range of 3~7mm; the engagement length of the connecting screw with the connecting threaded hole on the lower clamping plate of the substrate is not less than 4mm; and the engagement length of the locking screw with the first locking threaded hole at the front end of the lower clamping plate assembly is not less than 3mm.

[0017] This setting allows for a sealing ring compression of 0.2~0.6mm, balancing sealing and durability. The clamp engagement is 3~7mm, ensuring stability and ease of use. Connecting screw engagement is ≥4mm and locking screw engagement is ≥3mm, ensuring connection strength.

[0018] Preferably, the guide shaft and the guide groove are in clearance fit, with a clearance of no more than 0.1 mm, to ensure the guiding accuracy of the lower clamping plate assembly during stretching.

[0019] This setting ensures the guide shaft groove clearance is ≤0.1mm, reducing friction for easier adjustment and preventing wobbling for precise control. It also limits the range of motion to ensure the chip and interface are aligned after adjustment.

[0020] Preferably, the area of ​​the light-collecting window is not less than 1 / 2 of the area of ​​the loading tank, and the light-collecting window is sealed with a transparent chemical corrosion-resistant material for light introduction and observation during the experiment.

[0021] This feature ensures that the area of ​​the light-transmitting window is at least half the size of the loading tank, guaranteeing adequate light coverage. The transparent, corrosion-resistant material balances light transmission, observation, and pollution prevention.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: In this variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture, the upper clamp assembly engages with the insertion slot of the tension upper clamp through the insertion shaft of the upper clamp of the substrate, and the lower clamp assembly engages with the guide slot of the tension lower clamp through the guide shaft of the lower clamp of the substrate. It can be freely stretched along the length direction and locked by locking screws, adapting to organ-on-a-chips with different length specifications (such as from single-channel short-sized chips to multi-array long-sized chips). There is no need to replace the entire fixture, which solves the specification constraints of traditional fixtures that require "one chip, one clamp".

[0023] Different sized I-beams can be installed in the T-slots on both sides of the loading slot of the lower clamping plate assembly. By replacing the I-beams, the effective clamping width of the loading slot can be adjusted to accurately match organ-on-a-chip of different widths. At the same time, the I-beams are embedded in the T-slot on one side and abut against the side of the chip on the other side, which can ensure that the chip does not shift laterally during the experiment, ensuring the stability of fluid perfusion and observation, and avoiding experimental errors caused by chip displacement.

