Device for fluid contacting of fluidic systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for fluid contacting of a fluidic system (30), in particular of a microfluidic chip (30), the device (1) having a connector (10) and a sealing element (20), and the fluidic system (30) having a fluidic channel (31) and an opening (35).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Device for fluid contacting fluidic systems

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The invention relates to a device for fluid contacting fluidic systems, in particular a microfluidic chip, with a connector and a sealing element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fluidic system comprising the device for fluid contacting.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Fluid contacting, i.e., the fluidic connection of (micro)fluidic systems that can replicate the channels and functions of a lab-on-chip, is a necessary task if liquids, such as reagents, are to be supplied to this system. Several boundary conditions often have to be met. This means that the connection must be reversible and detachable in order to be able to connect it to a subsequent system. Furthermore, the fluid contacting must be reliable and fluid-tight, i.e., leak-free. Furthermore, the fluid contacting should be bubble-free, so that no unwanted air and / or gas bubbles enter the system.

[0007] Ensuring that the fluidic connection is free of bubbles and leaks is a challenging task, particularly if the established fluidic connection needs to be temporarily disconnected. This may be necessary if the fluidic system needs to be connected to another hose system or because it needs to be used and / or transported temporarily without external fluid contact. One possible application for this is to examine the system more closely under a microscope and / or to place it in a temperature control chamber. For this purpose, it should be possible to disconnect the connected hose system without fluid escaping and / or gas, such as air, entering the system. Conversely, the system should also be able to be fluidically contacted again.

[0008] A common variant in the prior art is the gluing of a component to the system, which makes the connection difficult to remove and can lead to accidental contact between the adhesive and the liquid. Another weakness of these systems is that reversible removal of the connection is not possible. Prior art attempts have been made to solve the problem of reversible connections by means of a plug-in connection. Another known reversible connection to the system is a screw connection; however, this requires a thread to be integrated into the system, which leads to increased costs due to the more complex manufacturing process.Therefore, a variety of devices for fluid contacting (micro)fluidic systems are already known from the state of the art. These are primarily based on various plug-in and / or screw-in systems, which suffer from the aforementioned disadvantages. A further disadvantage of these plug-in and / or screw-in systems is the difficulty in ensuring the tightness of the connection, which can only be ensured as long as the systems are closed and vented.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] The device and the (micro)fluidic system according to the invention offer a solution for fluid contact, i.e., establishing and releasing a fluidic connection as required, without undesired liquid escaping and / or gas, such as air, penetrating. This is achieved by a plug and a sealing element suitable for detachable and fluidic connection with the plug. Due to its rotatable mounting in an opening of the (micro)fluidic system, the plug can reliably close or open the fluidic channels of the sealing element upon insertion and removal from the sealing element.

[0011] Against the background of the above explanations, the invention therefore proposes a device for fluidly contacting a (micro)fluidic system, in particular a microfluidic chip, such as a lab-on-chip, wherein the device has at least one plug and at least one sealing element. The system has at least one fluidic channel and at least one opening. The plug has an inlet, an outlet, and a contact region. The sealing element has an inlet opening, which is suitable for connection, in particular for a fluid-tight and detachable connection, to the contact region of the plug, as well as at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six, or more, identically or differently configured sealing elements for connection to the (micro)fluidic system and at least one side wall having an outlet opening. The sealing element can be arranged in the region of the opening.The sealing element and the plug can be rotated between an open and a closed position for fluid contact. In the open position, the plug outlet, the sealing element outlet opening, and the fluid channel can be connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner.

[0012] In other words, this means that the device according to the invention consists of at least two different elements, namely the plug and the sealing element which can be arranged in the opening of the microfluidic system and is rotatably mounted therein between an open position and a closed position, which in the open position can establish the connection between the plug and the fluidic channel in the microfluidic system due to the connection of the outlet of the plug, the outlet opening of the sealing element and the fluidic channel to one another.

