KR102564002B1 - Microfluidic system and microfluidic control method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a microfluidic control system and a microfluidic control method using the same, comprising: a microfluidic chip including a storage chamber for storing a reaction solution and a receiving chamber communicating with the storage chamber; and a microfluidic control device for controlling a reaction solution in the microfluidic chip, wherein the microfluidic control device includes: a first roller that contacts the microfluidic chip and rotates along with the movement of the microfluidic chip; and a pressure protrusion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first roller, wherein the pressure protrusion has a shape corresponding to that of the storage chamber.

Description

Microfluidic control system and microfluidic control method using the same {Microfluidic system and microfluidic control method using the same}

The present invention relates to a microfluidic control system and a microfluidic control method using the same, and more particularly, to a microfluidic control system capable of precisely transferring a reaction solution and a microfluidic control method using the same.

Biochips are being developed for easily and quickly diagnosing and analyzing biological samples. These biochips include a method in which only biological samples are injected and a method in which various reaction solutions are sequentially introduced. The former has the advantage of being a simple form, but cannot be applied to diagnostic analysis that requires complex biochemical reactions. The latter is capable of complex reactions and has the advantage of being able to apply various analysis protocols. On the other hand, a complex driving device for storing and supplying the reaction solution is additionally required.

Looking at recent biochip development trends, the development of highly functional biochips equipped with high sensitivity, quantification, reproducibility, and simultaneous analysis of multiple types is mainstream. In addition, a lab-on-a-chip biochip in which sample preprocessing, analysis, and measurement are sequentially performed on one chip is being developed. As such, reproducible implementation of complex reaction protocols is required to develop highly functional lab-on-a-chip type biochips, which can be achieved by precise and automated supply of reaction solutions. Therefore, research on a microfluidic control system and a microfluidic control method using the microfluidic control system for implementing a reproducible and precise reaction protocol is required.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2003-0009857 (2003.02.05)

A technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a microfluidic control system capable of precise control of a reaction solution and applicable to various lab-on-a-chips, and a microfluidic control method using the same.

A microfluidic control device according to embodiments of the present invention for solving the above problems includes a microfluidic chip including a storage chamber for storing a reaction solution and a receiving chamber communicating with the storage chamber; and a microfluidic control device for controlling the reaction solution in the microfluidic chip, wherein the microfluidic control device includes: a first roller that contacts the microfluidic chip and rotates along with the movement of the microfluidic chip; and a pressure protrusion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first roller, wherein the pressure protrusion may have a shape corresponding to that of the storage chamber.

According to embodiments, the microfluidic chip may include a body and a cover sheet covering the body, and the storage chamber may be defined by the body and the cover sheet.

According to embodiments, the cover sheet may have elasticity.

According to embodiments, an adhesive layer on one side of the cover sheet facing the body portion may be further included.

According to embodiments, the microfluidic chip may further include an exhaust hole for exhausting air inside the microfluidic chip, and the exhaust hole may communicate with the accommodation chamber.

According to embodiments, the microfluidic chip includes a body and a cover sheet covering the body, wherein the exhaust hole is formed in the cover sheet, and the exhaust hole is accommodated by an exhaust channel formed in the body. It can communicate with the chamber.

According to embodiments, the microfluidic control device further includes a second roller disposed adjacent to the first roller, wherein the microfluidic chip is supported by the first roller and the second roller, and the first roller The roller and the second roller may rotate together with the movement of the microfluidic chip.

According to embodiments, the microfluidic controller may further include an elastic member disposed inside the second roller and constituting a part of an outer circumferential surface of the second roller.

According to embodiments, the microfluidic control device may further include a driving member, and the driving member may be configured to apply rotational force to the first roller.

According to embodiments, the microfluidic control device may further include a temperature controller disposed inside the first roller.

According to embodiments, on an outer circumferential surface of the first roller, a distance between the temperature controller and the pressure protrusion may be substantially the same as a distance between the storage chamber and the accommodation chamber.

According to embodiments, the storage chamber and the pressure protrusion may have a tapered shape.

