MICROFLUID MIXING MODULE AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLLER

Abstract

The invention relates to a microfluidic mixing module (10) for mixing two fluids, comprising: - a frame (11), - a manifold (13), and - a movable cover (27) movable between an open and a closed position in which the assembly formed by the microfluidic chip (22) and the manifold (13) is compressed by the movable cover (27) so as to compress a first seal (36.1) disposed around the first connection interface (17.1) to the first pressure source, a second seal (36.2) disposed around the second connection interface (17.2) to the second pressure source, and a third seal (37) disposed between a face of the footprint 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 manifold (13), and the microfluidic chip (22). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: MICROFLUID 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 comprising pressurized fluid reservoirs connected to the inlets of a microfluidic chip are known. The microfluidic chip comprises at least one microfluidic circuit for producing a fluid mixture at its output.

[0003] In existing systems, it is difficult to establish the sealing of the components, namely a pressure source, reservoirs, and a microfluidic chip, in a simple and reliable manner. Furthermore, unintended pressure and flow variations have been observed within the microfluidic chip even when the pressure sources are switched off, as well as problems with hydrostatics, flow initiation, mixing recovery, the 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 for mixing two fluids comprising: - a frame delimiting an internal space, - a collector located 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 to the outside to allow its filling, 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 to the outside to allow its filling, in particular by means of a pipette, and provided with a second interface for connection to a second pressure source, - a portion of a microfluidic chip footprint 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 portion of the microfluidic chip footprint, and a second pipe having a first end opening in a lower end of the second fluid reservoir and a second end opening into a face of the portion of the microfluidic chip footprint, and - a movable hood that is movable between an open position allowing access to the first open upper end of the first fluid reservoir and 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 manifold is compressed by the movable hood so as to compress a first seal disposed around the first connection interface to the first pressure source, a second seal disposed around the second connection interface to the second pressure source and a third seal disposed between a face of the footprint 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 provides a simple, "plug and play" type system in which it is sufficient to select the manifold with tank 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 tanks by pipetting, and to close the movable cover in a single operation to seal the entire fluidic circuit formed by the pressure sources, the manifold, and the microfluidic chip. Particle synthesis can then be carried out by selecting mixing parameters (volume, flow rate, ratio between fluids) using a controller. The fluidic mixture can then be collected at the outlet of the device in tubes of different dimensions (diameter, height).

[0006] The invention also allows the use of pneumatic actuators to advance the fluids (pressure control) and thus avoid physical contact between the actuators and the reactants. Microfluidic mixing of two fluids can therefore be carried out simply, efficiently, and with minimal risk 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 entire fluidic circuit except the microfluidic chip to be cleaned in an autoclave.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, said portion of microfluidic chip footprint extends horizontally in the upper face of the collector and is disposed at an altitude higher 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 movable 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 on 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 pin 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 portion of the microfluidic chip footprint for positioning a microfluidic chip, and - a locked position in which the fork cooperates with the locking pin so as to bring the rotation axis of the closing handle closer to the locking pin so as to translate the movable cover vertically downwards against the manifold and crush the first seal, the second seal and the third seal.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, said microfluidic mixing module includes holding means intended to selectively hold the closing handle in the locked or 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 preserve a horizontal arrangement of the microfluidic chip at the time of opening the movable cover.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[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 equipped with an outlet chimney extending in projection from a face of the microfluidic chip, the two microfluidic mixing outlets equipped with their chimney and the four fluid inlets being made on the same face of the microfluidic chip corresponding to the lower face when the microfluidic chip is placed on the portion of the microfluidic chip footprint.

[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 with respect to each other, the configurations of the fluid inlets, of the microfluidic mixture outlet are identical by rotating the chip by 180° around a vertical axis so that the two microfluidic circuits can be used interchangeably.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, said assembly comprises a controller including 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 connecting pipes, a control device for the pneumatic actuators, and a human-machine interface.

[0025] The present invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description, which includes embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying figures, presented by way of non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the explanation of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

[0026] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 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 hood;

[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 mixing module manifold microfluidics according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig.6] Fig.6 is a perspective view of the mixing module manifold microfluidic according to the invention and an associated microfluidic chip showing by transparency 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 the movable cover of the module microfluidic mixing according to the invention associated with a hinge movable in translation and two support pads also movable in translation;

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

[0035] [Fig. 10] The [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] The [Fig. 11] is a side view of the movable hood of the microfluidic mixing module according to the invention associated with a movable hinge 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 to hold tubes of different sizes;

[0038] [Fig. 13] The [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] The [Fig. 14] is a rear perspective view of the controller according to the invention showing the pipe connection ends intended to connect the pneumatic actuators of the controller with the connection interfaces to a pressure source 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 reference numerals. 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 for mixing two fluids comprising a frame 11 defining an internal space 12 and a collector 13 disposed inside the internal space 12 of the frame 11. The collector 13 is preferably a collector added to chassis 11 and interchangeable so as to be able to adapt to different capacities of tanks 15.1, 15.2.

