Alignment device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for aligning two fluidic channels, namely microfluidic or millifluidic channels, of two fluidic elements (2, 3), the alignment device (1) comprising a conical junction between the two fluidic elements (2, 3), wherein a first fluidic element (2) comprises an inner wall (4α) for a first fluidic channel and a male conical portion (5), and a second fluidic element (3) comprises an inner wall (4β) for a second fluidic channel and a female conical portion (8) that is capable of being positioned on the male conical portion (5).

Description

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 nesting them or by using an intermediate piece.

[0003] When joining two fluid channels, several defects can appear, namely a sudden change in diameter, the inclination of one element relative to the other or 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 related 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 disrupting 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 fluid 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 axial layer. external fluid, thus avoiding cleanability and residue issues, especially with solutions that are difficult to clean such as viscous solutions like alginate solutions. When these fluids are high value or carry high value items, such as therapeutic cells, minimizing dead volumes also helps minimize the loss of these high value items.

[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 depending on 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] In the field of cell capsule production, a nozzle may be connected to the outlet of a microfluidic device such as a microfluidic chip. According to one embodiment, the arrangement of the various internal channels and paths of the microfluidic chip allows the favorable creation of a coaxial jet at the outlet of the microfluidic chip. At the outlet of the microfluidic chip, the flow is then isotropic along a section plane perpendicular to the main axis of the flow, thus avoiding instabilities. According to this arrangement, it is essential to maintain a coaxial jet at the outlet of the nozzle. The alignment device according to the invention is thus advantageously used to ensure the alignment of the channels between the microfluidic chip and the nozzle, minimizing or even eliminating dead volumes and ensuring the continuity of the coaxial flow.

[0011] More generally, the alignment device according to the invention is advantageously used for the joining of two fluidic elements sensitive to flow disturbances because the invention makes it possible to guarantee the stability of the flow from one fluidic element to the other.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, and by way of non-limiting example, the term "microfluidic device" means any device or combination of devices provided with one or more inlets and one or more outlets connected to each other by a plurality of channels with a cross-section of the order of a hundred micrometers and capable of directing a flow of one or more fluids from the inlet(s) to the outlet(s). The term "millifluidic device" also means any device or combination of devices of devices provided with one or more inlets and one or more outlets connected to each other by a plurality of channels with a section of the order of a millimeter and capable of directing a flow of one or more fluids from the inlet(s) to the outlet(s).

[0013] In one embodiment, the encapsulation system comprises at least one member capable of electrically charging at least one of the solutions with an electrical potential and the encapsulation device comprises a body arranged to form a concentric flow from the solutions supplied by the distributor(s), an external flow of which is the solution capable of gelling and an internal flow of which is the cell solution, and a nozzle connected to the body to receive said concentric flow and forming the outlet of the encapsulation device, the encapsulation device being arranged to form, at the outlet of the nozzle, a concentric jet from the concentric flow so that this jet is broken up into cellular microcompartments.

[0014] In this embodiment, the encapsulation device may be a microfluidic or millifluidic type device capable of generating a concentric jet comprising the cell solution in the center, where appropriate surrounded by the intermediate solution, itself surrounded where appropriate by the solution capable of gelling. The increase in hydrodynamic instabilities in the jet forces the jet to fragment into drops, this effect being known as Plateau-Rayleigh instability. These drops, once the solution capable of gelling has crosslinked, form the cellular microcompartments. Electrically charging at least one of the solutions passing through the encapsulation device makes it possible to improve the breaking of the jet into drops. This technique is notably called "electro-jetting".It should be noted that the relative sizes of the outer layer and the core of the microcompartments can be adjusted by modifying the flow rate ratios of the two solutions at the distributors.

[0015] In the case of electro-jetting, it may be possible to add an electric field generating device, such as a metal ring placed downstream of the outlet of the encapsulation device so that the jet or the cellular microcompartments pass through this ring. If necessary, the electric field generating device may be connected to an electric potential, for example to ground. This electric field helps in particular to promote the dispersion of the cellular microcompartments.

