MICROFLUIDIC MIXING MODULE AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLLER

Abstract

The invention relates to a microfluidic mixing module (10) intended to mix two fluids comprising: - a frame (11), - a collector (13), and - a movable cover (27) movable between an open position and a closed position in which the assembly formed by the microfluidic chip (22) and the collector (13) is compressed by the movable cover (27) so as to compress a first seal (36.1) arranged around the first connection interface (17.1) to the first pressure source, a second seal (36.2) arranged around the second connection interface (17.2) to the second pressure source and a third seal (37) arranged between a face of the imprint portion (19) and the microfluidic chip (22) to ensure the sealing of the entire fluidic circuit formed by the first and second pressure sources, the collector (13) and the microfluidic chip (22). Figure for short: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: MICROFLUIDIC MIXING MODULE AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLLER

[0001] The present invention relates to a microfluidic mixing module and the associated controller. The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application for nanoprecipitating by mixing lipids dissolved in different solvents and molecules of interest in aqueous solution.

[0002] Microfluidic mixing modules are known comprising reservoirs of pressurized fluid placed in communication with inlets of a microfluidic chip. The microfluidic chip comprises at least one microfluidic circuit making it possible to produce a mixture of fluids at its outlet.

[0003] In existing systems, it is difficult to establish the sealing of the elements, namely a pressure source, reservoirs and a microfluidic chip, in a simple and reliable manner. In addition, untimely pressure and flow variations have been observed inside the microfluidic chip even when the pressure sources are stopped, as well as problems with hydrostatics, flow initiation, mixture recovery, creation of mixtures involving different volume ratios, minimization of consumables, and ease of use in general.

[0004] The invention aims to effectively remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a microfluidic mixing module intended to mix two fluids comprising: - a frame delimiting an internal space, - a collector arranged inside the internal space of the chassis and comprising: - a first fluid reservoir containing a first fluid and a second fluid reservoir containing a second fluid, said first fluid reservoir having a first upper end open towards the outside to allow it to be filled, in particular by means of a pipette, and provided with a first interface for connection to a first pressure source, said second fluid reservoir having a second upper end open towards the outside to allow it to be filled, in particular by means of a pipette, and provided with a second interface for connection to a second pressure source, - a microfluidic chip footprint portion having a shape complementary to at least one portion of a microfluidic chip, - a microfluidic circuit comprising a first pipe having a first end opening into a lower end of the first fluid reservoir and a second end opening into a face of the microfluidic chip footprint portion, and a second pipe having a first end opening into a lower end of the second fluid reservoir and a second end opening into a face of the microfluidic chip footprint portion, and - a movable cover which is movable between an open position allowing access to the first open upper end of the first fluid reservoir and to the second open upper end of the second fluid reservoir, and a closed position in which the assembly formed by the microfluidic chip and the collector is compressed by the movable cover so as to compress a first seal arranged around the first connection interface to the first pressure source, a second seal arranged around the second connection interface to the second pressure source and a third seal arranged between a face of the imprint portion and the microfluidic chip to ensure the sealing of the entire fluidic circuit formed by the first and second pressure sources, the collector and the microfluidic chip.

[0005] The invention thus makes it possible to obtain a simple-to-use "plug and play" type system in which it is sufficient to choose the collector having reservoir dimensions adapted to the desired mixing volume, to choose the microfluidic chip and thereby the microfluidic mixing circuit, to insert the chosen components into the mixing module, to fill the reservoirs by pipetting, and to close in one operation the movable cover to seal the entire fluidic circuit formed by the pressure sources, the collector and the microfluidic chip. A synthesis of particles can then be carried out by choosing mixing parameters (volume-flow-ratio between the fluids) by means of a controller. It is then possible to recover the fluidic mixture at the outlet of the device in tubes of different dimensions (diameter, height).

[0006] The invention also makes it possible to use pneumatic actuators to advance the fluids (pressure control) and thus avoid physical contact of the actuators with the reagents. The microfluidic mixing of two fluids can thus be carried out simply, efficiently, and while minimizing the risks of contamination.

[0007] The invention makes it possible to encapsulate molecules of interest in lipid bubbles.

[0008] The instrument also makes it possible to carry out mixing over a wide temperature range.