[0024] The clamp assembly engages with the threads of the inlet and outlet sample ports, compressing and deforming the compression ring and pressing the infusion connector, thus stably fixing the infusion connector to the upper clamp assembly. When replacing the chip, simply open the clamp to remove the old chip, insert the new chip, and lock it in place. There is no need to remove or reconnect the infusion connector, completely eliminating the tedious steps of "removing the connector - calibrating the connection - checking the seal" that traditional clamps require every chip replacement. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a front view structural diagram of the present utility model; Figure 4This is a side view of the structure of this utility model; Figure 5 This utility model Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross section of AA; Figure 6 This utility model Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of CC; The meanings of the labels in the diagram are as follows: 1. Lower clamping plate assembly; 11. Base lower clamping plate; 12. Tension lower clamping plate; 13. First locking screw; 101. First locking threaded hole; 102. Loading groove; 103. Replacement groove; 104. Guide shaft; 105. Stepped hole; 106. Connecting threaded hole; 107. Observation window; 109. Guide groove; 110. I-beam block; 2. Sealing ring; 3. Upper clamping plate assembly; 31. Base upper clamping plate; 32. Tension upper clamping plate; 33. Second locking screw; 301. Second locking threaded hole; 302. Sample inlet / outlet; 303. Lighting window; 304. Annular groove; 305. Shaft hole; 4. Locking screw; 5. Clamp assembly; 501. Injection pipe; 502. Clamp; 503. Compression ring; 6. Connecting screw. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0027] This utility model provides a variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, comprising a lower clamping plate assembly 1, a sealing ring 2, an upper clamping plate assembly 3, a locking screw 4, a clamping assembly 5, and a connecting screw 6; characterized in that: the upper clamping plate assembly 3 and the lower clamping plate assembly 1 are hinged by the connecting screw 6, and both the upper clamping plate assembly 3 and the lower clamping plate assembly 1 can be stretched and locked along the length direction; the upper clamping plate assembly 3 is provided with a sample inlet / outlet port 302, and the clamping assembly 5 is assembled in the sample inlet / outlet port 302 for fixing the infusion tube 501; a section of the sample inlet / outlet port 302 is provided with an annular groove 304, the sealing ring 2 is placed in the annular groove 304, and the end face of the sealing ring 2 protrudes from the surface of the upper clamping plate assembly 3; the lower clamping plate assembly 1 is provided with a loading groove 102 in the middle for placing the organ-on-a-chip 7; the locking screw 4 is used to lock and fix the upper clamping plate assembly 3 and the lower clamping plate assembly 1 after stretching and adjustment. The upper clamp assembly 3 and the lower clamp assembly 1 are hinged together by connecting screws 6, allowing them to be flipped open and closed around the connection point for easy placement and removal of the organ-on-a-chip 7. After adjustment, they are locked by locking screws 4 to ensure stable clamping of the chip and prevent chip displacement during experiments. Both the upper and lower clamp assemblies can be stretched and locked along their length. By changing the overall length of the clamps, they can accommodate organ-on-a-chips of different lengths, breaking the limitation of "fixed size" in traditional clamps. The sample inlet / outlet 302 of the upper clamp assembly has a built-in clamp assembly 5, which fixes the infusion tube 501, achieving integration of the tube and the clamp. The sealing ring 2 in the annular groove 304 protrudes from the clamp surface. When the clamp is locked, the sealing ring is squeezed and deformed, filling the gap between the infusion interface and the chip mating surface, achieving a seal. Chip positioning and support: The loading groove 102 of the lower clamp assembly provides a dedicated space for the chip, ensuring accurate chip positioning during clamping and preventing misalignment of the infusion interface due to placement deviation. This system achieves stable fixation of organ-on-a-chip, reliable connection of the perfusion nozzle, and interface sealing, meeting the core experimental requirements of "fixation-perfusion-sealing" and preventing fluid leakage or cell contamination due to loose structure. Through a stretchable design, it achieves, for the first time, the adaptation of a single fixture to chips of different lengths, eliminating the need for separate fixture designs for different chip lengths and reducing equipment inventory costs. The hinged opening and closing structure simplifies the chip loading and unloading process, and the integrated perfusion nozzle fixation design avoids the cumbersome steps of traditional fixtures that require "installing the chip first and then connecting the nozzle," shortening experimental preparation time. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the lower clamping plate assembly 1 includes a base lower clamping plate 11, a tension lower clamping plate 12, and a first locking screw 13. The base lower clamping plate 11 has two parallel guide shafts 104 at its front end, a stepped hole 105 and a connecting threaded hole 106 at its rear end, a loading groove 102 in the middle, T-slots on both sides of the loading groove 102 for placing I-beams 110, a replacement groove 103 at its front end, and an observation window 107 at its lower end for replacing the organ-on-a-chip 7. The tension lower clamping plate 12 has a pair of guide grooves 109 at its rear end that mate with the guide shafts 104, a threaded hole for mounting the first locking screw 13 at its rear end, a first locking threaded hole 101 at its front end, and a groove and window at its rear end for replacing the organ-on-a-chip 7. The first locking screw 13 is used to brake the relative sliding between the guide shafts 104 and the guide grooves 109, thereby locking the lower clamping plate assembly 1. The length dimension. The lower clamp assembly is disassembled into a base lower clamp 11 and a tension lower clamp 12. The length extension / retraction is achieved through the sliding engagement of the guide shaft 104 and the guide groove 109. Combined with the braking action of the first locking screw 13, the adjusted length can be precisely locked to prevent the clamp from sliding during experiments. The replacement slot 103 at the front side provides operating space for fingers or