System for fluid movement in device whid micro-channel and method for fluid movement in the device whid micro-chnnel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for fluid movement within a microfluidic element and a method for fluid movement within a microfluidic element. The system for fluid movement within a microfluidic element according to the present invention comprises a microfluidic element having a microfluidic channel formed therein through which fluid moves, and a portable manual pump detachably coupled to the outlet of the microfluidic channel to apply negative pressure to the microfluidic channel to move the fluid. The portable manual pump comprises: a cylinder having one end detachably coupled to the outlet of the microfluidic channel; an elastic body disposed inside the cylinder; a plunger that slides inside the cylinder by an external pressing force to compress the elastic body, and slides in the opposite direction inside the cylinder by the elastic force of the compressed elastic body when the external pressing force is removed; a first check valve formed on the end end of the cylinder that closes when the pressure inside the cylinder increases due to the movement of the plunger to block the inflow of air toward the microfluidic channel; and a first check valve that opens when the pressure inside the cylinder increases due to the movement of the plunger to allow air inside the cylinder to It is characterized by including a second check valve that discharges to the outside.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for fluid movement within a microchannel device and a method for fluid movement within a microchannel device. More specifically, the invention relates to a system for fluid movement within a microchannel device and a method for fluid movement within a microchannel device that can precisely control the movement of fluid within the microchannel by combining a portable manual pump at the outlet of the microchannel of the microchannel device and manually generating negative pressure in the microchannel. Background Technology

[0002] When developing portable, compact biosensor systems capable of detecting biomarkers via immune / receptor reactions or molecular diagnostic reactions for use in point-of-care testing, microfluidic devices with internal microchannels are being applied to automate the pretreatment and transport of bio-samples within the system.

[0003] To drive the fluid within a microfluidic device, a separate external driving device, such as a pump, must be connected to the device to generate fluid flow within the device. Figure 1 illustrates a conventional external driving device for generating fluid flow within the device, which includes syringe pumps, pressure pumps, and centrifugal force generating devices through rotation. However, existing methods are large, heavy, and expensive, and require a separate battery or external power source. Consequently, this hinders the miniaturization, weight reduction, and portability of the entire system for field use.

[0004] Conventional pumps, such as syringe pumps and pressure pumps, are widely used to drive microfluidic devices in laboratory-level research and development, but they have problems such as being large, heavy, expensive, and requiring separate batteries or external power sources. In addition, when connecting to microfluidic devices, intermediate elements such as long tubing, traps, and chambers are required, making it difficult to apply them to the development of small, lightweight, and portable field diagnostic systems.

[0005] Centrifugal force generating devices utilizing rotation are still being researched today because they can generate relatively large driving forces. Research is currently being conducted on methods that generate rotation using a motor and an external power source, as well as methods that manually generate rotational force using human power; however, the former method increases the overall system size, while the latter has the disadvantage of making it difficult to precisely control the generated centrifugal force. Furthermore, there is the issue that microfluid elements must be designed separately to suit the aforementioned centrifugal force generating devices.

[0006] Furthermore, although small micropumps utilizing MEMS technology are being developed, there is a problem in that they are not suitable for point-of-care diagnostic biosensor systems due to insufficient flow rate. Prior art literature

[0007] Japanese Published Patent No. 2009-150754 The problem to be solved

[0008] Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to solve such conventional problems by providing a system for fluid movement within a microchannel and a method for fluid movement within a microchannel, which are coupled to the microchannel outlet of the microchannel and generate negative pressure at the outlet portion solely through a human pressing motion without an external power source, thereby generating fluid flow within the microchannel from the inlet to the outlet without backflow, and controlling the amount or speed of fluid movement within the microchannel by adjusting the magnitude of the negative pressure through the control of the pressing depth or number of times.

[0009] The problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0010] The above objective can be achieved by a system for fluid movement within a microflow element according to the present invention, comprising: a microflow element having a microflow channel formed therein through which fluid moves; and a portable manual pump detachably coupled to the outlet of the microflow channel to apply negative pressure to the microflow channel to move the fluid, wherein the portable manual pump comprises: a cylinder having one end detachably coupled to the outlet of the microflow channel; a spring disposed inside the cylinder; a plunger that slides inside the cylinder by an external pressing force to compress the spring, and slides in the opposite direction inside the cylinder by the elastic force of the compressed spring when the external pressing force is removed; a first check valve formed on the end of the cylinder that closes when the pressure inside the cylinder increases due to the movement of the plunger to block the inflow of air toward the microflow channel; and a second check valve that opens when the pressure inside the cylinder increases due to the movement of the plunger to discharge air inside the cylinder to the outside.