[0042] The manifold 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 has a first open upper end 16.1 facing outwards to allow filling, in particular by means of a pipette, and is provided with a first connection interface 17.1 for a first pressure source. The second fluid reservoir 15.2 has a second open upper end 16.2 facing outwards to allow filling, in particular by means of a pipette, and is provided with a second connection interface 17.2 for a second pressure source. The connection interfaces 17.1, 17.2 may have an annular shape projecting from an external face of the collector 13. Alternatively, the connection interfaces 17.1, 17.2 may have a recess adapted to receive an O-ring 36.1, 36.2.The connection interfaces 17.1, 17.2 can serve to guide the parts to be connected. O-rings 36.1, 36.2, visible in [Fig. 10], are intended to be positioned around the connection interfaces 17.1, 17.2. Each connection interface 17.1, 17.2 includes a conduit communicating with a corresponding pressure source. The pressure sources can consist of a pneumatic actuator 58.1, 58.2, 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 portion of a microfluidic chip footprint 19 has a shape complementary to at least one portion of a microfluidic chip 22. In addition, a microfluidic circuit 23 comprises a first channel 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 portion of the microfluidic chip footprint 19, and a second channel 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 portion of the microfluidic chip footprint 19. The channels 24.1, 24.2 can be formed within the mass of the collector 13 or be channels attached to the body of the collector 13.

[0044] Furthermore, a movable cover 27, visible in particular in Figures 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 is arranged around the second connection interface 17.2 to the second pressure source, and a third seal 37 is arranged between one face of the footprint 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 manifold, and the microfluidic chip. The third seal 37 is preferably a flat seal. The footprint portion of the microfluidic chip 19 includes a keying means, such as one or more lateral tabs, for positioning the third seal 37.

[0045] Advantageously, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the portion of the microfluidic chip footprint 19 extends horizontally across the upper face of the manifold 13 and is positioned at a height H greater than that of the microfluidic circuit 23 of the manifold 13. The height H is determined along a vertical direction relative to the work surface on which the mixing module 10 rests. This configuration prevents unwanted injections due to potential hydrostatic pressure when the pressure control of the fluid reservoirs 15.1, 15.2 is not activated. Furthermore, it facilitates gravity recovery of the mixture while optimizing the compactness of the module 10.

[0046] As can be seen in Figures 8, 9 and 10, the movable cover 27 is rotatably mounted on a hinge 28, which is itself movable in translation relative to a support 30 fixed to the chassis 11. The hinge 28 is mounted on a spring located inside the hollow support 30. The spring forces the hinge 28 outwards from the support 30. The hinge 28 is mechanically connected to the movable cover 27 by means of two arms 28.1, 28.2.

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

[0048] The locking handle 31 is extended by at least one fork 32 designed to cooperate with at least one locking pin 35 fixed to the frame 11 so as to obtain a lever effect of the locking handle 31 around the locking pin 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 ranging from 250 mbar to 10 bar. In this case, two forks 32 are used, arranged, in top view, such that the axes of the locking pins 35 are located between the O-rings 36.1, 36.2 of the inlets of the manifold 13 and the flat gasket 37 located at the outlet of the manifold 13. Alternatively, we can use a single fork 32 located at the center of the triangle formed by these two inputs and this output.

[0049] The closing handle 31 is movable between: - an unlocked position in which the fork 32 is disengaged from the locking pin 35 to allow the movable cover 27 to be opened 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 to position a microfluidic chip 22, and - a locked position in which the fork 32 cooperates with the locking pin 35 so as to bring the rotation axis XI of the closing handle closer to the locking pin 35 (see figures 10 and 11) 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.

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

[0051] As can be seen in [Fig. 8], the mixing module 10 may include retaining means 39.1, 39.2 for selectively holding the locking handle 31 in the locked or unlocked position. The retaining means 39.1, 39.2 preferably consist of at least one magnet designed to cooperate with the locking handle 31, having arms 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 is positioned on the movable cover 27 to hold the handle in the unlocked position (in which the locking 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 retaining means 40 may consist of a snap-on device with a projecting and correspondingly shaped housing.