tools, facilitating quick removal of the chip from the loading slot 102. The observation window 107 at the lower end directly corresponds to the chip position, allowing real-time observation of the experimental status within the chip (such as cell growth and fluid flow). The stepped hole 105 of the base lower clamp engages with the connecting threaded hole 106 and the connecting screw 6 to ensure a stable hinge between the upper and lower clamps. The first locking threaded hole 101 of the tension lower clamp engages with the locking screw 4 to reliably lock the clamp after adjustment. The T-slots on both sides of the loading slot provide installation space for the I-beam block 110, laying the structural foundation for subsequent width adaptation. The cooperation between the guide shaft and the guide groove defines the stretching direction, preventing the clamp from shifting during adjustment and ensuring precise alignment between the chip and the injection interface after length adjustment. The braking effect of the first locking screw further ensures dimensional stability after adjustment, reducing experimental errors. The observation window enables full visualization of the experimental process, allowing data acquisition from within the chip without disassembling the fixture. The replacement slot simplifies chip handling, especially for smaller chips or chips with smooth edges, avoiding difficulties caused by a lack of force points. The subdivided component design and dedicated connection / locking holes ensure that the lower clamp assembly does not disintegrate during stretching and locking, improving the overall load-bearing capacity of the fixture and adapting to potential external forces or fluid pressure during experiments. Specifically, one side of the I-shaped block 110 is embedded in the T-shaped groove, and the other side abuts against the side of the organ-on-a-chip 7; by replacing the I-shaped block 110 of different sizes, organ-on-a-chip 7 of different widths can be adapted. The I-block 110 adopts a "T-shaped end + abutment end" structure. The T-shaped end is embedded in the T-slot of the loading slot, ensuring the I-block's position is fixed. The abutment end directly contacts the side of the organ-on-a-chip. By replacing I-blocks of different widths, the spacing between the two I-blocks can be changed, thus adapting to chips of different widths. I-blocks are set on both sides of the loading slot, abutting the chip side from both sides simultaneously, forming a bidirectional clamping force to prevent the chip from shifting along the width direction during experiments and to ensure the coaxiality of the infusion interface and the chip inlet / outlet. This solves the pain point of traditional fixtures that "only adapt to chips of a single width." By changing the I-blocks, it can cover chips of various widths, such as 10mm, 15mm, and 20mm, further expanding the fixture's adaptability range. The bidirectional clamping force ensures that the chip does not loosen in the width direction, avoiding misalignment between the infusion connector and the chip interface due to chip shift, reducing the risk of fluid leakage; at the same time, it prevents the chip from colliding with the inner wall of the loading slot during experimental vibrations, protecting the chip structure integrity. The I-beam has a simple structure and low manufacturing cost. When replacing it, there is no need to disassemble the fixture. You only need to take out the old I-beam and insert the new one. The operation is convenient and no additional tools are required, which further reduces the experimental preparation time and equipment cost. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the upper clamping plate assembly 3 includes a base upper clamping plate 31, a tension upper clamping plate 32, and a second locking screw 33. The base upper clamping plate 31 has a pair of insertion shafts at its front end, a light-transmitting window 303 in the middle, and a sample inlet / outlet 302 next to the light-transmitting window 303. The sample inlet / outlet 302 is a stepped hole with a thread at the top and an annular groove 304 at the bottom. The rear end has a shaft hole 305 for mounting the connecting screw 6. The tension upper clamping plate 32 has two insertion grooves on both sides that mate with the insertion shafts. A locking hole is provided above the insertion grooves, a second locking threaded hole 301 is provided at the front end, and an opening for light transmission and sample inlet / outlet is provided at the rear end. The second locking screw 33 is used to brake the relative sliding of the insertion shafts and the insertion grooves to lock the length of the upper clamping plate assembly 3. The upper clamping plate assembly corresponds to the lower clamping plate assembly, disassembling into a base upper clamping plate 31 and a stretching upper clamping plate 32. Length extension and retraction are achieved through the sliding engagement of the insertion shaft and insertion slot. The second locking screw 33 locks the adjusted dimensions, ensuring synchronized length adjustment of the upper and lower clamping plates and preventing uneven chip clamping due to length mismatch. The central light-collecting window 303 corresponds to the observation window of the lower clamping plate, providing a light-introducing channel for the chip (such as a microscope light source or a light source required for culture). The sample inlet / outlet 302 next to the light-collecting window adopts a stepped hole design, with an upper threaded fitting for a clamping assembly and a bottom annular groove for a sealing ring, achieving spatial integration of "light-collection-infusion-sealing". The shaft hole 305 of the base upper clamping plate engages with the connecting screw 6 to ensure smooth hinge connection between the upper and lower clamping plates. The second locking threaded hole 301 of the stretching upper clamping plate engages with the locking screw 4 to reliably lock the upper clamping plate after adjustment. The opening design at the rear ensures that the light-collecting and sample inlet / outlet functions are not obstructed after stretching. The upper and lower clamps feature a symmetrical, stretchable structure, allowing for synchronized adjustment to match the chip length and ensure even clamping. This prevents uneven stress caused by an excessively long clamp on one side, protecting the chip from compression damage. The light-transmitting window provides ample light for optical detection, such as fluorescence microscopy for observing cell activity, or light-controlled culture, such as photosynthesis-related cell experiments. The transparent sealing material isolates external contaminants without affecting light transmission, balancing safety and experimental requirements. Integrating light transmission, perfusion, and sealing functions into the upper clamp avoids the clutter of traditional fixtures with multiple components, reduces gaps between components, and further lowers the risk of leakage. It also simplifies the overall fixture structure, facilitating daily cleaning and maintenance. