Microfluidic cell culture device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of microfluidic cell culture devices, including base, culture cavity module and spring buckle, the top of base is provided with mounting groove, and two ends are respectively provided with with mounting groove intercommunication inlet and outlet, culture cavity module is in accord with mounting groove, and inside is provided with with inlet and outlet intercommunication microfluidic channel, spring buckle is symmetrically set on the two inner walls of base, the outer wall of culture cavity module is provided with with spring buckle matched clamping groove.The microfluidic cell culture device, through the split type design of replaceable culture cavity module and base, fundamentally eliminates the sample cross-contamination problem caused by incomplete cleaning in traditional integrated equipment, significantly improves the reliability and repeatability of experimental results, the quick-lock mechanism of the spring buckle and the conical positioning structure combination makes the installation and replacement operation of module extremely simple and fast, greatly improves the research efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microfluidic chip technology, specifically a microfluidic cell culture device. Background Technology

[0002] Microfluidics, as a powerful tool for precisely manipulating fluids at the microliter and even nanoliter levels, has shown great application potential in biomedical fields such as cell culture, drug screening, and organ-on-a-chip. Compared with traditional culture methods, microfluidic cell culture devices can better simulate the in vivo microenvironment, achieve continuous exchange of nutrients and metabolic waste, and precisely control parameters such as fluid shear force and chemical concentration gradient, providing a more advanced platform for cell research.

[0003] Most existing microfluidic culture devices adopt an integrated or fixed structure, with the culture chamber and fluid pipeline permanently integrated. This results in the entire device requiring a cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly cleaning and sterilization process after each experiment to ensure sterility for the next use. Incomplete cleaning can easily lead to cell or biofilm residues, causing serious cross-contamination of samples and posing a significant threat to the reliability and reproducibility of experimental results. Therefore, a microfluidic cell culture device is proposed to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides a microfluidic cell culture device that, by designing the culture chamber as a detachable modular unit, enables rapid replacement and reuse of the culture chamber, thus solving the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows: A microfluidic cell culture device, comprising: The base has an installation groove on its top and an inlet and an outlet at each end that are connected to the installation groove. The culture chamber module fits into the mounting slot and has a microfluidic channel inside that can communicate with the inlet and outlet. Spring clips are symmetrically arranged on the two inner walls of the base, and the outer wall of the culture chamber module is provided with a groove that cooperates with the spring clips.

[0006] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0007] Furthermore, the mounting groove and the culture chamber module are compatible conical structures.

[0008] Furthermore, both the inlet and outlet are provided with annular grooves on their outer sides, and a first sealing ring is provided in the annular grooves.

[0009] Furthermore, both the inlet and outlet are provided with threaded holes with a diameter larger than themselves, and connectors are installed on the threaded holes.

[0010] Furthermore, the connector includes a hollow connecting tube, the outer wall of the front end of the hollow connecting tube is provided with a first threaded section that is adapted to the mating threaded hole, and the front end of the hollow connecting tube is also provided with a tube that can be inserted into the liquid inlet or liquid outlet.

[0011] Furthermore, the spring clip includes a telescopic cavity disposed on the inner wall of the mounting groove, a fixed threaded hole communicating with the telescopic cavity is disposed on the outer wall of the base, a telescopic rod is movably inserted through the fixed threaded hole, the inner end of the telescopic rod is rotatably connected to a locking block that cooperates with the locking groove, and the outer end is provided with a handle, the diameter of the handle being larger than the diameter of the fixed threaded hole, a telescopic spring located between the fixed threaded hole and the locking block is movably fitted on the outside of the telescopic rod, and a second threaded section adapted to the fixed threaded hole is disposed on the outside of the end of the telescopic rod near the locking block.

[0012] Furthermore, a guide slope is provided above the snap-in end of the card block.

[0013] Furthermore, the height of the culture chamber module is greater than the depth of the mounting groove; The top of the base is also fitted with a cover plate for pressing the culture chamber module.