[0013] The term “(micro)fluidic system” is understandable to a person skilled in the art and refers to a system that accommodates all or part of the functionality of a macroscopic laboratory on a substrate, such as a chip made of glass and / or plastic. The substrate can have different sizes. The microfluidic system can preferably replicate the channels and functions of a lab-on-a-chip and / or be a lab-on-a-chip. The (micro)fluidic system serves to analyze a liquid that is in the region of a device arranged in and / or on and / or on the microfluidic system.provided at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12 or more, identically or differently designed openings are introduced into and / or onto it and are guided to the various reactions and / or analysis chambers by means of at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more, identically or differently designed, fluidic channels. This takes place by means of capillary forces and / or by means of connected pumps, such as, for example, but by no means exclusively, peristaltic pumps, preferably peristaltic peristaltic pumps, syringe pumps, diaphragm pumps, compressed air-controlled systems and / or a mixture thereof.

[0014] The device according to the invention comprises at least two elements, namely a plug and a sealing element that can be arranged in the region of the opening of the fluidic system. The at least one plug has an upper side and a lower side opposite the upper side, wherein the inlet for connection to a hose system is preferably arranged in the region of its upper side and the outlet for dispensing a liquid introduced via the hose system is preferably arranged in the region of its lower side. The device preferably comprises at least two or more plugs of the same or different designs. Furthermore, a contact area for connection, in particular for a fluid-tight, detachable, non-positive and / or positive connection, to an inlet opening of the sealing element, which is suitable for connection to the latter, is preferably arranged in the region of the lower side.In addition to this, the at least one sealing element also has at least one sealing element arranged in the region of the top and / or bottom of the sealing element for connection to the (micro)fluidic system in the region of, on and / or in the opening. It is preferably conceivable that two or more sealing elements of the same or different design and / or that two or more sealing elements of the same or different design are provided. Furthermore, the sealing element has at least one, preferably two, three, four, five or six side walls of the same or different design having an outlet opening. It is conceivable that the sealing element has any desired shape. It is preferably cylindrical. More preferably, the sealing element partially projects beyond the opening and / or is countersunk into the correspondingly designed opening so that it is flush with the (micro)fluidic system.

[0015] According to the invention, the sealing element for fluid contact, i.e. the fluidic connection of (micro)fluidic systems, preferably the fluidic channel, with the liquid contained in the hose system connected to the plug, is connected to the plug and can be rotated together with the plug into the open position. In the open position, the outlet of the plug, the outlet opening of the sealing element and the fluidic channel can be connected or are connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner. In this position, the connection between the plug and the sealing element cannot be released without the application of additional force. Furthermore, the sealing element and the plug can be rotated together from the open position into the closed position, in which the said connection is interrupted and the connection between the plug and the sealing element can be released.The key advantage of the invention lies in the rotatable mounting of the sealing element, so that a connected plug can be removed without the fluid escaping. The plug is rotated together with the sealing element from the open position to the closed position, for example by 90° or -90°, and the sealing element can close the fluidic channel in the (micro)fluidic system with its side wall in a bubble-free, fluid-tight and reliable manner. The plug can now be removed without any problems. When fluid contact is made again, the plug is inserted back into the sealing element and rotated together with it from the closed position to the open position, so that the fluidic channel is open and can be connected to the plug and the attached hose system via the outlet opening of the sealing element and the outlet of the plug.

[0016] Due to the at least two-part structure of the device for fluid contact, it is possible to connect the (micro)fluidic system to a hose system as often as desired in a bubble-free and fluid-tight manner without the undesired introduction of bubbles, such as gas and / or air, into the system.

[0017] Advantageous further developments of the device according to the invention are listed in the subclaims.