A microfluidic control method according to embodiments of the present invention for solving the above problems is a microfluidic control method in a microfluidic chip including a storage chamber for storing a reaction solution and an accommodation chamber communicating with the storage chamber, coupling the microfluidic chip to a microfluidic control device including a first roller and a pressure protrusion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first roller; The method may include pressing the storage chamber with the pressing protrusion by rotating the first roller, and the reaction liquid in the storage chamber may be transferred into the accommodation chamber by the pressing.

According to embodiments, the microfluidic chip includes a body and a cover sheet covering the body,

The storage chamber may be defined by the body and the cover sheet, and pressing the storage chamber may include pressing the cover sheet with the pressing protrusion.

According to embodiments, pressing the cover sheet with the pressure protrusion may include sequentially contacting the cover sheet from one point to another point on the bottom surface of the storage chamber using the pressure protrusion.

According to embodiments, by the pressing, at least a portion of one surface of the cover sheet facing the body portion may be adhered to the bottom surface of the storage chamber.

According to embodiments, while the first roller rotates, the microfluidic chip moves linearly, and the linear speed of the outer circumferential surface of the first roller may be the same as the moving speed of the microfluidic chip.

According to embodiments, the microfluidic controller further includes a temperature control unit disposed inside the first roller, and controls the temperature of the reaction liquid transferred to the accommodation chamber by placing the temperature control unit on the accommodation chamber. may further include

According to embodiments of the present invention, a microfluidic control system capable of precisely controlling reaction liquids and transporting various types of reaction liquids may be provided.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, a microfluidic control method that is simple, inexpensive, and can easily adjust the transport speed of the microfluid can be provided.

1 is a diagram for explaining a microfluidic control system according to embodiments of the present invention.
2 is a plan view for explaining a microfluidic chip according to embodiments of the present invention.
3 is a view for explaining a microfluidic chip according to embodiments of the present invention, and is an exploded perspective view of the microfluidic chip.
4 and 5 are plan views for explaining a microfluidic chip according to embodiments of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a microfluidic control system according to embodiments of the present invention.
7A to 7D are cross-sectional views for explaining a pressing protrusion according to embodiments of the present invention.
8A to 8C are drawings for explaining a storage chamber according to embodiments of the present invention and a pressure protrusion having a shape corresponding to the storage chamber, and corresponds to the storage unit of FIG. 2 .
9 is a perspective view illustrating a second roller and a microfluidic chip according to embodiments of the present invention.
10 is a diagram for explaining a microfluidic control system according to embodiments of the present invention.
11 is a flowchart illustrating a microfluidic control method using the microfluidic control system described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 .
12 to 15 are cross-sectional views for explaining a microfluidic control method using the microfluidic control system described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 .

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only the present embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and the common knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the holder of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

Terminology used herein is for describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, singular forms also include plural forms unless specifically stated otherwise in a phrase. As used herein, 'comprises' and/or 'comprising' means that a stated component, step, operation, and/or element is the presence of one or more other components, steps, operations, and/or elements. or do not rule out additions.

In addition, the embodiments described in this specification will be described with reference to cross-sectional views and/or plan views, which are ideal exemplary views of the present invention. In the drawings, the thicknesses of films and regions are exaggerated for effective explanation of technical content. Accordingly, the shape of the illustrative drawings may be modified due to manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific shapes shown, but also include changes in shapes generated according to manufacturing processes. For example, an etched region shown at right angles may be round or have a predetermined curvature. Accordingly, the regions illustrated in the drawings have schematic properties, and the shapes of the regions illustrated in the drawings are intended to illustrate a specific shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the following drawings, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

1 is a diagram for explaining a microfluidic control system according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a microfluidic control system according to embodiments of the present invention may include a microfluidic chip (100) and a microfluidic control device 200. The microfluidic chip 100 may store the reaction solution 300 therein. The microfluidic chip 100 may be put into the microfluidic control device 200, and the microfluidic control device 200 may control the reaction solution 300 stored in the microfluidic chip 100.

Specifically, the microfluidic chip 100 may include a storage chamber 110 for storing the reaction solution 300 and an accommodation chamber 130 communicating with the storage chamber 110 . The microfluidic chip 100 may be introduced into the microfluidic controller 200 in a state where the reaction solution 300 is stored in the storage chamber 110 . The microfluidic chip 100 injected into the microfluidic control device 200 may move in one direction and pass through the microfluidic control device 200 .

