Alignment device

Abstract

The invention relates to an alignment device (1) for two fluidic channels, namely microfluidic or millifluidic, of two fluidic elements (2, 3) and the alignment device (1) comprising a conical junction between the two fluidic elements (2, 3), with a first fluidic element (2) comprising an inner wall (4α) for a first fluidic channel and a male cone part (5) and a second fluidic element (3) comprising an inner wall (4β) for a second fluidic channel and a female cone part (8) capable of being positioned on the male cone part (5).Figure for abstract: Fig.1

Description

Title of the invention: Alignment device

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices for aligning two fluid channels.

[0002] In the above field, it is known to assemble fluidic elements comprising microfluidic or millifluidic channels by fitting them together or by using an intermediate part.

[0003] When joining two fluid channels, several defects can appear, namely a change in diameter, the inclination of one element relative to the other or even the creation of dead volumes at the connection between the two fluid channels. These assembly defects can have a dramatic impact on the functionality of the channels by disrupting the flows, increasing the risks of leakage, accumulation of material, as well as contamination or clogging of the channels during possible bonding steps.

[0004] It is therefore necessary to minimize the risks relating to poor assembly.

[0005] The invention then relates to a device for aligning two fluidic channels, namely microfluidic or millifluidic, of two fluidic elements and the alignment device comprising a conical junction between the two fluidic elements.

[0006] Thus the alignment device according to the invention makes it possible to join two fluid channels without creating a dead volume and without the risk of disturbing the flow and without the risk of clogging the elements with glue.

[0007] Such a conical junction according to the invention makes it possible to ensure good coaxiality of the two fluid channels.

[0008] The alignment device according to the invention is particularly useful for certain natures and types of fluid circulating in the fluidic channels. For a structured fluid comprising different layers of miscible fluids, in particular coaxial ones, it is thus essential to avoid, at the conical junction, any disturbance of the laminar layers which could lead to a mixing of these or create inhomogeneities in the distribution of the layers. This is all the more crucial for free jets which are sensitive to any upstream disturbance. In addition, by limiting the dead volumes as much as possible, this makes it possible to avoid an accumulation of the elements of the outer axial layer of the fluid, thus avoiding problems of cleanability and residues, in particular with solutions which are difficult to clean such as viscous solutions like alginate solutions.When these fluids are of high value or transport high-value elements, such as therapeutic cells, minimizing dead volumes also helps minimize the loss of these high-value elements.

[0009] According to the invention, a first fluidic element comprising an inner wall forming a fluidic channel and a male cone portion and a second fluidic element comprising an inner wall forming a fluidic channel and a female cone portion capable of being positioned on the male cone portion. The alignment device according to the invention allows the creation of an ellipse or a contact circle or even a contact surface between the two fluidic elements according to their rigidity and the angles and the male cone and female cone cooperation allows an effective junction between the two fluidic elements by minimizing dead volumes and limiting obstacles on the fluidic path and coaxiality defects.

[0010] According to a characteristic of the invention, the male cone part comprises an angle a defined between the inner wall and an oblique rim of the first fluidic element and the female cone part comprises an angle [3 defined between the axis of the inner wall and an oblique rim of the second fluidic element, the angle a and the angle [3 are between 5° and 85°, preferably between 20° and 60°, preferably between 34° and 46°. After numerous experiments, the angle values in the range [20-60] show very interesting results for sealing and minimizing dead volumes and extremely convincing results significantly in the range [34,46].

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the angle α is substantially equal to the angle [3. The implementation of substantially identical angles α and [3 makes it possible to design an effective alignment device, i.e. without creating a dead volume at the junction, whatever the difference in diameter between the two fluidic channels. With regard to the diameter of microfluidic or millifluidic channels, the difference in diameters between the first and second fluidic channels remains below a ratio of one half.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the first fluidic channel Da is substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the second fluidic channel D[3 and the angle a is less than or substantially equal to the angle [3. Thus, the implementation of an angle a of the male cone slightly less than the angle [3 of the female cone makes it possible to guarantee a junction without dead volume between the two fluidic channels when their diameters are substantially equal.

