JP2023150202A - Interface and fluid handling device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an interface which can be retrofitted to a fluid handling device.SOLUTION: An interface is joined to a fluid handling device to connect an external device and an opening of the fluid handling device. The interface includes: a body which includes a through hole and a first bonding surface to be bonded to the fluid handling device; and a flange which includes a second joint surface joined to the fluid handling device, which is arranged in a manner to surround the first joint surface. The body and the flange are integral with each other. A thickness of the flange is less than that of the body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an interface for connecting an external device and a fluid handling device, and a fluid handling device having the interface.

In recent years, fluid handling devices such as microchannel chips, microwell plates, and flow cells have been used to analyze trace amounts of substances such as proteins and nucleic acids with high precision and high speed. Fluid handling devices have the advantage that small amounts of samples and reagents are required for analysis, and are expected to be used in a variety of applications such as clinical testing, food testing, and environmental testing. External devices such as micropipettes and pumps are sometimes used to introduce liquids such as samples and reagents into a fluid handling device, or to discharge gas such as air from a fluid handling device.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a pipette including a pipette tip is used to flow a liquid into a channel of a channel unit (fluid handling device). A pipette receiver against which a pipette tip is pressed is provided at the inlet and outlet of the channel. The pipette receiver is formed of a soft member that elastically deforms when a pipette tip is pressed against it, and connects the pipette tip and the channel in a watertight manner.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-322850

However, in the fluid handling device (flow path unit) described in Patent Document 1, the flow path and the pipette receiving section are integrated, and an interface (pipette receiving section) depending on the type and purpose of the pipette tip to be used is provided later. Select from and cannot be installed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an interface that can be retrofitted to fluid handling devices. It is also another object of the invention to provide a fluid handling device having said interface.

The interface of the present invention is an interface that is joined to a fluid handling device and for connecting an external device and an opening of the fluid handling device, and includes a through hole and a first joint surface that is joined to the fluid handling device. and a flange including a second joint surface, which is arranged to surround the first joint surface and is joined to the fluid handling device, and the main body and the flange are integral. , the thickness of the flange is smaller than the thickness of the main body.

The fluid handling device of the present invention includes a fluid handling device and an interface of the present invention joined to the fluid handling device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an interface that can be retrofitted to a fluid handling device depending on the type and purpose of external equipment to be used. Further, according to the present invention, a fluid handling device having the above interface can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid handling device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a top view of the fluid handling device, FIG. 2B is a front view of the fluid handling device, and FIG. 2C is a right side view of the fluid handling device. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 2A. . 4A is a bottom view of the top plate, FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interface according to the embodiment. 6A is a plan view of the interface, FIG. 6B is a front view of the interface, FIG. 6C is a right side view of the interface, and FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 6A. .

Hereinafter, an interface and a fluid handling device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Configuration of fluid handling device)
1 to 3C are diagrams showing the configuration of a fluid handling device 100 according to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid handling device 100. 2A is a top view of fluid handling device 100, FIG. 2B is a front view of fluid handling device 100, and FIG. 2C is a right side view of fluid handling device 100. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 2A. .

As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid handling device 100 includes a fluid handling device 200 having a receptacle for containing a fluid, and an interface 300 joined to the fluid handling device 200.

The fluid handling device 200 is a device having a housing section for housing fluid. Although the term "apparatus" is used herein, the fluid handling apparatus 200 may also be referred to as a chip, plate, device, or the like. The accommodating portion is a structure for accommodating a fluid such as a liquid or powder such as a sample or a reagent, or a gas such as air. The accommodating portion may have a structure that stores the fluid in one place, or may have a structure that allows the fluid to flow. The configuration of the accommodating portion is not particularly limited, and is appropriately selected depending on the application of the fluid handling device 100. Examples of the storage section include a channel, a chamber, a well, and the like. Examples of the fluid handling device 200 include a microchannel chip, a microwell plate, a flow cell, and the like.

The configuration and materials of the fluid handling device 200 are not particularly limited, and are appropriately selected depending on the application of the fluid handling device 100. For example, the fluid handling device 200 connects a first plate (spacer) provided with a through hole to define the shape of the storage portion to a second plate (spacer) provided with a through hole that functions as an inlet or an outlet. plate) and a third plate (bottom plate) in which no through holes are provided. Further, the fluid handling device 200 has a through hole provided under the first plate (top plate) which is provided with a recess for defining the shape of the storage portion and a through hole that functions as an inlet or an outlet. Alternatively, a second plate (bottom plate) may be arranged. The fluid handling device 200 also includes a first plate (bottom plate) provided with a concave portion for defining the shape of the accommodating portion, and a second plate (bottom plate) provided with a through hole functioning as an inlet or an outlet. A structure in which a top plate) is arranged may also be used. The material of these plates is not particularly limited, but may be glass or resin, for example. When the interface 300 according to this embodiment is bonded to the fluid handling device 200 by thermocompression bonding, when the member (top plate) to which the interface 300 of the fluid handling device 200 is bonded is made of glass, the interface 300 according to the present embodiment The effects of such an interface 300 are particularly exhibited.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1-3C, the fluid handling device 200 has a top plate 210 made of glass and a bottom plate 220 made of glass. The fluid handling device 200 has a flow path 203 that connects the inlet/outlet 201 and the air hole 202 as a housing section. The number of inlet/outlet ports 201, air holes 202, and flow paths 203 is not particularly limited, but is four each in the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 3C.

