DE10344227A1 - Micro process engineering module - Google Patents

Abstract

A microprocessing module with at least one process engineering microfluidic element (4) and with microfluidic channel connections (9) has a thermally insulating housing (1) surrounding the microfluidic element (4), the microfluidic channel connections (9) being guided through the housing (1) and connecting elements for connecting individual housings (1) are arranged on the housing (1), so that the respectively assigned microfluid channel connections (9) can be tightly connected to one another. The microfluidic element (4) is arranged between a connection block (3) and a heat transfer block (2), the temperature of the heat transfer block (2) and the connection block (3) and thus also of the microfluidic element (4) being controllable. A connecting element for connecting individual housings (1) to one another has a conical screw (21) with a threaded section (22) and a conically tapering section (23). A locking pin (18) with a bore (19) which is adapted to the conical screw (21) and protrudes from a first of the housings (1) to be connected, is inserted into a recess (20) of a second housing which is adapted to the locking pin (18) (1) inserted and firmly pressed by means of the conical screw (21), the conically tapering section (23) of which is brought into engagement with the bore (19) of the locking pin (18).

Description

The Invention relates to a microprocessing module that has at least one process engineering microfluidic element.

In Fluid technology has become increasingly miniaturized in recent years so that today the controlled use of small amounts of fluid in the Microliter and increasingly for research and production purposes used in chemical, pharmaceutical and biological fields becomes. Various microreactor elements have been developed for example mixing, separating, tempering and Analyze smallest liquid or allow gas quantities. full Microreaction systems not only allow a very effective and inexpensive Production or analysis of chemical substances, but enable for the first time not feasible Reaction processes, which only because of a changed Fluid dynamics possible are, when using such miniaturized microfluidic Structures.

The Manufacturing a microreaction system is due to the small Dimensions of the individual structures and connections are very complex. The microreaction system is complex to use and can be used in everyday laboratory work slightly damaged become. Especially for needs Modular microprocessing technology has been developed in research institutions Systems developed from interconnectable, individual Modules consist of one or more procedural steps can include. So from the individual modules, the microfluidic elements such as pumps, mixers or analysis devices, a complex microreaction engineering system can be set up. The individual modules are much cheaper to manufacture and can be replaced in the event of damage without the entire microreaction system would have to be replaced.

The individual modules have fluidic and possibly further connections, when building a microreaction system composed of several components must be connected to each other or to external device connections. The However, previously known microreaction modules of this type exhibit no universally applicable and standardized connections for the fluidic and for example electrical connections. Even if only uniform components of a particular system provider is due to the complex connection technology requires a long set-up time. However, especially for research purposes, there is a frequently changing experimental setup, i.e. a changed one Arrangement of individual blocks necessary and leads to a high required Time spent during of use.

Farther are complex control mechanisms in many reaction and analysis processes for targeted temperature influencing of individual or all Process steps of a microreaction necessary. Most micro process engineering Systems can under certain conditions, for example in a regulated one heat bath, chilled and / or heated. The targeted temperature control of only a few Process steps are not possible in this way. It is also conceivable the individual microreaction modules are completely separated from one another and each independently build up temperature controlled from each other. However, this leads to a high space requirement and a complex and fault-prone connection technology often fluid connection lines not thermally controlled. The exchange of individual Building blocks or modifying an experimental setup is delayed and made more difficult in this way.

task Accordingly, the present invention is a micro process engineering To design the module so that extensive thermal insulation of the individual building blocks guaranteed is and at the same time a quick connection especially of the fluid connections of the individual modules possible is.

This The object is achieved by a micro process engineering module with at least one process engineering microfluidic element and with microfluidic channel connections, wherein the micro process engineering component in a thermally insulating casing is arranged, the microfluidic channel connections are passed through the housing and connecting elements for connecting individual housings to the casing are arranged so that the respectively assigned microfluidic channel connections are sealed are interconnectable.

The arrangement of the microprocessing module in a thermally insulating housing thermally decouples the individual building blocks of a complex microreaction system composed of several building blocks, so that targeted temperature control of the individual microfluidic elements of the microprocessing building block is possible. The housing has arranged on the outside conclude, so that respectively assigned connections are also connected to each other when connecting two housings. While a simple contacting of the connections is sufficient for electrical connections, for example, fluid connections can and must be tightly connected to one another by using suitable connection devices. It has been shown that a tight fluid connection can be established using commercially available fluid connections even with a slight contact pressure of the interconnected housings. The mechanical and fluidic connection technology can be largely integrated into the housing, so that projecting connection or connection elements can be avoided, which would otherwise be exposed to increased mechanical stress in everyday laboratory work.

