KR102434148B1 - Microdroplet generation tool equipped with sensor of injection and method using thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an injection-type micro-droplet generating tool having a sensor and a micro-droplet generating method using the same are provided. According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor, comprising: at least one pressure unit configured to form a pressure; a door unit on which a microdroplet generating unit is mounted so as to be inserted into the genetic analysis apparatus to generate microdroplets for gene analysis; a sensing unit comprising at least one of a pressure sensor configured to sense pressure, a position sensor configured to sense a position of the microdroplet generating unit, and an air flow rate sensor configured to sense an air flow rate inside the microdroplet generating tool; and a control unit configured to be operable with the at least one pressure unit, the door unit, and the sensing unit.

Description

An injection-type micro-droplet generation tool equipped with a sensor and a micro-droplet generation method using the same

The present invention relates to an injection-type micro-droplet generating tool having a sensor and a micro-droplet generating method using the same.

In general, digital PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technology is a representative genetic test method that requires absolute quantitative analysis in order to diagnose a disease that is fatal to humans and has a high fatality rate, such as super bacteria or cancer among human diseases.

This digital PCR technology has high sensitivity and absolute quantitative analysis by dividing the existing sample into nanoliter volume microdroplets and observing the fluorescence change of the target gene contained therein, gene analysis and biomarker development. , and gene sequencing, and the like, have high utility.

The device using the above-described digital PCR technology generates microdroplets for gene analysis, and performs genetic analysis on the generated microdroplets. Such a device may generate microdroplets based on a vacuum or may generate microdroplets based on an injection method.

However, since these devices are gradually being miniaturized, there is a problem in that it is difficult to check whether defects occur inside the device when generating microdroplets.

Therefore, there is a need for a method for generating microdroplets based on at least one sensor for confirming defects in a miniaturized digital PCR device.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0066722 (2015.06.17.)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an injection-type micro-droplet generating tool equipped with a sensor and a micro-droplet generating method using the same.

Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide an injection-type micro-droplet generating tool having a sensor to check defects related to micro-droplet generation, and a fluorescence detection method using the same.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to solve the above problems, an injection type microdroplet generating tool and a microdroplet generating method using the same are provided with a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor, comprising: at least one pressure unit configured to form a pressure; a door unit on which a microdroplet generating unit is mounted so as to be inserted into the genetic analysis apparatus to generate microdroplets for gene analysis; a sensing unit comprising at least one of a pressure sensor configured to sense pressure, a position sensor configured to sense a position of the microdroplet generating unit, and an air flow rate sensor configured to sense an air flow rate inside the microdroplet generating tool; and a control unit configured to be operable with the at least one pressure unit, the door unit, and the sensing unit, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the micro-droplet through the position sensor when the micro-droplet generating unit is mounted through the door unit. A first operation of detecting a position of the generating unit and inserting the microdroplet generating unit into the inside of the genetic analysis device according to the detected position, when the pressure is formed through the at least one pressure unit, the pressure sensor a second operation of sensing the pressure formed through the sensor, generating the microdroplets through the microdroplet generating unit according to the sensed pressure, and controlling the air flow rate inside the microdroplet generating tool through the air flow sensor and performs at least one of a third operation of completing the generation of the microdroplets according to the sensed air flow rate.

The method for generating microdroplets performed by the control unit of the injection type microdroplet generation tool equipped with a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is performed by the control unit of the injection type microdroplet generation tool equipped with a sensor. In the method for generating microdroplets, a position sensor is installed in a door on which a microdroplet generating unit is mounted so as to be inserted into an interior of a genetic analysis device to generate microdroplets for genetic analysis, when the microdroplet generating unit is mounted. a first step of detecting a position of the microdroplet generating unit through a method, and inserting the microdroplet generating unit into an interior of the genetic analysis device according to the detected position; a second step of forming a pressure through at least one pressure unit, sensing the formed pressure through a pressure sensor, and generating the microdroplets through the microdroplet generating unit according to the sensed pressure; and a third step of detecting an air flow rate inside the microdroplet generation tool through an air flow sensor, and completing the microdroplet generation according to the sensed air flow rate, wherein the first step and the second step and at least one of the third step is performed.

The details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

The present invention provides an injection-type micro-droplet generation tool for finding and reporting a problem with respect to the air flow rate according to pressure.

In addition, the present invention detects a defect in the genetic analysis apparatus and allows the user to recognize the detected defect, so that the user can take appropriate measures for the defect.

In addition, the present invention can minimize the defect of microdroplets generated by the microdroplet generation tool.

In addition, the present invention can generate microdroplets used for more precise and accurate genetic analysis.

The effect according to the present invention is not limited by the contents exemplified above, and more various effects are included in the present specification.

1 is a perspective view of a gene analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic diagram of a gene analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic diagram of a driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4A is a schematic diagram for explaining an injection-type microdroplet generation tool according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B illustrates a fluid flow of the injection-type microdroplet generation tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram for
5A is a schematic diagram for explaining an injection-type micro-droplet generation tool according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B illustrates a fluid flow of the injection-type micro-droplet generation tool according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram for
6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an injection-type micro-droplet generation tool according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating microdroplets in an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to a position of a microdroplet generating unit in an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to pressure in an injection-type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to an air flow rate in an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be embodied in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for like components.

In this document, expressions such as "has," "may have," "includes," or "may include" refer to the presence of a corresponding characteristic (eg, a numerical value, function, operation, or component such as a part). and does not exclude the presence of additional features.

In this document, expressions such as "A or B," "at least one of A or/and B," or "one or more of A or/and B" may include all possible combinations of the items listed together. . For example, "A or B," "at least one of A and B," or "at least one of A or B" means (1) includes at least one A, (2) includes at least one B; Or (3) it may refer to all cases including both at least one A and at least one B.

As used herein, expressions such as "first," "second," "first," or "second," may modify various elements, regardless of order and/or importance, and refer to one element. It is used only to distinguish it from other components, and does not limit the components. For example, the first user equipment and the second user equipment may represent different user equipment regardless of order or importance. For example, without departing from the scope of the rights described in this document, the first component may be named as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be renamed as the first component.

A component (eg, a first component) is "coupled with/to (operatively or communicatively)" to another component (eg, a second component) When referring to "connected to", it should be understood that the certain element may be directly connected to the other element or may be connected through another element (eg, a third element). On the other hand, when it is said that a component (eg, a first component) is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component (eg, a second component), the component and the It may be understood that other components (eg, a third component) do not exist between other components.

As used herein, the expression "configured to (or configured to)" depends on the context, for example, "suitable for," "having the capacity to ," "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of." The term “configured (or configured to)” may not necessarily mean only “specifically designed to” in hardware. Instead, in some circumstances, the expression “a device configured to” may mean that the device is “capable of” with other devices or parts. For example, the phrase “a processor (or control unit) configured (or configured to perform) A, B, and C” refers to a dedicated processor (eg, an embedded processor) for performing those operations, or one or more software stored on a memory device. By executing the programs, it may mean a generic-purpose processor (eg, a CPU or an application processor) capable of performing corresponding operations.

Terms used in this document are only used to describe specific embodiments, and may not be intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. The singular expression may include the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art described in this document. Among the terms used in this document, terms defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted with the same or similar meaning as the meaning in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in this document, ideal or excessively formal meanings is not interpreted as In some cases, even terms defined in this document cannot be construed to exclude embodiments of this document.

Each feature of the various embodiments of the present invention may be partially or wholly combined or combined with each other, and as those skilled in the art will fully understand, technically various interlocking and driving are possible, and each embodiment may be independently implemented with respect to each other, It may be possible to implement together in a related relationship.

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

1 is a perspective view of a gene analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a gene analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2 , the genetic analysis device 1 is a device for generating microdroplets and detecting genes in the generated microdroplets, and a housing 2 forming the outer shape of the genetic analysis device 1 . ) may be included.

The housing 2 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped structure and includes a status display unit 3, a noise reduction unit 4, a power supply unit 5, a vacuum motor unit 6, a door unit 7 and a driving unit 10 therein. can be accepted In the presented embodiment, the housing 2 is not limited to the above-described form, and the status display unit 3, the noise reduction unit 4, the power supply unit 5, the vacuum motor unit 6, the door unit 7 and the driving unit ( 10) can be implemented in various forms to accommodate. Also, the components accommodated in the housing 2 are not limited as described above, and some components may be excluded or another component may be added.

An opening 8 is formed on one surface of the housing 2 , and the door 7 is slid through the opening 8 to be inserted or opened.

On one or the other surface of the housing 2 , a status display unit 3 for displaying the power, operating state, and abnormality of the genetic analysis apparatus 1 according to a color change or lighting may be formed.

The noise reduction unit 4 formed inside the housing 2 is connected to the driving unit 10 to reduce noise generated when the driving unit 10 is driven, and the power supply unit 5 operates the genetic analysis device 1 . can supply the necessary power.

In addition, the vacuum motor unit 6 may provide power required for the operation of the driving unit 10 , for example, a micro-droplet generating tool to be described below (ie, the micro-droplet generating tool of FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Power may be provided to the pressure unit and/or the motor used in ( 100 )), or power may be provided to a motor for controlling the operation of the door unit 7 .

The door unit 7 accommodates the micro-droplet generating unit 110 of the micro-droplet generating tool, and detaches from the housing unit of the micro-droplet generating tool with the micro droplet generating unit 110 coupled to one surface. It can be implemented to be possible. The door part 7 may be inserted by sliding in the inner direction of the housing 2, or may be opened by sliding in the opposite direction.