[0011] Here, the first check valve and the second check valve may be formed as any one of a silicone pad type check valve, a mushroom type check valve, or a ball type check valve.

[0012] Here, the second check valve can be formed in the plunger.

[0013] Here, the second check valve may be formed on one side of the middle portion of the cylinder.

[0014] Here, a hydrophobic filter may be formed on the outlet side of the microchannel to block liquid from being discharged to the outlet side and to discharge only air to the outlet side, thereby blocking liquid from entering the inside of the portable manual pump.

[0015] Additionally, the above objective is achieved, according to the present invention, by combining a portable manual pump comprising: a cylinder having one end detachably coupled to the outlet of a microchannel formed therein through which fluid moves, a spring disposed inside the cylinder, a plunger that slides inside the cylinder to compress the spring by an external pressing force and slides in the opposite direction inside the cylinder by the elastic force of the compressed spring when the external pressing force is removed, a first check valve formed on the end end of the cylinder that closes to block air from entering toward the microchannel when the pressure inside the cylinder increases due to the movement of the plunger, and a second check valve that opens to discharge air inside the cylinder to the outside when the pressure inside the cylinder increases due to the movement of the plunger; and a step of supplying fluid to the inlet side of the microchannel. This can be achieved by a method for fluid movement within a microchannel element, characterized by comprising: a step of increasing the pressure inside the cylinder when the plunger is pressed and slides within the cylinder, thereby closing the first check valve and opening the second check valve to discharge air inside the cylinder to the outside through the second check valve; and a step of removing the pressure pressing the plunger so that when the plunger slides in the opposite direction within the cylinder due to the elastic force of the spring, the pressure inside the cylinder decreases, thereby opening the first check valve and closing the second check valve to form negative pressure inside the microchannel, thereby causing the fluid supplied to the inlet side of the microchannel to flow along the microchannel to the outlet side.

[0016] Here, the liquid among the fluid flowing in the microchannel is blocked from being discharged to the outlet side, and only air is discharged to the outlet side, thereby blocking the liquid from entering the portable manual pump.

[0017] Here, the amount of fluid movement within the microchannel can be controlled by adjusting the depth or number of times the plunger is pressed. Effects of the invention

[0018] According to the system for fluid movement within a microfluidic device and the method for fluid movement within a microfluidic device of the present invention as described above, there is an advantage in that a small, portable manual pump that does not require an external power source is combined with the microfluidic device, allowing it to be utilized in point-of-care diagnostic biosensor devices, etc.

[0019] In addition, it has the advantage of allowing a certain amount of flow to be generated by the user simply by pressing.

[0020] In addition, there is an advantage in that the magnitude of the negative pressure for driving the fluid within the microfluidic device can be easily controlled by adjusting the depth or number of times the plunger is pressed.

[0021] In addition, by using a hydrophobic filter to block the inflow of liquids other than air into the portable manual pump, there is an advantage in that the portable manual pump can be detachably coupled to a disposable microfluidic element for repeated reuse in the field. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional external driving device for driving fluid within a microfluidic device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a system for fluid movement within a microchannel element according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portable manual pump according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates a variation of Figure 3. FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate examples of check valves that can be used in the portable manual pump of FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the sequence of a fluid movement method within a microfluidic element according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0023] Specific details of the embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0024] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like components.

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings illustrating a system for fluid movement within a microfluidic element and a method for fluid movement within a microfluidic element according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a system for fluid movement within a microfluidic element according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portable manual pump according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 illustrates a modified example of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 to 7 illustrate examples of check valves that can be used in the portable manual pump of FIG. 3.

[0028] A system for fluid movement within a microfluidic element according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a microfluidic element (200) and a portable manual pump (100).

[0029] The microfluidic element (200) may have a microfluidic channel (205) formed therein through which fluid moves. The size of the microfluidic channel (205) may be a nano or micro-sized channel, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0030] The above microfluidic device (200) can be used as a biosensor to detect biomarkers through immune / receptor reactions or molecular diagnostic reactions, and is not limited to this and can be used for various purposes as long as a microfluidic channel (205) is formed inside and fluid is moved through the microfluidic channel (205).

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 2, an inlet reservoir (210) may be formed in the microchannel element (200) to supply fluid flowing through the microchannel (205) at the inlet of the microchannel (205). The fluid supplied to the inlet reservoir (210) flows along the microchannel (205) toward the outlet (220) by negative pressure applied by a portable manual pump (100) described later.

