EP2535108A1 - Microfluidic System and method of operating the system - Google Patents

Abstract

The microfluidic system (103) has a cartridge (100) with a drum (108) that has a chamber, where an adjusting unit is provided to rotate the drum around a central axis, in order to connect the chamber with another chamber (120,122,132,136) in liquid-, gas- and particle guiding manner. A printing unit (101) changes a component with a pressure difference, in order to transfer the pressure difference between the chambers. An independent claim is included for a method for operating a microfluidic system.

Description

State of the art

The implementation of biochemical processes is based in particular on the handling of liquids. Typically, this manipulation is done manually with tools such as pipettes, reaction vessels, active probe surfaces or laboratory equipment. By pipetting robots or special equipment, these processes are already partially automated.

Microfluidic systems are sometimes referred to as so-called lab-on-a-chip systems (Westentaschenlabor or chip laboratory), which accommodate the entire functionality of a macroscopic laboratory on a plastic plastic card sized plastic substrate. Lab-on-a-chip systems typically consist of two major components. A test carrier or disposable cartridge includes structures and mechanisms for the implementation of basic fluidic operations (e.g., mixers) which may consist of passive components such as channels, reaction chamber, upstream reagents, or even active components such as valves or pumps. The second main component is actuation, detection and control units. Such systems make it possible to carry out biochemical processes fully automatically.

Such a lab-on-a-chip system is for example in the document DE 10 2006 003 532 A1 described. This system comprises a rotor chip, which is rotatably provided with respect to a stator chip. The rotor chip can be coupled by means of fluidic channels with the stator chip for filling or emptying the rotor chip.

Advantages of the invention

The system defined in claim 1 and the method defined in claim 15 have the advantage over conventional solutions that the cartridge is not centrifuged in a centrifuge or another force field must be suspended in order to transfer the component between the first and second chamber. Compared to the use of a centrifuge, many parameters, such as the temperature of the component, can be adjusted more easily in a stationary system. Furthermore, a more flexible processing of the component is possible because the processing is independent of the speed of the centrifuge.

From the dependent claims, advantageous embodiments of the invention.

"Component" in this case means a liquid, a gas or a particle.

By "chamber" is presently preferably a line section, which is designed to be open on both sides or only one side open, or a substantially closed space meant, which has an inlet and / or outlet.

According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the pressure device is designed as a pump and / or pressure accumulator, wherein the pump and / or the accumulator is preferably connected by means of a pressure connection with the cartridge or integrated into the cartridge. This will simply provide the necessary pressure to transfer the component between the first and second chambers. In addition, a very compact construction can be achieved by means of the integration. The "pressure" can be an overpressure or a negative pressure relative to the ambient pressure.

According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention it is provided that the pressure accumulator stores the component itself under pressure and the first or second chamber supplies or stores a fluidic aid under pressure, which pressurizes the at least one component. The pressure accumulator is designed in particular as a gas cartridge, bladder accumulator or spring accumulator. The auxiliary is preferably a gas, in particular air, or water.

According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the cartridge has a housing, which is closed at its one end by means of an adapter, wherein the adapter has the pressure port. As a result, several functions are integrated into the adapter: namely once a particular sterile closure of the housing and continue to receive the pressure port. Alternatively, the pressure port can also be arranged at the end of the housing, which is opposite to the adapter. According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the adjusting device comprises an electrically, mechanically and / or pressure-operated actuator which rotates the first drum and / or moves along the central axis. The axial movement can therefore be provided in addition to the rotational movement and preferably takes place along the longitudinal axis of a housing of the cartridge.

According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the actuator has a shaft which is directly or indirectly connected to the first drum in order to rotate it. This allows the first drum to be rotated without having to rotate the other drums.

According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the adjusting device comprises a first bevel, which cooperates with a second bevel of the first drum, in order from a first position in which this is in a form-locking engagement with a housing of the cartridge in the rotational direction about the central axis in a second position along the central axis to spend, in which the positive connection is canceled and the first drum rotates about the central axis due to the action of a return means or another actuator. As a result, a kind of "ballpoint pen mechanism" is provided.

According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the actuator actuates the first slope for cooperation with the second slope. That is, the actuator operates the ballpoint pen mechanism.

According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention the first drum is a second and / or third drum upstream or downstream relative to the central axis, wherein the actuator actuates the second and / or third drum for rotating the first drum. That is, the actuator acts indirectly on the first drum to rotate it.