The microfluidic control device 200 may include a first roller 210 and a second roller 220 adjacent to each other, and between the first roller 210 and the second roller 220, the microfluidic chip 100 An inlet 215 for inputting may be formed. A pressure protrusion 230 having a shape corresponding to that of the storage chamber 110 may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first roller 210 . The pressure protrusion 230 pressurizes the storage chamber 110 while the microfluidic chip 100 passes through the microfluidic control device 200, and the reaction solution 300 in the storage chamber 110 is transferred to the receiving chamber 130. can be transported internally. The operation of the microfluidic control system including the microfluidic chip 100 and the microfluidic control device 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15 hereinafter.

2 is a plan view for explaining a microfluidic chip according to embodiments of the present invention. 3 is a view for explaining a microfluidic chip according to embodiments of the present invention, and is an exploded perspective view of the microfluidic chip.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the microfluidic chip 100 may include a storage unit R1 , an accommodation unit R2 , and an exhaust unit R3 arranged in one direction. The storage part R1 may be a part for storing the reaction liquid, and the accommodating part R2 may be a part receiving the reaction liquid 300 from the storage part R1. The exhaust part R3 may be a part for exhausting air in the storage part R1 and the accommodating part R2. The microfluidic chip 100 may be a biochip or a chemical reaction chip. The microfluidic chip 100 may be, for example, a biochip, an immune response chip, a gene chip, a cell response chip, or a cell separation chip. The microfluidic chip 100 is, for example, a chemical reaction chip, and may be a component separation chip, a fluid mixing chip, or a fluid dilution chip.

The microfluidic chip 100 may include a storage chamber 110, a transport channel 120, a receiving chamber 130, an exhaust channel 140, and an exhaust hole 150 arranged in one direction. A storage chamber 110 may be formed in the storage unit R1. The storage chamber 110 may have an internal space for storing the reaction liquid 300 . The storage chamber 110 may have a flat bottom surface and may have a rectangular shape in a vertical perspective.

An accommodating chamber 130 may be disposed in the accommodating part R2. The receiving chamber 130 may have an internal space for receiving the reaction liquid 300 from the storage chamber 110 . According to embodiments, a biomarker included in a biological sample (eg, blood, urine, saliva, etc.), that is, an antibody, gene, nanoparticle, Reactive substances such as receptors and salts may be provided. The accommodation chamber 130 may be a reaction space in which the reaction liquid 300 including the target material reacts. For example, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be performed inside the accommodation chamber 130 . However, this is illustrative and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. The receiving chamber 130 may have an internal space of the same size as that of the storage chamber 110 . The accommodation chamber 130 may have a structure similar to that of the storage chamber 110 .

A transfer channel 120 may be formed between the storage chamber 110 and the receiving chamber 130 . The transfer channel 120 may connect the storage chamber 110 and the accommodation chamber 130 . That is, the storage chamber 110 and the accommodation chamber 130 may communicate with each other through the transfer channel 120 . The transfer channel 120 may have a tube shape to transfer the reaction liquid 300 from the storage chamber 110 to the receiving chamber 130 . The transport channel 120 may have a smaller width and/or depth than the storage chamber 110 and the accommodation chamber 130 .

An exhaust hole 150 may be formed in the exhaust part R3. The exhaust hole 150 may exhaust air within the microfluidic chip 100 to the outside of the microfluidic chip 100 . According to embodiments, the exhaust hole 150 may be disposed adjacent to the accommodating chamber 130 and may be connected to the accommodating chamber 130 through the exhaust channel 140 . That is, the exhaust hole 150 and the accommodating chamber 130 may be connected to one end and the other end of the exhaust channel 140 to communicate with each other. Accordingly, the exhaust hole 150 may exhaust the air inside the accommodation chamber 130 to the outside of the microfluidic chip 100 . The exhaust hole 150 may facilitate the transfer of the reaction solution 300 . For example, when the reaction liquid 300 in the storage chamber 110 is transferred to the accommodation chamber 130, the pressure inside the accommodation chamber 130 may increase. The increased pressure inside the accommodating chamber 130 may hinder the transfer of the reaction liquid 300 . The exhaust hole 150 exhausts the air inside the accommodation chamber 130 to the outside of the microfluidic chip 100 while the reaction solution 300 in the storage chamber 110 is transferred to the accommodation chamber 130. 130) It is possible to keep the internal pressure constant.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the microfluidic chip 100 may have a structure in which a plurality of layers are stacked. As shown in FIG. 3 , the microfluidic chip 100 may include a body portion 180 and a cover sheet 190 covering the body portion 180 .