[0018] In a further development, it is conceivable that the outlet of the connector and / or the outlet opening of the sealing element is arranged on a side surface of the connector or the sealing element. This particular arrangement, whereby the liquid can be introduced laterally into the fluidic channel, enables a space-saving, efficient, and also bubble-free introduction of the liquid into the fluidic channel. It is preferably conceivable that one or more flow deflections take place in and / or on the connector, particularly in the area of ​​the outlet, which would otherwise only occur on the chip or subsequently.

[0019] In a further development, it is conceivable for the plug to have at least one, preferably two, three, four, five or six identically or differently configured rotating elements, wherein the rotating element is elongated, cylindrical, hexagonal, polygonal and / or designed as a gear. It is preferably conceivable for the rotating element to be arranged centrally or in the region of the upper side of the plug. By means of this configuration, it is possible to provide various embodiments in the region of the upper side of the plug, where a purely mechanical engagement point is located, which is intended to facilitate insertion and in particular joint rotation with the sealing element. For example, it is conceivable for an engagement point for a finger-like, extended rotating element to be located, or for the rotating element to be hexagonal, for example for a wrench, or as a gear that can be operated mechanically.

[0020] Furthermore, it is conceivable for the plug to comprise at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, or six identically or differently configured stop elements, and for the sealing element to have a receptacle for the at least one stop element, wherein the connection between the stop element and the receptacle is a detachable and force-locking and / or positive-locking connection. This configuration offers the advantage that the connection between the plug and the sealing element can be centered, guided, and precisely positioned in the region of the plug's inlet opening. Furthermore, it is possible to adjust and / or control the height or depth of insertion of the plug into the sealing element in this way.The exact position, in particular the height and / or depth of the plug outlet for the liquid in the plug, can be adapted particularly easily to the position of the fluid channel in the (micro)fluidic system in order to generate as few obstacles, resistances and / or dead volumes as possible. Furthermore, it is now possible in this way to adapt the shape and / or design of the plug and the shape and / or design of the sealing element to one another in such a way that bubble formation, i.e. the entry of air and / or gas into a (micro)fluidic system, is reliably avoided, reduced and / or minimized. A person skilled in the art will understand that this can be achieved by the geometric design of the plug outlet and that of the outlet opening of the sealing element, which are coordinated with one another in such a way that bubble formation is avoided, reduced and / or minimized.

[0021] In a further development, it is conceivable for the plug to have a connection area for connecting and / or receiving a hose system and / or a transition area. A person skilled in the art will understand that the connection area for receiving a hose system has corresponding additional elements, such as nubs, grooves, grooves, etc., to increase the connection to the hose system. The hose system can be slipped over from the outside and / or fastened internally. The transition area, which is preferably arranged in the area of ​​the underside of the plug in the area in and / or on the outlet thereof, serves to minimize, prevent and / or avoid the formation of bubbles. The plug and the associated sealing element can be adapted in the area of ​​the outlet or the outlet opening as required.For example, it is conceivable for the sealing element to have a space in the area of ​​the outlet opening that is completely occupied by the transition area when the plug is connected to the sealing element. This prevents the formation of bubbles when inserting the plug into the sealing element. The transition area allows the plug, which is preferably pre-filled with fluid, to come into direct contact with the fluid channel and is then sealed laterally. This is particularly important for repeated fluid contact or repeated insertion of the plug into the sealing element.

[0022] Furthermore, it is conceivable for the sealing element to have an upper sealing element that can be sealingly attached to the top side of the (micro)fluidic system. In this case, the sealing element can have an upper sealing element that sealingly engages the top side of the system. Additionally or alternatively, the sealing element can have a lower sealing element that can be sealingly attached to the bottom side of the (micro)fluidic system. In this case, the sealing element can have a lower sealing element that sealingly engages the bottom side of the system.

