LU600613B1

LU600613B1 - Microfluidic chip clamping device

Info

Publication number: LU600613B1
Application number: LU600613A
Authority: LU
Inventors: Shuai Zhang
Original assignee: Univ Huanghuai
Priority date: 2025-03-18
Filing date: 2025-03-18
Publication date: 2025-09-17

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of chip clamps, in particular to a microfluidic chip clamping device, which comprises a placing table, side plates, a clamping assembly, a diversion assembly, an elastic bump and a mounting plate; according to the invention, the adjustable clamping assemblies are arranged to clamp and fix the front, rear, left and right sides of the chip, which can be used for clamping and fixing chips with different sizes and maintaining their stability in the process of experiments and detection; the friction with the bottom of the chip can be increased by arranging the elastic bump at the upper end of the placing table, so that the stability of the chip can be further improved; and by arranging the diversion assemblies with a transparent plate with adjustable spacing up and down for introducing fluid to the surface of the chip.

Description

DESCRIPTION LU600613

MICROFLUIDIC CHIP CLAMPING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the technical field of chip clamps, in particular to a microfluidic chip clamping device.

BACKGROUND

Microfluidic chip is a kind of "lab-on-a-chip" that precisely manipulates fluids on a micro scale. Microfluidic chip technology integrates basic operating units such as sample preparation, reaction, separation and detection in biological, chemical and medical analysis processes into a micron-scale chip to automatically complete the whole analysis process. This chip can integrate multi-step operations in the fields of biology and chemistry into a small chip, and perform various operations, reactions and detection on cells, biological macromolecules, small molecules and ions. Because of its great potential in the fields of biology, chemistry and medicine, it has developed into a new research field where biology, chemistry, medicine, fluids, electronics, materials and machinery intersect.

The existing microfluidic chip usually directly inserts the hard conduit into the sample hole of the microfluidic chip or sticks the conduit to the fluid inlet and outlet of the hard plastic or glass chip during the experiment and detection, which is easy to cause the outlet blockage, and the position of the chip is easy to shift due to the weight of the conduit.

Therefore, in order to solve the problem that the existing microfluidic chips are prone to outlet blockage and deviation in the process of experiment and detection, we can design a microfluidic chip clamping device, which can clamp and fix the front, back, left and right sides of the chip through adjustable clamping assemblies, so as to maintain its stability in the process of experiment and detection, and by setting a transparent plate with adjustable spacing up and down for introducing fluid to the surface of the chip, it is not only convenient to observe the state of the chip, but also can ensure the accuracy of fluid introduction.

SUMMARY LU600613

In order to overcome the problems that the existing microfluidic chip is easy to cause outlet blockage and deviation in the process of experiment and detection.

The technical scheme of the invention is as follows. A microfluidic chip clamping device, comprising a placing table, side plates, a clamping assembly, a diversion assembly, elastic bumps and a mounting plate, wherein the left and right sides of the upper end of the placing table are fixedly connected with the side plates; one end of the two groups of the side plates close to each other is fixedly connected with the clamping assembly for clamping and fixing the chip in cooperation; and the upper ends of the two groups of the side plates are fixedly connected with the diversion assembly for uniformly introducing fluid to the surface of the chip; a plurality of groups of elastic bumps for increasing the friction with the bottom of the chip are uniformly and fixedly installed at the upper end of the placing table in a linear distribution, the mounting plate for increasing the stability is fixedly connected at the lower end of the placing table, and mounting holes for mounting and fixing the mounting plate are uniformly arranged around the four corners of the upper end of the mounting plate.

Preferably, the clamping assembly comprises a limiting frame, springs, dampers, a first threaded post, limiting blocks, a handle, a first protective pad and a second protective pad, wherein five groups of springs are uniformly and fixedly installed at one end of the limiting frame close to the side plates from left to right, and the dampers for assisting rebound are arranged in the springs.

Preferably, two groups of the limiting blocks for clamping and fixing the front and rear ends of the chip are oppositely arranged at the inner sides of the left and right ends of the limiting frame, and the two groups of the limiting blocks are both connected with the limiting frame through the first threaded post.

Preferably, one end of the first threaded post far from the limit blocks is fixedly connected with the handle, and the handle is convenient for screwing the first threaded post.

Preferably, the first protective pad for protecting the left and right ends of the chip is attached to the inner side of one end of the limiting frame close to the side plates, and the second protective pad for protecting the front and rear ends of the chip is attached to one end of two groups of the limiting blocks close to each other.