To this end, the door 7 includes a fixing part 9 for fixing the micro-droplet generation unit 110 on the upper part, and the micro-droplet generation unit 110 fixed to the fixing part 9 in the housing 2 . It may include a rail (not shown) for moving inward.

In addition, the door unit 7 may further include a position sensor (not shown) for detecting a position at which the microdroplet generating unit 110 is mounted on the fixing unit 9 . Such a position sensor may be disposed close to a position where the microdroplet generating unit 110 is mounted, but is not limited thereto.

In various embodiments, the housing 2 may further include a motor and a rail for controlling the operation of the door unit 7 . For example, when the micro-droplet generating unit 110 is correctly mounted on the fixing part 9 of the door part 7, the motor is driven to move the micro-droplet generating unit 110 into the housing 2 through the rail. can move

The driving unit 10 may generate micro-droplets and detect genes in the generated micro-droplets.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the driving unit 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 .

3 is a schematic diagram of a driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the driving unit 10 may include a singulator unit 20 , a fluorescence detection unit 30 , and a disposal unit 40 .

The singulator unit 20 is a unit for receiving micro-droplets from the micro-droplet generating tool 100 and increasing the interval between micro-droplets, and includes a chamber unit, a droplet supply unit, a first oil supply unit, a second oil supply unit, and a droplet. It may include a discharge unit and a distribution unit.

The chamber part forms a body with the singulator unit 20, and may form a chamber, which is a space in which the distance between the microdroplets is widened.

The droplet supply unit may sequentially supply the microdroplets provided from the microdroplet generating tool 100 to the chamber unit.

The first oil supply unit and the second oil supply unit may supply oil to the chamber unit, and may supply oil from both sides in a traveling direction of the microdroplets to widen an interval between the microdroplets. The first oil supply unit and the second oil supply unit may be connected to the second oil pump unit to receive oil. As the distance between the microdroplets is widened in this way, the fluorescence detection unit 70 may facilitate the detection of genes in the microdroplets.

The droplet discharging unit may sequentially discharge microdroplets having a mutually increased distance to the fluorescence detection unit 30 while passing through the chamber unit.

The distribution unit may control the oil supplied by the first oil pump unit to be uniformly supplied to the first oil supply unit and the second oil supply unit.

The disposal unit 40 may discard the microdroplets whose gene detection has been completed by the fluorescence detection unit 30 .

The fluorescence detection unit 30 may detect a gene in the microdroplets discharged from the singulator unit 20 .

Hereinafter, an injection-type micro-droplet generating tool for generating micro-droplets will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and 6 . In the present invention, the microdroplet generating tool is included in the genetic analysis apparatus 1 and may be connected to the driving unit 10 for microdroplet generation. In various embodiments, the microdroplet generating tool may be included in the driving unit 10 .

4A is a schematic diagram for explaining an injection-type microdroplet generation tool according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B illustrates a fluid flow of the injection-type microdroplet generation tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram for

In the presented embodiment, a micro-droplet generating tool 100 of an injection method in which one pressure unit applies pressure to a plurality of oil injection units and a plurality of sample injection units will be described. Also, in the presented embodiment, the sensing unit may include at least one of the sensor 160 and the position sensor 170 . In various embodiments, when the sensing unit includes at least one of the sensor 160 and the position sensor 170, only an operation related to the corresponding sensor may be performed. Hereinafter, a case in which the sensing unit includes both the sensor 160 and the position sensor 170 will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B , the genetic analysis apparatus 1 includes an injection-type microdroplet generation tool 100 for generating microdroplets, and the microdroplet generation tool 100 includes microdroplets. It may include a generating unit 110 , a storage unit 140 , a pressure unit 150 , a sensing unit, and a controller 180 .

The microdroplet generating unit 110 includes a cartridge unit 112 , a housing unit 114 , a plurality of injection units 116a , 116b , and a discharge unit 116c , and the fixing part 9 of the door part 7 . ) and may be inserted into the gene analysis device 1 .

The cartridge unit 112 generates microdroplets therein, and may include a substrate unit 118 , an oil injection unit 120 , a sample injection unit 122 , and a collection unit 124 . The cartridge unit 112 may be coupled to the housing unit 114 .

A microchannel (not shown) may be formed in the substrate part 118 . Here, the microchannel may connect the internal flow path of the assembly by using the oil injection part 120 , the sample injection part 122 , and the collection part 124 formed one by one in the width direction of the substrate part 118 as one assembly. In addition, the substrate part 118 may be formed of a transparent material, and an elastic body may be coupled to form pressure.

The oil injection unit 120 is formed on the substrate unit 118 , and may inject oil into the microchannel.

The sample injection unit 122 is formed on one side of the oil injection unit 120 and may inject a sample into the microchannel. Here, the sample may include a PCR reagent, but is not limited thereto.

The collection unit 124 is formed on one side of the sample injection unit 122 and may collect microdroplets generated in the microchannel.

The oil injection unit 120 , the sample injection unit 122 , and the collection unit 124 may be formed in plurality to form a single row on the substrate unit 118 . Specifically, the plurality of oil injection units 120 , sample injection units 122 , and collection units 124 may be formed in the longitudinal direction of the substrate unit 118 . The cartridge unit 112 formed in this way is arranged so that one oil injection part 120a, a sample injection part 122a, and a collecting part 124a are positioned in the width direction of the substrate part 118, and the substrate part 118. A plurality of assemblies thus formed may be disposed in the longitudinal direction of the .

The oil injection unit 120 and the sample injection unit 122 may discharge the sample and the oil toward the microchannel by fluid pressure, respectively. At this time, the sample may be separated by oil to form independent microdroplets in the form of microdroplets.

Specifically, since the sample and oil are not mixed, the oil injection unit 120a and the sample injection unit 122a formed in one assembly may discharge the sample and oil into the microchannel by fluid pressure. In this case, each oil may be inserted in the middle of the sample to separate the sample. Microdroplets are generated through the sample separated in this way, and the generated microdroplets may move to the collecting unit 124 by pressure.

Next, the housing unit 114 may be formed on the upper and lower portions of the cartridge unit 112 , and may be coupled to the upper and lower portions of the substrate unit 118 . The housing unit 114 may include an oil inlet 130a, a sample inlet 130b, and a collection outlet 130c.

The oil injection port 130a may be formed to be coupled or matched with the oil injection unit 120 on the upper portion of the housing unit 114 . In other words, the oil injection port 130a may be formed at a position corresponding to the oil injection unit 120 .

Also, the oil injection port 130a may have a coupling groove formed therein to be coupled to the first injection unit 116a. For example, the coupling groove may be formed in a groove shape, but is not limited thereto.

The sample inlet 130b may be formed to be coupled or matched with the sample inlet 122 on the upper portion of the housing unit 114 . In other words, the sample inlet (130b) may be formed at a position corresponding to the sample inlet (122).

In addition, the sample inlet (130b) may be formed with a coupling groove therein to be coupled to the second injection unit (116b). For example, the coupling groove may be formed in a groove shape, but is not limited thereto.

The collecting/discharging port 130c may be formed to be coupled or matched with the collecting unit 124 on the upper portion of the housing unit 114 . In other words, the collection outlet 130c may be formed at a position corresponding to the collection unit 124 .

In addition, the collection and discharge port (130c) may be formed with a coupling groove therein so as to be coupled to the discharge unit (116c). For example, the coupling groove may be formed in the form of a screw groove, but is not limited thereto.

The plurality of injection units 116a and 116b include a first injection unit 116a and a second injection unit 116b. The first injection unit 116a and the second injection unit 116b are coupled to the housing unit 114, and the oil and the sample are transferred through the pressure formed by the pressure unit 150 to the oil inlet 130a and the sample inlet 130b. ) can be injected.

The first injection unit 116a includes a first stud portion 132a that can be engaged with a coupling groove formed inside the oil injection port 130a, and the second injection unit 116b is disposed inside the sample injection port 130b. It may include a second stud portion (132b) that can be coupled to the coupling groove formed in the.

The discharge unit 116c is coupled to the housing unit 114 and may discharge the generated microdroplets. The discharge unit 116 may include a third stud portion 132c that may be coupled to a coupling groove formed inside the collection discharge port 130c.

The first stud portion 132a is formed to be insertedly coupled to the inside of the oil injection port 130a of the housing unit 114, and a flow path through which oil may be injected may be formed.

In addition, the first stud portion 132a may be screwed with a coupling groove formed inside the oil inlet 130a by forming a screw thread on the outer surface to be coupled to the oil inlet 130a, but is not limited thereto.

The second stud part 132b is formed to be insertedly coupled to the inside of the sample inlet 130b of the housing unit 114, and a flow path into which the sample can be injected may be formed.

In addition, the second stud portion 132b may be screwed with a coupling groove formed inside the sample inlet 130b by forming a thread on the outer surface to be coupled to the sample inlet 130b, but is not limited thereto.

The third stud portion 132c is formed to be insertedly coupled to the inside of the collection and discharge port 130c of the housing unit 114, and a flow path through which microdroplets can be discharged may be formed therein.

In addition, the third stud portion 132c may be screwed with a coupling groove formed in the inside of the collecting outlet 130c by having a screw thread formed on the outer surface to be coupled to the collecting outlet 130c, but is not limited thereto.

Between the pressure unit 150 and the first injection unit 116a to inject the oil and the sample into the first injection unit 116a and the second injection unit 116b through the pressure formed by the pressure unit 150, One tube 190a may be formed, and a second tube 190b may be formed between the pressure unit 150 and the second injection unit 116b.