[0009] The invention allows the autoclave cleaning of the entire fluidic circuit except the microfluidic chip.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, said microfluidic chip footprint portion extends horizontally in the upper face of the collector and is arranged at an altitude greater than that of the microfluidic circuit of the collector.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the movable hood is rotatably mounted on a hinge which is mounted to move in translation relative to a support fixed on the chassis.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the movable hood is provided with a closing handle mounted to rotate relative to said movable hood around an axis of rotation, said closing handle being extended by at least one fork intended to cooperate with at least one locking stud fixed to the chassis so as to obtain a lever effect of the closing handle around the locking stud.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closing handle is movable between: - an unlocked position in which the fork is disengaged from the locking pad to allow opening of the movable cover in order to access the first open upper end of the first fluid reservoir and the second open upper end of the second fluid reservoir and the microfluidic chip footprint portion to position a microfluidic chip, and - a locked position in which the fork cooperates with the locking stud so as to bring the rotation axis of the closing handle closer to the locking stud so as to translate the movable cover vertically downwards against the collector and crush the first seal, the second seal and the third seal.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, said microfluidic mixing module comprises holding means intended to selectively hold the closing handle in the locked position or in the unlocked position.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, said microfluidic mixing module further comprises two support pads arranged on the chassis and each mounted on a spring to maintain a horizontal arrangement of the microfluidic chip when the movable cover is opened.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, said microfluidic mixing module comprises a tube holder carrying a tube intended to collect a mixture of fluid from an outlet of the microfluidic chip.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tube holder is removably mounted on a front of the module so as to be able to easily change a tube holder configuration to move from one tube size to another.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tube holder comprises magnets intended to cooperate with magnets arranged on the front of the mixing module.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the microfluidic chip footprint portion comprises a cavity intended to receive a chimney of an unused outlet of a microfluidic circuit of the microfluidic chip.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the microfluidic chip imprint portion comprises a keying means, such as one or more lateral ears, for positioning the third seal.

[0021] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a mixing module microfluidic as previously defined and a microfluidic chip disposed within the microfluidic chip footprint portion.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the microfluidic chip comprises two microfluidic circuits, each microfluidic circuit comprising two fluid inlets and a microfluidic mixing outlet provided with an outlet chimney extending projecting relative to a face of the microfluidic chip, the two microfluidic mixing outlets provided with their chimney and the four fluid inlets being produced on the same face of the microfluidic chip corresponding to the lower face when the microfluidic chip is placed on the microfluidic chip footprint portion.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two microfluidic circuits are oriented head to tail with respect to each other so that the chimneys are arranged on the side of two ends of the microfluidic chip opposite each other, the configurations of the fluid inlets, of the microfluidic mixing outlet are identical by rotation of the chip by 180° around a vertical axis to be able to use the two microfluidic circuits indifferently.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, said assembly comprises a controller comprising a chassis inside which are arranged at least two pneumatic actuators intended to be connected to the connection interfaces of the collector by means of connection pipes, a device for controlling the pneumatic actuators, and a human-machine interface.

[0025] The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments given for illustrative purposes with reference to the appended figures, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its embodiment and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a microfluidic mixing module according to the invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the microfluidic mixing module according to the invention without the movable cover;

[0028] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the microfluidic mixing module according to the invention without the movable cover and without the microfluidic chip;

[0029] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the microfluidic mixing module according to the invention without the movable cover, without the microfluidic chip and without the flat microfluidic chip seal;

[0030] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a manifold of the mixing module microfluidics according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the mid-mixing module manifold microfluidic according to the invention and an associated microfluidic chip showing transparently the microfluidic circuit of the collector;

[0032] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a partial perspective view of a microfluidic chip according to the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a perspective view from below of the movable cover of the module microfluidic mixing according to the invention associated with a hinge movable in translation and with two support pads also movable in translation;

[0034] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a top perspective view illustrating the mechanical connection between the hinge and the movable cover of the microfluidic mixing module according to the invention;

[0035] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of the various components (closing handle, hinge, support pads, sealing gaskets) interacting with the movable cover of the microfluidic mixing module according to the invention;

[0036] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a side view of the movable cover of the microfluidic mixing module according to the invention associated with a hinge movable in translation and two support pads;

[0037] [Fig. 12a] [Fig. 12b] Figures 12a and 12b are perspective views of a microfluidic mixing module according to the invention incorporating tube holders having different configurations for holding tubes of different sizes;

[0038] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a front view of a controller according to the invention intended to be associated with a fluid mixing module according to the invention;

[0039] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is a rear perspective view of the controller according to the invention showing the hose connection fittings for connecting the pneumatic actuators of the controller with the pressure source connection interfaces of the fluid mixing module.