[0032] As illustrated, multiple inlet reservoirs (210) may be formed. Additionally, microchannels (205) connected from multiple inlet reservoirs (210) may intersect and meet to mix multiple fluids. At this time, a mixing chamber for mixing fluids may be formed on the microchannels (205). Furthermore, the shape of the microchannels (205) may be a straight line or a diagonal line as illustrated, but is not limited to the illustrated shape.

[0033] The microchannel element (200) can be formed of a transparent material so that a liquid can flow through the internal microchannel (205) or a color change due to a reaction can be observed, but it is not necessarily limited to this and may vary depending on the use of the microchannel element (200).

[0034] A portable manual pump (100) is detachably coupled to the outlet (220) of the microchannel (205) to manually apply negative pressure to the microchannel (205) and move the fluid supplied to the inlet reservoir (210) along the microchannel (205).

[0035] In the present invention, the microfluidic element (200) can be used as a single-use unit and replaced with a new one after use, and the portable manual pump (100) can be connected to the outlet of the microfluidic element (200) and used repeatedly. That is, the system for fluid movement within the microfluidic element (200) according to the present invention can be easily utilized in the like, a small, portable field diagnostic biosensor device.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a portable manual pump (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a cylinder (110), a plunger (120), a spring (130), a first check valve (140), and a second check valve (150).

[0037] The cylinder (110) may have a cylindrical hollow formed inside, and the lower end of the plunger (120) may slide up and down along the hollow. One end (lower end) of the cylinder (110) may be connected to the outlet (220) of the microfluidic element (200). At this time, when the cylinder (110) is connected to the outlet (220) of the microfluidic element (200), it is preferable that the connection is made in such a way that internal air does not leak out through the connection part.

[0038] An elastic body (130) is placed inside the cylinder (110). The elastic body (130) stores elastic force when compressed, and can return to its original shape by the stored elastic force when the compressive force is removed. As an example of the elastic body, a spring (130) may be used. As illustrated, a step is formed at the bottom of the cylinder (110), and the bottom of the spring (130) can be supported by the step. Additionally, the top of the spring (130) can be supported by the bottom of the plunger (120) described later. Therefore, when the plunger (120) is pressed and the plunger (120) descends, the spring (130) can be compressed, and when the force pressing the plunger (120) is removed, the plunger (120) can rise again as the spring unfolds to its original shape by the elastic force stored in the spring (130).

[0039] The lower part of the plunger (120) is inserted into the hollow of the cylinder (110), and the insertion depth may vary depending on the position of the plunger (120). The upper part of the plunger (120) is formed to protrude from the upper side of the cylinder (110), and the plunger (120) can be forcibly lowered by pressure applied by pressing the upper part with a hand.

[0040] An air discharge passage (125) that penetrates up and down is formed in the plunger (120), and a second check valve (150) described later may be formed inside the plunger (120).

[0041] The first check valve (140) is formed on the lower end (bottom end) of the cylinder (110) and closes when the plunger (120) descends and the pressure inside the cylinder (110) increases, thereby blocking air inside the cylinder (110) from flowing into the microchannel (205) through the outlet (220), and opens when the plunger (120) rises and the pressure inside the cylinder (110) decreases, thereby allowing air to flow into the cylinder (110) through the microchannel (205).

[0042] Additionally, the second check valve (150) opens when the pressure inside the cylinder (110) increases due to the movement of the plunger (120), and discharges the air inside the cylinder (110) to the outside through the air discharge passage (125). As shown in FIG. 3, the second check valve (150) can be formed inside the plunger (120).

[0043] When the upper part of the plunger (120) is pressed with the hand to lower the plunger (120), the pressure inside the cylinder (110) increases, the first check valve (140) closes, and the second check valve (150) opens, so that the air inside the cylinder (110) does not move toward the microfluidic element (200) but only exits to the outside through the air discharge path (125).

[0044] Additionally, when the force pressing the plunger (120) is removed, the plunger (120) rises due to the elastic force of the compressed spring (130), causing negative pressure to be generated inside the cylinder (110), thereby opening the first check valve (140) and closing the second check valve (150). Accordingly, due to the negative pressure, flow can occur from the inlet to the outlet (220) in the microchannel (205) within the microchannel element (200).

[0045] The first check valve (140) and the second check valve (150) are one-way valves that allow fluid to flow in only one direction according to internal pressure changes and block flow in the opposite direction, and known silicone pad type check valves, mushroom type check valves, or ball type check valves may be used.