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the clamp assembly 5 includes a clamp 502, a compression ring 503, and an injection connector 501; the injection connector 501 is nested inside the compression ring 503, and the ends of the two are aligned; the compression ring 503 is nested at the bottom of the clamp 502, and the injection connector 501 passes through the center of the clamp 502; the outer surface of the clamp 502 is threaded, which engages with the thread at the upper end of the sample inlet / outlet 302; after tightening the clamp 502 until the compression ring 503 contacts the stepped surface of the sample inlet / outlet 302, continuing to tighten the clamp 502 can compress the compression ring 503, causing the compression ring 503 to deform and press the injection connector 501 to limit its displacement. The injection connector 501 is nested within the compression ring 503, which in turn is nested within the bottom of the clamp 502, forming a three-layer structure of "connector-compression ring-clamp". The threads on the outer surface of the clamp engage with the threads on the upper end of the inlet / outlet port 302, enabling axial movement of the clamp through threaded transmission. When the clamp is tightened, it moves downward and compresses the compression ring. After contacting the stepped surface of the inlet / outlet port, the compression ring cannot move further downward. The axial force generated by the continuous tightening of the clamp causes the compression ring to deform radially, tightly wrapping the injection connector and restricting its axial and radial displacement. After deformation, the compression ring not only fixes the connector but also fills the gap between the connector and the inlet / outlet port, helping to improve the sealing of the injection channel and forming a "double seal" with the sealing ring. By using the deformation clamping mechanism of the compression ring, the problems of easy detachment and displacement of traditional "insertion-type" connectors are avoided, ensuring the connector position is stable during infusion, uniform fluid delivery pressure, and reducing flow fluctuations caused by connector loosening. Once the connector is fixed in place by the clamp assembly, it can be replaced without removing it; simply opening and closing the clamp eliminates the need for reconnecting the connector every time a chip is replaced, a step common with traditional clamps. This improves multi-channel chip sample replacement efficiency by over 60%. The deformation seal of the compression ring and the sealing surface seal of the sealing ring provide double protection, significantly reducing the risk of fluid leakage, especially for volatile or corrosive culture media, effectively preventing experimental contamination or personnel safety hazards caused by reagent leakage. Furthermore, the compression of the sealing ring 2 is controlled within the range of 0.2~0.6mm; when the clamp is locked, the sealing ring 2 is deformed by compression to achieve the sealing of the infusion interface and the joint surface of the organ-on-a-chip 7; the engagement length of the clamp 502 and the inlet / outlet 302 is controlled within the range of 3~7mm; the engagement length of the connecting screw 6 and the connecting threaded hole 106 on the lower clamping plate 11 of the substrate is not less than 4mm; the engagement length of the locking screw 4 and the first locking threaded hole 101 at the front end of the lower clamping plate assembly 1 is not less than 3mm. The compression of the sealing ring is limited to 0.2~0.6mm. Insufficient compression will fail to fill the gaps adequately, leading to seal failure; excessive compression will cause permanent deformation of the sealing ring, shortening its service life. This range strikes a balance between sealing performance and sealing ring durability. The engagement length between the clamp and the inlet / outlet is 3~7mm. Insufficient engagement will result in insufficient thread engagement and loosening of the clamp; excessive engagement will be cumbersome and may over-compress the compression ring. This range ensures a secure clamp connection and easy operation. The engagement length of the connecting screws is not less than 4mm, and the engagement length of the locking screws is not less than 3mm. According to the thread connection strength formula, sufficient engagement length ensures that the screws do not strip or break under stress, guaranteeing a stable overall connection of the fixture. Precisely defined sealing ring compression ensures leak-free filling interfaces while preventing frequent replacements due to excessive compression, reducing consumable costs. It also extends the overall lifespan of the fixture, decreasing equipment maintenance frequency. Defined screw and clamp engagement lengths provide sufficient structural strength redundancy for the fixture, reducing the likelihood of stripped screws or clamp detachment even under significant external forces during experiments, such as pipe pulling or fixture collisions, thus enhancing experimental safety. Clearly defined parameters provide a unified standard for fixture production, preventing sealing failures or structural loosening due to manufacturing errors. Furthermore, they provide users with operational guidelines, eliminating the need to rely on experience to determine "appropriate tightening degree," lowering the operational threshold. Furthermore, the guide shaft 104 and the guide groove 109 are in clearance fit, with a clearance of no more than 0.1mm, to ensure the guiding accuracy of the lower clamping plate assembly 1 during stretching. The guide shaft 104 and the guide groove 109 are fitted with a clearance of no more than 0.1mm. This clearance reduces friction during sliding, ensuring smooth stretching adjustment, while preventing excessive clearance from causing clamp wobble and ensuring precise adjustment direction, with extension and retraction only along the length direction and no lateral offset. The small fit clearance limits the range of motion of the guide shaft within the guide groove, ensuring that the lower clamping plate can only move along the guide shaft direction after stretching. This ensures that the adjusted lower clamping plate assembly maintains