[0016] In another embodiment, the encapsulation system comprises at least one member capable of electrically charging at least one of the solutions with an electrical potential and the encapsulation device comprises a body arranged to form a concentric flow from the solutions supplied by the dispenser(s), an external flow of which is the solution capable of gelling and an internal flow of which is the cell solution, and a nozzle connected to the body to receive said concentric flow and forming the outlet of the encapsulation device, the encapsulation device being arranged to form, directly at the outlet of the nozzle, drops from the concentric flow, which form, once the solution capable of gelling has crosslinked, the cellular microcompartments. The encapsulation device is thus of the “electro-dripping” type, and thus forms the drops one after the other directly from the nozzle, without a jet.

[0017] In yet another embodiment, the encapsulation device comprises a body arranged to form a concentric flow from the solutions supplied by the dispenser(s), an external flow of which is the solution capable of gelling and an internal flow of which is the cell solution, and a nozzle connected to the body to receive said concentric flow and forming the outlet of the encapsulation device, and the encapsulation system also comprises an acoustic wave generator coupled to the nozzle and / or to the body so that the encapsulation device is arranged to form, directly at the outlet of the nozzle, drops from the concentric flow.In this embodiment, the encapsulation device is thus of the “acousto-dripping” type, and forms the drops one after the other directly from the nozzle under the effect of the acoustic waves emitted by the generator, the dimensions of the drops being determined according to the choice of the frequency and amplitude of the acoustic waves.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, the encapsulation device comprises a body arranged to form a concentric flow from the solutions supplied by the dispenser(s), an external flow of which is the solution capable of gelling and an internal flow of which is the cell solution, and a nozzle connected to the body to receive said concentric flow and forming the outlet of the encapsulation device, and the encapsulation system also comprises a vibrating element coupled to the nozzle and / or to the body such that the encapsulation device is arranged to form, at the outlet of the nozzle, a concentric jet from the concentric flow, said jet breaking up into drops. In this embodiment, the encapsulation device is thus of the “vibrating-jetting” type and forms the drops by breaking up the concentric jet thanks to a Plateau-Rayleigh instability induced by the vibrations generated by the vibrating element, the dimensions of the drops being determined depending on the choice of frequency and amplitude of these vibrations. Said vibrating element could for example be a piezoelectric actuator.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, the encapsulation device comprises a body arranged to form a concentric flow from the solutions supplied by the dispenser(s), an external flow of which is the solution capable of gelling and an internal flow of which is the cell solution, and a nozzle connected to the body to receive said concentric flow and forming the outlet of the encapsulation device and the encapsulation system also comprises a cutting element arranged downstream of the outlet of the nozzle, so that the encapsulation device is arranged to form, at the outlet of the nozzle, a concentric jet from the concentric flow, said jet being split by the cutting element. In this embodiment, the encapsulation device is thus of the "jet cutting" type and forms the drops by cutting the concentric jet using the cutting element.The cutting element could, for example, be a rotating blade, the dimensions of the drops being determined according to the rotation speed and the dimensions of the rotating blade.

[0020] In another embodiment, the encapsulation device comprises a body arranged to form a concentric flow from the solutions supplied by the dispenser(s), an external flow of which is the solution capable of gelling and an internal flow of which is the cell solution, and a nozzle connected to the body to receive said concentric flow and forming the outlet of the encapsulation device, and the encapsulation system comprises an electromechanical element coupled to the nozzle, the encapsulation device being arranged to form, directly at the outlet of each nozzle, drops from the concentric flow under the effect of a vibration applied by the electromechanical element. In this embodiment, the encapsulation device is thus of the “inkjet printing” type, and forms the drops one after the other directly from each nozzle.Said electromechanical element could for example be a piezoelectric actuator, the dimensions of the drops being determined according to the choice of the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations applied by this element.