In this case, the upper end of the first injection unit 116a may be combined with the first tube 190a, and the upper end of the second injection unit 116b may be combined with the second tube 190b. The first tube 190a coupled in this way communicates with the flow path formed inside the first stud unit 132a, and the second tube 190b communicates with the flow path formed inside the second stud unit 132b. have.

Also, a third tube 190c may be formed between the discharge unit 116c and the storage unit 140 to move the generated microdroplets to the storage unit 140 . In this case, the upper end of the discharge unit 116c may be coupled to the third tube 190c. The third tube 190c coupled as described above may communicate with a flow path formed inside the third stud portion 132c.

In this way, the cartridge unit 112 may be fixed to the inside of the genetic analysis apparatus 1 by the housing unit 114 .

The storage unit 140 may be connected to the discharge unit 116c by the second tube 190b, and may collect and store the microdroplets discharged from the discharge unit 116c. The storage unit 140 may transfer the stored microdroplets to the singleter unit 60 .

The pressure unit 150 is connected to the first injection unit 116a and the second injection unit 116b, injects oil into the oil injection unit 120, injects the sample into the sample injection unit 122, and Pressure may be applied to generate microdroplets through the oil injected into the injection unit 120 and the sample injected into the sample injection unit 122 .

Specifically, the pressure unit 150 may include injection units (152a, 152b) and the pressure unit (154).

The injection units 152a and 152b include a first injection unit 152a and a second injection unit 152b, and the first injection unit 152a is a first injection unit 116a through the first tube 190a. It is connected to, the second injection unit (152b) may be connected to the second injection unit (116b) through the second tube (190b).

The first injection unit 152a may contain oil therein, and the second injection unit 152b may be connected to the first tube 190a and the second tube 190b in a state in which the sample is accommodated therein.

The oil present in the interior of the first injection unit 152a by the pressure formed by the pressure unit 154 is discharged to the first injection unit 116a through the first tube 190a, and the second injection unit 152b ) may be discharged into the second injection unit 116b through the second tube 190b.

The pressure unit 154 applies pressure to the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b to inject the oil contained in the first injection unit 152a into the oil injection unit 120, and the second injection unit The sample accommodated in 152b may be injected into the sample injection unit 122 . The oil accommodated in the oil injection unit 120 and the sample accommodated in the sample injection unit 122 may be generated as microdroplets by the pressure. For example, the pressure unit 154 may be a syringe pump, but is not limited thereto, and various pressure means capable of applying pressure may be used.

As such, when the pressure unit 154 applies pressure to the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b, the oil contained in the first injection unit 152a is injected into the oil injection unit 120, and the second The sample accommodated in the injection unit 152b is injected into the sample injection unit 122 . In addition, by this pressure, the oil accommodated in the oil injection unit 120 and the sample accommodated in the sample injection unit 122 may move to the collection unit 124 through the micro-channel. The micro-channel for transferring the oil contained in the oil injection unit 120 to the collecting unit 124 intersects the micro-channel for transferring the sample contained in the sample injecting unit 122 to the collecting unit 124, so that the oil is transferred to the collecting unit ( 124), microdroplets may be generated as they are injected between the sample transferred to the sample.

The sensing unit may include at least one of a sensor 160 and a position sensor 170 .

The sensor 160 is a sensor for sensing (or measuring) the pressure formed by the pressure unit 154 or detecting an air flow rate according to the pressure formed by the pressure unit 154 , and includes the pressure sensor 162 and the air flow rate. At least one of the sensors 164 may be included, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various sensors for pressure sensing and/or air flow rate sensing may be used.

Such a sensor 160 may be disposed at at least one position of the genetic analysis device 1 to sense pressure or to detect an air flow rate.

Specifically, the pressure sensor 162 may be disposed at a position where pressure is applied in the microdroplet generating tool 100, and this position is between the pressure unit 154 and the injection units 152a and 152b, the first The tube (190a) and the inside of at least one of the second tube (190b), and / or may be various locations inside the microdroplet generating unit 110, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the air flow sensor 164 may be disposed at a position where air flows in the microdroplet generating tool 100, and this position is between the pressure unit 164 and the injection units 152a and 152b, the first tube It may be various locations inside the 190a, inside the second tube 190b, and/or inside the microdroplet generating unit 110, but is not limited thereto.

For example, the pressure sensor 162 and the air flow rate sensor 164 are located close to the microdroplet generating unit 110, the injection units 152a, 152b, and the pressure unit 154. disposed in at least one, the oil injection unit 120, the sample injection unit 122, the collection unit 124, the oil injection port 130a, the sample injection port 130a, the collection discharge port 130c, the first injection unit 116a ), the second injection unit 116b and the discharge unit 116 disposed in at least one of, or related to the oil injection unit 120 , the microchannel related to the sample injection unit 122 , and the collection unit 124 . ) may be disposed in at least one of the microchannels related to, but is not limited thereto.

In various embodiments, when sensor 160 includes both pressure sensor 162 and air flow sensor 164 , each of pressure sensor 162 and air flow sensor 164 is disposed at the same location or at different locations. may be placed.

The position sensor 170 is a sensor for detecting a position at which the microdroplet generating unit 110 is mounted on the fixing part 9 , and may be disposed adjacent to the fixing part 9 formed on the door part 7 . . In various embodiments, the position sensor 170 may be disposed at various positions to sense the position of the microdroplet generating unit 110 , for example, in or outside the housing 2 in proximity to the opening 8 . may be placed.

The controller 180 is operatively connected to the micro-droplet generating unit 110 , the storage unit 140 , the pressure unit 150 , and the sensing unit, and the micro-droplet generating tool 100 generates micro-droplets. Various commands can be executed for

Specifically, when the micro-droplet generating unit 110 is mounted on the fixing part 9 of the door part 7 , the controller 180 detects the position of the micro-droplet generating unit 110 through the position sensor 170 . and determine whether the sensed position corresponds to a preset critical position range. For example, if the sensed position corresponds to the critical position range, the controller 180 may determine that the microdroplet generating unit 110 is correctly mounted to the fixing unit 9 . If the sensed position does not correspond to or is out of the critical position range, the controller 180 may determine that the microdroplet generating unit 110 is incorrectly mounted to the fixing unit 9 .

When it is determined that the microdroplet generating unit 110 is correctly mounted on the fixing unit 9 , the controller 180 may drive the motor so that the microdroplet generating unit 110 is inserted into the genetic analysis apparatus 1 . have.

When it is determined that the micro-droplet generating unit 110 is incorrectly mounted on the fixing unit 9 , the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying a position error of the micro-droplet generating unit 110 . For example, the controller 180 may display notification information through the status display unit 3 .

In various embodiments, when it is determined that the microdroplet generating unit 110 is incorrectly mounted to the fixing unit 9 after the microdroplet generating unit 110 is inserted into the genetic analysis apparatus 1 , the controller 180 is The microdroplet generating unit 110 may be discharged to the outside of the genetic analysis apparatus 1 through a motor. In this case, as the door 7 is opened, the microdroplet generating unit 110 may move to the outside of the genetic analysis apparatus 1 through the rail.

In various embodiments, the controller 180 may determine whether the microdroplet generating unit 110 is mounted on the fixing unit 9 through the position sensor 170 . For example, the controller 180 may detect whether the microdroplet generating unit 110 is mounted on the fixing unit 9 through the position sensor 170 for a preset threshold time.

When the micro-droplet generating unit 110 is mounted on the fixing unit 9 , the control unit 180 may determine whether the micro-droplet generating unit 110 is correctly mounted on the fixing unit 9 through the position sensor 170 . have.

If the microdroplet generating unit 110 is not mounted on the fixing unit 9 for a critical period of time, the controller 180 turns off the power of the genetic analysis apparatus 1 or the microdroplet generating unit 110 sets the fixed unit ( 9) may output notification information for notifying that the device is not installed, but is not limited thereto.

When the microdroplet generating unit 110 is inserted into the genetic analysis apparatus 1 , the controller 180 may generate a pressure through the pressure unit 154 . In other words, the controller 180 may control the pressure unit 154 to generate pressure.

The controller 180 may detect (or measure) the pressure applied to the inside of the microdroplet generating tool 100 through the pressure sensor 162 , and determine whether the sensed pressure corresponds to a preset critical pressure range.

For example, if the sensed pressure falls within the critical pressure range, the controller 180 may determine the sensed pressure as a normal pressure suitable for generating microdroplets. When the sensed pressure is out of the critical pressure range, the controller 180 may determine the sensed pressure as an abnormal pressure that is not suitable for generating microdroplets.

When the sensed pressure is determined to be a normal pressure, the controller 180 may perform an operation for generating microdroplets. Specifically, the control unit 180 applies pressure to the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b through the pressure unit 154 to inject the oil contained in the first injection unit 152a into the oil injection unit 120 . ), and the sample accommodated in the second injection unit 152b is moved to the sample injection unit 122, and the oil accommodated in the oil injection unit 120 and the sample accommodated in the sample injection unit 122 are transferred through the microchannel. It can be moved to the collecting unit 124 . In this case, oil may be injected between the samples transferred to the collecting unit 124 to generate microdroplets. In addition, microdroplets are generated at the same time corresponding to each of the eight collecting units 124 , and the generated microdroplets may be collected in each of the eight collecting units 124 , but is not limited thereto.

When the sensed pressure is determined as the abnormal pressure, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying the abnormal pressure.

In various embodiments, when the sensed pressure is determined to be an abnormal pressure, the controller 180 controls the pressure unit 154 to re-establish the pressure, or to fix and/or insert the microdroplet generating unit 110 again. A motor may be driven to move the microdroplet generating unit 110 to the outside of the genetic analysis apparatus 1 .