According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the cartridge has a housing which is closed at its one end by means of an adapter, wherein the actuator is attached to the adapter. As a result, several functions are integrated into the adapter: namely, once a particularly sterile closure of the housing and continue to receive the adapter. Preferably, the actuator is integrated in the adapter. According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the adapter has a flexible membrane which can be actuated on its one side by means of the actuator and acts on its other side on the first, second and / or third drum. This can create a more sterile outcome. The actuator is preferably outside the interior of the housing.

According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the second chamber of the first drum is upstream or downstream relative to the central axis and formed in the second and / or third drum. By providing a plurality of drums with in particular a plurality of chambers, which are adjusted to one another, a very wide variety of processes can be carried out automatically by means of the system.

According to a further embodiment of the cartridge according to the invention, the second chamber and / or a third chamber of the first drum with respect to the central axis upstream or downstream, wherein preferably the first chamber by means of the adjustment either with the second chamber or the third chamber is conductively connected. The mixing chamber can thus be the first drum forward and / or downstream or also provided in the first drum itself. In addition, the mixing chamber can preferably be optionally connected to different further chambers as required.

According to a further embodiment of the cartridge according to the invention, a second drum, which has the second chamber, and / or a third drum, which has the third chamber. In the same way, however, the second drum may also have the second chamber and the third chamber, for example. The same applies to the third drum. By providing a plurality of drums, in particular a plurality of chambers, which are adjusted to one another, a wide variety of processes can be carried out automatically by means of the cartridge.

According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention a plurality of second chambers are provided which can be acted upon by the pressure device with a different pressure, preferably a respective second chamber means of a respective pressure port in the adapter with the pressure device or all the second chambers by means of a single pressure port in the Adapter are connected to the pressure device, wherein more preferably a respective second chamber is connected by means of a respective valve with the single pressure port.

According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the printing device drives the actuator. As a result, only one energy source for the actuator and the printing device is advantageously required.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description.

Figur 1

ein System gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung, wobei eine Kartusche des Systems im Schnitt und eine Druckeinrichtung schematisch dargestellt sind;

Figuren 2A-2G

perspektivische Ansichten verschiedener Bauteile der Kartusche aus Figur 1;

Figuren 3A-3E

verschiedene Betriebszustände der Kartusche aus Figur 1;

Figuren 4A-4E

Detailansichten einer Verstelleinrichtung entsprechend den verschiedenen Betriebszuständen aus Figur 3A-3E;

Figur 5

schematisch in einer Schnittansicht ein System umfassend einen Aktor, welcher einen Adapter durchgreift, gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Figur 6

schematisch in einer Schnittansicht ein System umfassend einen Aktor, welcher an einem Adapter außenseitig angeordnet ist, gemäß einem noch weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Figur 7

schematisch in einer Schnittansicht ein System umfassend mehrere Druckanschlüsse gemäß einem noch weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung; und

Figur 8

schematisch in einer Schnittansicht ein System umfassend einen Druckanschluss sowie mehrere Ventile gemäß einem noch weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a system according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a cartridge of the system in section and a printing device are shown schematically;

Figures 2A-2G

perspective views of various components of the cartridge FIG. 1 ;

Figures 3A-3E

different operating conditions of the cartridge FIG. 1 ;

Figures 4A-4E

Detail views of an adjustment according to the different operating conditions Figure 3A-3E ;

FIG. 5

schematically in a sectional view of a system comprising an actuator which passes through an adapter, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6

schematically in a sectional view a system comprising an actuator, which is arranged on an adapter on the outside, according to a still further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7

schematically in a sectional view a system comprising a plurality of pressure ports according to a still further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8

schematically in a sectional view of a system comprising a pressure port and a plurality of valves according to a still further embodiment of the present invention.

In the figures, like reference numerals designate like or functionally identical elements, unless indicated otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows in a sectional view a cartridge 100 and schematically a printing device 101, which together form a system 103 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In connection with the FIGS. 1 to 4E the structure of the cartridge 100 will be explained in more detail below.

The cartridge 100 includes a housing 102 in the form of a tube. For example, the housing 102 may be formed as a 5 to 100 mL, especially 50 mL, centrifuge tube, 1.5 mL or 2 mL Eppendorf tube, or alternatively as a microtiter plate (e.g., 20 μL per well). The longitudinal axis of the housing 102 is designated 104.