[0046] In the silicone pad type check valve illustrated in Fig. 5, if the pressure on the left side is higher than the pressure on the right side relative to the disc-shaped silicone pad, the silicone pad is compressed to the right, opening the valve and allowing fluid to flow from left to right. If the pressure on the right side relative to the disc-shaped silicone pad is higher than the pressure on the left side, the silicone pad moves to the left due to the elastic force of the spring, closing the valve and blocking the flow of fluid.

[0047] The mushroom-type check valve shown in Fig. 6 has a rubber diaphragm that changes shape due to the pressure difference between the upper and lower parts to open (left) or close (right) the valve, allowing fluid to flow in only one direction according to the pressure difference between the upper and lower parts of the diaphragm.

[0048] In the ball-type check valve illustrated in Fig. 7, if the pressure on the left side is higher than the pressure on the right side relative to the ball, the ball is compressed to the right, opening the valve and allowing fluid to flow from left to right; conversely, if the pressure on the right side is higher than the pressure on the left side, the ball moves to the left due to the elastic force of the spring, closing the valve and blocking the flow of fluid.

[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates another variation of the portable manual pump of FIG. 3. When explaining the differences compared to FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the second check valve (150) is not formed on the plunger (120) but can be formed on one side of the middle part of the cylinder (110) in communication with the flow path (115) which is open on one side of the middle part of the cylinder (110). As with the previously described embodiment, when the plunger (120) descends and the pressure inside the cylinder (110) increases, the second check valve (150) opens so that air inside the cylinder (110) can be discharged to the outside, and when the plunger (120) rises and the pressure inside the cylinder (110) decreases, the second check valve (150) closes so that air inside the cylinder (110) can be blocked from being discharged to the outside.

[0050] In this way, the system for fluid movement within the microfluidic element (200) according to the present invention generates negative pressure when the plunger (120) is moved upward using the restoring force of the spring (130), and can generate a constant amount of negative pressure (flow) each time regardless of how a person presses it. Furthermore, the magnitude of the negative pressure (flow amount) can be controlled by adjusting the depth or number of times the plunger (120) is pressed. For example, as the depth of pressing the plunger (120) increases, a larger amount of negative pressure is generated, allowing more flow to be moved through the microfluidic channel (205).

[0051] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a hydrophobic filter (250) may be formed on the outlet (220) side of the microchannel (205) of the microchannel element (200). The hydrophobic filter (250) prevents liquid from being discharged to the outlet (220) side when fluid flows from the inlet (210) side to the outlet (220) side, and allows only air to be discharged to the outlet (220) side. That is, the hydrophobic filter (250) prevents liquid from flowing from the microchannel (205) only up to the location where the hydrophobic filter (250) is located and further moving to the outlet (220) side, thereby preventing liquid from entering and contaminating the inside of the cylinder (110) of the portable manual pump (100). Accordingly, the portable manual pump (100) can be replaced and re-mounted on a new microchannel element (200) and reused.

[0052] Hereinafter, a method for fluid movement within a microfluidic element (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the sequence of a fluid movement method within a microfluidic element (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8(a), a portable manual pump (100) with the configuration described above with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 7 is coupled to the microchannel outlet (220) side of a microchannel element (200) in which a microchannel (205) through which fluid moves is formed.

[0055] Next, as shown in Fig. 8(b), a fluid to be flowed through the microchannel (205) is supplied to the inlet (inlet reservoir (210)) side of the microchannel (205).

[0056] Next, as shown in Fig. 8 (c), the upper part of the plunger (120) of the portable manual pump (100) is pressed so that the lower part of the plunger (120) slides downward inside the cylinder (110), thereby increasing the pressure inside the cylinder (110). At this time, the first check valve (140) is closed and the second check valve (150) is opened so that the air inside the cylinder (110) does not move toward the outlet (220) of the microfluidic element (200) but is discharged to the outside through the air discharge path (125). At this time, when the plunger (120) descends, the spring (130) is compressed so that elastic force can be stored.

[0057] Next, as shown in FIG. 8 (d), when the pressure pressing the plunger (120) is removed, the plunger (120) slides upward inside the cylinder (110) due to the elastic force of the compressed spring (130), and at this time, negative pressure (pressure drop) is generated inside the cylinder (110). At this time, the first check valve (140) is opened and the second check valve (150) is closed, so that negative pressure can be generated inside the microchannel (205). Due to the negative pressure, the fluid supplied to the inlet side of the microchannel (205) flows toward the outlet side (220).

[0058] As described above, when fluid flows from the microchannel (205) toward the outlet (220), it is desirable to block the liquid from being discharged toward the outlet (220) and to allow only air to be discharged toward the outlet (220), thereby preventing the liquid from entering the portable manual pump (100). To this end, a hydrophobic filter (250) may be formed on the outlet (220) side of the microchannel (205).