When the pressure unit 154 re-establishes the pressure, the controller 180 may re-sense the pressure through the pressure sensor 162 and determine whether the re-sensed pressure corresponds to a critical pressure range. The control unit 180 performs the re-operation of the pressure unit 154 and the re-sensing of the pressure a preset number of times, and if the re-sensed pressure does not correspond to or is out of the critical pressure range, the micro-droplet generating tool 100 is defective. You can output notification information to notify you.

When the microdroplet generating unit 110 is re-inserted, the controller 180 may re-drive the pressure unit 154 to form a pressure, and re-sens the pressure through the pressure sensor 162 . The controller 180 performs discharge/insertion of the microdroplet generating unit 110, restarting the pressure unit 154, and re-sensing of the pressure a preset number of times, and the re-sensed pressure does not fall within the critical pressure range or , it is possible to output notification information for notifying the defect of the micro-droplet generating tool 100 when it is out.

In various embodiments, a plurality of pressure sensors 162 may be provided. In this case, the plurality of pressure sensors are disposed between the pressure unit 154 and the injection units 154a and 154b, the first tube 190a inside, the second tube 190b inside, and the microdroplet generating unit 110 at least among the inside. It may be arranged at regular intervals in a plurality of positions, but is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the plurality of pressure sensors may be disposed inside at least one of the first injection unit 130a, the second injection unit 130b, and the discharge unit 130c.

The control unit 180 determines whether the pressure sensed through each of the plurality of pressure sensors corresponds to a preset critical pressure range, and if at least one of the pressures is out of the critical pressure range, the pressure unit 154 operates abnormally, or At least one of the first injection unit (152a) and the second injection unit (152b) is damaged, operates abnormally, or at least one of the first tube (190a) and the first tube (190a) is damaged, or by foreign substances You can decide it's blocked. In various embodiments, the controller 180 may determine that at least one part of the microchannel formed in the substrate part 118 is blocked by a foreign material or the like.

For example, when the pressure sensed through a pressure sensor located close to the pressure unit 154 is out of a critical pressure range, the controller 180 may determine that the pressure unit 154 operates abnormally. In this case, the control unit 180 may output notification information to notify that repair or replacement of the pressure unit 154 is necessary or may restart the operation after stopping the operation of the pressure unit 154 , but is not limited thereto.

In various embodiments, when the pressure sensed through at least one pressure sensor among a plurality of pressure sensors disposed close to at least one of the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b is out of the critical pressure range, the control unit 180 may determine that at least one of the first injection unit (152a) and the second injection unit (152b) is damaged or operates abnormally at the position or proximity position of the pressure sensor where the corresponding pressure is sensed. In this case, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying that repair or replacement of at least one of the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b is required.

In various embodiments, when the pressure sensed through at least one of the pressure sensors disposed in at least one of the plurality of positions inside the first tube (190a) and inside the second tube (190b) is out of the critical pressure range, the control unit Reference numeral 180 may determine that at least one of the first tube 190a and the second tube 190b is damaged or blocked by a foreign substance at a position or a proximity position of the pressure sensor where the corresponding pressure is sensed. In this case, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying that repair or replacement of at least one of the first tube 190a and the second tube 190b is required.

In various embodiments, when the pressure sensed through at least one pressure sensor among the pressure sensors disposed at a plurality of positions inside the microdroplet generating unit 110 is out of the critical pressure range, the controller 180 determines that the pressure is sensed. It can be determined that a breakage has occurred at or near the location of the pressure sensor. In this case, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying that repair or replacement of the microdroplet generating unit 110 is necessary.

In various embodiments, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying that an abnormal pressure is generated at a position where a pressure out of a critical pressure range is sensed. Through this, the user can accurately determine where the breakage occurred in the microdroplet generating tool 100 .

In various embodiments, when the sensed pressure is out of the critical pressure range, the controller 180 may determine whether the corresponding pressure is less than the minimum critical pressure value in the critical pressure range or greater than the maximum critical pressure value in the critical pressure range. For example, if the sensed pressure is less than the minimum threshold pressure value, the controller 180 may determine that the pressure is weakly generated, and may output notification information to notify the pressure. When the sensed pressure is greater than the maximum threshold pressure value, the controller 180 may determine that the pressure is excessively generated, and may output notification information to notify the pressure.

Next, the controller 180 may detect an air flow rate inside the microdroplet generating tool 100 through the air flow sensor 164 , and determine whether the detected air flow rate corresponds to a preset critical flow rate range.

For example, if the sensed air flow rate falls within the critical flow rate range, the controller 180 may determine the sensed air flow rate as a normal air flow rate suitable for generating microdroplets. When the sensed air flow rate is out of the critical flow rate range, the controller 180 may determine that the detected air flow rate is an abnormal pressure that is not suitable for generating microdroplets.

When the sensed air flow rate is determined as the normal air flow rate, the control unit 180 generates microdroplets while oil and sample used to generate microdroplets exist, and generates microdroplets when oil and sample are not present. can be completed Specifically, the control unit 180 is the first injection unit (152a) through the pressure unit 154 while the oil contained in the first injection unit (152a) is present and the sample contained in the second injection unit (152b) is present. And it can apply pressure to the second injection unit (152b). In this case, the oil accommodated in the first injection unit 152a may move to the oil injection unit 120 by the pressure, and the sample accommodated in the second injection unit 152b may move to the sample injection unit 122 . As such, the oil accommodated in the oil injection unit 120 and the sample accommodated in the sample injection unit 122 by the pressure move to the collection unit 124 through the micro-channel, and the oil flows between the samples transferred to the collection unit 124 . It can be injected to create microdroplets. The microdroplets generated in this way may be accommodated in the collecting unit 124 .

When the sensed air flow rate is determined as the abnormal air flow rate, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying the micro-droplet generating tool 100 that an air leak has occurred.

In various embodiments, when the detected air flow rate is determined to be an abnormal air flow rate, the controller 180 controls the pressure unit 154 to re-establish pressure, or to fix and/or insert the microdroplet generating unit 110 again. In order to do this, a motor may be driven to move the microdroplet generating unit 110 to the outside of the genetic analysis apparatus 1 .

When the pressure unit 154 re-establishes the pressure, the controller 180 may re-sense the air flow rate through the air flow rate sensor 164 and determine whether the re-sensed air flow rate corresponds to a critical flow rate range. The control unit 180 performs the restart of the pressure unit 154 and the re-sensing of the pressure a preset number of times, and if the re-sensed air flow rate does not correspond to or is out of the critical flow rate range, Notification information for notifying a defect may be output.

When the micro-droplet generating unit 110 is re-inserted, the controller 180 may re-drive the pressure unit 154 to form a pressure, and re-sens the air flow rate through the air flow rate sensor 164 . The control unit 180 performs discharge/insertion of the microdroplet generating unit 110, restarting the pressure unit 154, and re-sensing the pressure a preset number of times, and the re-sensed air flow rate does not fall within the critical pressure range. If it is not or is out of the way, notification information for notifying a defect with respect to the micro-droplet generating tool 100 and/or the micro-droplet generating unit 110 may be output.

In various embodiments, a plurality of air flow sensors 164 may be provided. In this case, a plurality of air flow sensors are located between the pressure unit 154 and the injection units 154a, 154b, the microdroplet generating unit 110 inside, the first tube 190a inside, the second tube 190b inside and the micro At least one of the plurality of positions of the flow path may be disposed at regular intervals, but is not limited thereto.

The controller 180 determines whether the air flow rate sensed through each of the plurality of air flow sensors corresponds to a preset critical flow rate range, and if at least one of the air flow rates is out of the critical flow rate range, the pressure unit 154 abnormally operation, or at least one of the first injection unit (152a) and the second injection unit (152b) is damaged, or at least one of the first tube (190a) and the second tube (190b) is damaged, or the housing unit (114) It may be determined that the substrate part 118 is not properly fixed, or that at least one part of the microchannel is blocked by a foreign material or the like.

For example, when an air flow rate sensed through an air flow sensor located close to the pressure unit 154 is out of a critical flow rate range, the controller 180 may determine that the pressure unit 154 operates abnormally. In this case, the control unit 180 may output notification information to notify that repair or replacement of the pressure unit 154 is necessary or may restart the operation after stopping the operation of the pressure unit 154 , but is not limited thereto.

In various embodiments, the pressure sensed by at least one of the air flow sensors disposed in a plurality of positions of the interior of the first tube 190a and the interior of the second tube 190b is out of the threshold pressure range. The surface controller 180 may determine that at least one of the first tube 190a and the second tube 190b is damaged at a position or a proximity position of the air flow rate sensor in which the corresponding air flow rate is sensed. In this case, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying that repair or replacement of at least one of the first tube 190a and the second tube 190b is required.

In various embodiments, the microchannel for transferring the oil contained in the oil injection unit 120 to the collecting unit 124 and the microchannel for transferring the sample accommodated in the sample injecting unit 122 to the collecting unit 124 intersect at a position where they intersect. It is assumed that an air flow sensor is disposed, and the air flow rate sensed by the air flow sensor is outside the critical flow rate range. In this case, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying that an air leak occurs at a position where the air flow rate out of the critical flow rate range is detected. In various embodiments, the controller 180 may output notification information for replacing the substrate unit 118 or replacing the cartridge unit 112 .

In various embodiments, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying that an abnormal air flow rate is generated at a position where the air flow rate out of the critical flow rate range is detected. Through this, the user can accurately determine where the breakage occurred in the microdroplet generating tool 100 .