[0021] Regardless of the embodiment envisaged, it may be provided that the encapsulation system comprises a collection tank containing a stiffening solution and arranged to collect the cellular microcompartments formed by the encapsulation device during the priming steps. Where appropriate, the collection tank may be arranged downstream of the encapsulation device to collect the microcompartments. cells formed by the encapsulation device, the stiffening solution being arranged to cause stiffening of the outer layer of each cellular microcompartment when it is immersed in this solution.

[0022] For example, the outlet of the encapsulation device may be arranged above the collection tank, so that the microcompartments fall by gravity into this collection tank. Advantageously, the collection tank and the encapsulation device are arranged at a distance from each other such that the cellular microcompartments formed by the encapsulation device pass through a gaseous volume, in particular air, defined by a closed and sterile enclosure before being collected by the collection tank.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, the encapsulation device comprises a body arranged to form a concentric flow from the solutions supplied by the dispenser(s), an external flow of which is the solution capable of gelling and an internal flow of which is the cell solution, and a nozzle connected to the body to receive said concentric flow and forming the outlet of the encapsulation device, the encapsulation device and the collection tank being arranged such that the nozzle of the encapsulation device is in contact with a collection fluid, such as an oil, contained in a collection tank and / or such that the nozzle of the encapsulation device is immersed in a collection fluid contained in a collection tank, the encapsulation device being arranged to form, directly in the collection fluid, drops or a jet, then breaking into drops, from the concentric flow.The gel-like solution can then be crosslinked, for example via a stiffening solution, to form the cellular microcompartments.

[0024] Regardless of the embodiment considered, it may be provided that the body and / or the nozzle are made of glass. Alternatively, the body and / or the nozzle may be made of polymer or metal. It may be provided that the body and the nozzle form a single piece or that the body and the nozzle are made separately and then assembled to form the encapsulation device.

[0025] Advantageously, the body comprises a first inlet connected to the first distributor to receive the cell solution and at least one second inlet connected to the second distributor to receive the solution capable of gelling, as well as a single outlet connected to the nozzle, the body comprising a main channel comprising a substantially rectilinear portion defining a central axis of the encapsulation device, the main channel connecting the first inlet to the single outlet and at least one secondary channel connecting the second inlet to the single outlet, said secondary channel being subdivided into portions extending around the first channel, said subdivisions of the second channel joining at the single outlet in a single circular portion, concentric with the first channel, said single circular portion and the first channel joining to form the single outlet of the body.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention, the encapsulation device comprises a first body provided with a nozzle, the first body being arranged to form at the outlet of the nozzle a first jet from the cell solution supplied by the first dispenser, this first jet breaking up into drops, and a second body provided with a nozzle, the second body being arranged to form at the outlet of the nozzle a second jet from the solution capable of gelling supplied by the second dispenser, the first and second bodies being arranged so that the drops from the first jet interact with the second jet to form the cellular microcompartments. In this embodiment, the first jet breaks up into drops by a Plateau-Rayleigh instability. These drops encounter the second continuous jet, which then encapsulates these drops, by the Marangoni effect, to form the cellular microcompartments.It will then be possible to provide crosslinking of the outer layer of the microcompartments, formed by the solution capable of gelling, in a gaseous environment, such as in air, for example using ultraviolet radiation.

[0027] It is also possible to provide any combination of the embodiments described above, or even other embodiments of the encapsulation device making it possible to generate cellular microcompartments without departing from the scope of the present invention, and in particular encapsulation devices making it possible to form drops one after the other at the outlet of the encapsulation device and equipped with a means for controlling the ejection of the drops and for controlling the dimensions of the drops during their ejection, encapsulation devices making it possible to form a concentric jet at the outlet of the encapsulation device and equipped with a means for separating the jet, after its outlet from the encapsulation device, into drops, or encapsulation devices making it possible to coat drops or a jet coming from a first device with drops or a jet coming from another device.

