KR100583582B1 - Microelectrofluidic benches for modular fluidic and electrical interconnections - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated bench in which a fluid circuit and an electric circuit are simultaneously connected, a fluid circuit board having an inlet and an outlet through which fluid is introduced or discharged, a fluid formed in the fluid circuit board and connected to the inlet and the outlet by a fluid contact. A plurality of segmented flow paths constituting a circuit, a diaphragm tightly coupled to the fluid circuit board to block leakage of fluid communicating with the flow path, and correspondingly disposed at end portions of the flow paths that pass through the diaphragm and are segmented, respectively. A plurality of fluid contacts for directing the diaphragm in a direction passing through the diaphragm, an electric substrate coupled to the diaphragm and printed with an electric circuit, and two or more fluid contacts corresponding to the ends of different flow paths vertically through the electric substrate. A plurality of gratings exposed to the outside and two or more of the fluid contacts mounted on the gratings; And a fluid cylinder sikimyeo electric elements electrically connected to said electrical circuit. This microfluidic integrated bench is characterized in that the connection between the microfluid and the plurality of fluid electrical elements mounted in the electric circuit is quick and accurate.

Description

MICROELECTROFLUIDIC BENCHES FOR MODULAR FLUIDIC AND ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTIONS}             

1 is an exploded perspective view according to an embodiment of the present invention microfluidic integration bench,

Figure 2 shows the binding state of the microfluidic integration bench shown in Figure 1,

3 is a cross-sectional view of the microfluidic integration bench shown in FIG.

4 shows another embodiment of the fluid circuit board shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the fluid electric device illustrated in FIG. 2.

<Description of Symbols for Major Parts of Drawings>

10: fluid circuit board 11: flow path

20: plate 21: fluid contact

30: electric substrate 31: grid

32: electrical contact 40: fluid electrical device

The present invention relates to an integrated bench in which a plurality of fluid electrical devices are seated, and more particularly, to a microfluidic integrated bench capable of simultaneously connecting a modular fluid and electricity to a fluid electrical device.

Recently, the importance of genetic engineering and biochemistry has emerged, and peripheral technology is being developed accordingly. One of them is an analyzer. The analyzer in the biochemical field mainly uses a liquid substance as a sample object, and thus requires a special structure for contact between the fluid electrical element mounted therein and the liquid sample.

Prior arts relating to a connection structure between a fluid electric element and a fluid include US Pat. Nos. 6,273,478 and 6,536,477.

U. S. Patent No. 6,273, 478 discloses a technique for a fluid connector for sample injection into a microfluidic device. However, this patent requires a separate structure such as a ring and a cartridge because the tube is used as a connector, and has a disadvantage in that a large amount of sample is consumed at the connection site.

U. S. Patent No. 6,536, 477 discloses a technique relating to a fluid module and a microfluidic coupler for constructing a microfluidic integrated system. However, this patent has a disadvantage that it is difficult to align the flow path formed in each layer and the hole because there is no coupling means between the upper and lower layers.

As another method of connecting fluidic electrical devices, the connection between the fluidized electrical devices with a glass cover and a flow path made of silicon was attempted through anodic bonding. However, Anodic bonding can be used only for the bonding of glass and silicon, and it is difficult to be applied to the biochemical field because high temperature and high pressure is generated when connecting. In addition, since the introduced method is an interference fit method using a mechanical structure, there is a high possibility of an error in manufacturing and there is a limit of material selection.

Meanwhile, Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 1999-85261 discloses a fluid circuit board assembly incorporating a fluid module and an electric circuit on which a fluid electric element is mounted. However, this publication does not specifically state that the connection between the fluid electric element and the fluid and the electric circuit is made in any way. For this reason, it is difficult to construct an integrated bench in which the connection between the fluid electric element and the fluid and the electric circuit is completed with this published patent. Accordingly, there is a need for an integrated bench in which a plurality of fluid electrical elements, fluid and electric circuits are connected more stably at the same time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a microfluidic electric integration bench in which a modular fluid circuit, an electric circuit board, and a fluid electric element are simply assembled and connected to each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an integrated bench in which a fluid circuit and an electric circuit are simultaneously connected, comprising: a fluid circuit plate having an inlet and an outlet through which fluid is introduced or discharged, and formed on the fluid circuit board and formed by the fluid contact point. And a plurality of segmented flow paths constituting a fluid circuit connecting to the outlet, a diaphragm tightly coupled on the fluid circuit board to block leakage of fluid communicating with the flow path, respectively corresponding to ends of the flow path through the diaphragm and segmented. A plurality of fluid contacts arranged so as to direct the flow of the fluid in a direction passing through the diaphragm, an electric substrate coupled to the diaphragm and printed with an electric circuit, and perpendicularly penetrating the electric substrate and corresponding to ends of different flow paths. A plurality of gratings exposing at least one of said fluid contacts to the outside, and two or more mounted on said grating Sikimyeo communication with the fluid contacts the microfluidic electrical integration bench for simultaneous connection of the modular fluid circuit and an electric circuit including a fluid electrical element connected to the electrical circuit and electrically is provided.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an exploded perspective view according to an embodiment of the present invention microfluidic integration bench, FIG. 2 is a view showing a bonding state of the microfluidic integration bench shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a microfluidics illustrated in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the integrated bench, and FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the fluid circuit board shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective view of the fluid electric element shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the microfluidic integrated bench of the present invention includes a fluid circuit board 10, a diaphragm 20, and an electric substrate 30.