[0014] Furthermore, each of the four corners of the base is provided with a positioning hole, and the bottom of the positioning hole is provided with a locking thread hole that communicates with it. The bottom of the cover plate is provided with a positioning shaft that matches the positioning hole. The positioning shaft is provided with an insertion hole that penetrates the cover plate, and a locking screw that is threadedly engaged with the locking thread hole is inserted into the insertion hole.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial technical effects: 1. This microfluidic cell culture device, through its replaceable culture chamber module and base split design, fundamentally eliminates the problem of sample cross-contamination caused by incomplete cleaning in traditional integrated devices, significantly improving the reliability and repeatability of experimental results; its quick-locking mechanism combining spring clips and conical positioning structure makes the installation and replacement of modules extremely simple and quick, greatly improving scientific research efficiency.

[0016] 2. This microfluidic cell culture device provides uniform and adjustable vertical pressure to the culture chamber module through the pressing structure of the cover plate, which effectively enhances the sealing tightness between the culture chamber module and the base, significantly improves the sealing reliability of the device under high fluid pressure, and eliminates the risk of leakage. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a microfluidic cell culture device provided in an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded structure diagram; Figure 3 for Figure 1 A half-section structural diagram; Figure 4 for Figure 2 A sectional view of the component structure; Figure 5 for Figure 1 A half-section front view; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the spring snap connection structure of an embodiment of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Enlarged schematic diagram of structure A in the middle.

[0019] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows: 1. Base; 2. Mounting slot; 3. Culture chamber module; 4. Inlet; 401. Threaded hole; 5. Outlet; 6. Microfluidic channel; 7. Connector; 701. Hollow connecting tube; 702. First threaded section; 703. Insertion tube; 8. Sealing ring; 9. Slot; 10. Spring buckle; 101. Telescopic cavity; 102. Fixed threaded hole; 103. Telescopic rod; 104. Handle; 105. Locking block; 106. Telescopic spring; 107. Second threaded section; 11. Cover plate; 12. Positioning hole; 13. Positioning shaft; 14. Insertion hole; 15. Locking threaded hole; 16. Locking screw. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] Example 1 like Figure 1-7 As shown, the microfluidic cell culture device in this embodiment mainly consists of two parts: a reusable base 1 and a disposable culture chamber module 3.

[0022] The base 1 is made of a sturdy and chemically resistant material, such as stainless steel, anodized aluminum, or engineering plastic. A mounting groove 2 is machined in the center of the bottom of the base 1 for precise positioning and accommodating the culture chamber module 3. The two ends are respectively provided with an inlet 4 and an outlet 5 connected to the mounting groove 2 for connecting external pumps, storage tanks, and waste liquid collection devices.

[0023] The culture chamber module 3 is injection molded from a biocompatible transparent material, such as polystyrene PS, polycarbonate PC, cyclic olefin polymer COP, or copolymer COC. The microfluidic channel 6 inside is formed by etching or molding using micromachining technology. After the culture chamber module 3 is installed in the mounting groove 2, the microfluidic channel 6 can be connected to the liquid inlet 4 and the liquid outlet 5.

[0024] In order to fix the culture chamber module 3 and prevent it from shaking when the fluid pressure is applied or the equipment is moved, spring clips 10 are symmetrically arranged on the two inner walls of the base 1, and the outer wall of the culture chamber module 3 is provided with a groove 9 that cooperates with the spring clips 10, so as to fix the culture chamber module 3.

[0025] Furthermore, the mounting groove 2 and the culture chamber module 3 are compatible conical structures, which facilitates their docking and positioning.

[0026] Meanwhile, both the inlet 4 and the outlet 5 are provided with annular grooves on their outer sides, and a first sealing ring 8 is provided in the annular grooves. When the culture chamber module 3 is installed into the installation groove 2, the interface is sealed by compressing the first sealing ring 8. At the same time, the conical docking structure of the two can avoid unnecessary impact on the first sealing ring 8 during the insertion of the culture chamber module 3, thereby forming a reliable static seal.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, both the inlet 4 and the outlet 5 are provided with threaded holes 401 with a diameter larger than themselves, and a connector 7 is installed on the threaded holes 401.