Preferably, the diversion assembly comprises a transparent plate, second threaded 500613 posts and nuts, wherein four groups of the second threaded posts are evenly distributed around the four corners of the transparent plate, the transparent plate is connected with the second threaded posts in a sliding way, and the surface of the transparent plate is provided with a plurality of groups of diversion holes, and the diversion holes are used for inserting conduits to guide fluid to the surface of the chip in a linear distribution.

Preferably, the nuts for fixing the transparent plate are arranged at the joint of the lower end of the transparent plate and the second threaded posts, and the height of the transparent plate is adjusted by screwing the nuts.

The invention has the beneficial effects that: the adjustable clamping assemblies are arranged to clamp and fix the front, back, left and right sides of the chip, which can be used to clamp and fix chips with different sizes and maintain their stability in the process of experiment and detection; the elastic bumps are arranged at the upper end of the placing table to increase the friction with the bottom of the chip, thus further improving the stability of the chip; and the diversion assemblies with transparent plates with adjustable spacing up and down are arranged to introduce fluid to the surface of the chip, which not only facilitates the observation of the state of the chip, but also ensures the accuracy of fluid introduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the overall three-dimensional structure of the microfluidic chip clamping device of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the placing table of the microfluidic chip clamping device of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the clamping assembly of the microfluidic chip clamping device of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the diversion assembly of the microfluidic chip clamping device of the present invention.

Description of reference numerals: 1. placing table; 2. side plate; 5. elastic bumps; 6. mounting plate; 7. mounting hole; 301, limiting frame; 302, spring; 303, damper; 304. first threaded post; 305, limiting block; 306, handle; 307. first protective pad; 308. second protective pad; 401. transparent plate; 402, diversion hole; 403. second threaded post; 404, nut.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION LU600613

The invention will be further explained with the attached drawings and examples.

Microfluidic chip, also known as lab on a chip, is a miniaturized device that integrates basic operation units such as sample preparation, reaction, separation and detection involved in biology, chemistry and other fields into a micron-scale chip, and realizes the manipulation of microfluidic through the microchannel network, thus completing the complex biochemical analysis process. The following is a detailed introduction about microfluidic chips.

Structural composition

Microchannel: it is the core structure of microfluidic chip, which is similar to "blood vessel" on the chip. It is usually between several microns and hundreds of microns in width, and is used to guide and control the flow of microfluidic. Microchannels with different shapes and layouts can achieve different functions, such as mixing, separation and reaction.

Micro-pump and micro-valve: micro-pump is used to drive micro-fluid to flow in micro- channels, such as piezoelectric pump and electromagnetic pump. Micro-valve is used to control the flow direction and flow rate of micro-fluid, which is similar to a switch in a circuit and can realize accurate control of micro-fluid.

Micro-reactor: it is a place where biological and chemical reactions are carried out. It is usually designed in a specific shape and size to provide the best reaction conditions, such as temperature and pH value. It can be used for DNA amplification, protein crystallization and other reactions.

Detection unit: used to detect the reaction result or the target substance in the sample. Common detection methods include optical detection (such as fluorescence detection, absorption light detection), electrochemical detection, mass spectrometry detection, etc. Corresponding detection elements such as photodetectors and electrodes are integrated on the chip.

Principle of operation LU600613

Based on the characteristics of microfluidic and various physical, chemical and biological principles, its functions are realized. At the micro scale, fluid has different characteristics from macro fluid, such as surface tension, viscous force, etc., which are significantly enhanced, while inertia force is relatively weakened. Using these characteristics, we can manipulate and analyze biomolecules and cells in micro-fluids by designing different microchannel structures and using various physical and chemical effects, such as electrophoresis, electroosmosis, diffusion, droplet generation, etc. For example, electrophoresis technology uses the migration speed difference of biomolecules under the action of electric field to achieve separation; electroosmotic flow is the relative flow of liquid on the solid surface under the action of electric field, which can be used to drive microfluidic to move in microchannels.

Application area

Biomedical field

Disease diagnosis: it can be used to detect biomarkers and realize early diagnosis of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, etc., such as judging the disease state by detecting specific markers such as protein and nucleic acid in blood or urine.

Drug research and development: it plays an important role in drug screening and drug metabolism research, and can quickly screen out drug molecules with potential activity and study the metabolic process and mechanism of drugs in organisms.

Cell research: it can be used for cell culture, cell sorting, cell detection, etc. It can simulate the microenvironment of cells in vivo, study the process of cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis, and separate and enrich cells.