straightness, and the alignment accuracy between the chip and the injection interface remains unaffected. Balancing smooth adjustment with precision: The 0.1mm gap avoids both the stretching and jamming caused by an interference fit and the adjustment misalignment caused by a large gap fit, achieving the dual requirements of "easy adjustment" and "precise alignment." This is especially beneficial for experiments requiring frequent changes of chips of different lengths, improving the user experience. Guaranteed guiding precision ensures that after length adjustment, the chip's inlet and outlet remain precisely aligned with the upper clamp's injection port, preventing increased fluid resistance or leakage due to alignment deviations, reducing experimental data bias, and improving the reliability of experimental results. The tiny gap reduces the friction area between the guide shaft and the guide groove, decreasing wear over long-term use, extending the lifespan of the lower clamp assembly, reducing precision degradation due to component wear, and ensuring the stability of the fixture during long-term use. Furthermore, the area of ​​the light-transmitting window 303 is not less than 1 / 2 of the area of ​​the loading tank 102, and the light-transmitting window 303 is sealed with a transparent chemical corrosion-resistant material for light introduction and observation during the experiment. The area of ​​the light-receiving window should be no less than half the area of ​​the loading tank to ensure sufficient light coverage of the main experimental areas of the chip, such as the cell culture area and fluid channels. This avoids blurred observation or uneven experimental conditions due to insufficient light, such as slow cell growth in some areas due to insufficient light. Transparent and chemically resistant materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and borosilicate glass, are used. Transparency ensures clear light transmission and observation, while chemical resistance protects against the corrosion of culture media and reagents (such as alcohol, acid and alkali solutions), preventing material aging or chip contamination. The combination of ample light-receiving area and transparent materials allows the microscope to clearly capture details within the chip, such as changes in cell morphology and microbubbles, meeting the requirements for high-resolution observation. Simultaneously, it avoids differences in experimental conditions caused by uneven light, ensuring a consistent cell growth environment throughout the chip and improving the accuracy of experimental data. Chemically resistant materials prevent window breakage or material detachment due to reagent corrosion, extending the lifespan of the clamp. They also prevent contamination of the culture medium by dissolved materials, ensuring the sterility and safety of the cell culture environment and reducing the risk of experimental failure. The transparent window not only supports optical observation but also adapts to light-controlled experiments, such as photoinduced cell differentiation and photodynamic therapy simulation, expanding the clamp's application scenarios and enabling a single clamp to meet multiple experimental needs, thus improving equipment utilization. When using the variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture of this invention, firstly... Step 1: Initial preparation of clamps and fixation of injection pipe Insert the injection connector 501 into the compression ring 503, ensuring that their ends are aligned. Place the nested connector-compression ring into the bottom of the clamp 502, so that the injection connector 501 passes through the center of the clamp 502. Align the clamp 502 with the sample inlet / outlet 302 of the upper clamping plate assembly 3, and screw the outer thread of the clamp into the upper thread of the sample inlet / outlet, tightening until the compression ring 503 contacts the stepped surface of the sample inlet / outlet. Continue to tighten the clamp 502, squeezing the compression ring 503 to deform it radially, tightly wrapping the injection connector 501, restricting its axial and radial displacement, and completing the fixation of the injection connector (the engagement length is controlled at 3~7mm to ensure reliable fixation). Confirm that the sealing ring 2 has been inserted into the annular groove 304 at the bottom of the sample inlet / outlet 302, and that the end face of the sealing ring protrudes from the surface of the upper clamping plate assembly 3, in preparation for subsequent compression sealing. Step 2: Adjust the fixture specifications according to the chip size Assuming the organ-on-a-chip 7 to be installed has dimensions of "length L × width W", the clamps need to be adjusted accordingly: Length adjustment: Lower clamp assembly 1 adjustment: Loosen the first locking screw 13, push and stretch the lower clamp 12 to slide along the guide shaft 104 of the substrate lower clamp 11 (the gap between the guide shaft and the guide groove 109 should be ≤0.1mm to ensure smooth adjustment without deviation), so that the total length of the lower clamp assembly 1 matches the chip length L; after adjustment, tighten the first locking screw 13 to stop the relative sliding of the guide shaft and the guide groove, locking the length of the lower clamp. Upper clamp assembly 3 adjustment: Loosen the second locking screw 33, pull and stretch the upper clamp 32 to slide along the insertion shaft of the substrate upper clamp 31, so that the total length of the upper clamp assembly 3 is consistent with the lower clamp assembly 1 (to avoid uneven clamping); tighten the second locking screw 33 to lock the length of the upper clamp. Based on the chip width W, select the corresponding size I-block 110; embed the T-shaped end of the I-block 110 into the T-shaped grooves on both sides of the lower clamping plate loading groove 102, so that the abutting end of the I-block 110 faces the center of the loading groove, and the spacing between the two I-blocks is completely matched with the chip width W, so as to achieve the pre-positioning in the chip width direction. Step 3: Organ-on-a-chip installation and clamp locking Loosen the locking screw 4, and rotate the upper clamping plate assembly 3 upward around the connecting screw 6 (the screw engagement length with the connecting threaded hole 106 of the lower clamping plate 11 of the base body is ≥4mm to ensure a stable hinge); place the organ chip 7 into the loading slot 102 of the lower clamping plate assembly 1, so that the side of the chip abuts against the two I-blocks 110 on both sides, and align the chip inlet / outlet with the inlet / outlet 302 of the upper clamping plate.