[0013] These two particular embodiments make it possible to ensure that there will be no dead volume at the cone-cone junction of the alignment device according to the invention. Indeed, with an angle α greater than the angle [3, the contact zone at the junction creates a dead volume and therefore a disturbance in the flow.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the angle α is less than the angle [3 and the first fluidic element comprises a material of a rigidity less than the second fluidic element. Designing the first fluidic element with a deformable material makes it possible to enlarge the contact area between the two fluidic elements at the cone-cone junction and thus to crush the dead volume area induced by a larger angle [3. It should also be noted that in the case of large differences in rigidity between the two fluidic elements, the second fluidic element may include a female cone part with an angle [3 larger than the angle a of the male cone part of the first fluidic element, the difference in rigidity in fact makes it possible to eliminate the dead volume by crushing the material after assembly of the two fluidic elements.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the diameters of the two inner walls are less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, preferably less than 0.8 mm and even more preferably less than 0.65 mm. Numerous tests carried out with different diameter values have shown increasingly significant results for these diameter values.

[0016] According to a characteristic of the invention, the alignment device comprises a space e between the base of the second fluidic element and the base of the first fluidic element, a base being defined as the extension of the oblique edge of a fluidic element substantially perpendicular to the main direction of flow of the fluidic channels.

[0017] The space e is created in particular by the difference in the values of the angles a and [3 as well as by the dimensions of the oblique edges of the two fluidic elements.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the bases of the two fluidic elements are five times larger than the space e, preferably ten times larger, preferably one hundred times larger, preferably five hundred times larger.

[0019] The implementation of large diameter bases on each side of the cone-cone connection advantageously makes it possible to limit the inclination of one fluidic element relative to the other when the difference in angle a and [3 creates a clearance at the cone-cone junction.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first fluidic element comprises a vertical wall forming a structure capable of housing the second fluidic element with a distance g defined between the vertical wall of the first fluidic element and the outer wall of the second fluidic element, a distance d defined by the distance between the inner wall and the outer wall of the second fluidic element and a distance h defined by the height of the outer wall of the second fluidic element.

[0021] In some embodiments where the diameter of a base cannot be enlarged, the design of a fluidic element comprising vertical walls also makes it possible to limit the inclination of one fluidic element relative to the other while ensuring enough clearance between the two fluidic elements so that the self-centering function can be performed.

[0022] According to a characteristic of the invention, the distance d is ten times greater than the distance g, preferably one hundred times greater, preferably one thousand times greater. The greater the external diameter of the second fluidic element compared to the diameter of the walls of the first fluidic element which contains it, the less risk there will be of inclination of the first fluidic element compared to the second fluidic element.

[0023] According to another characteristic of the invention, the distance d is five times greater than the distance h, preferably ten times greater, preferably one hundred times greater, preferably one thousand times greater. The greater the external diameter of the second fluidic element in relation to its height, the less risk there will be of inclination of the first fluidic element in relation to the second fluidic element.

[0024] According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the distance d is ten times greater than the distances g and h, preferably one hundred times greater, preferably one thousand times greater. The greater the external diameter of the second fluidic element in relation to its height and in relation to the diameter of the walls of the first fluidic element which contains it, the less risk there will be of inclination of the first fluidic element in relation to the second fluidic element.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the alignment device further comprises a mechanical or chemical position holding means. The implementation of a mechanical position holding means, such as a clip or a screw thread or another means external to the alignment device, or a chemical means, such as a glue or a resin, makes it possible to ensure the flawless holding of the junction and to guarantee the seal between the two fluidic elements.