[0052] Two support pads 40.1, 40.2 can also be arranged on the chassis 11. Each support pad 40.1, 40.2 is mounted on a spring to maintain a horizontal position of the microfluidic chip 22 when the movable cover 27 is opened. The springs exert pressure on the support pads 40.1, 40.2, which protrude from an upper face of the chassis 11, so that the movable cover 27 is held away from the chassis 11 when the locking handle 31 is in the unlocked position. This ensures that the movable cover 27 is guided by a translational compression movement of the seals 36.1, 36.2, 37 while preventing any plane-on-plane slippage and centering defects at the different connection interfaces between the manifold 13, the pressure sources and the microfluidic chip 22.

[0053] As illustrated in Figures 1, 12a and 12b, the microfluidic mixing module 10 includes a tube holder 44 carrying a tube 45 for collecting a fluid mixture from an outlet of the microfluidic chip 22.

[0054] The tube holder 44 is mounted removably on a front 41 of the module so as to be able to easily change a configuration of tube holder 44 to switch from one size of tube 45 to another.

[0055] The tube holder 44 includes magnets 43 (shown transparently in [Fig. 1]) designed to cooperate with magnets 42 arranged on the front 41 of the mixing module 10 (see [Fig. 2]). The tube holder 44 includes 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, originating from an outlet of the microfluidic chip 22, is collected 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 and to bring the outlet of the tube 45 as close as possible to the outlet channel of the chip. The support means 46 for 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 having two fluid inlets E1, E2 and a microfluidic mixing outlet S equipped with an outlet chimney 48 extending projecting from one face of the microfluidic chip 22. The two microfluidic mixing outlets S, equipped with their chimneys 48, and the four fluid inlets are located on the same face of the microfluidic chip 22, corresponding to the lower face when the microfluidic chip 22 is placed on the portion of the footprint 19 of the collector 13. The configurations E1, E2, S are identical by rotating the chip 180° around a vertical axis so that the two microfluidic circuits 50.1, 50.2 can be used interchangeably. of chip 22.

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

[0058] The portion of the microfluidic chip footprint 19 includes a cavity 47 intended to receive a chimney 48 from an unused output of a microfluidic circuit of the microfluidic chip 22 (see [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 with respect to 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 a first fluid inlet E1 and a second inlet channel 52.1, 52.2 at one end of which is a second fluid inlet E2. The two inlet channels 51.1 and 52.2 (respectively 51.2 and 52.2) meet at an intersection I from which extends a mixing channel 53.1, 53.2. The end of the mixing channel 53.1, 53.2 opposite that located at the intersection I constitutes the microfluidic mixing outlet S.

[0061] The mixing channel 53.1, 53.2 may have a square serpentine shape on one side and a rounded shape on the other (a configuration known as a baffle) or be internally fitted with walls that increase the folds of the flow upon itself, thus promoting fluid mixing (a configuration known as a herringbone). 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 sides of two opposite ends of the microfluidic chip 22. When the microfluidic chip 22 is disposed inside the portion of the microfluidic chip footprint 19, the two fluid inlets El, E2 are turned downwards towards the ends of the manifold pipes 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 portion of the microfluidic chip footprint 19.

[0062] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, a controller 55 comprises a chassis 56 within 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 human-machine interface 61.

[0063] The controller 55 manages the actuator pressure based on the thermodynamic parameters of the fluids on the one hand and the mixing parameters desired by the user on the other. If the user wishes, the controller 55 can also manage the temperature at which the mixing takes place. The human-machine interface 61 can be in the form of a touchscreen. The human-machine interface 61 can allow the user to easily select the volume-mixing parameters. ratio-flow rate. The human-machine interface 61 facilitates operation with the recording of a history file (log file) of the mixing phases carried out, the storage of reusable mixing parameters (volume-ratio-flow rate), the use of fluids with different thermodynamic parameters, fluids at different temperatures, manifolds with larger or smaller internal tank volumes, microfluidic chips 22 as well as microfluidic circuits 50.1, 50.2 present on chip 22 having different microfluidic characteristics, a function for testing the quality of the pressure source, etc. The controller 55 includes connection fittings 62 for the connecting pipes arranged, for example, on the rear face of said controller 55.

[0064] The following describes the operation of the mixing system according to the invention formed by the mixing module 10 and the controller 55. The operator opens the movable cover 27 to access the fluid tanks 15.1, 15.2. The operator fills the fluid tanks 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 cavity portion 19 on the flat gasket 37 and on a cavity portion formed in the chassis (see [Fig. 3]). A small amount of play can be provided in the cavity portion of the chassis 11 to compensate for any parallelepiped-like imperfections in the microfluidic chips 22. A portion 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, which is removably fixed to the external face 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 ensures a seal between the pneumatic circuit and the microfluidic circuit of the mixing module 10.