The body portion 180 may include a substrate 182 and an intermediate layer 184 on the substrate 182 . The substrate 182 may have a flat plate structure. The substrate 182 may have a flat upper surface. An intermediate layer 184 may be disposed on the substrate 182 . The middle layer 184 may have openings 186 corresponding to shapes of the storage chamber 110 , the transfer channel 120 , the accommodation chamber 130 , and the exhaust channel 140 . The body portion 180 may include a material having higher rigidity than the cover sheet 190 so as to maintain a constant shape inside the microfluidic control device 200 . The body portion 180 may be made of, for example, plastic, glass, metal, pulp, or a combination thereof.

A cover sheet 190 may be disposed on top of the middle layer 184 . The cover sheet 190 may have a thinner thickness and lower rigidity than the substrate 182 and the intermediate layer 184 . The cover sheet 190 may have elasticity. The cover sheet 190 may include, for example, latex, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a metal thin film, or a film. When the cover sheet 190 is pressed by the pressing protrusion 230 described with reference to FIG. 1, the shape may change. One side of the cover sheet 190 facing the body portion 180 may have adhesive strength. According to embodiments, an adhesive layer 192 may be disposed on one surface of the cover sheet 190 facing the body portion 180 . The cover sheet 190 may be attached to the body portion 180 such that a surface having adhesiveness faces the body portion 180 . When the cover sheet 190 is pressed by the pressing protrusion 230, at least a portion of the one surface of the cover sheet 190 may be attached to the upper surface of the substrate 182. Accordingly, the reverse flow of the reaction solution 300 can be prevented (see FIG. 14). According to embodiments, the cover sheet 190 may be adhered to the body portion 180 by a laminating process using heat without the adhesive layer 192 . According to embodiments, the cover sheet 190 may be made of a material that does not have restoring force. When the cover sheet 190 is pressed by the pressing protrusion 230, the cover sheet 190 may be deformed so that at least a portion of the one surface of the cover sheet 190 contacts the upper surface of the substrate 182.

A boundary between the storage chamber 110 and the accommodation chamber 130 may be defined by the body 180 and the cover sheet 190 . Specifically, the upper surface of the substrate 182 may define the bottom surface of the storage chamber 110 and the receiving chamber 130 . Inner surfaces of the opening 186 of the middle layer 184 may define inner surfaces of the storage chamber 110 and the receiving chamber 130 . The lower surface of the cover sheet 190 may define upper surfaces of the storage chamber 110 and the receiving chamber 130 .

The exhaust hole 150 may be formed in the cover sheet 190 , and the exhaust channel 140 may be formed in the body portion 180 . The exhaust hole 150 may be disposed on one end of the exhaust channel 140 . The exhaust hole 150 may communicate with the accommodation chamber 130 through the exhaust channel 140 .

4 and 5 are plan views for explaining a microfluidic chip according to embodiments of the present invention. Differences from the microfluidic chip described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 will be mainly described, and detailed descriptions of overlapping configurations will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the microfluidic chip 100 may include a first storage chamber 110a and a second storage chamber 110b. Different types of reaction solutions may be stored in the first storage chamber 110a and the second storage chamber 110b. For example, the first reaction liquid 300a may be stored in the first storage chamber 110a, and the second reaction liquid 300b may be stored in the second storage chamber 110b.