In the housing 102, for example, a first drum 108, a second drum 106 and a third drum 110 are accommodated. The drums 106, 108, 110 are arranged one behind the other and with their respective central axes coaxial with the longitudinal axis 104.

The housing 102 is formed closed at its one end 112. Between the closed end 112 and the adjacent to this third drum 110, a return means, for example in the form of a spring 114 is arranged. The spring 114 may be in the form of a coil spring or a polymer, in particular an elastomer. The other end 116 of the housing 102 is closed by means of a closure 118. Preferably, the closure 118 may be removed to remove the drums 106, 108, 110 from the housing 102. Alternatively, the housing 102 itself can be dismantled to remove the drums 106, 108, 110 or to reach the chambers, for example the chamber 136.

• So umfasst beispielsweise die zweite Trommel 106 mehrere Kammern 120 für Reagenzien sowie eine weitere Kammer 122 zur Aufnahme einer Probe, beispielsweise einer Blutprobe, die von einem Patienten entnommen wurde.

According to a further embodiment, the spring 114 is disposed between the shutter 118 and the second drum 106, so that the spring 114 is stretched to generate a restoring force. Other arrangements of the spring 114 are conceivable. A respective drum 106, 108, 110 may have one or more chambers:

• For example, the second drum 106 includes a plurality of reagent chambers 120 and another chamber 122 for receiving a sample, such as a blood sample, taken from a patient.

The first drum 108 connected downstream of the second drum 106 comprises a mixing chamber 124 in which the reagents from the chambers 120 are mixed with the sample from the chamber 122. In addition, the second drum 108 includes, for example, another chamber 126 in which the mixture 128 flows from the mixing chamber 124 through a solid phase 130. The solid phase 130 may be a gel column, a silica matrix, or a filter.

The third drum 110, which is in turn connected downstream of the first drum 108, comprises a chamber 132 for receiving a waste product 134 from the chamber 126. Furthermore, the third drum 110 comprises a further chamber 136 for receiving the desired end product 138.

The aim is now to control various processes within the cartridge 100 by means of an actuator 139. For example, the mixing chamber 124 is first to be fluidly connected to the chamber 122 to receive the sample from the chamber 122. Thereafter, the mixing chamber 124 is to be connected to the chambers 120 to receive the reagents from these. Subsequently, the reagents and the sample are to be mixed in the mixing chamber 124. The processes in chambers 126, 132 and 136 should also be similar.

The Figures 2A-2G perspective view of various components of the cartridge 100 from FIG. 1 , Based on Figures 2A-2G in particular an adjusting device 300 (see Fig. 3A ) comprising the actuator 139, which enables the control of the above-mentioned processes.

As in FIG. 2A shown, the housing 102 on its inside projections 200. The projections 200 are radially from the housing inner wall 202 toward the longitudinal axis 104. The projections 200 form between them slots 204 which extend along the longitudinal axis 104. The projections 200 are at their one end each formed with a slope 206. The ramps 206 face in a first direction 207. According to the present embodiment, they point toward the end 112 of the housing 102.

FIG. 2B shows the end 112 of the housing 102, which is formed according to this embodiment as a removable cap. The end 112 has at its inner periphery a plurality of grooves 208 which extend along the longitudinal axis 104.

Figure 2C shows the second drum 106 with the chambers 120, 122. The drum 106 has on its outer wall 210 a plurality of projections 212 which extend from the outer wall 210 radially outwardly. In the assembled state of the cartridge 100, the projections 212 of the drum 106 engage in the slots 204 of the housing 102. As a result, a rotation of the drum 106 is locked about the longitudinal axis 104. However, the drum 106 is slidable along the longitudinal axis 104 in the slots 204. The second drum 106 furthermore has on its outer wall 210, in particular on its end 214 facing the first drum 108, a crown-like contour 216 which comprises a multiplicity of bevels 218, 220. Two bevels 218, 220 each form a point of the crown-like contour 216. The slopes 218, 220 also point in the first direction 207.

FIG. 2D shows a view of the second drum 106 from Figure 2C from underneath. The underside 222 of the second drum 106 assigned to the end 214 has a plurality of openings 224 in order to connect the chambers 120, 122 to the mixing chamber 124 of the first drum 108 in liquid, gas and / or particle form (hereinafter "conductive"). Alternatively or additionally, the openings 224 may also conductively connect the chambers 120, 122 to the chamber 126 of the first drum 108. A respective conductive connection is determined by the position of a respective opening 224 with respect to the chambers 124, 126. This position is achieved by rotating the first drum 108 relative to the second drum 106, as will be explained in more detail later.