[0026] For example, the glue spreads all the better when the spacing g between the two fluidic elements is a few tens of micrometers, a dimension at which the surface tension plays a critical role. In addition, the cone-cone structure makes it possible to guarantee the absence of glue in the conduit of interest, namely the fluidic channels, which is a key advantage for an industrial process, all the more so if it is involved in the manufacture of high-demand products such as therapeutic products. In particular, a surface having good compatibility with the glue will allow the glue to be distributed more easily.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the invention, the two fluidic elements are composed of materials each comprising a different rigidity capable of deforming. The capacity to deform makes it possible to obtain a certain crushing of one fluidic element in the other. Depending on the difference in rigidity between the two elements fluidic, the compressive force exerted makes it possible to guarantee an effective seal.

[0028] According to a characteristic of the invention, the materials of the first and second fluidic elements are biocompatible. Thus this biocompatibility allows the use of various products for flow in the fluidic channels.

[0029] According to a characteristic of the invention, the fluid channels comprise a circular section.

[0030] According to another characteristic of the invention, the first fluidic channel and / or the second fluidic channel comprises a different diameter at a distance from the junction. The channels have substantially the same diameter only at the junction. According to certain embodiments, the fluidic channels of the first and / or the second fluidic element enlarge or narrow at a certain distance from the junction so that the change in diameter does not affect the good performance of the junction between the two fluidic elements.

[0031] According to a characteristic of the invention, the bases are substantially circular. This embodiment makes it possible to form fluidic elements

[0032] The invention also relates to a fluidic assembly comprising at least two alignment devices according to the invention capable of connecting different fluidic channels.

[0033] And, the invention relates to a use of an alignment device according to the invention for the flow of a coaxial fluid, in particular biocompatible and comprising cells. Indeed, the invention is particularly interesting for preserving a structured laminar flow comprising different coaxial layers in free jet at the outlet of the fluidic device.

[0034] According to a characteristic of the invention, the use of an alignment device according to the invention is for the production of therapy, in particular cellular therapy.

[0035] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0036] Furthermore, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description given with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting forms of embodiment of the invention and where:

[0037] [Fig. 1] is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an alignment device according to the invention,

[0038] [Fig.2] is a sectional view of a first fluidic element of a device alignment according to [Fig.l],

[0039] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of a second fluidic element of a device alignment according to [Fig.l],

[0040] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a device alignment according to the invention,

[0041] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of an example of an alignment device according to the invention,

[0042] [Fig.6] is a sectional view of the alignment device of [Fig.5],

[0043] [Fig.7] is a detail of [Fig.6], and

[0044] [Fig.8] is a sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an alignment device according to the invention.

[0045] It should be noted that in these figures the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0046] The invention aims to propose a secure alignment between two fluid channels.

[0047] For these purposes, a device for aligning two fluidic channels designated by the reference 1 as illustrated in [Fig.l], comprises a first fluidic element 2 and a second fluidic element 3, the first fluidic element 2 and the second fluidic element 3 comprising a conical junction.

[0048] A first fluidic element 2 compatible with the invention and visible in [Fig.2] comprises a body having an inner wall 4a intended for the passage of the fluidic channel comprising a diameter Da opening onto a male cone part 5. According to this embodiment, the value of the diameter Da is 0.6 mm.

[0049] The male cone part 5 of the first fluidic element 2 is formed by a male oblique rim 6, with an angle a defined between the inner wall 4a and the male oblique rim 6 of the first fluidic element 2. According to this embodiment, the value of the angle a is approximately 34°.

[0050] According to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2], the body of the first fluidic element 2 also comprises a base 7a extending the male oblique rim 6. The base 7a is substantially perpendicular to the main direction of flow of the fluidic channel.

[0051] A second fluidic element 3 compatible with the invention and visible in [Fig. 3] comprises a body comprising an inner wall 4[3 intended for the passage of a fluidic channel comprising a diameter D[3 opening onto a female cone part 8. According to this embodiment, the value of the diameter D[3 is 0.6 mm.