In various embodiments, when the detected air flow rate is outside the critical flow rate range, the controller 180 may determine whether the corresponding air flow rate is less than the minimum critical flow rate value in the critical flow rate range or greater than the maximum critical flow rate value in the critical flow rate range . For example, when the sensed air flow rate is less than the minimum threshold flow rate value, the controller 180 may determine that an air leak has occurred, and may output notification information for notifying the air leakage.

When the sensed air flow rate is greater than the maximum critical flow rate value, the controller 180 may determine that the air flow rate is excessively high, and may output notification information to notify the air flow rate.

In various embodiments, when all or at least part of the air flow rate sensed by each of the plurality of air flow sensors is out of the critical flow rate range, the controller 180 determines that a hardware problem of the microdroplet generating tool 100 has occurred, and informs it You can output notification information for

In various embodiments, the controller 180 may adjust the size of the microdroplets by changing the flow rate according to the pressure formed by the pressure unit 154 . For example, the control unit 180 may cause the pressure unit 154 to form a pressure greater than a preset first critical pressure so that a pressure greater than the first critical pressure is applied to the injection units 152a and 152b. As such, as the pressure applied to the oil and the sample increases, the air flow rate increases and thus smaller microdroplets may be generated. In various embodiments, the pressure unit 154 may be configured to form a pressure less than a preset second critical pressure, so that a pressure less than the second critical pressure is applied to the injection units 152a and 152b. As described above, as the pressure of the oil and the sample decreases, the air flow rate decreases and larger microdroplets may be generated.

When the generation of microdroplets is completed, the generated microdroplets may be transferred to the storage unit 140 , and the microdroplets accommodated in the storage unit 140 may be sequentially transferred to the droplet supply unit of the singulator unit 60 .

When the gene analysis is performed using the microdroplets generated in this way, more accurate and precise gene analysis is possible.

5A is a schematic diagram for explaining an injection-type microdroplet generation tool according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B illustrates a fluid flow of the injection-type microdroplet generation tool according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram for In the presented embodiment, one of the plurality of pressure units simultaneously applies pressure to the plurality of oil injection units, and the other of the plurality of pressure units simultaneously applies pressure to the plurality of sample injection units. 100) to explain.

In addition, in the presented embodiment, the microdroplet generating unit 110, the storage unit 140, the pressure unit 150, the sensor 160, the position sensor 170 and the control unit ( 180) may perform the same operation as the components of the same name described in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

5A and 5B , the pressure unit 150 of the microdroplet generating tool 100 may include a plurality of injection units 152a and 152b and a plurality of pressure units 154a and 154b.

The plurality of injection units 152a and 152b include a first injection unit 152a and a second injection unit 152b, and the first injection unit 152a includes a first injection unit 116a and a first pressure unit ( 154a), and the second injection unit 152b may be disposed between the second injection unit 116b and the second pressure unit 154b.

The plurality of pressure units 154a and 154b may include a first pressure unit 154a and a second pressure unit 154b. Specifically, the first pressure unit 154a injects the oil contained in the first injection unit 152a into the oil injection unit 120, and the second pressure unit 154b is the sample accommodated in the second injection unit 152b. may be injected into the sample injection unit 122 . The oil accommodated in the oil injection unit 120 and the sample accommodated in the sample injection unit 122 may be generated as microdroplets by the pressure formed by each of the pressure units 154a and 154b.

Each of the plurality of pressure units 154a and 154b may be a syringe pump, but is not limited thereto, and various pressure means capable of applying pressure may be used.

As such, when the first pressure unit 154a applies pressure to the first injection unit 152a, and the second pressure unit 154b applies pressure to the second injection unit 152b, the first injection unit 152a is accommodated. Oil may be injected into the oil injection unit 120 , and the sample accommodated in the second injection unit 152b may be injected into the sample injection unit 122 . In addition, by this pressure, the oil accommodated in the oil injection unit 120 and the sample accommodated in the sample injection unit 122 may move to the collection unit 124 through the micro-channel. The micro-channel for transferring the oil contained in the oil injection unit 120 to the collecting unit 124 intersects the micro-channel for transferring the sample contained in the sample injecting unit 122 to the collecting unit 124, so that the oil is transferred to the collecting unit ( 124), microdroplets may be generated as they are injected between the sample transferred to the sample.

Between the first injection unit (152a) and the first injection unit (116a) to inject the pressure formed through the plurality of pressure parts (154a, 154b) to the first injection unit (116a) and the second injection unit (116b) A first tube 190a is formed, and a second tube 190b may be formed between the second injection unit 152b and the second injection unit 116b. In this case, the upper end of the first injection unit 116a may be combined with the first tube 190a, and the upper end of the second injection unit 116b may be combined with the second tube 190b. The first tube 190a coupled in this way communicates with the flow path formed inside the first stud unit 132a, and the second tube 190b communicates with the flow path formed inside the second stud unit 132b. have.

The sensor 160 may include at least one of a pressure sensor 162 and an air flow rate sensor 164 .

The pressure sensor 162 may be disposed at a position where pressure is applied in the microdroplet generating tool 100, and this position is between the first pressure unit 154a and the first injection unit 152a, the second pressure unit Between (154b) and the second injection unit (152b), the inside of at least one of the first tube (190a) and the second tube (190b), and / or various positions inside the microdroplet generating unit 110 can be However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, the air flow sensor 164 may be disposed at a position where air flows within the microdroplet generating tool 100, and this position is between the first pressure unit 154a and the first injection unit 152a, the second Between the pressure part (154b) and the second injection unit (152b), the inside of at least one of the first tube (190a) and the second tube (190b), and / or various positions inside the microdroplet generating unit (110) may be, but is not limited thereto.

For example, the pressure sensor 162 and the air flow sensor 164 are located close to the microdroplet generating unit 110, the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b, and the second The first pressure part 154a and the second pressure part 154b are disposed in at least one of the positions adjacent, or the oil injection part 120, the sample injection part 122, the collecting part 124, the oil injection port 130a, It is disposed in at least one of the inside of the sample inlet 130a, the collection outlet 130c, the first injection unit 116a, the second injection unit 116b, and the discharge unit 116, or related to the oil injection unit 120. It may be disposed in at least one of the microchannel, the microchannel associated with the sample injection unit 122 , and the microchannel associated with the collection unit 124 , but is not limited thereto.

The controller 180 determines whether the microdroplet generating unit 110 is mounted on the fixing part 9 of the door 7 and/or the microdroplet generating unit 110 using the position sensor 170 as described above. ) is correctly mounted on the fixing part 9 of the door part 7 , etc. can be determined.

When the micro-droplet generating unit 110 is correctly mounted on the fixing part 9 of the door part 7 and the micro-droplet generating unit 110 is inserted into the genetic analysis apparatus 1, the control unit 180 is A first pressure may be formed through the first pressure unit 154a and a second pressure may be formed through the second pressure unit 154b. In other words, the controller 180 may control the first pressure unit 154a to form a first pressure and the second pressure unit 154b to form a second pressure. Here, the first pressure and the second pressure have a suitable size for generating microdroplets, and may be the same as or different from each other, but is not limited thereto.

As described above, the controller 180 may detect the pressure applied to the inside of the microdroplet generating tool 100 through the pressure sensor 162 and determine whether the sensed pressure corresponds to a preset critical pressure range.

Specifically, the controller 180 may sense the pressure formed in each of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 152b through the pressure sensor 162 . In this case, a plurality of pressure sensors 162 are provided to simultaneously sense the first pressure formed through the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure formed through the second pressure unit 154b, or the first pressure unit 154a ) may sense the first pressure formed through, and then sense the second pressure formed through the second pressure unit 154b, but is not limited thereto.

When the sensed first pressure corresponds to the critical pressure range, the controller 180 may determine the sensed first pressure as a normal pressure suitable for generating microdroplets. If the sensed first pressure does not correspond to or deviates from the critical pressure range, the controller 180 may determine an abnormal pressure that is not suitable for generating microdroplets.

Also, when the sensed second pressure falls within the critical pressure range, the controller 180 may determine the sensed second pressure as a normal pressure suitable for generating microdroplets. If the sensed second pressure does not correspond to or is out of the critical pressure range, the controller 180 may determine an abnormal pressure that is not suitable for generating microdroplets.

When the sensed first pressure and the second pressure are determined to be normal pressures, the controller 180 may perform an operation for generating microdroplets. Specifically, the control unit 180 applies pressure to the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b through the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b to the first injection unit 152a. ) and the sample accommodated in the second injection unit 152b are injected into the oil injection unit 120 and the sample injection unit 122, and the oil accommodated in the oil injection unit 120 and the sample injection unit 122 are The received sample may be moved to the collecting unit 124 through the microchannel. In this case, oil may be injected between the samples transferred to the collecting unit 124 to generate microdroplets.

When at least one of the sensed first pressure and the second pressure is determined to be the abnormal pressure, notification information for notifying the abnormal pressure may be output.

In various embodiments, when at least one of the sensed first pressure and the second pressure is determined to be an abnormal pressure, the controller 180 controls the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure to re-establish at least one of the first pressure and the second pressure. 2 The microdroplet generating unit 110 is moved to the outside of the genetic analysis device 1 to control at least one of the pressure units 154b, or to fix and/or insert the microdroplet generating unit 110 again. The motor can be driven to

When at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b re-forms at least one of the first pressure and the second pressure, the control unit 180 controls the first pressure and the second pressure through the pressure sensor 162 . At least one of the second pressures may be re-sensed, and it may be determined whether at least one of the re-sensed first pressure and the second pressure corresponds to a critical pressure range. The control unit 180 performs the restart of the pressure unit 154 and the re-sensing of the pressure a preset number of times, and when at least one of the re-sensed first pressure and the second pressure does not correspond to or is out of the critical pressure range, the Notification information for notifying a failure of the tax drop generating tool 100 may be output.