Preferably it is provided that the microfluidic element essentially completely from is surrounded by thermally conductive material. The microfluidic element can, for example, be accommodated in a metal block which is in the Inside of the insulating case is arranged. The good thermal conductivity of the metal block ensures even tempering of the microfluidic element contained therein, whereby by the surrounding housing thermal insulation of the individual microfluidic elements is achieved. Such a structure of a thermally controllable microfluidic element, which is insulated by an is thermally decoupled from other components, enables a much more precise and for individuals Process steps of independent temperature control, as with just individual insulation layers such as Plastic films hardly separate microreaction modules can be achieved.

one According to an advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept provided that the thermal conductive material is aluminum or Is copper and the case Made of thermally insulating material, especially plastic such as polyaryl ether ketones (PEEK) or ceramic. These materials point for most requirements have good thermal properties can be easily processed and are sufficiently robust for use in everyday laboratory work.

advantageously, it is provided that the microfluidic element between a Connection block with fluid connections and arranged in the connection block a heat transfer block is arranged with devices for temperature control. Between these two preferably made of aluminum or copper blocks, the releasable are interconnectable arrange the microfluidic element so that it respective connections Completely surrounded by the material used with a high thermal conductivity is. In the individual blocks are all connections and Contacting for the microdfluid element and the temperature control are integrated. By inserting the microfluidic element, usually a micro reaction chip, and the subsequent connection of the connection block with the heat exchanger block is the microfluidic element with all fluidic and electrical, for example connections in the surrounding blocks connected without the individual connections being made manually would have to be. Naturally can also differently designed microfluidic elements, which are not necessarily are produced in the form of a chip, the Shape of the connection block or the heat transfer block in each case to the microfluidic Element is adjusted.

The individual connection connections in the connection block are over hoses and lines with those in the housing arranged connections connected. Should the microfluidic element malfunction can have this without further effort, in particular without manual release and reconnecting connections and connecting lines can be removed and replaced. Can too different connection blocks or heat transfer blocks used , their shape and connection arrangement to different geometries of microfluidic elements.

one According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, it is provided that the connection block has devices for temperature control. An electric heater, for example, comes here a resistance heater or a fluid-operated heat exchanger with a predeterminable fluid temperature in consideration in the heat exchanger block and possibly arranged in the connection block. A temperature control by one or more Peltier elements, by inductive or with Microwave heating can also be used. It is also possible, various possibilities to combine the temperature control with each other, or simultaneously or depending of the one just performed Apply the reaction procedure at different times.

It is preferably provided that the temperature of the microfluidic element can be regulated. For this purpose, one or more sensors for temperature measurement are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the microfluidic element. The connection block and the heat exchanger block can have sufficiently small dimensions in order to only have a low thermal inertia at temperature due to the low heat capacity of the blocks cause changes. This enables fast, effective temperature control within a wide temperature range, which enables both the production of the smallest quantities of chemicals and rapid parameter screening for experimental tests.

According to one According to a further embodiment of the inventive concept, that sensors such as pressure, flow, conductivity, optical or pH sensors are arranged on the microfluidic element in the housing. About corresponding through the housing guided and there with detachable Connected Connection lines can the individual sensors are connected to external measuring devices and these supply with measured values. Because the individual sensors each are inside the housing and can be activated if necessary is an undesirable influence a reaction taking place in the microfluidic element largely locked out. The arrangement of the individual sensors, which is also the case with Changing a microfluidic element cannot be changed must, remains thus over reproducible over many test series and enables reliable and repeatable measurements.

Likewise it is provided that microfluidic components such as Valves, check valves or pumps are arranged on the microfluidic element and / or the microfluidic channel connections are. Such microfluidic components enable a controlled reaction and fluid flow control within the micro process engineering module, or the microfluidic Elements that are largely independent from an external fluid supply or subsequent process steps.

advantageously, it is provided that a connecting element for connecting individual casing has a conical screw, which with a locking pin a bore adapted to the conical screw, which consists of a first of the housings to be connected protrudes, releasably firmly in a recess of a second adapted to the locking pin housing einpresst. When connecting two housings, the locking pin is first of one housing into the matching recess, usually a hole, of the second housing introduced and with a conical screwable to the second housing Screw whose tapered section through the hole of the locking pin protrudes, firmly connected to the second housing. The arrangement of the hole in the locking pin and the design of the conical section of the conical screw are coordinated so that with increasing screwing in of the conical screw into the second casing the locking pin and the associated first housing increasingly more firmly to the second housing be pressed. In this way, simple means almost arbitrarily selectable Contact pressure of the two housings can be achieved, which is also a reliable and tight connection of the assigned fluid connections of the two housings ensures.