The transfer channel 120 may be disposed between the accommodating chamber 130 and the storage chambers 110a and 110b. One end of the transfer channel 120 may be connected to the receiving chamber 130, and the other end of the transfer channel 120 may branch into a plurality of channels and be connected to the first storage chamber 110a and the second storage chamber 110b, respectively. can According to embodiments, the first reaction liquid 300a and the second reaction liquid 300b may be mixed inside the transfer channel 120 . However, unlike this, the first reaction liquid 300a and the second reaction liquid 300b may be sequentially supplied into the receiving chamber 130 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , the microfluidic chip 100 may include a first accommodating chamber 130a and a second accommodating chamber 130b. For example, different reactants may be provided inside the first accommodating chamber 130a and the second accommodating chamber 130b, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. An exhaust channel 140 may be disposed between the accommodating chambers 130a and 130b and the exhaust unit R3. One end of the exhaust channel 140 may be connected to the exhaust unit R3, and the other end of the exhaust channel 140 may branch into a plurality of channels and be connected to the first accommodating chamber 130a and the second accommodating chamber 130b, respectively. can

6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a microfluidic control system according to embodiments of the present invention. 7A to 7D are diagrams for explaining a pressing protrusion according to embodiments of the present invention, corresponding to part B of FIG. 6 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the microfluidic control device 200 may include a first roller 210, a second roller 220, a pressure protrusion 230, and an elastic member 222.

The first roller 210 and the second roller 220 may be disposed adjacent to each other. An inlet 215 may be formed between the first roller 210 and the second roller 220 to insert the microfluidic chip 100 . The first roller 210 and the second roller 220 may support the microfluidic chip 100 introduced into the inlet 215 . Inside the microfluidic controller 200, the microfluidic chip 100 may move linearly.

The first roller 210 and the second roller 220 may contact the microfluidic chip 100 and rotate together with the movement of the microfluidic chip 100 . For example, when rotational force is applied to the first roller 210 and/or the second roller 220, the first roller 210 and/or the second roller 220 apply frictional force to the microfluidic chip 100. may be applied, and accordingly, the microfluidic chip 100 may move. As another example, when an external force is applied to the microfluidic chip 100, the microfluidic chip 100 may apply frictional force to the first roller 210 and the second roller 220, and accordingly, the first roller ( 210) and the second roller 220 may rotate.

A pressure protrusion 230 may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first roller 210 . The pressing protrusion 230 may have a shape corresponding to that of the storage chamber 110 from a vertical point of view (ie, a point of view looking down at the outer circumferential surface of the first roller 210). Specific vertical shapes of the pressure protrusion 230 and the storage chamber 110 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C.

As shown in FIG. 7A , the first surface 232 of the pressure protrusion 230 contacting the microfluidic chip 100 may have a predetermined curvature to apply a constant pressure to the microfluidic chip 100. there is. For example, the radius of curvature of the first surface 232 may be the same as the radius of curvature of the first roller 210 . The pressure protrusion 230 may have a flat side surface 234 . Accordingly, an angled corner may be formed between the first surface 232 and the side surface 234 of the pressing protrusion 230 .

According to embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7B , the side surface 234 of the pressure protrusion 230 may be inclined toward the first surface 232 of the pressure protrusion 230 . That is, the first surface 232 of the pressure protrusion 230 and the side surface 234 of the pressure protrusion 230 may form an obtuse angle. Accordingly, the cover sheet 190 may be prevented from being damaged while the storage chamber 110 is pressurized by the pressing protrusion 230 .

According to embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7C , the side surface 234 of the pressure protrusion 230 may have a curved shape. Accordingly, the pressure protrusion 230 can be formed smoothly without angular edges, and the cover sheet 190 can be prevented from being damaged while the storage chamber 110 is pressed by the pressure protrusion 230 .

According to embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7D , the pressure protrusion 230 may include a plurality of protrusions.

An elastic member 222 may be disposed inside the second roller 220 to form part of an outer circumferential surface of the second roller 220 . The elastic member 222 may be made of a material such as rubber or plastic. The elastic member 222 adjusts the pressure applied to the microfluidic chip 100 while the first roller 210 and the second roller 220 support the microfluidic chip 100, so that the microfluidic chip 100 destruction can be prevented.

Referring back to FIG. 6 , the microfluidic controller 200 may include a driving member 250 , a temperature controller 214 and a controller 400 .

The driving member 250 may be connected to the first roller 210 to provide rotational force to the first roller 210 . The driving member 250 may be directly or indirectly connected to the first roller 210 . The driving member 250 may move the microfluidic chip 100 inserted into the microfluidic controller 200 by rotating the first roller 210 at a predetermined linear speed. The driving member 250 may be an electric motor. According to embodiments, the driving member 250 may be connected to the second roller 220 instead of the first roller 210 or to both the first roller 210 and the second roller 220 .