[0028] The alignment device according to the invention also makes it possible to do without additional parts or a particular architecture aimed at forcing alignment between the two channels of the two fluidic elements. Indeed, to assemble two elements fluidic elements, it is for example known to make a flat of a first fluidic element coincide with a dedicated housing of a second fluidic element. It is also known to add centering pins to push an alignment of the channels. However, these solutions require special attention when assembling the two fluidic elements with a risk of misalignment always existing and the creation of a step therefore of an obstacle to the flow if the dimensions of the channels or of the housing associated with the different flat risk disturbing the flow. The invention for its part makes it possible to effectively control the assembly process and allows sizing tolerances between the two fluidic elements while guaranteeing a stable flow.

[0029] 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 P defined between the axis of the inner wall and an oblique rim of the second fluidic element, the angle a and the angle P 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],

[0030] The angle values a and P included in the range [20-65] show very interesting results for facilitated manufacturing while ensuring assembly robustness.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the angle a is substantially equal to the angle p. The implementation of substantially identical angles a and P 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 fluid channels. With regard to the diameter of microfluidic or millifluidic channels, the difference in diameters between the first and second fluid channels remains below a ratio of one half.

[0032] According to another embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the first fluid channel Da is substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the second fluid channel DP and the angle a is less than or substantially equal to the angle p. Thus, the implementation of an angle a of the male cone slightly less than the angle p of the female cone makes it possible to guarantee a junction without dead volume between the two fluid channels when their diameters are substantially equal.

[0033] 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 a greater than the angle P, the contact zone at the junction creates a dead volume and therefore a disturbance in the flow.

[0034] According to another embodiment of the invention, the angle a is less than the angle P and the first fluidic element comprises a material of lower rigidity 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 P. It should also be noted that in the case of large differences in rigidity between the two fluidic elements, the second fluidic element may comprise a female cone part with an angle P 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The space e is created in particular by the difference in the values of the angles a and P as well as by the dimensions of the oblique edges of the two fluidic elements.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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 P creates a clearance at the cone-cone junction.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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 sufficient clearance between the two fluidic elements so that the self-centering function can be performed.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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 chemical, such as glue or a resin, ensures the seamless hold of the junction and guarantees the seal between the two fluidic elements.

[0046] For example, the glue spreads better when the spacing g between the two fluidic elements is a few tens of micrometers, a dimension in which surface tension plays a critical role. In addition, the cone-cone structure ensures the absence of glue in the conduit of interest, namely the fluidic channels, which is a key advantage for an industrial process, especially if it is involved in the manufacture of high-demand products such as therapeutic products. In particular, a surface with good compatibility with the glue will allow the glue to be distributed more easily.

[0047] 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 fluidic elements, the compressive force exerted makes it possible to guarantee an effective seal.

[0048] 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.

[0049] According to a characteristic of the invention, the fluid channels comprise a circular section.

[0050] According to another characteristic of the invention, the first fluid channel and / or the second fluid 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 fluid channels of the first and / or the second fluid 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 fluid elements.

[0051] According to a characteristic of the invention, the bases are substantially circular. This embodiment makes it possible to form fluidic elements.

[0052] The invention also relates to a fluidic assembly comprising at least two alignment devices according to the invention capable of connecting different fluidic channels.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] In addition, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description given with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0057] [Fig.l] is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an alignment device according to the invention,

[0058] [Fig.2] is a sectional view of a first fluidic element of an alignment device according to Figure 1,

[0059] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of a second fluidic element of an alignment device according to Figure 1,

[0060] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an alignment device according to the invention,

[0061] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of an example of an alignment device according to the invention,

[0062] [Fig.6] is a sectional view of the alignment device of Figure 5,

[0063] [Fig.7] is a detail of Figure 6,

[0064] [Fig.8] is a sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an alignment device according to the invention, and

[0065] [Fig.9] is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a device for aligning a microfluidic chip and a nozzle according to the invention.

[0066] It should be noted that in these figures the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0067] The invention aims to provide a secure alignment between two fluid channels.

[0068] For these purposes, a device for aligning two fluidic channels designated by the reference 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1, 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.

[0069] A first fluidic element 2 compatible with the invention and visible in figure 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.