4A to 4C are diagrams showing the configuration of the top plate 210. 4A is a bottom view of the top plate 210, FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 4A.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the top plate 210 is provided with a plurality of first through holes 211 that function as introduction/exhaust ports 201 and a plurality of second through holes 212 that function as air holes 202. There is. Further, a plurality of grooves 213 for defining the flow path 203 are provided on the bottom surface of the top plate 210. The plurality of grooves 213 are arranged to connect the first through hole 211 and the second through hole 212, respectively. By joining the bottom plate 220 to the bottom surface of the top plate 210, the openings of the plurality of first through holes 211, the plurality of second through holes 212, and the plurality of grooves 213 formed in the top plate 210 are closed, and the plurality of grooves 213 are closed. An inlet/outlet 201, a plurality of air holes 202, and a plurality of channels 203 are formed.

The sizes of the top plate 210 and the bottom plate 220 are not particularly limited, and can be set as appropriate depending on the purpose and the like. The thickness of the top plate 210 is appropriately set depending on the depth of the groove 213, the required strength, and the like.

In the fluid handling device 200 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3C, fluid (for example, liquid) can be introduced into the channel 203 by injecting the fluid (eg, liquid) from the inlet/outlet 201. Further, by suctioning fluid (for example, liquid) from the introduction/discharge port 201, the fluid in the channel 203 can be discharged.

The interface 300 is an elastic member joined around the opening of the housing of the fluid handling device 200 for connecting an external device and the opening of the housing of the fluid handling device 200 . In the example shown in FIGS. 1-3C, the interface 300 is joined around four inlet/outlet ports 201 on the top surface of the top plate 210 of the fluid handling device 200. The type of external device is not particularly limited. Examples of the external device include a micropipette, a micropipette pipette tip, and a pump. When connecting an external device such as a pump to the interface 300, a nozzle or the like provided on the external device may be directly connected to the interface 300, or may be connected to the interface 300 via a tube or the like.

The interface 300 has one or more through holes 311 for connection with external equipment. The through hole 311 is connected to the opening of the accommodating portion of the fluid handling device 200 . In the example shown in FIGS. 1-3C, four through holes 311 are connected to four inlet/outlet ports 201 of fluid handling device 200, respectively. A method for connecting an external device to the through hole 311 is not particularly limited. For example, a part of an external device that discharges or aspirates fluid (for example, the tip of a pipette tip or the end of a tube) may be press-fitted into the through hole 311, or it may be placed above the opening of the through hole 311. Good too. For example, an external device (such as a micropipette or a pump) is operated while a portion of the external device that discharges or sucks fluid (such as the tip of a pipette tip or the end of a tube) is removably press-fitted into the through hole 311. By doing so, the fluid inside the external device can be introduced into the housing section (for example, the flow path 203) of the fluid handling device 200, or the fluid inside the housing section (for example, the flow path 203) of the fluid handling device 200 can be sucked into the external device. You can do it.

Interface 300 is substantially one piece. More specifically, the main body 310 and flange 320 of the interface 300, which will be described later, are an integral part. By integrating the interface 300, the number of parts of the fluid handling device 100 can be reduced. For example, the interface 300 may be an integrally molded product made of resin, elastomer, or the like, or may be an integral product manufactured by cutting or the like. Further, the integrally molded product may be made of one type of material, or may be made of a plurality of materials by, for example, two-color molding.

The material of the interface 300 is not particularly limited. Examples of materials for interface 300 include resins, elastomers, and the like. When a part of an external device is press-fitted into the through hole 311, the interface 300 (main body 310 and flange 320) is preferably an elastic body, and the material of the interface 300 is an elastic material such as an elastomer. is preferred. By making the interface 300 an elastic body, when the part of the external device that discharges or sucks fluid is press-fitted into the through hole 311, the outer surface of the part of the external device and the inner surface of the through hole 311 of the interface 300 are connected. By bringing them into close contact, it is possible to watertightly connect the space inside the external device and the housing section (for example, the flow path 203) of the fluid handling device 200. On the other hand, if the relevant part of the external device is an elastic body, even if the interface 300 (main body 310 and flange 320) is made of resin or the like, the space inside the external device and the housing part of the fluid handling device 200 (for example, the 203) can be connected watertightly.