A According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, it is provided that the housing on the side surfaces protruding formations and recesses for a form-fitting arrangement single housing has relative to each other. additionally projections and recesses matched to the locking pin facilitate this the precise positioning of the housing to be connected relative to each other. This ensures that even with a quick Connection to be made between two housings and the associated fluid connections if necessary, electrical contacts reliably and tightly connected, or getting produced. About that guaranteed beyond This type of connection protects against confusion connecting side surfaces two housings.

advantageously, it is envisaged that the microprocessing module on the floor area of the housing Devices for detachable Attachment of the micro process engineering module on a base plate having. Although the connection technology of the individual housing in many Cases one reliable Connection of several housings with each other and thus the construction of a complex microreaction plant without further Enable aids can it for certain applications make sense, the individual microprocessing Fasten the blocks on a common base plate. The common Base plate can on the one hand for an additional secure connection of the individual micro process engineering modules contribute to each other and enables on the other hand, the attachment of other components such as from external measuring devices, which are used together with the microreaction system.

Further Embodiment of the inventive concept are the subject of further subclaims. On embodiment The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows:

1 the basic structure of a microprocessing module, the individual components are shown pulled apart for better illustration and

2 a structure of a complex microprocessing system from several interconnected microprocessing building blocks according to 1 ,

1 shows an embodiment of a microprocessing module, the individual components are shown in an exploded view. During the assembly of the individual components, the microprocessing module is usually held upside down, as in 1 shown.

In the embodiment shown, the microprocessing module has a housing 1 on, which is made of polyaryl ether ketone (PEEK) due to the desired thermal insulation properties. The housing 1 could also be made from any other suitable thermally insulating material such as ceramic or a plastic that meets the requirements. Inside the case 1 are a heat exchanger block 2 and a connection block 3 arranged between which there is a micro reaction chip 4 located. The micro reaction chip 4 As a concrete example of any microfluidic element, it has fluid channels (not shown), the characteristic dimensions of which are in the micrometer range. The micro reaction chip 4 is usually produced from a thin glass plate or a silicon chip by means of known shaping or structure-forming processes. Furthermore, there are other types of the micro reaction chip 4 known and conceivable in which the microreaction chip 4 is made of metal or plastic. There are different types of micro reaction chips 4 or generally known microfluidic elements that enable process engineering operations such as dosing, tempering, reactions, mixing, staying, extracting, separating, evaporating or rectifying.

In order to control the microreaction chip as quickly and evenly as possible 4 will ensure for the heat transfer block 2 and the connection block 3 mostly a material with high thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum is used.

Due to the manufacturing process, there is a heat transfer block 2 from a basic block 5 , the meandering grooves 6 for passing a tempering medium. The meandering grooves 6 are through a closing plate 7 tightly covered. The closing plate 7 points to the connection block 3 side facing the dimensions of the microreaction chip 4 adjusted recess 8th on.

In the connection block 3 are multiple microchannel fluid connections 9 arranged so that the common, different micro reaction chips 4 can be contacted fluidically. Commercially available connection systems are used that create a sufficiently tight fluidic connection with the appropriate contact pressure.

After inserting the micro reaction chip 4 in the recess 8th become the connection block 3 and the heat transfer block 2 screwed tightly together. Supply lines for the temperature control medium 10 and heating cartridges 11 are adapted from the outside through the housing 1 with the heat exchanger block 2 connected. In this way it is achieved that the temperature of the microfluidic element can be controlled by means of a temperature control device operated electrically or with a fluidic heat transfer medium.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the heat transfer block has 2 another recess 12 to accommodate a sensor 13 on. The sensor 13 is due to its embedding in the heat transfer block 2 to the same temperature as the microreaction chip 4 brought so that largely unadulterated measurements are possible.

The microchannel fluid connections 9 are about a schematically indicated tubing 14 with in the side walls of the case 1 arranged fluid connections 15 connected. Further electrical connections between the connection block are not shown 3 or the heat exchanger block 2 and the outside of the case 1 which can be used, for example, for energy transmission or control and evaluation of further measuring devices. To contact this electrical connection, not shown, on the outside of the housing 1 Additional connections such as individual plug connections, collective plug connections or terminal strips can be provided.