Figure 2E shows a lancing device 226, which in FIG. 1 not shown. Lancing device 226 includes a plate 228 having one or more spikes 230 disposed adjacent to an opening 232 in plate 228, respectively. The mandrels 230 serve, by means of suitable control by the actuator 139 a respective Opening 224 in the bottom 222 of the second drum 106 to pierce, whereupon in particular liquid from the corresponding chamber 120, 122 flows through the opening 232 into the chambers 124 or 126.

Figure 2F shows the first drum 108 with the chambers 124, 126. At the bottom 234 of the chamber 126, for example, an opening 236 for a conductive connection of the chamber 126 with the chambers 132, 136 of the third drum 110 is provided. The first drum 108 has a plurality of projections 240 on its outer wall 238. The protrusions 240 are configured to engage the slots 204 (as well as the protrusions 212 of the second drum 106). As long as the projections 240 are engaged with the slots 240, rotation of the first drum 108 about the longitudinal axis 104 is disabled. However, the projections 240 along with the first drum 108 are movable along the longitudinal axis 104 in the slots 204. The protrusions 240 have bevels 242 which are opposite to the first direction in a second direction 243 and are formed corresponding to the slopes 206 and 220. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the second direction 243 points in the direction of the closure 118.

FIG. 2G shows the third drum 110 with the chambers 132, 136. The drum 110 has projections 244 which project from the outer wall 246 of the drum 110 respectively. The projections 244 are adapted to engage the grooves 208 of the end 112 so that the drum 110 is displaceable in the longitudinal direction 104 in the grooves 208. A rotation of the drum 110 about the longitudinal axis 104 is thus locked.

The Figures 3A-3E show several operating conditions during operation of the cartridge 100 FIG. 1 , wherein an additional drum 302 is shown, but this is not relevant in the present case. The Figures 4A-4E correspond respectively with the Figures 3A-3E and illustrate the movement of the ramps 206, 218, 220, 242 relative to each other. In addition, however, it should be noted that FIG. 3B shows an operating state of the cartridge 100 which is more advanced than that in FIG FIG. 4B shown condition. In the Figures 3A-3E For example, the housing 102 is shown partially transparent to reveal the interior.

The actuator 139, the projections 200, the slots 204, the bevels 206, the projections 212, the bevels 218, 220, the projections 240 and the bevels 242 in conjunction with the return spring 114, the above-mentioned adjustment 300 for defined rotation of the first drum 108 relative to the other drums 106, 110 about the longitudinal axis 104.

The FIGS. 3A and 4A show a first position in which the projections 240 of the first drum 108 engage in the slots 204 and thus a rotation of the first drum 108 is locked about the longitudinal axis 104. If the actuator 139 now presses indirectly or directly on the second drum 106, the second drum 106 in turn pushes the bevels 242 of the first drum 108 against the action of the spring 114 by means of the bevels 220 of the contour 216, the spring 114 being compressed. As a result, the first drum 108 moves in the first direction 207 as indicated by the corresponding arrows in FIGS FIGS. 4A and 4B indicated. This movement is continued until the protrusions 240 disengage from the protrusions 200. In this second position, rotation of the first drum 108 about the longitudinal axis 104 is enabled, as in FIG FIG. 4C illustrated. Due to the interaction of the ramps 220 and 242, which are aligned at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis 104, for example, results in a force component, which automatically rotates the first drum 108 when it comes to the second position, as by in FIG. 4C indicated by arrows pointing to the left.

If the actuator 139 now releases the second drum 106, then the spring 114 moves the first drum 108 again in the second direction 243 by means of the third drum 110. As a result, the second drum 106 together with its bevels 220 is also moved again in the second direction 243 whereby the chamfers 242 of the first drum 108 come to rest against the chamfers 206 of the housing 102 and slide therealong into a third position, as in Figs Figures 4D and 4E shown. In the third position, the projections 240 of the first drum 108 are again located in the slots 204 of the housing 102, so that further rotation of the first drum 108 about the longitudinal axis 104 is again locked.

The process described above may be repeated as many times as desired to rotate the first drum 108 in a defined manner relative to the other drums 106 and 110.