[0040] It should be noted that in the figures the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0041] Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show a microfluidic mixing module 10 intended to mix two fluids comprising a frame 11 delimiting an internal space 12 and a collector 13 arranged inside the internal space 12 of the frame 11. The collector 13 is preferably a collector attached to the frame 11 and interchangeable so as to be able to adapt to different capacities of the reservoirs 15.1, 15.2.

[0042] The collector 13 comprises a first fluid reservoir 15.1 containing a first fluid and a second fluid reservoir 15.2 containing a second fluid. The first fluid reservoir 15.1 comprises a first upper end 16.1 open towards the outside to allow it to be filled, in particular by means of a pipette, and provided with a first connection interface 17.1 to a first pressure source. The second fluid reservoir 15.2 has a second upper end 16.2 open towards the outside to allow it to be filled, in particular by means of a pipette, and provided with a second connection interface 17.2 to a second pressure source. The connection interfaces 17.1, 17.2 may have an annular shape projecting relative to an external face of the collector 13. Alternatively, the connection interfaces 17.1, 17.2 may have an imprint adapted to receive an O-ring 36.1, 36.2. The connection interfaces 17.1, 17.2 may have a function of guiding the parts to be connected together. O-rings 36.1, 36.2 visible in [Fig. 10] are intended to be arranged around the connection interfaces 17.1, 17.2. The connection interfaces 17.1, 17.2 each comprise a conduit in communication with a corresponding pressure source. The pressure sources may be a 58.1, 58.2 pneumatic actuator or a pressure-regulated gas cylinder or any other regulated pressure source suitable for the application.

[0043] As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, a microfluidic chip footprint portion 19 has a shape complementary to at least one portion of a microfluidic chip 22. In addition, a microfluidic circuit 23 comprises a first pipe 24.1 having a first end opening into a lower end of the first fluid reservoir 15.1 and a second end opening into a face of the microfluidic chip footprint portion 19, and a second pipe 24.2 having a first end opening into a lower end of the second fluid reservoir 15.2 and a second end opening into a face of the microfluidic chip footprint portion 19. The pipes 24.1, 24.2 can be made in the mass of the collector 13 or be channels added to the body of the collector 13.

[0044] Furthermore, a movable cover 27, visible in particular in FIGS. 1, 8 and 11, is movable between an open position allowing access to the first open upper end 16.1 of the first fluid reservoir 15.1 and to the second open upper end 16.2 of the second fluid reservoir 15.2, and a closed position in which the assembly formed by the microfluidic chip 22 and the collector 13 is compressed by the movable cover 27 so as to compress the first seal 36.1 arranged around the first connection interface 17.1 to the first pressure source, a second seal 36.2 arranged around the second connection interface 17.2 to the second pressure source and a third seal 37 arranged between a face of the imprint portion 19 and the microfluidic chip 22 to ensure the sealing of the entire fluid circuit formed by the first and second pressure sources, the collector and the microfluidic chip.The third seal 37 is preferably . a flat seal. The microfluidic chip footprint portion 19 comprises a keying means, such as one or more lateral ears, for positioning the third seal 37.

[0045] Advantageously, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the microfluidic chip footprint portion 19 extends horizontally in the upper face of the collector 13 and is arranged at an altitude H greater than that of the microfluidic circuit 23 of the collector 13. The altitude H is determined in a vertical direction relative to the work plane on which the mixing module 10 rests. Such a configuration makes it possible to avoid untimely injections due to possible hydrostatic pressure when the pressure control of the fluid reservoirs 15.1, 15.2 is not actuated. In addition, this facilitates the recovery of the mixture by gravity while optimizing the compactness of the module 10.