The type of elastomer is not particularly limited as long as it has appropriate elasticity. Examples of elastomers include olefin thermoplastic elastomers, styrene thermoplastic elastomers, polystyrene thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and the like. Olefin-based elastomers are preferred from the viewpoint of ensuring durability that can withstand repeated insertion and removal of the insertion portion of an external device.

The method of joining interface 300 to fluid handling device 200 is not particularly limited. For example, the interface 300 may be bonded to the fluid handling device 200 by thermocompression bonding or may be bonded using an adhesive. When the interface 300 according to the present embodiment is joined to the fluid handling device 200 by thermocompression bonding, the effects of the interface 300 according to the present embodiment are particularly exhibited.

Fluid handling device 100 according to this embodiment has a main feature in the configuration of interface 300. Therefore, the interface 300 will be explained in detail separately.

(Interface configuration)
5 to 6D are diagrams showing the configuration of the interface 300 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of interface 300. 6A is a plan view of the interface 300, FIG. 6B is a front view of the interface 300, FIG. 6C is a right side view of the interface 300, and FIG. 6D is a cross section taken along line DD in FIG. 6A. It is a diagram.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6D, interface 300 is a separate member from fluid handling device 200 and has a body 310 and a flange 320. As shown in FIGS. For example, body 310 and flange 320 are integrally molded of elastomer. Both body 310 and flange 320 may be joined to fluid handling device 200.

The main body 310 includes a through hole 311 and a first joint surface 312 .

The through hole 311 penetrates the main body 310 in the thickness direction and is open to the top surface and the bottom surface (first joint surface 312) of the main body 310. External equipment is connected to the through hole 311. As described above, the part of the external device that discharges or aspirates fluid (for example, the tip of a pipette tip or the end of a tube) may be press-fitted into the through hole 311, or it may be placed above the opening of the through hole 311. You may. The through hole 311 is arranged to be connected to an opening (eg, inlet/outlet 201) of the housing of the fluid handling device 200 when the interface 300 is joined to the fluid handling device 200. The through hole 311 also allows the outer surface of the insertion portion of the external device and the inner surface of the through hole 311 of the interface 300 to be in close contact with each other, so that the space inside the external device and the opening of the accommodating portion of the fluid handling device 200 (for example, the introduction /discharge port 201) is preferably configured to be able to be watertightly connected.

The number and position of through holes 311 are not particularly limited, and are appropriately set according to the configuration of fluid handling device 200. In this embodiment, fluid handling device 200 has four inlet/outlet ports 201 and interface 300 also has four through holes 311.

The shape of the through hole 311 is not particularly limited, and is appropriately set depending on the shape of the external device and the connection method of the external device. For example, the shape of the through hole 311 may be a columnar shape or an inverted truncated cone shape (tapered shape). From the viewpoint of making it easier to connect external devices, it is preferable that the opening on the top side of the through hole 311 be wider than the other portion of the through hole 311. For example, as shown in FIG. 6D, the edge of the opening on the top side of the through hole 311 may be chamfered. Examples of chamfers include R chamfers and C chamfers.

The diameter of the through hole 311 is also not particularly limited, and is appropriately set depending on the size of the portion of the external device that discharges or sucks fluid. For example, when the external device is a micropipette equipped with a pipette tip, the diameter of the through hole 311 into which the pipette tip is press-fitted is about 0.8 to 1.4 mm. When the interface 300 has a plurality of through holes 311, the diameters of the plurality of through holes 311 may be the same or different.

The first bonding surface 312 is a surface that is bonded to the fluid handling device 200. In this embodiment, the first joint surface 312 is the bottom surface of the main body 310. The shape of the first bonding surface 312 is not particularly limited as long as it can be bonded to the fluid handling device 200, but it is usually a flat surface.

The thickness of the main body 310 (the length in the vertical direction in FIG. 6D) is not particularly limited, and is appropriately set so that when a part of an external device that discharges or sucks fluid is press-fitted, the part can be appropriately held. . For example, the thickness of the main body 310 is approximately 1 to 10 mm.

The width of the wall surrounding the through hole 311 of the main body 310 (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 6D) is not particularly limited, and when a part of an external device that discharges or sucks fluid is press-fitted, the part must be properly held. If possible, there are no particular limitations. For example, the width of the wall surrounding the through hole 311 of the main body 310 is 0.5 to 2 mm. The width of this wall may be constant or may vary in the entire circumferential direction of the through hole 311.

The flange 320 is a thinner portion than the main body 310 and is arranged to surround the lower part of the main body 310. The flange 320 prevents the main body 310 from peeling off from the fluid handling device 200. Flange 320 includes a second joint surface 321 .