[0028] The connector 7 specifically includes a hollow connecting tube 701. The outer wall of the front end of the hollow connecting tube 701 is provided with a first threaded section 702 that is adapted to the mating threaded hole 401. The front end of the hollow connecting tube 701 is also provided with a tube 703 that can be inserted into the liquid inlet 4 or the liquid outlet 5.

[0029] With this design, the threaded installation of the connector 7 can be achieved through the threaded engagement of the first threaded section 702 with the mating threaded hole 401, which facilitates the connection of the liquid inlet 4 and the liquid outlet 5 with the external fluid pipeline.

[0030] Meanwhile, to further ensure the sealing effect at the connection of the connector 7, an annular groove is provided at the end of the hollow connecting pipe 701 opposite to the threaded hole 401, and a second sealing ring is provided in the annular groove, which is not shown in the figure.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the spring buckle 10 includes a telescopic cavity 101 disposed on the inner wall of the mounting groove 2. A fixed threaded hole 102 communicating with the telescopic cavity 101 is disposed on the outer wall of the base 1. A telescopic rod 103 is movably inserted through the fixed threaded hole 102, allowing it to extend and retract within the fixed threaded hole 102. The inner end of the telescopic rod 103 is rotatably connected to a locking block 105 that cooperates with the locking groove 9. The outer end is provided with a handle 104. The diameter of the handle 104 is larger than the diameter of the fixed threaded hole 102, which facilitates manual control and also serves as a limit. A telescopic spring 106 is movably fitted on the outside of the telescopic rod 103 between the fixed threaded hole 102 and the locking block 105, thereby always providing support elasticity to the locking block 105, making it tend to engage with the locking groove 9. A second threaded section 107 adapted to the fixed threaded hole 102 is disposed on the outside of the end of the telescopic rod 103 near the locking block 105.

[0032] With this design, when it is necessary to completely unlock, the second threaded section 107 can be screwed into the fixed threaded hole 102 by rotating the handle 104 during the pulling process, thereby completely retracting the locking block 105 into the telescopic cavity 101, and the culture chamber module 3 can be easily removed.

[0033] It should be noted that the telescopic cavity 101 meets the telescopic requirements of the locking block 105, and the telescopic rod 103 and the locking block 105 are a concave-convex rotatable connection structure, which is not shown in the figure.

[0034] In addition, a guide slope is provided above the insertion end of the card block 105, so that the culture chamber module 3 can automatically retract by contacting the card block 105 during the insertion process of the installation slot 2, until the card block 105 and the slot 9 are engaged.

[0035] In use, fix the base 1 to the microscope stage or experimental equipment. Take a new culture chamber module 3 and insert it along the conical mounting groove 2 until it reaches the bottom. Under the elastic force of the telescopic spring 106, the locking block 105 automatically locks into the slot 9 of the culture chamber module 3, locking it securely. At the same time, the interface of the microfluidic channel 6 presses against the first sealing ring 8 to form a seal. After the experiment, disconnect the external pipeline, pull and rotate the handle 104 to completely retract the locking block 105, and remove the used culture chamber module 3 for disposal. The base 1 can be cleaned and reused.

[0036] It should be noted that, in order to facilitate observation by the microscope objective, an observation port is also provided at the bottom of the base 1, which is not shown in the figure.

[0037] Example 2 like Figure 1 , 2As shown in Figure 4, this embodiment is an addition to the first embodiment. To ensure that the culture chamber module 3 is subjected to uniform vertical pressure and to guarantee the reliability of the seal, especially for applications requiring higher fluid pressure, the height of the culture chamber module 3 is slightly greater than the depth of the mounting groove 2. The top of the base 1 is also equipped with a cover plate 11 for pressing the culture chamber module 3 vertically downward through a positioning and locking mechanism.