[0046] As can be seen in Figures 8, 9 and 10; the movable hood 27 is rotatably mounted on a hinge 28 which is mounted to move in translation relative to a support 30 fixed on the chassis 11. The hinge 28 is mounted on a spring arranged inside the hollow support 30. The spring urges the hinge 28 towards the outside of the support 30. The hinge 28 is mechanically connected to the movable hood 27 by means of two arms 28.1, 28.2.

[0047] The movable cover 27 is provided with a closing handle 31 mounted to rotate relative to the movable cover 27 around an axis of rotation XL. The closing handle 31 may comprise two lateral branches connected to each other by means of a connecting portion.

[0048] The closing handle 31 is extended by at least one fork 32 intended to cooperate with at least one locking stud 35 fixed on the frame 11 so as to obtain a lever effect of the closing handle 31 around the locking stud 35. Such a configuration makes it possible to exert sufficient force on the seals 36.1, 36.2, 37 to ensure the sealing of the assembly for pressures inside the microfluidic circuit which may be between 250 mbar and 10 bars. In this case, two forks 32 are used, arranged, in top view, in such a way that the axes of the locking studs 35 are located between the O-rings 36.1, 36.2 of the inlets of the manifold 13 and the flat seal 37 located at the outlet of the manifold 13. Alternatively, a single fork 32 can be used located in the center of the triangle formed by these two inlets and this outlet.

[0049] The closing handle 31 is movable between: - an unlocked position in which the fork 32 is released from the locking stud 35 to allow opening of the movable cover 27 in order to access the first open upper end 16.1 of the first fluid reservoir 15.1 and the second open upper end 16.2 of the second fluid reservoir 15.2 and the chip footprint portion 19 for positioning a microfluidic chip 22, and - a locked position in which the fork 32 cooperates with the locking stud 35 so as to bring the rotation axis XI of the closing handle closer to the locking stud 35 (see figures 10 and 11) so as to translate the movable cover 27 vertically downwards against the collector 13 and crush the first seal 36.1, the second seal 36.2 and the third seal 37.

[0050] This downward translational movement of the movable hood 27 is made possible by the hinge 28 mounted to move in translation relative to the support 30.

[0051] As can be seen in [Fig.8], the mixing module 10 may comprise holding means 39.1, 39.2 intended to selectively hold the closing handle 31 in the locked position or in the unlocked position. The holding means 39.1, 39.2 preferably consist of at least one magnet intended to cooperate with the closing handle 31 having branches made of a magnetic material, for example steel or any other ferromagnetic material suitable for the application. In this case, a first magnet 39.1 is positioned on the chassis to hold the handle in the locked position (horizontal position) and a second magnet 39.2 arranged on the movable cover 27 to hold the handle in the unlocked position (in which the closing handle 31 extends in a plane perpendicular to the movable cover 27).This allows the user to rotate the movable cover 27 from its open position to a horizontal position before the closing handle 31 can rotate relative to the movable cover 27. Alternatively, the holding means 40 may consist of a snap-fastening device with a projection and a correspondingly shaped housing.

[0052] Two support pads 40.1, 40.2 may also be arranged on the chassis 11. The support pads 40.1, 40.2 are each mounted on a spring to maintain a horizontal arrangement of the microfluidic chip 22 when the movable cover 27 is opened. The springs urge the support pads 40.1, 40.2 to project relative to an upper face of the chassis 11, so that the movable cover 27 is kept at a distance from the chassis 11 when the closing handle 31 is in the unlocked position. This makes it possible to ensure guidance of the movable cover 27 following a compression movement of the seals 36.1, 36.2, 37 in translation while avoiding any plane-on-plane sliding and centering defects at the various connection interfaces between the collector 13, the pressure sources and the microfluidic chip 22.

[0053] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 12a and 12b, the microfluidic mixing module 10 comprises a tube holder 44 carrying a tube 45 intended to collect a fluid mixture from an outlet of the microfluidic chip 22.

[0054] The tube holder 44 is removably mounted on a front 41 of the module so that a tube holder 44 configuration can be easily changed to move from one size from tube 45 to another.