[0023] Furthermore, it is preferred that the top and bottom of the sealing element are designed identically, so that the plug can be connected from the top side of the (micro)fluidic system to the top side of the sealing element or from the bottom side of the (micro)fluidic system to the bottom side of the sealing element. In this way, fluid contact and / or repeated connection of the plug is possible from both sides, resulting in increased flexibility when reusing the (micro)fluidic system. The opening of the (micro)fluidic system can also preferably be realized continuously. Within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that the upper and / or lower sealing element of the sealing element protrudes beyond the opening and / or can be countersunk into the correspondingly designed opening.By means of this configuration, it is possible to ensure that the sealing element, in particular the upper and / or lower sealing element, is flush with the (micro)fluidic system. Further preferably, the opening has at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six or more, identically or differently configured contact surfaces for sealingly connecting to the sealing element, wherein the sealing element can be sealingly brought into contact with the contact surface on the upper side and / or the lower side of the (micro)fluidic system. The contact surface can be formed on the upper side and / or the lower side or can be set back from the upper side and / or the lower side to enable countersinking of the sealing element.

[0024] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the sealing element is made of a soft, rubber-like and / or inert material, in particular plastic material.

[0025] In a further development, it is conceivable for the device to have a safety closure. By means of the safety closure, it is possible to reliably prevent the plug from being pulled out of the sealing element as long as the plug is not released and / or the plug and the sealing element are not in the closed position. This reliably prevents fluids from escaping from a (micro)fluidic system that is connectable or connected to it, while additionally preventing contamination of the same and / or the working environment. Furthermore, accidental removal, for example due to the hose system and / or the plug getting caught, can be prevented. Within the scope of the invention, it is therefore possible for the safety closure to be formed integrally with the plug and / or the sealing element or as an additional component.

[0026] The present invention also encompasses a fluidic system comprising, as described in detail elsewhere, a device for fluid contact, wherein the sealing element is arranged in the region of an opening of the fluidic system.

[0027] In a further development, it is conceivable that the (micro)fluidic system has a venting channel, wherein the plug and the sealing element can be rotated into the venting position. In order to enable venting of the system, a venting channel is conceivable in a further open position, i.e. the venting position, which prevents the penetration of tiny air and / or gas bubbles into the system. Various embodiments are conceivable here. It is conceivable that the fluidic channel in the (micro)fluidic system is extended or, alternatively, a reservoir is integrated into it. If, after contacting the (micro)fluidic system, i.e.By inserting the plug into the sealing element and then turning them together to the venting position, a small portion of the fluid introduced via the hose system connected to the plug is introduced into this venting channel, enabling bubble-free fluid contact even without pre-filling the plug. By rotating the plug again from the venting position to the open position for fluid contact, i.e., in conjunction with the fluidic channel, the venting channel is closed, enabling bubble-free use of the (micro)fluidic system.

[0028] It is assumed that the definitions and embodiments of the above terms apply to all aspects described in this description and the aspects described herein, unless otherwise stated. Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawings.

[0029] Short description of the drawings

[0030] Fig. 1 shows an isometric view (Fig. 1a) and two side views (Fig. 1b, Fig. 1c) of a plug according to the invention;

[0031] Fig. 2 shows isometric views (Fig. 2a to Fig. 2d) of a plug according to the invention;

[0032] Fig. 3 shows an isometric view (Fig. 3a), a side view (Fig. 3b) and a top view (Fig. 3c) of a sealing element according to the invention;

[0033] Fig. 4 shows a device according to the invention comprising a plug and a sealing element;

[0034] Fig. 5 shows a fluid contacting of a microfluidic system using a device according to the invention;

[0035] Fig. 6 shows an option for venting a microfluidic system using a device according to the invention and

[0036] Fig. 7 is a side view of a sealing element according to the invention arranged in the opening of the fluidic system.