Instead of the actuator 139, a centrifuge could still be used. For this purpose, the cartridge 100 may have an outer geometry, so that these in a receptacle of a rotor of the centrifuge, in particular in a receptacle of a Ausschwingrotors or fixed angle rotor of a centrifuge, can be used. During centrifugation, the cartridge 100 is moved by one in FIG. 1 schematically indicated pivot point 140 rotated at high speed. The pivot point 140 lies on the longitudinal axis 104, so that a corresponding centrifugal force 142 along the longitudinal axis 104 acts on each component of the cartridge 100. By means of suitable control of the rotational speed, various processes within the cartridge 100 can be controlled, as with the use of the actuator 139.

Further alternatively, instead of the return means 114, another actuator, not shown, could be used.

In principle, the actuator 139 may be electrically, mechanically and / or pressure-operated. In particular, a piezoelectrically, electrostatically, semi-mechanically manually or electromagnetically operated actuator 139 is suitable. "Operated" here means the active principle which the actuator 139 exploits in order to generate the actuating force for actuating the second drum 106 (or, depending on the embodiment, also one of the other drums 108, 110). For example, the actuator 139 may include an electromagnet that cooperates with a metal part disposed in one of the drums 106, 108, 110 that the electromagnet attracts or repels by appropriately driving it, thereby effecting the above-described adjustment of the drums 106, 108, 110 to reach each other. The compressive force applied to the second drum 106 by means of the actuator 139 is typically 0.5-100 N.

Preferably, a suitable, not shown, control device is provided, which controls the actuator 139, so that the drums 106, 108, 110 at the desired time to take the respective desired position to each other. For this purpose, the control device may have a timer and / or an integrated circuit.

According to one embodiment, the system 103 may be provided without the protrusions 200, the slots 204, the slopes 206, the protrusions 212, the slopes 218, 220 and return spring 114. Instead, the actuator 139 has a shaft which is directly connected to the first drum 108. The actuator 139 then rotates under suitable control by means of the control device, the first drum 108 with respect to the then fixed other drums 106, 110 in order to conductively connect the various chambers, for example the chambers 120, 124 with each other. To provide a suitable movement (a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis 104 and / or a movement along the Longitudinal axis 104 in the first and / or second direction 207, 243) of the drums 106, 108, 110 to achieve each other, two or more actuators 139 can be used.

FIG. 5 schematically shows in a sectional view a system 103 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the lid 118 is in the form of an adapter for holding the actuator 139 is executed. The actuator 139 extends through the adapter 118 and thus acts directly on the second drum 106 to these in the first direction 207, ie in Fig. 5 down, to move. For example, the actuator 139 for this purpose, an actuator, in particular a rod having, which presses against the drum 106. The provision can be made as described above by means of the return means 114.

Alternatively, the actuator 139, for example, the actuator, be firmly connected to the second drum 106. Thereby, the drum 106 can be rapidly reciprocated along the longitudinal direction 104 by means of the actuator 139, whereby a mixing chamber for mixing components in one of the chambers 120, 122 could be provided. If the amplitude of the to-and-fro motion is chosen to be sufficiently small, this movement can occur without twisting the drums 106, 108, 110 relative to each other, i. the "ballpoint pen mechanism" is not triggered.

The pressure device 101 has the function of applying at least one component 500, in particular a liquid, for example a reagent, with a pressure difference in order to transfer it, for example, from the chamber 120 into the chamber 124. For this purpose, the chambers 120, 124 are first arranged opposite each other (by means of rotating the first drum 108, as described above) and thereafter pressure-tightly connected to each other. In addition, the second drum 106 seals against the adapter 118 so that a corresponding channel in the adapter 118 carrying the pressure is pressure-tightly connected to the chamber 120. The pressure device 101 then applies, for example, a pressure which is above the ambient pressure to the adapter-side end 502 of the chamber 120. For example, the chamber 124 is vented to the atmosphere so that the pressure drives the component into the chamber 124. Alternatively, the chamber 124 in turn with other chambers 126, 132, 136 (see FIG. 1 ) in the first drum 108 and / or in the third drum 110 to be conductively connected, wherein only the last chamber 136 is vented, so that the pressure of the component 500 or a mixture of the component 500 with other components or only a component of the component 500 by the chambers 124, 132, 136 drives. The pressure device 101 typically generates a pressure of 0.01-2 bar.