[0055] The tube holder 44 comprises magnets 43 (shown transparently in [Fig.l]) intended to cooperate with magnets 42 arranged on the front 41 of the mixing module 10 (see [Fig.2]). The tube holder 44 comprises a plate 49 on which magnets 43 are arranged as well as support means 46 for a tube 45 intended to receive the microfluidic mixture. This microfluidic mixture coming from an outlet of the microfluidic chip 22 is recovered by gravity inside the tube 45. The geometry of the tube holders 44 is optimized for each size of tube 45 used, both to adapt to its diameter but also to bring the outlet of the tube 45 as close as possible to the outlet pipe of the chip. The support means 46 of a tube 45 are adapted so that the center of the inlet of the tube 45 is as close as possible to the outlet chimney of the microfluidic chip 22. Figures 1, 12a and 12b show different types of tube holders 44 adapted to different sizes of tubes 45..

[0056] Advantageously, the microfluidic chip 22 shown in [Fig.7] comprises two microfluidic circuits 50.1, 50.2, each microfluidic circuit 50.1, 50.2 comprising two fluid inlets E1, E2 and a microfluidic mixing outlet S provided with an outlet chimney 48 extending projecting relative to a face of the microfluidic chip 22, the two microfluidic mixing outlets S provided with their chimney 48 and the four fluid inlets are produced on the same face of the microfluidic chip 22 corresponding to the lower face when the microfluidic chip 22 is placed on the imprint portion 19 of the collector 13. The configurations E1, E2, S are identical by rotating the chip 180° around a vertical axis to be able to use the two microfluidic circuits 50.1, 50.2 of chip 22.

[0057] In other words, when the microfluidic chip 22 is arranged inside the microfluidic chip footprint portion 19, the two fluid inlets E1, E2 are turned downwards towards the ends of the pipes of the collector 13 opening into a lower face of the microfluidic chip footprint portion 19.

[0058] The microfluidic chip footprint portion 19 comprises a cavity 47 intended to receive a chimney 48 of an unused outlet of a microfluidic circuit of the microfluidic chip 22 (cf. [Fig.4]).

[0059] The two microfluidic circuits 50.1, 50.2 are oriented head to tail with respect to each other, so that the chimneys 48 are arranged on the side of two ends of the microfluidic chip 22 opposite each other.

[0060] Each microfluidic circuit 50.1, 50.2 comprises a first inlet channel 51.1, 51.2 at one end of which is located a first fluid inlet E1 and a second inlet channel 52.1, 52.2 at one end of which is located a second fluid inlet E2. The two inlet channels 51.1 and 52.2 (respectively 51.2 and 52.2) join at an intersection I from which a mixing channel 53.1, 53.2 extends. The end of the mixing channel 53.1, 53.2 opposite that arranged at the location of the intersection I constitutes the microfluidic mixing outlet S.

[0061] The mixing channel 53.1, 53.2 may have a serpentine shape that is square on one side and rounded on the other (a so-called deflector configuration ("baffle" according to English terminology)) or be provided internally with walls that increase the folding of the flow on itself, thus promoting the mixing of the fluid (a so-called chevron configuration ("herringbone" according to English terminology)). The two microfluidic circuits 48.1, 48.2 are oriented head-to-tail with respect to each other so that the chimneys 48 are arranged on the side of two ends of the microfluidic chip 22 that are opposite each other. When the microfluidic chip 22 is arranged inside the microfluidic chip footprint portion 19, the two fluid inlets E1, E2 are turned downwards towards the ends of the pipes of the collector 13 opening into a lower face of the microfluidic chip footprint 19.In other words, the microfluidic chip 22 is arranged "face down" inside the microfluidic chip footprint portion 19.

[0062] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, a controller 55 comprises a chassis 56 inside which are arranged at least two pneumatic actuators 58.1, 58.2 intended to be connected to the connection interfaces 17.1, 17.2 of the manifold 13 by means of connecting pipes, a control device 60 for the pneumatic actuators 58.1, 58.2, and a man-machine interface 61.

[0063] The controller 55 makes it possible to manage the pressure of the actuators as a function of the thermodynamic parameters of the fluids on the one hand and the mixing parameters desired by the user on the other hand. If the user wishes, the controller 55 can also manage the temperature at which the mixing takes place. The human-machine interface 61 can take the form of a touch screen. The human-machine interface 61 can allow the user to easily choose the parameters of the volume-ratio-flow rate mixing.The human-machine interface 61 facilitates use with the recording of a historical file (log file) of the mixing phases carried out, the storage of reusable mixing parameters (volume-ratio-flow rate), the use of fluids having different thermodynamic parameters, fluids at different temperatures, collectors having larger or smaller internal reservoir volumes, microfluidic chips 22 as well as microfluidic circuits 50.1, 50.2 present on the chip 22 having different microfluidic characteristics, a pressure source quality test function, etc. The controller 55 comprises connection tips 62 for the connection pipes arranged for example on the rear face of said controller 55.