[0052] The female cone part 8 of the second fluidic element 3 is formed by a female oblique rim 9, with an angle [3 defined between the axis of the inner wall 4[3 and the oblique rim of the second fluidic element 3. According to this embodiment, the value of the angle [3 is approximately 38°.

[0053] According to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the body of the second fluidic element 3 comprises a base 7[3 in extension of the female oblique rim 9. The base 7 [3 is substantially perpendicular to the main direction of flow of the fluidic channel.

[0054] In [Fig. 1], the first fluidic element 2 is in contact with the second fluidic element 3 at their respective inner wall 4a,4[3, each of the bases 7a,7[3 of the first 2 and of the second fluidic element 3 being opposite each other. A space e corresponds to the distance between said two bases 7a,7[3.

[0055] [Fig. 4] illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the invention in which the first fluidic element 2 comprises a vertical wall 10 forming a structure capable of housing the second fluidic element 3. According to this exemplary embodiment, the first fluidic element 2 comprises a vertical wall 10 extending from its base 7a and substantially perpendicular to its base 7a, the vertical wall 10 being opposite an outer wall 11 of the second fluidic element 3. The first fluidic element 2 also comprises a peripheral wall 12 external to the inner wall 4a.

[0056] A distance g is defined between the vertical wall 10 of the first fluidic element 2 and the outer wall 11 of the second fluidic element 3.

[0057] A distance d is defined by the distance between the inner wall 4[3 of the second fluidic element 3 and the outer wall 11 of the second fluidic element 3.

[0058] A distance h is defined by the height of the outer wall 11 of the second fluidic element 3.

[0059] According to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, the diameters Da,D[3 of the two fluid channels are substantially equal and the angle a is less than or substantially equal to the angle [3.

[0060] According to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], the bases 7a,7[3 of the two fluidic elements 2,3 are of dimension five to ten times greater than the space e.

[0061] Figures 5 to 7 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an alignment device 1 according to the invention which comprises two fluidic elements 2,3 with diameters Da,D[3 of the two corresponding fluidic channels substantially equal and provided with large bases 7a,7 [3.

[0062] The first fluidic element 2 comprises a male oblique rim 6, with an angle a defined between the inner wall 4a and the male oblique rim 6 of the first fluidic element 2. The second fluidic element 3 comprises a female oblique rim 9, with an angle [3 defined between the axis of the inner wall 4[3 and the oblique rim of the second fluidic element 3. And, the value of the angle [3 is greater than the value of the angle a.

[0063] According to this embodiment, the diameters Da,D[3 are equal to 0.65mm and the bases 7a,7[3 are eighty times larger than the value of the space e between the two bases 7a,7[3. According to this embodiment, the large size of the bases 7a,7[3 makes it possible to reduce the risk of inclination of one fluidic element 2,3 relative to the other 2,3.

[0064] [Fig. 8] illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an alignment device 1 according to the invention. According to this embodiment, the diameter Da of the first fluidic element 2 is approximately 0.65 mm and the diameter D[3 of the second fluidic element 3 is approximately 0.6 mm. The value of the diameter Da of the first fluidic element 2 is therefore greater than the value of the diameter D[3 of the second fluidic element 3.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the first fluidic element 2 comprises a male oblique rim 6, with an angle a defined between the inner wall 4a and the male oblique rim 6 of the first fluidic element 2. The second fluidic element 3 comprises a female oblique rim 9, with an angle [3 defined between the axis of the inner wall 4[3 and the oblique rim of the second fluidic element 3.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the angle [3 is approximately 38° and the angle a is approximately 34°. The value of the angle [3 is greater than the value of the angle a, so there is no dead volume created at the cone-cone junction.

[0067] An alignment device 1 according to the invention is particularly useful for joining two fluidic elements 2, 3 sensitive to flow disturbances. For example, the alignment device 1 is advantageously used for joining a microfluidic chip and a nozzle for the production of cell capsules.