A temperature controller 214 may be disposed inside the first roller 210 . The temperature control unit 214 may be disposed adjacent to the outer circumferential surface of the first roller 210 or constitute a part of the outer circumferential surface of the first roller 210 . The temperature controller 214 may include a heater and/or a cooler. The temperature controller 214 may include, for example, a film-type heater or a thermoelectric element. Also, the temperature controller 214 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be, for example, a thermo-couple. The distance d1 between the temperature controller 214 and the pressure protrusion 230 on the outer circumferential surface of the first roller 210 may be substantially the same as the distance d2 between the storage chamber 110 and the receiving chamber 130. there is. The temperature controller 214 may be located on the accommodating chamber 130 according to the rotation of the first roller 210 and may adjust the temperature of the reaction liquid 300 provided in the accommodating chamber 130 .

The controller 400 may be connected to the driving member 250 and the temperature controller 214 . The controller 400 may be a combination of a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory. The controller 400 may control the driving member 250 and the temperature controller 214 .

8A to 8C are drawings for explaining a storage chamber according to embodiments of the present invention and a pressure protrusion having a shape corresponding to the storage chamber, and corresponds to the storage unit of FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8A to 8C , the storage chamber 110 may elongate in a direction away from the accommodation chamber 130 . The pressure protrusion 230 may have a shape corresponding to the storage chamber 110 . When the storage chamber 110 is pressurized by the pressure protrusion 230, the reaction liquid 300 inside the storage chamber 110 is received as the storage chamber 110 has a shape corresponding to the pressure protrusion 230. It can be easily transported into the chamber 130 .

As shown in FIG. 8A , the storage chamber 110 may have a rectangular shape, and the width w1 of the storage chamber 110 may be constant. Accordingly, the pressing protrusion 230 may have a rectangular shape, and the width w2 of the pressing protrusion 230 may be constant. As the storage chamber 110 and the pressure protrusion 230 have constant widths w1 and w2, the reaction liquid 300 flows into the receiving chamber 130 while the pressure protrusion 230 pressurizes the storage chamber 110. The speed transferred to may be constant.

As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C , the storage chamber 110 and the pressure protrusion 230 may have a tapered shape. Since the pressure protrusion 230 sequentially pressurizes the storage chamber 110 from one point to another according to the rotation of the first roller 210, the width of the storage chamber 110 and the pressure protrusion 230 is changed. , The speed at which the reaction liquid 300 is transported can be adjusted. When the storage chamber 110 and the pressure protrusion 230 have a tapered shape, the speed at which the reaction solution 300 is transported may gradually decrease or increase.

Specifically, as shown in 8b, when the width w1 of the storage chamber 110 and the width w2 of the pressure protrusion 230 increase as the distance from the receiving chamber 130 increases, the pressure protrusion 230 While the storage chamber 110 is pressurized, the rate at which the reaction solution 300 is transferred to the accommodation chamber 130 may gradually decrease. Conversely, as shown in 8c, when the width w1 of the storage chamber 110 and the width w2 of the pressure protrusion 230 decrease as the distance from the receiving chamber 130 increases, the pressure protrusion 230 While the storage chamber 110 is pressurized, the rate at which the reaction solution 300 is transferred to the accommodation chamber 130 may gradually increase.

9 is a perspective view illustrating a second roller and a microfluidic chip according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the microfluidic control device 200 and the microfluidic chip 100 may further include coupling members for facilitating coupling with each other. For example, coupling protrusions 224 may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second roller 220, and coupling grooves 102 may be formed at the edge of the microfluidic chip 100. The coupling protrusion 224 and the coupling groove 102 may have shapes corresponding to each other. The microfluidic chip 100 may be coupled to the microfluidic control device 200 by inserting the coupling protrusion 224 into the coupling groove 102 .