[0064] An operation of the mixing system according to the invention formed is described below by the mixing module 10 and the controller 55. The operator opens the movable cover 27 to access the fluid reservoirs 15.1, 15.2. The operator fills the fluid reservoirs 15.1, 15.2 by means of a pipette inserted inside a corresponding open upper end 16.1, 16.2.

[0065] The operator places a microfluidic chip 22 inside the imprint portion 19 on the flat seal 37 and on an imprint portion made in the chassis (see [Fig.3]). A little play can be provided in the imprint portion of the chassis 11 to compensate for parallelepiped defects of the microfluidic chips 22. A part of the microfluidic chip 22 extends outside the chassis 11, so that the outlet S of the microfluidic chip 22 is located opposite a tube 45 carried by the tube holder 44 removably fixed to the external facade 41 of the mixing module 10.

[0066] The operator then closes the movable cover 27 via the handle which moves into the locked position. This has the effect of ensuring sealing of the pneumatic circuit and the microfluidic circuit of the mixing module 10.

[0067] The operator makes the adjustments to the mixing parameters (volume-ratio-flow rate) via the human-machine interface 61. Once the adjustments have been made, the operator starts the mixing operation between the fluids.

[0068] Depending on the mixing parameters, the pneumatic actuators 58.1, 58.2 then apply pneumatic pressure inside the fluid reservoirs so as to move the fluids from the reservoirs 15.1, 15.2 to the fluid inlets E1, E2 of the microfluidic chip 22 according to the parameters chosen by the user (volume-flow-ratio). The fluids then travel through the inlet channels 51.1, 52.1 (or 51.2, 52.2) of a microfluidic circuit 50.1 (or 50.2) to the intersection I from which the fluids meet and then mix along the mixing channel 53.1 (or 53.2). The fluid mixture thus obtained flows by gravity from the outlet S, via the chimney 48, inside the tube 45 arranged under the outlet S of the microfluidic chip 22.

[0069] Of course, the various features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0070] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the framework of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the different operating modes described above, which may be taken separately or in association.

Claims

1. Claims Microfluidic mixing module (10) intended to mix two fluids, characterized in that it comprises: - a frame (11) delimiting an internal space (12), - a collector (13) arranged inside the internal space (12) of the chassis (11) and comprising: - a first fluid reservoir (15.1) containing a first fluid and a second fluid reservoir (15.2) containing a second fluid, said first fluid reservoir (15.1) having a first upper end (16.1) open towards the outside to allow it to be filled, in particular by means of a pipette, and provided with a first connection interface (17.1) to a first pressure source, said second fluid reservoir (15.2) having a second upper end (16.2) open towards the outside to allow it to be filled, in particular by means of a pipette, and provided with a second connection interface (17.2) to a second pressure source, - a microfluidic chip footprint portion (19) having a shape complementary to at least a portion of a microfluidic chip (22), - a microfluidic circuit (23) comprising a first pipe (24.1) having a first end opening into a lower end of the first fluid reservoir (15.1) and a second end opening into a face of the microfluidic chip footprint portion (19), and a second pipe (24.2) having a first end opening into a lower end of the second fluid reservoir (15.2) and a second end opening into a face of the microfluidic chip footprint portion (19), and. - a movable cover (27) movable between an open position allowing access to the first open upper end (16.1) of the first fluid reservoir (15.1) and to the second open upper end (16.2) of the second fluid reservoir (15.2), and a closed position in which the assembly formed by the microfluidic chip (22) and the collector (13) is compressed by the movable cover (27) so as to compress a first seal (36.1) arranged around the first connection interface (17.1) to the first pressure source, a second seal (36.2) arranged around the second connection interface (17.2) to the second pressure source and a third seal (37) arranged between a face of the imprint portion (19) and the microfluidic chip (22) and the collector (13). microfluidic (22) to ensure the sealing of an entire fluidic circuit formed by the first and second pressure sources, the collector (13) and the microfluidic chip (22).