The fluid circuit board 10 constitutes a circuit made by the flow of fluid. One side of the fluid circuit board 10 is formed with a plurality of inlet 12 and the outlet 13 in communication with the fluid. The fluid circuit is formed on the upper surface of the fluid circuit board 10. In the present invention, the fluid circuit consists of a plurality of segmented flow paths 11. Therefore, the fluid flowing into the inlet 12 normally does not circulate through all the flow paths 11. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the flow paths 11 are formed in two rows to form two fluid circuits connected to each of the inlet 12 and the outlet 13. Thus, when two fluid circuits of the fluid circuit board 10 are configured, two fluids can be circulated. In addition, in the present invention, since the fluid circuit is formed by a plurality of segmented flow paths 11, as shown in FIG. 4, a fluid circuit of different types may be configured on one fluid circuit board 10. Therefore, the present invention can manufacture a fluid circuit that can perform various functions in combination.

The diaphragm 20 is coupled to the fluid circuit board 10. The diaphragm 20 blocks the fluid flowing through the flow passage 11 from flowing out. The diaphragm 20 is formed with a plurality of fluid contacts 21 protruding in the vertical direction. The plurality of fluid contacts 21 form an independent population around the segment in which the flow path 11 is segmented. The fluid contact 21 is bound at both ends of the flow path 11 to help fluid flowing through the flow path 11 to flow outward of the diaphragm 20. Thus, the fluid blocked by the diaphragm 20 may form a new flow above the diaphragm 20 via the fluid contact 21.

The electric substrate 30 is coupled to the diaphragm 20. The electric board 30 performs another function distinguished from the fluid circuit board 10. To this end, an electric circuit is printed on the electric substrate 30. The electric substrate 30 is formed with a plurality of gratings 31 penetrated separately from each other. The grid 31 has a rectangular shape penetrating the top and bottom of the electric substrate 30, and is formed by the number of independent populations formed by the fluid contact 21 at a position where the fluid contact 21 of the diaphragm 20 can be embraced. do. Therefore, when the electric substrate 30 is coupled to the diaphragm 20, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of fluid contacts 21 constituting each individual group inside the grating 31 are exposed to the outside. At this time, the fluid contact 21 accommodated in the grating 31 corresponds to the flow path 11 intermittently intermittent as described above. Therefore, the fluid communicating the flow path 11 is communicated to the different fluid contact 21 through the semi-closed space forming the grating 31 and the diaphragm 20. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the flow path 11 intermittent in the fluid circuit board 10 constitutes one fluid circuit continuously connected by the fluid contact 21 and the grating 31. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the segmented points of the flow path 11 constituting each fluid circuit are all the same and communicate with each other in one grating 31. However, such a structure cannot be used when two kinds of fluids flow in each fluid circuit, and it is also preferable to vary the segmentation points of the flow path 11 constituting each fluid circuit.

A plurality of electrical contacts 32 connected to the electric circuit are provided around the grating 31. The electrical contact 32 is installed around the grating 31 to connect the electrical circuit with the fluid electrical element 40 mounted on the grating 31.

The fluid electrical device 40 operates by receiving signals from the fluid module and the electric circuit at the same time. The fluid electrical device 40 includes a micro pump for injecting a sample and a reagent, a microfluidic mixer for mixing a sample and a reagent, a biochemical separation device, a biochemical detector, a valve, and the like. Therefore, the fluid electrical element 40 has respective functions according to the kind of product. That is, these fluid electric devices 40 control the fluid moving through the fluid module in different directions or measuring the physical quantity of the fluid according to the electric signal transmitted through the electric circuit. As shown in FIG. 5, a fluid contact terminal 41 and an electrical contact terminal 42 which are coupled to the fluid contact 21 are formed on the bottom surface of the fluid electrical device 40. At this time, the fluid contact terminal 41 is externally bound to each of the fluid contact 21, but internally in communication with each other. Therefore, the plurality of fluid contacts 21 bound to one fluid contact terminal 41 are in communication with each other.

The fluid discharged through the fluid contact 21 is connected to the fluid electrical device 40. At this time, since the fluid moves in the vertical direction to the bottom surface of the fluid electrical element 40, the fluid electrical element 40 and the fluid is securely connected. Accordingly, the fluid contact terminal 41 brings together the flow of fluid flowing through the segmented flow path 11 as described above.