Alternatively, the pressure device 101 may also be provided to provide the pressure difference by generating a vacuum.

The printing device 101 is designed, for example, as a pump. For example, it can be a hand-operated or electrically operated pump.

Alternatively, the printing device 101 may be formed as a pressure accumulator. The pressure accumulator 101 can be designed, for example, as a spring accumulator, which initially contains the component 500 itself and, in particular, conveys the component 500 through the chamber 120 into the chamber 124 by actuation of a valve. Furthermore, there is the possibility that the printing device 101 stores a fluidic aid under pressure. As an aid especially compressed air comes into question. Relaxing the air, this drives the component 500, in particular a liquid, from the chamber 120 into the chamber 124 or through a plurality of chambers, as described above.

The printing device 101 is provided in particular outside the cartridge 100 and connected to the cartridge 100, in particular the adapter 118, for example by means of a pressure port 504. Alternatively, the pressure device 101, in particular in the form of a compressed gas storage, could also be integrated in the cartridge 100, in particular in one of the chambers 120, 122, 124, 126, 132, 136.

FIG. 6 schematically shows in a sectional view a system 103 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment according to FIG. 6 differs from the according to FIG. 5 in that the actuator 139 is attached to the outside of the adapter 118, ie, the actuator 139 does not penetrate the adapter 118 in this case. Rather, the actuator 139 acts indirectly, for example by means of a flexible membrane, on the second drum 106 to operate them in the first direction 207. In particular, forms thin portion 600 of the adapter 118 from the membrane, wherein an actuator 602 of the actuator 139 elastically deforms this thin portion 600.

FIG. 7 schematically shows in a sectional view a system 103 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment according to FIG. 7 differs from the according to FIG. 5 in that a respective chamber 120, 122 of the second drum 106 is connected to a respective pressure device 101 by means of a respective associated pressure port 504. As a result, the pressures applied to the chambers 120, 122 can be controlled individually.

In one embodiment, the adapter 118 has a connector (not shown), e.g. the housing 102, the second drum 106 and / or the chambers 120, 122 are contacted and sealed. The plug-in device may have pins (not shown), which engage in the chambers 120, 122 or other openings of the drum 106 from above and seal them pressure-tight. The pins can also open when mating the example, previously closed chambers 120, 122 or other openings, in particular piercing a cover. In turn, a channel connected to a pressure port 504, which opens into an associated chamber 120, 122, can run in a respective journal.

FIG. 8 schematically shows in a sectional view a system 103 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment according to FIG. 8 differs from the according to FIG. 7 in that a respective chamber 120, 122 in the second drum 106 are connected by means of a valve 700 to a single pressure port 504. The valves 700 may be integrated into the adapter 118.

It is also based on FIG. 8 by way of example, one or more spikes 802 can be provided on the inside 800 (that is to say, facing the interior of the housing 102). Prior to the pressure drop compensation by means of the pressure device 101, the actuator 139 first actuates the second drum 106 in the second direction 243 in order thereby to seal a cover film (not shown) which closes off a respective chamber 120, 122. For example, made of aluminum, to pierce. Prior to the piercing step, the drums 106, 108, 110 are appropriately rotated relative to one another, as explained above.

Alternatively, the spines 802 may be provided extendable. This is then a piercing of a respective cover regardless of the operation by the actuator 139 is possible.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide the actuator 139 pressure-operated, to which the actuator 139 is pressure-conductively connected to the pressure device 101 (not shown) and thus driven by the latter. In the simplest case, the adapter 118 and the second drum 106 form a chamber (not shown) with each other, which is acted upon by pressure from the pressure device 101 and thus the actuator 139 is formed. Furthermore, the actuator 139 could be provided in the form of a bellows, which is provided between the adapter 118 and the second drum 106.

The actuator 139 may also be provided elsewhere, for example between the first drum 108 and the second or third drum 106, 110.

In the simplest case, the actuator 139 may also be omitted, in which case the rotation of the drums 106, 108, 110 to one another takes place manually, in particular by triggering the ballpoint pen mechanism.

A control unit, not shown, controls the interaction of the actuator 139, which determines the spatial positioning of the drums 106, 108, 110 and the printing device 101, which controls the pressure for controlling the component 500 (or more components).

Furthermore, the drums 106, 108, 110 and the chambers 120, 122, 124, 132, 136, respectively, can be designed so that further process steps and structures can be integrated, e.g. Sedimentation structures, mixed structures, channel or siphon structures for the forwarding and switching of liquids.