[0037] Embodiments of the invention

[0038] Identical components and elements with the same function are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0039] Fig. 1a shows an isometric view and Fig. 1b and 1c show a side view of a plug 10 according to the invention. It can be seen that the plug 10 has an inlet 11 on the top, which represents the transition to a hose system (not shown but connectable). The connection area 13 for a hose system is arranged directly below the inlet 11 and can be designed such that the hose system is slipped over from the outside and / or the hose system is fastened internally. It can also be seen that a rotating element 14 is arranged as a mechanical engagement point for rotating the plug 10 while taking along the sealing element (not shown). In Figs. 1a to 1c, the rotating element 14 is hexagonal for operation with a wrench or similar instrument. The rotating element 14 is arranged centrally up to the area of ​​the top of the plug 10.Also arranged centrally and extending into the underside of the plug 10 are two identically designed stop elements 15, which assist in insertion into the sealing element (not shown), and simultaneously act as an adjustment and / or driving element to ensure that the plug 10 and the sealing element are correctly aligned with one another, and which contributes to the transmission of the forces generated when the plug 10 and the sealing element are rotated. In this way, a reliable, fluid-tight, and detachable connection is realized. Visible in the underside is the contact area 16 of the plug 10 with the outlet 12 and transition area 17 arranged thereon to prevent bubble formation during repeated fluid contact.

[0040] Fig. 2a to Fig. 2d show isometric representations of plugs according to the invention which, as already described in Fig. 1a to Fig. 1c, have an inlet 11, a connection area 13, two stop elements 15 and a contact area 16 with outlet 12. In Fig. 2b, a transition area 17 can also be seen in the area of ​​the contact area 16. The plugs 10 in Fig. 2a to Fig. 2c differ from that in Fig. 1a to Fig. 1c in the design of the rotating element 14, which can be hexagonal for operation with a wrench (Fig. 2a) and (Fig. 2b), as a gear (Fig. 2c) or elongated as two identical fingers (Fig. 2d).

[0041] Fig. 3a shows an isometric view, Fig. 3b a side view and Fig. 3c a view from above of the sealing element 20 according to the invention. In Fig. 3 to Fig. 3c it can be seen that the sealing element 20 has an upper sealing element 23 and a lower sealing element 24, which in the present case are designed differently. However, it is also conceivable that the upper sealing element 23 and lower sealing element 24 are designed identically. The upper sealing element 23 is arranged in the region of the upper side of the sealing element 20 and the lower sealing element 24 in the region of the underside of the sealing element 20. It can also be seen that the sealing element 20 has a centrally arranged inlet opening 21 for the connection to the plug (not shown).To improve the connection, two receptacles 26 for the stop element of the plug can be seen on the side of the inlet opening 21, which serve for the insertion and adjustment of the same in the sealing element 20 and as an engagement point for the rotating element of the plug (not shown).

[0042] Fig. 4 shows a plug 10 connected to the sealing element 20, which has the features shown in Figs. 3a to 3c and has the features shown in Figs. 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d. It can be seen that the two stop elements 15 are fully received in the receptacle 26 of the sealing element 20.

[0043] Figs. 5a to 5d show a (micro)fluidic system 30 with a top side 33 and a bottom side 34, which has a through opening 35. An upper sealing element 23 arranged on the top side 33 and a lower sealing element 24 arranged on the bottom side 34 are arranged in the opening 35. The upper and lower sealing elements 23, 24 are sealingly connected to the top side 33 and bottom side 34 of the (micro)fluidic system 30, respectively. Furthermore, the microfluidic system 30 has a fluidic channel 31. In Fig. 5a, it is clearly visible that the sealing element 20 is in the open position 27. In Fig. 5b, a plug 10 according to the invention, as shown in Figs. 1a to 1c and 2a to 2d, is fluid-tightly and releasably connected to the sealing element 20. Both are in the open position 27, in which the connection between the plug 10 and the fluidic channel 31, i.e., the fluid contact, is established.In this position, the connection between plug and sealing element cannot be released without the application of additional force. In Fig. 5c, an arrow indicates that the rotatably mounted sealing element 20 is rotated in the opening 35 together with the plug 10 in such a way that both are rotated into the closed position 28 via the point of engagement on the rotating element of the plug 10. It is conceivable that the plug 10 is rotated together with the sealing element 20 by 90° or by -90°. In the closed position 28, the connection between the fluidic channel 31 and the plug 10 is interrupted. In the closed position 28, the device 1 completely seals the fluidic channel 31. As shown in Fig. 5d, the plug 10 can be removed in the closed position 28.