When the microdroplet generating unit 110 is re-inserted, the controller 180 controls at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b to form at least one of the first pressure and the second pressure. After re-driving, at least one of the first pressure and the second pressure may be re-sensed through the pressure sensor 162 . The controller 180 performs discharge/insertion of the microdroplet generating unit 110, restarting the pressure unit 154, and re-sensing of the pressure a preset number of times, and at least one of the re-sensed first pressure and the second pressure. If one does not correspond to the critical pressure range or is out of range, notification information for notifying the failure of the micro-droplet generating tool 100 may be output.

In various embodiments, a plurality of pressure sensors 162 may be provided. In this case, the plurality of pressure sensors are located between the first pressure unit 154a and the first injection unit 152a, between the second pressure unit 154b and the second injection unit 152b, the first tube 190a inside and / Alternatively, the second tube 190b may be disposed at a predetermined interval in at least one of the inside and the inside of the microdroplet generating unit 110, but is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the plurality of pressure sensors may be disposed inside at least one of the first injection unit 130 , the second injection unit 130b , and the discharge unit 130c .

The controller 180 determines whether the pressure sensed through each of the plurality of pressure sensors corresponds to a preset critical pressure range, and when at least one of the pressures is out of the critical pressure range, the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure At least one of the parts 154b operates abnormally, or at least one of the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b is damaged, operates abnormally, or the first tube 190a and the second tube It may be determined that at least one of (160b) is damaged or blocked by a foreign material or the like. In various embodiments, the controller 180 may determine that at least one portion of the microchannel is blocked by a foreign material or the like.

For example, when at least one of the first pressure and the second pressure sensed through a pressure sensor located close to at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b is out of the critical pressure range, the control unit Reference numeral 180 determines that at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b operates abnormally. In this case, the controller 180 outputs notification information for notifying that repair or replacement of at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b is required, or outputs the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b. After stopping the operation of at least one of the pressure units 154b, the operation may be restarted, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In various embodiments, at least one of a first pressure and a second pressure sensed through at least one pressure sensor of a plurality of pressure sensors disposed in proximity to at least one of the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b When one is out of the critical pressure range, the control unit 180 of the first injection unit (152a) and the second injection unit (152b) to the position or the proximity position of the pressure sensor at least one of the first pressure and the second pressure is sensed. It may be determined that at least one is damaged or operates abnormally. In this case, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying that repair or replacement of at least one of the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b is required.

In various embodiments, at least one of a first pressure and a second pressure sensed through at least one of pressure sensors disposed at a plurality of positions inside at least one of the first tube 190a and the second tube 160b. When one is out of the critical pressure range, the control unit 180 controls at least one of the first tube 190a and the second tube 190b to a position or a proximity position of the pressure sensor where at least one of the first pressure and the second pressure is sensed. It can be determined that damage has occurred. In this case, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying that repair or replacement of at least one of the first tube 190a and the second tube 190b is required.

In various embodiments, when the pressure sensed through at least one pressure sensor among the pressure sensors disposed at a plurality of positions inside the microdroplet generating unit 110 is out of the critical pressure range, the controller 180 determines that the pressure is sensed. It can be determined that a breakage has occurred at or near the location of the pressure sensor. In this case, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying that repair or replacement of the microdroplet generating unit 110 is necessary.

In various embodiments, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying that an abnormal pressure is generated at a position where at least one of the first pressure and the second pressure out of the critical pressure range is sensed. Through this, the user can accurately determine where the breakage occurred in the microdroplet generating tool 100 .

In various embodiments, when at least one of the sensed first pressure and the second pressure is out of the critical pressure range, the controller 180 determines that at least one of the first pressure and the second pressure is less than the minimum critical pressure value of the critical pressure range, or , whether it is greater than the maximum critical pressure value in the critical pressure range. For example, when at least one of the sensed first pressure and the second pressure is less than the minimum threshold pressure value, the controller 180 determines that at least one of the first pressure and the second pressure is weakly generated, and notifies this. You can output notification information for When at least one of the sensed first pressure and the second pressure is greater than the maximum threshold pressure value, the controller 180 determines that at least one of the first pressure and the second pressure is excessively generated, and outputs notification information to notify the pressure. can do.

Next, the controller 180 detects the air flow rate inside the microdroplet generating tool 100 through the air flow sensor 164 as described above, and determines whether the detected air flow rate corresponds to a preset critical flow rate range. can

When the sensed air flow rate falls within the critical flow rate range, the controller 180 generates microdroplets while oil and sample used to generate microdroplets exist, and generates microdroplets when the oil and sample do not exist. can be completed

Specifically, the control unit 180 through the first pressure unit (154a) while the oil contained in the first injection unit (152a) is present and the sample contained in the second injection unit (152b) is present in the first injection unit ( A first pressure may be applied to 152a), and a second pressure may be applied to the second injection unit 152b through the second pressure unit 154b. In this case, the oil accommodated in the first injection unit 152a by the first pressure moves to the oil injection unit 120 , and the sample accommodated in the second injection unit 152b by the second pressure is transferred to the sample injection unit 122 . can be moved to As such, the oil accommodated in the oil injection unit 120 and the sample accommodated in the sample injection unit 122 by the first pressure and the second pressure move to the collection unit 124 through the micro-channel, and to the collection unit 124 . Oil may be injected between the transferred samples to generate microdroplets. The microdroplets generated in this way may be accommodated in the collecting unit 124 .

If the detected air flow rate does not correspond to or is out of the critical flow rate range, the controller 180 may output notification information for notifying the microdroplet generating tool 100 that an air leak has occurred.

In various embodiments, when the sensed air flow rate is determined to be an abnormal air flow rate, the controller 180 controls at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b to re-establish pressure, or microdroplets A motor may be driven to move the microdroplet generating unit 110 to the outside of the genetic analysis apparatus 1 in order to fix and/or insert the generating unit 110 again.

When the pressure unit 154 re-establishes the pressure, the controller 180 may re-sense the air flow rate through the air flow rate sensor 164 and determine whether the re-sensed air flow rate corresponds to a critical flow rate range. The control unit 180 performs restarting of at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b and re-sensing the pressure a preset number of times, and the re-sensed air flow rate does not fall within the critical flow rate range. If not, or if it is out, notification information for notifying a defect of the micro-droplet generating tool 100 may be output.

When the micro-droplet generating unit 110 is re-inserted, the controller 180 re-drives at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b to form a pressure, and the air flow sensor 164 ) through which the air flow can be re-sensed. The control unit 180 performs discharge/insertion of the microdroplet generating unit 110, restarting at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b, and re-sensing the pressure a preset number of times, and , when the re-sensed air flow rate does not correspond to or deviates from the critical pressure range, notification information for notifying a failure of the micro-droplet generating tool 100 and/or the micro-droplet generating unit 110 may be output.

In various embodiments, a plurality of air flow sensors 164 may be provided. In this case, the plurality of air flow sensors are between the first pressure unit 154a and the first injection unit 154a, the second pressure unit 154b and the second injection unit 154b, the first tube 190a inside, The second tube 190b may be disposed at regular intervals in a plurality of positions of the inside of the microdroplet generating unit 110, and at least one of the microchannel, but is not limited thereto.

The control unit 180 determines whether the air flow rate sensed through each of the plurality of air flow sensors corresponds to a preset critical flow rate range, and when at least one air flow rate is out of the critical flow rate range, the first pressure unit 154a and At least one of the second pressure unit 154b operates abnormally, or at least one of the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b is damaged, operates abnormally, or the first tube 190a and It may be determined that at least one of the second tubes 190b is damaged, that the housing unit 114 does not properly fix the substrate 118 , or that at least one portion of the microchannel is blocked by a foreign material or the like.

For example, when the air flow rate sensed through the air flow sensor located close to at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b is out of the critical flow rate range, the controller 180 controls the first pressure It may be determined that at least one of the part 154a and the second pressure part 154b operates abnormally. In this case, the controller 180 outputs notification information for notifying that repair or replacement of at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b is required, or outputs the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b. After stopping the operation of at least one of the pressure units 154b, the operation may be restarted, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Other operations of the controller 180 may perform the same operations as those of the controller 180 described above with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B .

In various embodiments, the controller 180 controls at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b by at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b. The size of the microdroplets may be adjusted according to the formed pressure. For example, the controller 180 may cause at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b to form a pressure greater than a preset first critical pressure. In this case, a pressure greater than the first threshold pressure may be applied to at least one of the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b. As described above, as the pressure applied to at least one of the oil and the sample increases, the air flow rate increases, and thus smaller microdroplets may be generated.

In various embodiments, at least one of the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b may form a pressure smaller than a preset second critical pressure. In this case, a pressure smaller than the second threshold pressure may be applied to at least one of the first injection unit 152a and the second injection unit 152b. As described above, as the pressure applied to at least one of the oil and the sample decreases, the air flow rate decreases and larger microdroplets may be generated.

Through this, the oil and the sample are discharged into the microchannel at different flow rates, thereby generating independent microdroplets in the form of microdroplets.

When the generation of microdroplets is completed, the generated microdroplets may be transferred to the storage unit 140 , and the microdroplets accommodated in the storage unit 140 may be sequentially transferred to the droplet supply unit of the singulator unit 60 .