[0067] The operator sets the mixing parameters (volume-ratio-flow rate) via the human-machine interface 61. Once the settings 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 flow 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, where the fluids meet and then mix along the mixing channel 53.1 (or 53.2). The resulting fluid mixture 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 different features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various ways insofar as 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 a person skilled in the art may consider within the scope of the present invention, and in particular all combinations of the different modes of operation described above, which may be taken separately or in combination.

Claims

1. Demands A microfluidic mixing module (10) intended for mixing two fluids, characterized in that it comprises: - a chassis (11) delimiting an internal space (12), - a collector (13) disposed 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 open upper end (16.1) to the outside to allow its filling, 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 open upper end (16.2) to the outside to allow its filling, in particular by means of a pipette, and provided with a second connection interface (17.2) to a second pressure source, - a portion of a microfluidic chip footprint (19) having a shape complementary to at least one portion of a microfluidic chip (22), - a microfluidic circuit (23) comprising a first channel (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 portion of the microfluidic chip footprint (19), and a second channel (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 portion of the microfluidic chip footprint (19), and - a movable hood (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 hood (27) so as to compress a first seal (36.1) disposed around the first connection interface (17.1) to the first pressure source, a second seal (36.2) disposed around the second connection interface (17.2) to the second pressure source and a third seal (37) disposed between a face of the portion of the footprint (19) and the microfluidic chip (22) to ensure the sealing of the entire fluidic circuit formed by the first and second pressure sources, the manifold (13) and the microfluidic chip (22) - said portion of the footprint of the microfluidic chip (19) extending horizontally in the upper face of the manifold (13) and is disposed at an altitude higher than that of the microfluidic circuit (23) of the manifold (13).

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

3. Microfluidic mixing module according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable hood (27) is provided with a closing handle (31) mounted rotatably relative to said movable hood (27) about 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 pin (35) fixed on the chassis (11) so as to obtain a lever effect of the closing handle (31) around the locking pin (35).

4. Microfluidic mixing module according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking handle (31) is movable between: - an unlocked position in which the fork (32) is disengaged from the locking pin (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) for positioning a microfluidic chip (22), and - a locked position in which the fork (32) cooperates with the locking pin (35) so as to bring the axis of rotation (XI) of the locking handle closer to the locking pin (35) so as to translate the movable cover (27) vertically downwards against the manifold (13) and crush the first joint (36.1), second joint (36.2) and third joint (37).

5. Microfluidic mixing module according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises holding means (39.1, 39.2) intended to selectively hold the closing handle (31) in locked or unlocked position.

6. Microfluidic mixing module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 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 preserve a horizontal arrangement of the microfluidic chip (22) at the time of opening the movable cover (27).

7. Microfluidic mixing module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a tube holder (44) carrying a tube (45) for collecting a fluid mixture from an outlet of the microfluidic chip (22).

8. Module according to claim 7, characterized in that the tube holder (44) is removably mounted by magnetic attraction on a front (41) of the module so as to be able to easily change a configuration of tube holder (44) to go from one size of tube (45) to another.

9. Microfluidic mixing module according to claim 8, characterized in that the tube holder (44) includes magnets (43) intended to cooperate with magnets (42) arranged on the front (41) of the mixing module.

10. Module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the portion of the microfluidic chip footprint (19) has a cavity (47) intended to receive a chimney (48) from an unused outlet of a microfluidic circuit of the microfluidic chip (22).

11. Module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the portion of microfluidic chip footprint (19) includes a keying means, such as one or more lateral lugs, for positioning the third seal (37).

12. Assembly comprising a microfluidic mixing module (10) defined according to any one of the preceding claims and a microfluidic chip (22) disposed inside the portion of microfluidic chip footprint (19).

13. Assembly according to claim 12, 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 in projection from a face of the microfluidic chip (22), the two microfluidic mixing outlets (S) provided with their chimney (48) and the four fluid inlets being made on the same face of the microfluidic chip (22) corresponding to the lower face when the microfluidic chip (22) is placed on the portion of the microfluidic chip footprint (19).

14. Assembly according to claim 13, 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 with respect to each other, the configurations of the fluid inlets (E1, E2), of the microfluidic mixing outlet (S) are identical by rotation of the chip by 180° around a vertical axis so as to be able to use interchangeably the two microfluidic circuits (50.1, 50.2).

15. Assembly according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a controller (55) including a chassis (56) within 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 human-machine interface (61).

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