[0028] After flipping the upper clamping plate assembly 3 downwards to cover the chip, pass the locking screw 4 through the second locking threaded hole 301 of the upper clamping plate and screw it into the first locking threaded hole 101 of the lower clamping plate. The engagement length is ≥3mm to ensure sufficient clamping force. Continue to tighten the locking screw 4 until the upper clamping plate assembly 3 presses the chip tightly. At this time, the sealing ring 2 is deformed by compression, and the compression amount is controlled at 0.2~0.6mm to fill the gap between the filling interface and the chip mating surface and achieve a seal. At the same time, the filling pipe 501 is precisely connected to the chip sample inlet and outlet, completing the preparation before the experiment.

[0029] Step 4: Experimental Operation and Observation Culture medium or experimental reagents are introduced into the perfusion connector 501, allowing the reagents to enter the organ-on-a-chip 7 directly through the connector, achieving precise perfusion. Since the clamp assembly 5 secures the connector and the sealing ring 2 provides a reliable seal, fluid leakage or pressure fluctuations are prevented. Through the observation window 107 at the lower end of the lower clamp assembly 1, combined with the light-receiving window 303 in the middle of the upper clamp assembly 3 (with an area ≥ 1 / 2 of the loading slot 102, and made of transparent, corrosion-resistant material), light is introduced to allow real-time observation of cell growth, fluid flow, and other experimental conditions within the chip, enabling data acquisition without disassembling the clamps.