The housing 102 and the drums 106, 108, 110 may be made of the same or different polymers. The one or more polymers are, in particular, thermoplastics, elastomers or thermoplastic elastomers. Examples are cycloolefin polymer (COP), cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC), Polycarbonates (PC), polyamides (PA), polyurethanes (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

One or both drums 106, 110 may be formed integrally with the housing 102.

Although the invention has been described herein with reference to preferred embodiments, it is by no means limited thereto, but modifiable in many ways. In particular, it should be pointed out that the embodiments and exemplary embodiments described herein for the system according to the invention are correspondingly applicable to the method according to the invention, and vice versa. It is further noted that "a" in the present case does not exclude a plurality.

Claims (15)

Microfluidic system (103) comprising
a cartridge (100) having a first drum (108) having a first chamber (124) and an adjustment device (300) adapted to rotate the first drum (108) about the central axis (104) thereof; thereby to connect the first chamber (124) with a second chamber (120, 122, 132, 136) liquid-, gas- and / or particle-conducting, and
a pressure device (101), which acts on at least one component (500) with a pressure difference, in order thereby to transfer between the first chamber (124) and the second chamber (120, 122, 132, 136). The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure device (101) is designed as a pump and / or accumulator, wherein the pump and / or the pressure accumulator preferably by means of a pressure connection (504) connected to the cartridge (100) or integrated into the cartridge (100) is. The system of claim 2, wherein the pressure accumulator (101) self-stores the component (500) and supplies it to the first chamber (124) or second chamber (120, 122, 132, 136) or stores under pressure a fluidic aid at least one component (500) is pressurized. A system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cartridge (100) comprises a housing (102) which is closed at its one end by means of an adapter (118), the adapter (118) having the pressure port (504). A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting means (300) comprises an electrically, mechanically and / or pressure operated actuator (139) which rotates and / or moves the first drum (108) along the central axis (104). The system of claim 5, wherein the actuator (139) comprises a shaft which is directly or indirectly connected to the first drum (108) for rotating the same. The system of claim 5, wherein the adjusting means (300) comprises a first ramp (220) cooperating with a second ramp (242) of the first drum (108) to move it from a first position comprising a housing (102 ) of the cartridge (100) in the rotational direction about the central axis (104) is positively engaged, to spend in a second position along the central axis (104), in which the positive connection is canceled and the first drum (108) about the central axis ( 104) rotates due to the action of a return means (114) or another actuator. The system of claim 7, wherein the actuator (139) actuates the first ramp (220) for cooperation with the second ramp (242). A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first drum (108) has a second drum (106) and / or third drum (110) upstream and / or downstream of the central axis (104), the actuator (139) comprising second drum (106) and / or third drum (110) for rotating the first drum (108) actuated. A system according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the cartridge (100) comprises a housing (102) which is closed at its one end by means of an adapter (118), the actuator (139) being fixed to the adapter (118) , The system of claim 10, wherein the adapter (118) comprises a flexible membrane (600) operable on one side thereof by the actuator (139) and on the other side thereof on the first drum (108), second drum (106). and / or third drum (110) acts. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second chamber (120, 122, 132, 136) of the first drum (108) is upstream or downstream of the central axis (104) and in the second or third drum (106, 110). is trained. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in addition to the first chamber (124) and second chamber (120) at least one further chamber (122) is provided, which by means of the pressure device (101) can be acted upon by a pressure different from each other, wherein preferably each the second chamber (120) and the at least one further chamber (120, 122) by means of a respective pressure port (504) in the adapter (118) with the pressure device (101) or the second chamber (120) and the at least one further chamber (122) are connected to the pressure device (101) by means of a single pressure port (504) in the adapter (118), more preferably in each case the second chamber (120) and the at least one further chamber (122) is connected to the single pressure port (504) by means of a respective valve (700). A system according to any one of claims 5-13, wherein the printing means (101) drives the actuator (139). Method for operating a microfluidic system (103), in particular a system (103) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: rotating a first drum (108) which comprises a first chamber (124) about its central axis (104), thereby connecting the first chamber (124) with a second chamber (120, 122, 132, 136) liquid-, gas- and / or particle-conducting, and applying at least one component (500) with a pressure difference, thereby characterized between the first chamber (124) and second chamber (120, 122, 132, 136) to transfer.

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