[0068] Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Alignment device (1) of two fluidic channels, namely microfluidic or millifluidic, of two fluidic elements (2,3) and the alignment device (1) comprising a conical junction between the two fluidic elements (2,3), with a first fluidic element (2) comprising an inner wall (4a) for a first fluidic channel and a male cone part (5) and a second fluidic element (3) comprising an inner wall (4[3) for a second fluidic channel and a female cone part (8) capable of being positioned on the male cone part (5).

2. Alignment device (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the male cone part (5) comprises an angle (a) defined between the inner wall (4a) and a male oblique rim (6) of the first fluidic element (2) and the female cone part (8) comprises an angle (|3) defined between the axis of the inner wall (4[3) and a female oblique rim (9) of the second fluidic element (3), the angle (a) and the angle (|3) are between 5° and 85°, preferably between 20° and 60°, preferably between 34° and 46°.

3. Alignment device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the angle (a) is substantially equal to the angle (|3).

4. An alignment device (1) according to claim 2 wherein the diameter of the first fluid channel (Da) is substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the second fluid channel (D[3) and the angle (a) is less than or substantially equal to the angle (|3).

5. An alignment device (1) according to claim 2 wherein the angle (a) is less than the angle (|3) and the first fluidic element (2) comprises a material of lower rigidity than the second fluidic element (3).

6. Alignment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims in which the diameters of the fluid channels (Da,D[3) are less than 10mm, preferably less than 5mm, preferably less than 0.8mm and preferably less than 0.65mm.

7. Alignment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims in which the two fluidic elements (2, 3) each comprise a base (7a, 7[3) and a space (e) between the base (7[3) of the second fluidic element (3) and the base (7a) of the first fluidic element (2), a base (7a, 7[3) being defined as the extension of the male oblique rim (6) or female (9) of a fluidic element (2,3) substantially perpendicular to the main direction of flow of the fluidic channels.

8. Alignment device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the bases (7a, 7[3) of the two fluidic elements (2, 3) are of dimension five times greater than the space (e), preferably ten times greater, preferably one hundred times greater, preferably five hundred times greater.

9. Alignment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims wherein the first fluidic element (2) comprises a vertical wall (10) forming a structure capable of housing the second fluidic element (3) with a distance (g) defined between the vertical wall (10) of the first fluidic element (2) and an outer wall (11) of the second fluidic element (3), a distance (d) defined by the distance between the inner wall (4[3) and the outer wall (11) of the second fluidic element (3) and a distance (h) defined by the height of the outer wall (11) of the second fluidic element (3).

10. Alignment device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the distance (d) is ten times greater than the distance (g), preferably one hundred times greater, preferably one thousand times greater.

11. Alignment device (1) according to one of claims 9 or 10 in which the distance (d) is five times greater than the distance (h), preferably ten times greater, preferably one hundred times greater, preferably one thousand times greater.

12. Alignment device (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10 in which the distance (d) is ten times greater than the distances (g) and (h), preferably one hundred times greater, preferably one thousand times greater.

13. Alignment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims further comprising a mechanical or chemical position holding means.

14. Alignment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims in which the two fluidic elements (2, 3) are composed of materials each comprising a different rigidity capable of deforming.

15. Alignment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims wherein the materials of the first (2) and the second fluidic element (3) are biocompatible.

16. Alignment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims

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21. wherein the fluid channels comprise a circular section. Alignment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims wherein the first fluid channel and / or the second fluid channel comprises a different diameter away from the junction. Alignment device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 17 in which the bases (7a, 7[3) are substantially circular. Fluidic assembly comprising at least two alignment devices (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the alignment devices (1) being capable of connecting different fluidic channels. Use of an alignment device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17 for the flow of a coaxial fluid, in particular biocompatible and comprising cells. Use of an alignment device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17 for the production of therapy, in particular cell therapy.

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