[0030] Step 5: Chip Replacement and Reuse After the experiment, loosen the locking screw 4 and flip the upper clamp assembly 3 upwards. If the chip edge is smooth, you can insert your finger or tool through the replacement slot 103 at the front end of the lower clamp side to remove the organ chip 7 from the loading slot 102. If replacing with a chip of the same size, simply place the new chip in and lock the clamp; the infusion connector 501 does not need to be disassembled. If replacing with a chip of a different size, repeat steps 2 and 3 to achieve quick switching without replacing the entire clamp. The guide shaft 104 and guide slot 109 have a fit design with a gap of ≤0.1mm, which reduces sliding friction and prevents clamp offset, ensuring that the chip and infusion interface are accurately aligned after length adjustment. The I-beam block 110 uses "T-slot positioning + side abutment" to achieve width adaptation and prevent lateral displacement of the chip, ensuring coaxiality of the infusion. The compression ring 503 uses elastic deformation characteristics to fix the connector and assist in sealing, forming a "double seal" with the sealing ring 2 to reduce the risk of leakage.

[0031] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely preferred examples and are not intended to limit the utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture, comprising a lower clamping plate assembly (1), a sealing ring (2), an upper clamping plate assembly (3), a locking screw (4), a clamping assembly (5), and a connecting screw (6); characterized in that; The upper clamping plate assembly (3) and the lower clamping plate assembly (1) are hinged by connecting screws (6), and both the upper clamping plate assembly (3) and the lower clamping plate assembly (1) can be stretched and locked along the length direction. The upper clamping plate assembly (3) is provided with an inlet / outlet port (302), and the clamping assembly (5) is assembled in the inlet / outlet port (302) for fixing the infusion tube (501). One section of the inlet / outlet port (302) is provided with an annular groove (304), and the sealing ring (2) is placed in the annular groove (304), and the end face of the sealing ring (2) protrudes from the surface of the upper clamping plate assembly (3). The lower clamping plate assembly (1) is provided with a loading groove (102) in the middle for placing the organ chip (7). The locking screw (4) is used to lock and fix the upper clamping plate assembly (3) and the lower clamping plate assembly (1) after stretching and adjustment.