6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an injection-type micro-droplet generation tool according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the presented embodiment, each of the plurality of pressure units applies pressure to each of the plurality of oil injection units, and each of the plurality of other pressure units applies pressure to each of the plurality of sample injection units. let me explain

In addition, in the presented embodiment, the microdroplet generating unit 110, the storage unit 140, the pressure unit 150, the sensor 160, the position sensor 170 and the control unit ( 180) may perform the same operation as the components of the same name described in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the pressure unit 150 of the microdroplet generating tool 100 includes a plurality of injection units and a plurality of pressure units 154a, 154b, 154c, 154d, 154e, 154f, 154g, 154h, 154i, 154j , 154k, 154l, 154m, 154n, 154o, 154p).

The plurality of injection units includes a plurality of oil injection units (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e, 120f, 120g, 120h) and a plurality of sample injection units (122a, 122b, 122c, 122d, 122e, 122f, 122g, 122h). It may be formed corresponding to each. For example, the first injection unit is disposed between the first oil injection unit 120a and the first pressure unit 154a, and the second injection unit has the first sample injection unit 122a and the second pressure unit 154b. ) may be disposed between, and other injection units may also be disposed between the oil injection unit or the sample injection unit corresponding to each, and the pressure unit corresponding to each.

The plurality of pressure portions 154a, 154b, 154c, 154d, 154e, 154f, 154g, 154h, 154i, 154j, 154k, 154l, 154m, 154n, 154o, 154p include a first pressure portion 154a and a second pressure portion. 154b, the third pressure unit 154c, the fourth pressure unit 154d, the fifth pressure unit 154e, the sixth pressure unit 154f, the seventh pressure unit 154g, and the eighth pressure unit 154h ), the ninth pressure unit 154i, the tenth pressure unit 154j, the eleventh pressure unit 154k, the twelfth pressure unit 154l, the thirteenth pressure unit 154m, the fourteenth pressure unit 154n, It may include a fifteenth pressure part 154o and a sixteenth pressure part 154p.

For example, each pressure unit may apply pressure to each injection unit to inject the oil or sample accommodated in each injection unit into the corresponding oil injection unit or sample injection unit. The oil accommodated in each of the plurality of oil injection units and the sample accommodated in each of the plurality of sample injection units may be generated as microdroplets by a pressure formed through each pressure unit.

Each of the plurality of pressure units 154a, 154b, 154c, 154d, 154e, 154f, 154g, 154h, 154i, 154j, 154k, 154l, 154m, 154n, 154o, 154p may be a syringe pump, but is not limited thereto.

Using the pressure unit 150 thus formed, the controller 180 may apply different pressures to each oil injection unit and each sample injection unit, or may apply the same pressure to each oil injection unit and each sample injection unit. In other words, the controller 180 may generate microdroplets of different sizes corresponding to each collection unit.

For example, the controller 180 may form a first pressure through the first pressure unit 154a and form a second pressure greater than the first pressure through the third pressure unit 154c. Also, the controller 180 may form a third pressure through the second pressure unit 154b and the fourth pressure unit 154d. In this case, the first pressure formed through the first pressure unit 154a is applied to the first injection unit corresponding to the first oil injection unit 120a, and the third pressure formed through the second pressure unit 154b is 1 may be applied to the second injection unit corresponding to the sample injection unit (122a). In addition, the second pressure formed through the third pressure unit 154c is applied to the third injection unit corresponding to the second oil injection unit 120b, and the third pressure formed through the fourth pressure unit 154d is the second It may be applied to the fourth injection unit corresponding to the sample injection unit (122b).

In this way, the oil accommodated in the first injection unit by the first pressure applied to the first injection unit is accommodated in the first oil injection unit 120a, and received in the second injection unit by the third pressure applied to the second injection unit. A sample may be accommodated in the first sample injection unit 122a. Also, the oil contained in the third injection unit is accommodated in the second oil injection unit 120b by the second pressure applied to the third injection unit, and the sample accommodated in the fourth injection unit by the third pressure applied to the fourth injection unit. may be accommodated in the second sample injection unit 122b.

By the first pressure and the third pressure, the oil accommodated in the first oil injection unit 120a and the sample accommodated in the first sample injection unit 122a are discharged through the microchannel, and each oil is inserted between the samples to collect the sample. The first microdroplets may be generated by separation. The first microdroplets generated in this way may be transferred to the first collecting unit 124a. In addition, by the second pressure and the third pressure, the oil accommodated in the second oil injection unit 120b and the sample accommodated in the second sample injection unit 122b are discharged through the microchannel, and each oil is inserted between the samples to insert the sample. By separating the second microdroplets may be generated. The second microdroplets generated in this way may be transferred to the second collecting unit 124b.

As described above, since the second pressure applied to the second oil injection unit 120b is greater than the first pressure applied to the first oil injection unit 120a, the second micro-droplets have a smaller size than the first micro-droplets. can

In various embodiments, when the same pressure is applied to each oil injection part and different pressures are applied to each sample injection part, the microdroplets generated corresponding to the sample injection part to which the greater pressure is applied are smaller than the other microdroplets. can have size.

Hereinafter, an operation of generating microdroplets in the injection type microdroplet generating tool 100 equipped with a sensor will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 .

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating microdroplets in an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , when the micro-droplet generating unit 110 is mounted on the door unit 7 , the micro-droplet generating tool 100 detects the position of the micro-droplet generating unit 110 through the position sensor 170 . The detection is performed, and the microdroplet generating unit 110 is inserted into the genetic analysis apparatus 1 according to the sensed position (S700).

The micro-droplet generating tool 100 forms a pressure through at least one pressure unit, senses the pressure through the pressure sensor 162 , and generates micro-droplets through the micro-droplet generating unit 110 according to the sensed pressure. generated (S710). For example, the at least one pressure unit is the pressure unit 154 described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B , the first pressure unit 154a and the second pressure unit 154b described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B , and the pressure unit described with reference to FIG. 6 . It may be at least one of the plurality of pressure units 154a, 154b, 154c, 154d, 154e, 154f, 154g, 154h, 154i, 154j, 154k, 154l, 154m, 154n, 154o, and 154p. For example, in the operation of generating microdroplets through the microdroplet generating unit, referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B , the pressure formed through the pressure unit 154 is applied to the first injection unit 152a containing the oil and the sample. It is applied to the received second injection unit 152b, and the oil contained in the first injection unit 152a and the sample contained in the second injection unit 152b are injected into the microdroplet generating unit 110 by the applied pressure. , may refer to an operation in which the oil and sample injected through the microdroplet generating unit 110 are generated as microdroplets.

The micro-droplet generating tool 100 senses the air flow rate inside the micro-droplet generating tool 100 through the air flow sensor 164 and completes the micro-droplet generation according to the sensed air flow rate (S620). Here, the operation of completing (or terminating) the generation of microdroplets may mean a state in which all the generated microdroplets are collected by the collecting unit 124 .

The microdroplet generating tool 100 may perform at least one of the above-described operations S700, S710, and S720.

Hereinafter, an operation according to the position of the micro-droplet generating unit 110 in the micro-droplet generating tool 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 .

8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to a position of a microdroplet generating unit in an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 8 , the micro-droplet generating tool 100 detects the position of the micro-droplet generating unit 110 through the position sensor 170 ( S800 ). Specifically, when the micro-droplet generating unit 110 is mounted on the door part 7 of the genetic analysis apparatus 1 , the micro-droplet generating tool 100 operates the micro-droplet generating unit 110 through the position sensor 170 . ) is detected. Here, the position sensor 170 may be disposed or mounted at various positions for detecting the position of the microdroplet generating unit 110 .

Subsequently, the microdroplet generating tool 100 checks whether the detected position corresponds to a preset critical position range ( S810 ), and if the detected position corresponds to the critical position range, the microdroplet generating unit 110 performs the genetic analysis device (1) to drive the motor to be inserted into the interior (S820).

If the detected position does not correspond to or is out of the critical position range, the micro-droplet generating tool 100 outputs notification information for notifying a position error of the micro-droplet generating unit ( S830 ).

Hereinafter, an operation according to pressure in the microdroplet generating tool 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 .

9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to pressure in an injection-type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 9 , the microdroplet generating tool 100 senses a pressure through the pressure sensor 162 ( S900 ). For example, one or more pressure sensors 162 may be provided to sense the pressure formed by at least one pressure unit at at least one position inside the microdroplet generating tool 100 .

The microdroplet generating tool 100 checks whether the sensed pressure corresponds to a preset critical pressure range (S910), and generates microdroplets when the sensed pressure falls within the critical pressure range (S920). For example, when the sensed pressure reaches a pressure required for microdroplet generation, oil and a sample from each injection unit 152a, 152b are transferred to the oil injection unit 120 and the sample injection unit 122 by the corresponding pressure. The sample and oil accommodated in the oil injection unit 120 and the sample injection unit 122 are discharged through the microchannel, and each oil is inserted between the samples to separate the samples, thereby generating microdroplets. The microdroplets generated in this way may be transferred to the collecting unit 124 and accumulated.

If the sensed pressure does not correspond to or is out of the critical pressure range, the microdroplet generating tool 100 outputs notification information for notifying the abnormal pressure (S930).

Hereinafter, an operation according to the air flow rate in the microdroplet generating tool 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 .

10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to an air flow rate in an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4, 5 and 10 , the micro-droplet generating tool 100 detects an air flow rate in the micro-droplet generating tool 100 through the air flow sensor 164 ( S1000 ). For example, one or more air flow sensors 164 may be provided to be disposed or mounted at at least one position for detecting an air flow rate inside the microdroplet generating tool 100 .