In this embodiment, the fluid contact 21 and the fluid contact terminal 41 are firmly coupled by an intermediate connection medium such as an adhesive, a meltable polymer, etc., and the electric contact 32 and the electric contact terminal 42 are made of a conductive polymer. It is bound via a meltable conductor. By using the intermediate conductive connection medium in this way, the connection force between the contact and the terminal is increased, and it is possible to prevent the short circuit due to the impact. On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the fluid contact 21 and the fluid contact terminal 41 can be changed into a polygon. As such, when the cross-sectional shape of the fluid contact 21 and the fluid contact terminal 41 is changed into a polygon, there is an advantage in that the terminal is easily processed.

As described above, the electric substrate 30 is provided with a plurality of gratings 31. Each grating 31 is mounted with a fluid electric element 40 having an independent function. Therefore, the present invention can be performed to perform a variety of functions in accordance with the number and characteristics of the fluid electric element 40 is mounted.

In addition, in the present invention, the fluid circuit and the electric circuit are simultaneously connected to the fluid electrical device 40, but do not interfere with each other. Thus, the function of the fluid electric element 40 can be more reliably achieved. In addition, the present invention can implement a system that can perform a more complex function by continuously configuring different fluid electrical devices.

On the other hand, although not shown in the present embodiment, it is preferable to form projections and grooves corresponding to the upper and lower surfaces of the fluid circuit board 10, the diaphragm 20, and the electric substrate 30 so as to ensure the mutual fastening. In addition, it may be to be coupled to the fluid contact terminal 41 of the fluid electrical element 40 integrating the fluid contact 21 forming one individual group into one contact.

The present invention has the advantage that the function can be increased and downsized by integrating a modular fluid circuit, a fluid electrical device and an electric circuit into one. In addition, the microfluidic integrated bench of the present invention can exhibit more accurate performance because the fluid is directly connected to the fluid electric element without being affected by the temperature generated in the electric circuit, and the fluid flowing in the fluid circuit is smoothly made. There is an advantage.

Although the technical idea of the microfluidic integrated bench for the simultaneous connection of the modular fluid circuit and the electric circuit has been described with the accompanying drawings, this is intended to exemplify the preferred embodiment of the present invention and not to limit the present invention. . In addition, it is obvious that any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and imitations without departing from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

Claims (9)

As an integrated bench where the fluid circuit and the electric circuit are connected simultaneously, A fluid circuit board having an inlet and an outlet through which fluid is introduced or discharged, A plurality of segmented flow paths formed in the fluid circuit board and constituting a fluid circuit connected to the inlet and the outlet by fluid contacts, A plate which is tightly coupled to the fluid circuit board to block leakage of the fluid communicating with the flow path, A plurality of fluid contacts penetrating the diaphragm and correspondingly disposed at respective ends of the segmented flow path to guide the flow of fluid in a direction passing through the diaphragm; An electric board coupled to the plate and printed with an electric circuit; A plurality of gratings that vertically penetrate the electric substrate and expose two or more of the fluid contacts corresponding to ends of different flow paths to the outside; and A microfluidic electrical integration bench for the simultaneous connection of an electrical circuit with a modular fluid circuit comprising a fluidic electrical element mounted on the grid and in communication with two or more of the fluid contacts and electrically connected with the electrical circuit. The method according to claim 1, A microfluidic electric integration bench for simultaneous connection of a modular fluidic circuit and an electrical circuit, characterized in that an electrical contact is further provided around the grid for connecting the electrical circuit and the fluidic electrical element. The method according to claim 2, A fluid contact terminal coupled to the plurality of fluid contacts on a bottom surface of the fluid electrical device; A microfluidic electric integration bench for the simultaneous connection of a modular fluid circuit and an electrical circuit, characterized in that an electrical contact terminal is formed in communication with the electrical contact. The method according to claim 3, And said electrical contact and said electrical contact terminal are connected via an intermediate conductive connection medium. The microfluidic electric integration bench for simultaneous connection of a modular fluid circuit and an electrical circuit. The method according to claim 1, The microfluidic electric integration bench for the simultaneous connection of the modular fluid circuit and the electric circuit, characterized in that the upper and lower surfaces of the fluid circuit board, the diaphragm, and the electric board are formed with protrusions and grooves for mutual coupling, respectively. The method according to claim 1, The inlet, outlet, and the flow path is a microfluidic electric integration bench for the simultaneous connection of the modular fluid circuit and the electric circuit, characterized in that formed in multiple rows so that different fluids can communicate. The method according to claim 3, The fluid contact and the fluid contact terminal is a microfluidic electric integration bench for the simultaneous connection of the modular fluid circuit and the electric circuit, characterized in that fixedly coupled by a surface treatment or adhesive. The method according to claim 3, The fluid contact and the fluid contact terminal is a microfluidic electric integration bench for the simultaneous connection of the modular fluid circuit and the electric circuit, characterized in that the cross-section is circular or polygonal. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The fluid contact micro-fluidic integrated bench for the simultaneous connection of the modular fluid circuit and the electric circuit, characterized in that protruding in the upper and lower direction of the diaphragm.

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