2. Mixing module according to claim 1, characterized in that said microfluidic chip footprint portion (19) extends horizontally in the upper face of the collector (13) and is arranged at an altitude higher than that of the microfluidic circuit (23) of the collector (13).

3. Microfluidic mixing module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movable cover (27) is rotatably mounted on a hinge (28) which is mounted to move in translation relative to a support (30) fixed on the chassis (11).

4. Microfluidic mixing module according to claim 3, characterized in that the movable cover (27) is provided with a closing handle (31) rotatably mounted relative to said movable cover (27) around an axis of rotation (XI), said closing handle (31) being extended by at least one fork (32) intended to cooperate with at least one locking stud (35) fixed on the frame (11) so as to obtain a lever effect of the closing handle (31) around the locking stud (35).

5. Microfluidic mixing module according to claim 4, characterized in that the closing handle (31) is movable between: - an unlocked position in which the fork (32) is disengaged from the locking stud (35) to allow opening of the movable cover (27) in order to access the first open upper end (16.1) of the first fluid reservoir (15.1) and the second open upper end (16.2) of the second fluid reservoir (15.2) and the microfluidic chip footprint portion (19) to position a microfluidic chip (22), and - a locked position in which the fork (32) cooperates with the locking stud (35) so as to bring the rotation axis (XI) of the closing handle closer to the locking stud (35) so as to translate the movable cover (27) vertically downwards against the manifold (13) and crush the first seal (36.1), the second seal (36.2) and the third seal (37).

6. Microfluidic mixing module according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises holding means (39.1, 39.2) intended to selectively hold the closing handle (31) in the locked position or in the unlocked position.

7. Microfluidic mixing module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises two support pads (40.1, 40.2) arranged on the chassis (11) and each mounted on a spring to maintain a horizontal arrangement of the microfluidic chip (22) when the movable cover (27) is opened.

8. Microfluidic mixing module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a tube holder (44) carrying a tube (45) intended to collect a mixture of fluid from an outlet of the microfluidic chip (22).

9. Module according to claim 8, characterized in that the tube holder (44) is removably mounted on a front (41) of the module so as to be able to easily change a tube holder (44) configuration to move from one tube size (45) to another.

10. Microfluidic mixing module according to claim 9, characterized in that the tube holder (44) comprises magnets (43) intended to cooperate with magnets (42) arranged on the front (41) of the mixing module.

11. Module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the microfluidic chip footprint portion (19) comprises a cavity (47) intended to receive a chimney (48) of an unused outlet of a microfluidic circuit of the microfluidic chip (22).

12. Module according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the microfluidic chip imprint portion (19) comprises a keying means, such as one or more lateral ears, for positioning the third seal (37).

13. An assembly comprising a microfluidic mixing module (10) defined according to any one of the preceding claims and a microfluidic chip (22) disposed within the microfluidic chip footprint portion (19).

14. Assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the microfluidic chip (22) comprises two microfluidic circuits (50.1, 50.2), each microfluidic circuit (50.1, 50.2) comprising two fluid inlets (E1, E2) and a microfluidic mixing outlet (S) provided with an outlet chimney (48) extending projecting relative to a face of the microfluidic chip (22), the two microfluidic mixing outlets (S) provided with their chimney (48) and the four fluid inlets being produced on the same face of the microfluidic chip (22) corresponding to the lower face when the microfluidic chip (22) is placed on the microfluidic chip footprint portion (19).

15. Assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that the two microfluidic circuits (50.1, 50.2) are oriented head to tail with respect to each other so that the chimneys (48) are arranged on the side of two ends of the microfluidic chip (22) opposite each other, the configurations of the fluid inlets (El, E2), of the microfluidic mixing outlet (S) are identical by rotation of the chip by 180° around a vertical axis to be able to use the two microfluidic circuits (50.1, 50.2) indifferently.

16. Assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that it comprises a controller (55) comprising a chassis (56) inside which are arranged at least two pneumatic actuators (58.1, 58.2) intended to be connected to the connection interfaces (17.1, 17.2) of the manifold (13) by means of connection pipes, a control device (60) for the pneumatic actuators (58.1, 58.2), and a man-machine interface (61).

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