The microdroplet generating tool 100 checks whether the detected air flow rate corresponds to a preset critical flow rate range (S1010), and if the detected air flow rate corresponds to the critical flow rate range, whether oil and a sample for generating microdroplets exist Confirm (S1020).

If the detected air flow rate does not correspond to or is out of the critical flow rate range, the micro-droplet generation tool 100 outputs notification information for notifying the air leakage (S1030).

If oil and a sample for generating microdroplets are present, the microdroplet generating tool 100 generates microdroplets (S1040), and after checking whether oil and a sample for generating microdroplets exist (S1020), operation S1050 is performed. can be done

If the oil and the sample for generating the microdroplets do not exist, the microdroplet generating tool 100 ends the microdroplet generation ( S1050 ). For example, when the generation of microdroplets is terminated, no oil is present in the oil injection unit 120 , no sample is present in the sample injection unit 122 , and all the generated microdroplets are collected in the collection unit 124 . It could mean a state of being.

Through this, the present invention notifies the user of the occurrence of the defect, so that the user can take appropriate measures for the device defect.

In addition, the present invention generates microdroplets with minimal defects, so that more accurate and precise genetic analysis is possible using them.

The apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination.

The program instructions recorded on the computer readable medium may be specially designed and configured for the present invention, or may be known and available to those skilled in the computer software field. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and magnetic such as floppy disks. - Includes magneto-optical media and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes such as those generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. . Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The protection scope of the present invention should be construed by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

This result was researched with the support of the Agriculture, Forestry and Food Technology Planning and Evaluation Institute's Agricultural Products Safe Production and Distribution Management Technology Development Project with funds from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (318015-03).

1: Genetic analysis device
2: housing
3: Status display
4: Noise reduction part
5: power supply
6: vacuum motor unit
7: Door part
8: opening
9: Fixed part
100: microdroplet generation tool

Claims (20)

at least one pressure portion configured to create a pressure;
a door unit on which a microdroplet generating unit is mounted so as to be inserted into the genetic analysis apparatus to generate microdroplets for gene analysis;
a sensing unit comprising at least one of a pressure sensor configured to sense pressure, a position sensor configured to sense a position of the microdroplet generating unit, and an air flow rate sensor configured to sense an air flow rate inside the microdroplet generating tool;
a motor operable to insert the microdroplet generating unit into the genetic analysis device;
a plurality of injection units containing oil and a sample used to generate the microdroplets; and
a control unit configured to be operable with the at least one pressure unit, the door unit, the sensing unit, the motor, and the plurality of injection units,
The control unit is
When the micro-droplet generating unit is mounted through the door, the position of the micro-droplet generating unit is sensed through the position sensor, and the micro-droplet generating unit is moved into the genetic analysis device according to the detected position. a first operation of inserting;
A pressure is formed through the at least one pressure unit, the formed pressure is applied to the plurality of injection units, and the oil and sample accommodated in the plurality of injection units by the applied pressure are injected into the microdroplet generating unit, and a second operation in which the oil and the sample injected through the microdroplet generating unit generate the microdroplets, and
configured to detect an air flow rate inside the microdroplet generation tool through the air flow sensor and perform at least one of a third operation of completing the microdroplet generation according to the sensed air flow rate,
The pressure sensor is
In order to sense the pressure formed by the at least one pressure unit, between the at least one pressure unit and the plurality of injection units, at least one of the inside of the first tube, inside the second tube, and inside the microdroplet generating unit placed in position,
The control unit is
Check whether the pressure sensed through the pressure sensor corresponds to a preset critical pressure range,
generating the microdroplets through the microdroplet generating unit when the sensed pressure falls within the critical pressure range;
If the sensed pressure does not fall within the critical pressure range or is out of range, the motor controls the at least one pressure unit to re-establish a pressure corresponding to the critical pressure range, or moves the microdroplet generating unit An implantable microdroplet creation tool having a sensor, configured to actuate. According to claim 1, wherein the position sensor,
An injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor, which is disposed at at least one position of the genetic analysis device to detect a position of the microdroplet generating unit. According to claim 1,
The control unit is
Check whether the detected position corresponds to a preset critical position range,
If the sensed position corresponds to the critical position range, driving the motor,
and outputting notification information for notifying a position error of the micro-droplet generating unit when the detected position does not fall within the threshold position range or is out of range. delete According to claim 1, wherein the control unit,
When the sensed pressure does not fall within the critical pressure range or is out of range, an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor for outputting notification information for notifying an abnormal pressure. delete According to claim 1,
A plurality of the pressure sensors are provided inside the micro-droplet generating tool,
The control unit is
When the pressure detected by any one of the plurality of pressure sensors is out of the preset critical pressure range, notification information for notifying that abnormal pressure is generated at the position of the pressure sensor where the pressure out of the critical pressure range is sensed An injection-type microdroplet generating tool equipped with a sensor to output. According to claim 1, wherein the air flow sensor,
An injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor, which is disposed at at least one position of the genetic analysis device to detect the air flow rate. According to claim 1, wherein the control unit,
Check whether the air flow rate detected through the air flow sensor corresponds to a preset critical flow rate range,
If the sensed air flow rate falls within the critical flow rate range, it is confirmed whether oil and a sample for generating the microdroplets exist,
generating the microdroplets in the presence of the oil and the sample;
If the oil and the sample are not present, the generation of the microdroplets is completed,
When the sensed air flow rate does not correspond to, or is out of, the critical flow rate range, outputting notification information for notifying an air leak, an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor. According to claim 1,
The air flow sensor is provided in plurality in the micro-droplet generating tool,
The control unit is
When the air flow rate sensed by any one of the plurality of air flow sensors is out of the preset critical flow rate range, air leakage occurs at the position of the air flow rate sensor where the air flow rate out of the critical flow rate range is detected. An injection-type micro-droplet generation tool having a sensor, which outputs notification information for informing. In the microdroplet generation method performed by the controller of the injection type microdroplet generation tool equipped with a sensor,
When the micro-droplet generating unit is mounted on the door on which the micro-droplet generating unit is mounted so as to be inserted into the inside of the genetic analysis device to generate micro-droplets for gene analysis, the micro-droplet generating unit is moved through a position sensor. a first step of detecting a position and inserting the microdroplet generating unit into the gene analysis device according to the detected position;
A pressure is formed through at least one pressure unit, the formed pressure is applied to the plurality of injection units, and the oil and sample accommodated in the plurality of injection units by the applied pressure are injected into the microdroplet generating unit, a second step of generating the microdroplets by the oil and the sample injected through the droplet generating unit; and
A third step of detecting an air flow rate inside the micro-droplet generation tool through an air flow sensor, and completing the micro-droplet generation according to the sensed air flow rate,
At least one of the first step, the second step and the third step is performed,
A pressure sensor configured to sense the pressure formed through the at least one pressure unit,
In order to sense the pressure formed by the at least one pressure unit, between the at least one pressure unit and the plurality of injection units, at least one of the inside of the first tube, inside the second tube, and inside the microdroplet generating unit placed in position,
The first step is
Checking whether the pressure sensed through the pressure sensor corresponds to a preset critical pressure range, and
If the sensed pressure does not correspond to or is out of the critical pressure range, control the at least one pressure unit to re-establish a pressure corresponding to the critical pressure range, or drive a motor to move the microdroplet generating unit further comprising the step of letting
The second step is
and generating the microdroplets through the microdroplet generating unit when the pressure falls within the critical pressure range. The method of claim 11, wherein the position sensor,
A method for generating microdroplets of an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor, which is disposed at at least one position of the genetic analysis device to detect a position of the microdroplet generating unit. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first step comprises:
checking whether the sensed position corresponds to a preset threshold position range;
driving the motor operable to insert the microdroplet generating unit into the genetic analysis device when the sensed position corresponds to the critical position range; and
and outputting notification information for notifying a position error of the microdroplet generating unit when the detected position does not fall within the threshold position range or is out of range. of microdroplet generation method. delete The method of claim 11, wherein the second step comprises:
and outputting notification information for notifying an abnormal pressure when the sensed pressure does not correspond to or is out of the critical pressure range. delete 12. The method of claim 11,
when a plurality of the pressure sensors are provided inside the microdroplet generating tool, checking whether a pressure sensed by any one of the plurality of pressure sensors is outside a preset critical pressure range; and
When the sensed pressure is out of the critical pressure range, the step of outputting notification information for notifying that an abnormal pressure is generated at the position of the pressure sensor where the pressure out of the critical pressure range is sensed, injection with a sensor Microdroplet generation method of the method of microdroplet generation tool. The method of claim 11, wherein the air flow sensor,
A method for generating microdroplets of an injection type microdroplet generating tool having a sensor, which is disposed at at least one position of the genetic analysis device to detect the air flow rate. The method of claim 11, wherein the third step comprises:
checking whether the sensed air flow rate corresponds to a preset critical flow rate range;
checking whether oil and a sample for generating the microdroplets exist when the sensed air flow rate falls within the critical flow rate range;
generating the microdroplets in the presence of the oil and the sample;
Completing the generation of the microdroplets if the oil and the sample are not present: and
When the sensed air flow rate does not correspond to or deviates from the critical flow rate range, outputting notification information for notifying an air leak. . 12. The method of claim 11,
checking whether the air flow rate sensed through any one of the plurality of air flow sensors is out of a preset threshold flow rate range when the air flow sensor is provided in plurality in the microdroplet generating tool; and
When the sensed air flow rate deviates from the critical flow rate range, outputting notification information for informing that an air leak occurs at a position of an air flow rate sensor in which the air flow rate out of the critical flow rate range is detected, a sensor A method of generating microdroplets of an injection-type microdroplet generating tool.

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