[0038] The positioning and locking mechanism includes positioning holes 12 located at the four corners of the base 1. The bottom of the positioning holes 12 is provided with locking threaded holes 15 that are connected to them. The bottom of the cover plate 11 is provided with a positioning shaft 13 that is adapted to the positioning holes 12 to ensure that the cover plate 11 can be accurately closed. The positioning shaft 13 is provided with an insertion hole 14 that passes through the cover plate 11. A locking screw 16 that is threadedly engaged with the locking threaded hole 15 is inserted into the insertion hole 14.

[0039] With this design, when the cover plate 11 is inserted into the positioning hole 12 through the positioning shaft 13, tightening the locking screw 16 will allow the cover plate 11 to move downwards and press tightly against the top of the culture chamber module 3, providing it with an additional, uniform clamping force, which further enhances the sealing and stability of the entire system under high pressure.

[0040] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model, but the scope of protection of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this utility model, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of this utility model, should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A microfluidic cell culture device, characterized in that, include: The base (1) has an installation groove (2) on its top and an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) connected to the installation groove (2) at both ends. The culture chamber module (3) fits into the mounting groove (2) and is equipped with a microfluidic channel (6) that can be connected to the liquid inlet (4) and the liquid outlet (5). Spring clips (10) are symmetrically arranged on the two inner walls of the base (1), and the outer wall of the culture chamber module (3) is provided with a slot (9) that cooperates with the spring clips (10).

2. The microfluidic cell culture device of claim 1, wherein: The mounting groove (2) and the culture chamber module (3) are compatible conical structures.

3. The microfluidic cell culture device of claim 2, wherein: Both the inlet (4) and outlet (5) are provided with annular grooves on their outer sides, and a first sealing ring (8) is provided in the annular grooves.

4. The microfluidic cell culture device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Both the inlet (4) and outlet (5) are provided with threaded holes (401) with a diameter larger than themselves, and connectors (7) are installed on the threaded holes (401).

5. The microfluidic cell culture device of claim 4, wherein: The connector (7) includes a hollow connecting tube (701), and a first threaded section (702) adapted to the mating threaded hole (401) is provided on the outer wall surface of the front end of the hollow connecting tube (701). The front end of the hollow connecting tube (701) is also provided with a tube (703) that can be inserted into the liquid inlet (4) or the liquid outlet (5).

6. The microfluidic cell culture device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The spring buckle (10) includes a telescopic cavity (101) provided on the inner wall of the mounting groove (2), and a fixed threaded hole (102) connected to the telescopic cavity (101) is provided on the outer wall of the base (1). A telescopic rod (103) is movably passed through the fixed threaded hole (102). The inner end of the telescopic rod (103) is rotatably connected to a locking block (105) that cooperates with the locking groove (9). The outer end is provided with a handle (104). The diameter of the handle (104) is larger than the diameter of the fixed threaded hole (102). The telescopic spring (106) located between the fixed threaded hole (102) and the locking block (105) is movably fitted on the outside of the telescopic rod (103). A second threaded section (107) adapted to the fixed threaded hole (102) is provided on the outside of the end of the telescopic rod (103) near the locking block (105).

7. A microfluidic cell culture device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A guide slope is provided above the insertion end of the card block (105).

8. The microfluidic cell culture device of claim 1, wherein: The height of the culture chamber module (3) is greater than the depth of the mounting groove (2); The top of the base (1) is also fitted with a cover plate (11) for pressing the culture chamber module (3).

9. A microfluidic cell culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base (1) is provided with positioning holes (12) at all four corners. The bottom of the positioning holes (12) is provided with locking thread holes (15) that are connected to them. The bottom of the cover plate (11) is provided with a positioning shaft (13) that is compatible with the positioning holes (12). The positioning shaft (13) is provided with an insertion hole (14) that penetrates the cover plate (11). A locking screw (16) that is threaded into the insertion hole (14) is inserted into the insertion hole (14) and is threaded into the locking thread hole (15).

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