2. The variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower clamping plate assembly (1) includes a base lower clamping plate (11), a tension lower clamping plate (12), and a first locking screw (13); the base lower clamping plate (11) has two parallel guide shafts (104) at its front end, a stepped hole (105) and a connecting threaded hole (106) at its rear end, and a loading groove (102) in the middle, with T-slots on both sides of the loading groove (102). An I-beam (110) is placed in the groove, a replacement groove (103) is provided at the front end of the side, and an observation window (107) is provided at the lower end for replacing the organ chip (7); the rear end of the stretching lower clamp (12) is provided with a pair of guide grooves (109) that cooperate with the guide shaft (104), the rear end is provided with a threaded hole for the first locking screw (13) to be assembled, the front end is provided with a first locking threaded hole (101), and the rear end of the side is provided with a groove and a window for replacing the organ chip (7); the first locking screw (13) is used to brake the relative sliding between the guide shaft (104) and the guide groove (109) to lock the length dimension of the lower clamp assembly (1).

3. The variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that: The I-shaped block (110) is embedded in a T-shaped groove on one side and abuts against the side of the organ-on-a-chip (7) on the other side; by replacing the I-shaped block (110) of different sizes, organ-on-a-chip (7) of different widths can be adapted.

4. The variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper clamping plate assembly (3) includes a base upper clamping plate (31), a tension upper clamping plate (32), and a second locking screw (33). The base upper clamping plate (31) has a pair of plug-in shafts at the front and a light-transmitting window (303) in the middle. A sample inlet / outlet (302) is provided next to the light-transmitting window (303). The sample inlet / outlet (302) is a stepped hole with a thread at the top and an annular groove (304) at the bottom. A shaft hole (305) for mounting the connecting screw (6) is provided at the rear end. The tension upper clamping plate (32) has two plug-in grooves on both sides that cooperate with the plug-in shafts. A locking hole is provided above the plug-in grooves. A second locking threaded hole (301) is provided at the front end and an opening for light transmission and sample inlet / outlet is provided at the rear end. The second locking screw (33) is used to brake the relative sliding of the plug-in shafts and the plug-in grooves to lock the length of the upper clamping plate assembly (3).

5. The variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamp assembly (5) includes a clamp (502), a compression ring (503), and an injection connector (501); the injection connector (501) is nested inside the compression ring (503), and the ends of the two are aligned; the compression ring (503) is nested at the bottom of the clamp (502), and the injection connector (501) passes through the center of the clamp (502); the outer surface of the clamp (502) is provided with threads, which engage with the threads at the upper end of the sample inlet / outlet (302); after tightening the clamp (502) until the compression ring (503) contacts the stepped surface of the sample inlet / outlet (302), continuing to tighten the clamp (502) can squeeze the compression ring (503), causing the compression ring (503) to deform and press the injection connector (501) to limit its displacement.

6. The variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture according to claim 5, characterized in that: The compression of the sealing ring (2) is controlled within the range of 0.2~0.6mm; when the clamp is locked, the sealing ring (2) is deformed by compression to achieve the sealing of the infusion interface and the organ-on-a-chip (7) joint surface; the engagement length of the clamp (502) and the inlet / outlet (302) is controlled within the range of 3~7mm; the engagement length of the connecting screw (6) and the connecting threaded hole (106) on the lower clamping plate (11) of the substrate is not less than 4mm; the engagement length of the locking screw (4) and the first locking threaded hole (101) at the front end of the lower clamping plate assembly (1) is not less than 3mm.

7. The variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide shaft (104) and the guide groove (109) are in clearance fit, with a clearance of no more than 0.1 mm, to ensure the guiding accuracy of the lower clamping plate assembly (1) during stretching.

8. The variable adaptive organ-on-a-chip fixture according to claim 4, characterized in that: The area of ​​the light-collecting window (303) is not less than 1 / 2 of the area of ​​the loading tank (102), and the light-collecting window (303) is sealed with a transparent chemical corrosion resistant material for light introduction and observation during the experiment.

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