The second bonding surface 321 is a surface that is disposed to surround the first bonding surface 312 (bottom surface of the main body 310) and is bonded to the fluid handling device 200. In this embodiment, the second joint surface 321 is the bottom surface of the flange 320. The shape of the second bonding surface 321 is not particularly limited as long as it can be bonded to the fluid handling device 200, but it is usually a flat surface. The first bonding surface 312 and the second bonding surface 321 may be discontinuous, but are preferably continuous. In this embodiment, the first bonding surface 312 and the second bonding surface 321 are continuous and flush.

The thickness of the flange 320 (length in the vertical direction in FIG. 6D) is not particularly limited as long as it is thinner than the main body 310, but it reduces the elastic force that tends to return to the shape before joining after being joined to the fluid handling device 200. From this point of view, the thickness is preferably 1000 μm or less. For example, the thickness of the flange 320 is 50 to 1000 μm. The thickness of the flange 320 may be constant or may vary from place to place.

The width of the flange 320 (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 6D) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 mm or more from the viewpoint of suppressing the separation of the main body 310 from the fluid handling device 200. The width of flange 320 at a particular portion of flange 320 means the shortest length between the outer edge of that portion of flange 320 and the outer edge of body 310 . For example, the width of flange 320 is 0.5 to 10 mm. The width of the flange 320 may be constant or may vary from place to place.

(How to use the interface)
The interface 300 according to this embodiment is used by being joined around the four inlet/outlet ports 201 on the top surface of the top plate 210 of the fluid handling device 200. That is, the interface 300 is retrofitted to the fluid handling device 200.

Here, a case will be considered in which the elastomer interface 300 is bonded to the top plate 210 of the fluid handling device 200 by thermocompression bonding. In this case, since the elastic interface 300 is joined to the fluid handling device 200 by being heated and pressed, it is joined to the fluid handling device 200 in a deformed state. Therefore, after interface 300 is bonded to fluid handling device 200, it will tend to return to its pre-bond shape.

If the interface 300 does not have the flange 320 and is composed only of the main body 310, the main body 310 is thick and has a large force to return to the shape before joining, so the edge of the first joining surface 312 The main body 310 is likely to be peeled off. On the other hand, if the interface 300 has a flange 320 in addition to the main body 310, the flange 320 is thin and has a small force to return to its pre-joining shape, so it is difficult to peel off. Since the flange 320 around the first joint surface 312 does not peel off, the main body 310 also does not peel off easily. That is, even if the interface 300 according to the present embodiment is bonded to the fluid handling device 200 by thermocompression bonding, it is difficult to separate from the fluid handling device 200.

As described above, by joining the interface 300 to the top plate 210 of the fluid handling apparatus 200, the fluid handling device 100 according to the present embodiment can be obtained. The method of using the fluid handling device 100 is not particularly limited, and can be set as appropriate depending on the application. For example, by operating the external device with a part of the external device that discharges or sucks fluid press-fitted into the through hole 311, the fluid in the external device can be introduced into the channel 203 of the fluid handling device 200, or The fluid in the flow path 203 of the handling device 200 can be sucked into an external device.

(effect)
As described above, the interface 300 according to this embodiment can be joined to the fluid handling device 200 at any timing. Further, even if the interface 300 according to the present embodiment is bonded to the fluid handling device 200 by thermocompression bonding, it is difficult to peel off from the fluid handling device 200.

Interfaces and fluid handling devices according to the present invention are useful in a variety of applications such as clinical testing, food testing, and environmental testing.

100 fluid handling device 200 fluid handling apparatus 201 introduction/outlet port 202 air hole 203 channel 210 top plate 211 first through hole 212 second through hole 213 groove 220 bottom plate 300 interface 310 main body 311 through hole 312 first joint surface 320 flange 321 Second joint surface

Claims (11)

An interface coupled to a fluid handling device for connecting an external device and an opening of the fluid handling device, the interface comprising:
a main body including a through hole and a first joint surface joined to the fluid handling device;
a flange including a second joint surface disposed to surround the first joint surface and joined to the fluid handling device;
has
the main body and the flange are integral;
The thickness of the flange is smaller than the thickness of the main body.
interface. The interface according to claim 1, wherein the main body and the flange are both elastic bodies. The interface according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface are continuous and flush. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flange has a thickness of 50 to 1000 μm. Interface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the flange is between 0.5 and 10 mm. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thickness of the main body is 1 to 10 mm. The interface according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the through hole is press-fitted with an external device. Interface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the wall surrounding the through-hole of the body is between 0.5 and 2 mm. a fluid handling device;
an interface according to any one of claims 1 to 8 joined to the fluid handling device;
A fluid handling device having: 10. The fluid handling device of claim 9, wherein the interface is bonded to the fluid handling apparatus by thermocompression. The fluid handling device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the member to which the interface of the fluid handling device is joined is made of glass.