10 is a diagram for explaining a microfluidic control system according to embodiments of the present invention. The microfluidic control system of FIG. 10 may be substantially the same except that the second roller 220 of the microfluidic control device 200 of FIG. 6 is replaced with a lower support 221 . For simplicity of description, descriptions of overlapping configurations are omitted.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the microfluidic control device 200 may include a lower support part 221 . The lower support part 221 may be disposed adjacent to the first roller 210 . The lower support part 221 may have a flat plate shape. The lower support part 221 may support the microfluidic chip 100 while the microfluidic chip 100 passes through the microfluidic control device 200 . Unlike the description with reference to FIG. 6 , the microfluidic chip 100 may be inserted between the lower support part 221 and the first roller 210 . An upper surface 221t of the lower support 221 may be flat and smooth so that the microfluidic chip 100 can be easily moved. According to one example, the microfluidic chip 100 may be fixed to the upper surface 221t of the lower support part 211, and the lower support part 221 may move in the rotational direction of the first roller 210. The moving speed of the lower support part 221 may be the same as the linear speed of the outer circumferential surface of the first roller 210 . The lower support part 221 may be made of, for example, plastic, glass, metal, or a combination thereof.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a microfluidic control method using the microfluidic control system described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 . 12 to 15 are cross-sectional views for explaining a microfluidic control method using the microfluidic control system described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 .

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , first, the microfluidic control system described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 may be prepared. The microfluidic chip 100 may be prepared in a state in which the reaction solution 300 is filled in the storage chamber 110 . Subsequently, the microfluidic chip 100 may be coupled to the microfluidic control device 200 (S10). That is, the microfluidic chip 100 and the first roller 210 may be brought into contact so that the microfluidic chip 100 moves according to the rotation of the first roller 210 . As described with reference to FIG. 9 , when the microfluidic chip 100 and the microfluidic controller 200 each include the coupling groove 102 and the coupling protrusion 224, the coupling protrusion 224 is coupled to the coupling groove ( 102), the microfluidic chip 100 can be coupled to the microfluidic control device 200.

Referring to FIGS. 11, 13, 14, and 15, the first roller 210 of the microfluidic control device 200 is rotated and the storage chamber 110 of the microfluidic chip 100 is moved by the pressure protrusion 230. Can be pressurized (S20). That is, the pressure may be applied to the inside of the storage chamber 110 by pressing the cover sheet 190 with the pressing protrusion 230 . As pressure is applied inside the storage chamber 110 , the reaction liquid 300 may be transferred from the storage chamber 110 to the receiving chamber 130 .

Specifically, the microfluidic chip 100 may move linearly while the first roller 210 rotates. At this time, since the first roller 210 and the microfluidic chip 100 contact and are coupled, the linear speed of the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 210 may be the same as the moving speed of the microfluidic chip 100. As shown in FIG. 13 , one side of the pressing protrusion 230 may press the cover sheet 190 . Accordingly, a portion of the cover sheet 190 may contact the bottom surface of the storage chamber 110 . As the space inside the storage chamber 110 decreases, the pressure within the storage chamber 110 may increase, and the reaction liquid 300 may be transferred into the accommodation chamber 130 . Then, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the pressure protrusion 230 moves the cover sheet 190 from one point to another point on the bottom surface of the storage chamber 110 according to the rotation of the first roller 210. contact can be made sequentially. For example, the rotational speed of the first roller 210 may be controlled by the controller 400 described with reference to FIG. 6 , and accordingly, the speed at which the reaction solution 300 is transported may be controlled.

Subsequently, the pressure protrusion 230 may be separated from the storage chamber 110 according to the rotation of the first roller 210 . After the pressure protrusion 230 and the storage chamber 110 are separated, at least a portion of the lower surface of the cover sheet 190 may remain adhered to the bottom surface of the storage chamber 110. . Accordingly, the reaction liquid 300 may be prevented from flowing backward into the storage chamber 110 again. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. According to one example, the cover sheet 190 may be made of a material having no restoring force, and thus may be permanently deformed. When the lower surface of the cover sheet 190 does not have adhesive strength, the cover sheet 190 may be restored to a state prior to being pressed by the pressing protrusion 230 .

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 15 , the temperature controller 214 in the first roller 210 may be placed on the receiving chamber 130 to control the temperature of the reaction solution 300 (S30). As described with reference to FIG. 6, since the distance between the temperature controller 214 and the pressure protrusion on the outer circumferential surface of the first roller 210 is substantially the same as the distance between the storage chamber 110 and the receiving chamber 130, The temperature controller 214 may be positioned on the accommodation chamber 130 by rotating the first roller 210 . Subsequently, the reaction solution 300 may be heated or cooled using the temperature controller 214 .