Likewise is not shown the possibility of an outside of the housing Arrange displays in the form of LEDs or LCD displays inside of the housing measured states and can display properties without the need for external measuring and display devices.

The housing 1 has projecting guide pins 16 and adapted holes 17 on. When connecting two housings 1 need the guide pins 16 of a first housing 1 into the holes 17 of a second housing 1 be introduced, which ensures precise and reliable alignment of the individual housings 1 to each other is guaranteed.

One with the first case 1 firmly connected locking pin 18 with a bore running transversely to its longitudinal axis 19 is in an adapted hole 20 in the side wall of the second housing 1 inserted. A conical screw 21 with a threaded section 22 and a tapered section 23 so with the second case 1 screwed that the tapered section 23 with the hole 19 the locking pin 18 of the first housing 1 is engaged and the locking pin 18 and the associated first housing 1 increasing tighter to the second housing 1 presses. The individual micro process engineering components can therefore be screwed in or loosened 21 be connected to one another or separated from one another in a simple manner. The one for a tight connection of the respectively assigned fluid connections 15 two housings 1 The required contact pressure can be achieved by screwing in the conical screw 21 be guaranteed.

The housing can be used to protect against environmental influences 1 with a bottom plate 24 be closed with the housing 1 is screwed.

At the in 2 Embodiment shown of a complex microreaction system built from several micro-process engineering components, seven micro-process engineering components are each connected to one another. About the guide pins 16 and the associated holes 17 can be connected to the shown micro reaction system in a simple manner further micro process engineering components, whereby by screwing in the conical screw 21 the locking pin 18 and the associated housing 1 of the newly added microprocessing module and the associated fluid connections 15 be tightly connected.

The connection technology shown enables complex microreaction systems to be set up solely by assembling the individual microprocessing components. It can be useful for various applications to attach the individual micro process engineering components on a common base plate. The locking of the individual housing 1 then takes place over the respective floor slabs 24 , which can be positioned in matching recesses in the base plate and optionally additionally fastened.

Claims (13)

Micro process engineering module with at least one process engineering microfluidic element ( 4 ) and with microfluidic channel connections ( 9 ), whereby the micro process engineering component in a thermally insulating housing ( 1 ) is arranged, the microfluidic channel connections ( 9 ) through the housing ( 1 ) are passed through and connecting elements for connecting individual housings ( 1 ) on the housing ( 1 ) are arranged so that the respectively assigned microfluidic channel connections ( 9 ) are tightly connectable. Microprocessing module according to claim 1, characterized in that the microfluidic element ( 4 ) is essentially completely surrounded by thermally conductive material. Microprocessing module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thermally conductive material is aluminum or copper and the housing ( 1 ) consists of thermally insulating material, in particular plastic such as polyaryl ether ketone (PEEK) or ceramic. Microprocessing module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microfluidic element ( 4 ) between a connection block ( 3 ) with in the connection block ( 3 ) arranged microfluidic channel connections ( 9 ) and a heat exchanger block ( 2 ) is arranged with devices for temperature control. Microprocess engineering module according to claim 4, characterized in that the connection block ( 3 ) Has devices for temperature control. Microprocessing module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature of the microfluidic element ( 4 ) can be controlled by means of a temperature control device operated electrically and / or with a fluidic heat transfer medium. Microprocessing module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature of the microfluidic element ( 4 ) is adjustable. Microprocessing module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that sensors such as pressure, flow, conductivity, pH or optical sensors on the microfluidic element ( 4 ) in the housing ( 1 ) are arranged. Microprocessing module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that microfluidic components such as valves, check valves or Pumping on the microfluidic element ( 4 ) and / or the microfluidic channel connections ( 9 ) are arranged. Microprocessing module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connecting element for connecting individual housings ( 1 ) a conical screw ( 21 ) which has a locking pin ( 18 ) to the conical screw ( 21 ) adapted bore ( 19 ), which consists of a first of the housings to be connected ( 1 ) protrudes, releasably firmly into a locking pin ( 18 ) adapted recess ( 20 ) of a second housing ( 1 ) pressed. Microprocessing module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing ( 1 ) protruding formations and recesses on the side surfaces for a form-fitting arrangement of individual housings ( 1 ) relative to each other. Microprocessing module according to claim 11, characterized in that the housing ( 1 projecting guide pins ( 16 ) and adapted holes ( 17 ) having. Microprocessing module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microprocessing module on the bottom surface of the housing ( 1 ) Devices for releasably attaching the microprocessing module on a base plate.