[0059] At this time, the amount of fluid movement within the microchannel (205) can be controlled by adjusting the depth or number of times the plunger (120) is pressed.

[0061] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but may be implemented in various forms of embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. It is deemed that the scope of the claims of the present invention includes various modifications that are possible by anyone with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the invention pertains, without departing from the essence of the invention claimed in the claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0062] 100: Portable manual pump 110: Cylinder 115: Euro 120: Plunger 125: Air exhaust channel 130: Spring 140: First check valve 150: Second check valve 200: Microfluidic device 205: Microeuro 210: Entrance Storage 220: Exit 250: Hydrophobic filter

Claims

Claim 1 A microflow element system comprising: a microflow element having a microflow channel formed therein through which fluid moves; and a portable manual pump detachably coupled to the outlet of the microflow channel to apply negative pressure to the microflow channel to move the fluid, wherein the portable manual pump comprises: a cylinder having one end detachably coupled to the outlet of the microflow channel; an elastic body disposed inside the cylinder; a plunger that slides inside the cylinder by an external pressing force to compress the elastic body, and slides in the opposite direction inside the cylinder by the elastic force of the compressed elastic body when the external pressing force is removed; and a first check valve formed on the end of the cylinder that closes when the pressure inside the cylinder increases due to the movement of the plunger, thereby blocking the inflow of air toward the microflow channel. A system for fluid movement within a microchannel element, characterized by comprising a second check valve that opens to discharge air inside the cylinder to the outside when the pressure inside the cylinder increases due to the movement of the plunger, and when the pressure inside the cylinder decreases due to the movement of the plunger and negative pressure is formed, the first check valve opens and the second check valve closes, thereby allowing air to flow into the cylinder and causing the fluid in the microchannel to move. Claim 2 A system for fluid movement within a microfluidic element, characterized in that, in claim 1, the first check valve and the second check valve are formed as any one of a silicone pad type check valve, a mushroom type check valve, or a ball type check valve. Claim 3 A system for fluid movement within a microfluidic element, characterized in that, in claim 1, the second check valve is formed in the plunger. Claim 4 A system for fluid movement within a microfluidic element, characterized in that, in claim 1, the second check valve is formed on one side of the middle portion of the cylinder. Claim 5 A system for fluid movement within a microchannel element, characterized in that, in claim 1, a hydrophobic filter is formed on the outlet side of the microchannel to block liquid from being discharged to the outlet side and to discharge only air to the outlet side, thereby blocking liquid from flowing into the portable manual pump. Claim 6 A step of coupling a portable manual pump to the outlet side of a microchannel element having a microchannel formed therein through which fluid moves, wherein one end thereof is detachably coupled to the outlet of the microchannel, the cylinder, the elastic body disposed inside the cylinder, a plunger that slides inside the cylinder by an external pressing force to compress the elastic body and slides in the opposite direction inside the cylinder by the elastic force of the compressed elastic body when the external pressing force is removed, a first check valve formed on the end side of the cylinder that closes when the pressure inside the cylinder increases due to the movement of the plunger to block the inflow of air toward the microchannel, and a second check valve that opens when the pressure inside the cylinder increases due to the movement of the plunger to discharge air inside the cylinder to the outside, wherein when the pressure inside the cylinder decreases due to the movement of the plunger and negative pressure is formed, the first check valve opens and the second check valve closes to introduce air into the cylinder; and fluid at the inlet side of the microchannel A method for fluid movement within a microchannel element, characterized by comprising: a step of supplying; a step of increasing the pressure inside the cylinder when the plunger is pressed and slides inside the cylinder, causing the first check valve to close and the second check valve to open, thereby discharging air inside the cylinder to the outside through the second check valve; and a step of removing the pressure pressing the plunger so that when the plunger slides in the opposite direction inside the cylinder due to the elastic force of the elastic body, the pressure inside the cylinder decreases, causing the first check valve to open and the second check valve to close, thereby forming negative pressure inside the microchannel, so that the fluid supplied to the inlet side of the microchannel flows along the microchannel to the outlet side. Claim 7 A method for fluid movement within a microchannel element according to claim 6, characterized in that the liquid among the fluids flowing in the microchannel is blocked from being discharged to the outlet side and only air is discharged to the outlet side, thereby blocking the liquid from entering the inside of the portable manual pump. Claim 8 A method for fluid movement within a microchannel device according to claim 6, characterized by controlling the amount of fluid movement within the microchannel by adjusting the depth or number of times the plunger is pressed.

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