The microfluidic chip 100 may be separated from the microfluidic control device 200 (S40). By rotating the first roller 210, the microfluidic chip 100 may be pulled out in a direction opposite to the input direction.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing its technical spirit or essential features. You will understand that there is Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims (18)

a microfluidic chip including a storage chamber for storing a reaction solution and a receiving chamber communicating with the storage chamber; and
Including a microfluidic control device for controlling the reaction solution in the microfluidic chip,
The microfluidic control device:
a first roller that contacts the microfluidic chip and rotates along with the movement of the microfluidic chip;
a temperature controller disposed inside the first roller; and
And a pressure projection formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first roller,
The distance between the temperature controller and the pressure protrusion on the outer circumferential surface of the first roller is the same as the distance between the storage chamber and the receiving chamber;
The pressure protrusion has a shape corresponding to the storage chamber,
The pressure protrusion is:
a first surface in contact with the microfluidic chip; and
includes a flat side;
The radius of curvature of the first surface is the same as the radius of curvature of the first roller microfluidic control system. According to claim 1,
The microfluidic chip includes a body and a cover sheet covering the body,
The storage chamber is defined by the body and the cover sheet microfluidic control system. According to claim 2,
The cover sheet is a microfluidic control system made of a material having elasticity. According to claim 2,
The microfluidic chip further comprises an adhesive layer on one surface of the cover sheet facing the body portion. According to claim 1,
The microfluidic chip further includes an exhaust hole for exhausting air inside the microfluidic chip,
The exhaust hole is a microfluidic control system that communicates with the receiving chamber. According to claim 5,
The microfluidic chip includes a body and a cover sheet covering the body,
The exhaust hole is formed in the cover sheet,
The exhaust hole communicates with the accommodation chamber through an exhaust channel formed in the body. According to claim 1,
The microfluidic control device further includes a second roller disposed adjacent to the first roller,
The microfluidic chip is supported by the first roller and the second roller,
The first roller and the second roller rotate along with the movement of the microfluidic chip. According to claim 7,
The microfluidic control device further includes an elastic member disposed inside the second roller and constituting a part of an outer circumferential surface of the second roller. According to claim 1,
The microfluidic control device further includes a driving member,
The driving member is configured to apply a rotational force to the first roller microfluidic control system. delete delete According to claim 1,
The storage chamber and the pressure protrusion have a tapered (tapered) microfluidic control system. In the microfluidic control method in a microfluidic chip comprising a storage chamber for storing a reaction solution and a receiving chamber communicating with the storage chamber,
coupling the microfluidic chip to a microfluidic control device including a first roller, a temperature controller disposed inside the first roller, and a pressure protrusion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first roller;
pressing the storage chamber with the pressing protrusion by rotating the first roller;
The reaction liquid in the storage chamber is transferred into the receiving chamber by the pressurization; and
Including controlling the temperature of the reaction liquid transferred to the accommodation chamber by locating the temperature controller on the accommodation chamber,
The distance between the temperature controller and the pressure protrusion on the outer circumferential surface of the first roller is the same as the distance between the storage chamber and the receiving chamber;
The pressure protrusion includes a first surface in contact with the microfluidic chip and a flat side surface, and a radius of curvature of the first surface is equal to a radius of curvature of the first roller. According to claim 13,
The microfluidic chip includes a body and a cover sheet covering the body,
The storage chamber is defined by the body and the cover sheet,
Pressurizing the storage chamber includes pressing the cover sheet with the pressing protrusion. According to claim 14,
Pressing the cover sheet with the pressing protrusion:
The microfluidic control method comprising sequentially contacting the cover sheet from one point to another point on the bottom surface of the storage chamber by using the pressure protrusion. 15. The method of claim 14,
By the pressing, at least a portion of one surface of the cover sheet facing the body is adhered to the bottom surface of the storage chamber. According to claim 13,
While the first roller rotates, the microfluidic chip moves linearly,
The linear speed of the outer circumferential surface of the first roller is the same as the moving speed of the microfluidic chip. delete

Images