[0044] 6a and 6b show a (micro)fluidic system (30) with an additional venting channel 32 comprising the device 1 according to the invention. It can be seen that the (micro)fluidic system 30 has a fluidic channel 31 and a venting channel 32 on the top side 33. In an opening not shown, the rotatably mounted sealing element 20 is fluid-tightly and detachably connected to the plug 10. In Fig. 6a it can be seen that the plug 10 and the sealing element 20 are in an open position. An arrow shows that first, in particular when (re-)connecting an already filled fluid channel, the liquid is metered from the plug 10 into the venting channel 32, so that then, as in Fig.6b, after turning the plug 10 with the sealing element 20 into an open position with the fluidic channel 31, the liquid can be dosed into the fluidic channel 31 without bubble formation.

[0045] Fig. 7 shows a side view of a (micro)fluidic system 30 with a top side 33 and a bottom side 34, which has two through openings 35a and 35b. It can be clearly seen that an upper sealing element 23 of a sealing element 20, arranged flush with the top side 33, and a lower sealing element 24 of the same, arranged flush with the bottom side 34, are arranged in the left opening 35a. Both of these elements are recessed into the (micro)fluidic system 30 and each sealingly engages the (micro)fluidic system 30 on a contact surface 36 set back from the top side 33 and the bottom side 34. It can also be seen that an upper sealing element 23 of the sealing element 20 is arranged in the right-hand opening 35b, which sealing element 23 projects beyond the upper side 33 of the (micro)fluidic system 30 and comes into sealing contact with the contact surface 36 formed on the upper side 33.The lower sealing element 24 is, as previously described, recessed into the (micro)fluidic system 30 and arranged flush with the underside 34.

Claims

Claims 1. A device (1) for fluid contacting a fluidic system (30), in particular a microfluidic chip (30), with a fluidic channel (31) and an opening (35), wherein the device (1) comprises a plug (10) and a sealing element (20), characterized in that the plug (10) has an inlet (11), an outlet (12), and a contact area (16), that the sealing element (20) has an inlet opening (21) which is suitable for connection, in particular for fluid-tight and detachable connection, to the contact area (16) of the plug (10), at least one sealing element (23, 24) for connection to the fluidic system (30), and at least one side wall (25) having an outlet opening (22), wherein the sealing element (20) can be arranged in the area of the opening (35),wherein the sealing element (20) and the plug (10) are rotatable for fluid contact between an open position (27) and a closed position (28), and wherein in the open position (27) the outlet (12) of the plug (10), the outlet opening (22) of the sealing element (20) and the fluidic channel (31) are fluid-tightly connectable to one another.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet (12) of the plug (10) and / or the outlet opening (22) of the sealing element (20) is arranged on a side surface.

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (10) has a rotary element (14), wherein the rotary element (14) is elongated, cylindrical, hexagonal, polygonal or designed as a gear.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (10) has a stop element (15) and the sealing element (20) has a receptacle (26) for the stop element (15), wherein the The connection between the stop element (15) and the receptacle (26) is a detachable and force-locking and / or form-locking connection.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (10) has a connection area (13) and / or a transition area (17).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (20) has an upper sealing element (23) which can be sealingly attached to the upper side (33) of the fluidic system (30) and / or a lower sealing element (24) which can be sealingly attached to the lower side (34) of the fluidic system (30).

7. Device (1) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (20) is made of a soft, rubber-like and / or inert material.

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has a safety closure. 9 Fluidic system (30) comprising the device (1) for fluid contacting according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (20) is arranged in the region of an opening (35) of the fluidic system (30).

10. Fluidic system (30) according to claim 9, characterized in that the fluidic system (30) has a venting channel (32).

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