[0070] The male cone portion 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°.

[0071] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 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 flow direction of the fluidic channel.

[0072] A second fluidic element 3 compatible with the invention and visible in figure 3 comprises a body comprising an inner wall 4P intended for the passage of a fluidic channel comprising a diameter DP opening onto a female cone part 8. According to this embodiment, the value of the diameter D is 0.6 mm.

[0073] The female cone portion 8 of the second fluidic element 3 is formed by a female oblique rim 9, with an angle P defined between the axis of the inner wall 4P and the oblique rim of the second fluidic element 3. According to this embodiment, the value of the angle P is approximately 38°.

[0074] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the body of the second fluidic element 3 comprises a base 7P extending the female oblique rim 9. The base 7P is substantially perpendicular to the main flow direction of the fluidic channel.

[0075] In Figure 1, the first fluidic element 2 is in contact with the second fluidic element 3 at their respective inner wall 4a, 4P, each of the bases 7a, 7 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.

[0076] Figure 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] A distance d is defined by the distance between the inner wall 4P of the second fluidic element 3 and the outer wall 11 of the second fluidic element 3.

[0079] A distance h is defined by the height of the outer wall 11 of the second fluidic element 3.

[0080] According to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, the diameters Da,DP of the two fluid channels are substantially equal and the angle a is less than or substantially equal to the angle p.

[0081] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the bases 7a, 7P of the two fluidic elements 2, 3 are of dimension five to ten times greater than the space e.

[0082] 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, DP of the two corresponding fluidic channels substantially equal and provided with large bases 7a, 7p.

[0083] 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 P defined between the axis of the inner wall 4P and the oblique rim of the second fluidic element 3. And, the value of the angle P is greater than the value of the angle a.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the diameters Da, DP are 0.65 mm and the bases 7a, 7P are eighty times larger than the value of the space e between the two bases 7a,7p. According to this embodiment, the large size of the bases 7a,7P makes it possible to reduce the risk of inclination of one fluidic element 2,3 relative to the other 2,3.

[0085] Figure 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 DP 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 DP of the second fluidic element 3.

[0086] 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 P defined between the axis of the inner wall 4P and the oblique rim of the second fluidic element 3.

[0087] According to this embodiment, the angle P is approximately 38° and the angle a is approximately 34°. The value of the angle P is greater than the value of the angle a, so there is no dead volume created at the cone-cone junction.

[0088] 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.

[0089] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a junction between a microfluidic chip 2 and a nozzle 3. The microfluidic chip 2 comprises an outlet provided with a male cone portion 5 and a base 7a surrounded by a vertical wall 10. The nozzle 3 comprises a female cone portion 8 and a base 7p. According to this illustrated embodiment, the nozzle 3 is intended to be positioned on the outlet of the microfluidic chip 2.

[0090] According to this embodiment, the coaxial alignment shown in dotted lines is perfectly maintained between the microfluidic chip 2 and the nozzle 3. The variations in the diameters of each of the fluidic channels have no influence on the junction between the two fluidic elements and the flow leaving the microfluidic chip 2 retains its characteristics in the nozzle 3.

[0091] 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 (4P) 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 in which 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 (P) defined between the axis of the inner wall (4P) and a female oblique rim (9) of the second fluidic element (3), the angle (a) and the angle (P) are between 5° and 85°, preferably between 20° and 65°, 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 (P).

4. 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 (DP) and the angle (a) is less than or substantially equal to the angle (P).

5. An alignment device (1) according to claim 2 wherein the angle (a) is less than the angle (P) 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, DP) are less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, preferably less than 0.8 mm and preferably less than 0.65 mm.

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

8. Alignment device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the bases (7a, 7P) 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 (4P) 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 in which the fluid channels comprise a circular section.

17. Alignment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims in which the first fluid channel and / or the second fluid channel comprises a different diameter at a distance from the junction.

18. Alignment device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 17 in which the bases (7a, 7P) are substantially circular.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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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