Chemical analysis field

Environmental monitoring: it can be used to detect heavy metal ions, organic pollutants, etc. in environmental water samples and harmful gases in the atmosphere. It has the advantages of rapidity, sensitivity and portability, and can realize real-time monitoring on site.

Food safety detection: used to detect pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, additives, etc. in food to ensure food safety, such as quickly detecting pesticide residues in vegetables and veterinary drug residues in meat.

Chemical synthesis: it can realize miniaturized chemical synthesis reaction, accurately control reaction conditions, improve reaction efficiency and selectivity, and be used to synthesize new compounds, pharmaceutical intermediates, etc.

Other fields LU600613

Biotechnology field: it is widely used in gene analysis and protein analysis, such as

DNA sequencing and protein electrophoresis, which can quickly and accurately analyze the structure and function of biomolecules.

Energy field: it is used to study the electrochemical reaction in fuel cells, optimize the performance of microfluidic batteries, and provide support for the development of energy technology.

Superiority

Miniaturization and integration: the functions of traditional laboratories are integrated on a tiny chip, which greatly reduces the consumption of samples and reagents, reduces the cost and improves the analysis efficiency.

Qualcomm quantity: it can process multiple samples or carry out multiple reactions at the same time, and realize Qualcomm quantity analysis, which greatly improves the experimental efficiency and shortens the detection time.

High sensitivity and high resolution: due to the special physical and chemical effects at the micro scale, it can realize high sensitivity detection and high resolution separation of trace samples, and improve the accuracy of analysis results.

Portability and flexibility: small size, light weight, easy to carry and operate, can be customized according to different needs, suitable for different application scenarios.

With the advantages of miniaturization, integration, Qualcomm and high sensitivity, microfluidic chip has realized the innovation of complex biochemical analysis process in biomedicine, chemical analysis, biotechnology, energy and other fields, which plays an irreplaceable role in promoting the development of various fields and scientific research progress. However, microfluidic chips usually have some problems in the process of experiment and detection. The following will list some common problems and the reasons for these problems.

Microfluidic manipulation problem

Fluid blockage: micro-channels are small in size, and impurities, particles or biological macromolecules in the sample are easy to gather and precipitate in the channels, which leads to channel blockage and affects the normal flow of the fluid. In addition, the viscosity change and abnormal surface tension of the fluid may also cause blockage problems.

Non-uniform fluid: the manufacturing accuracy, surface roughness and unreasonable 00613 chip design of microchannels may lead to non-uniform fluid flow in microchannels, resulting in velocity difference, eddy current and other phenomena, which will affect the accuracy and repeatability of experiments and detection.

Detection sensitivity problem

Weak signal: because the sample size processed by microfluidic chip is usually small, the concentration of target analyte is low, and the detection signal generated is relatively weak, which is easily submerged by background noise, resulting in limited detection sensitivity. For example, when detecting biomarkers, it is difficult for low- concentration markers to generate strong enough fluorescence or electrochemical signals.

There are many interference factors: the complex microenvironment in the chip, other assemblies in the sample and the chip material itself may interfere with the detection signal, reducing the specificity and accuracy of the detection. For example, impurities in the sample may react nonspecific with detection reagents, resulting in false positive signals.

Biocompatibility problem

Influence of cell or biomolecule activity: chip materials may affect the activity of cells or biomolecules. For example, the chemical properties on the surface of some materials may lead to cell adsorption, deformation or even death, or denaturation and inactivation of biomolecules, thus affecting the experimental results.

Nonspecific adsorption: nonspecific adsorption of biomolecules or cells is easy to occur on the chip surface, which will not only consume the target substance in the sample and reduce the detection sensitivity, but also interfere with the detection signal, affecting the accuracy and reliability of the experiment, which is mainly caused by the physical and chemical properties of the chip material surface, such as surface charge and hydrophobicity.

Chip manufacturing problem

Insufficient machining accuracy: the manufacture of microfluidic chips requires high- precision machining technology. If the machining accuracy is not enough, it will lead to problems such as dimensional deviation and irregular shape of microchannels, which will affect the manipulation of microfluidic and the accuracy of experimental results. For example, the non-uniformity of microchannel width will lead to the non-uniformity of fluid flow rate.

Material performance limitation: different chip materials have different physical, 500613 chemical and biological properties. If the materials are not selected properly, they may not meet the requirements of experiments and testing. For example, the poor optical transparency of some materials will affect the effect of optical detection; The chemical stability of the material is poor, and it may be dissolved or degraded during the experiment, which may pollute the sample.

Integration and automation problems

Difficulty in multi-module integration: when multiple functional modules are integrated on a microfluidic chip, there may be compatibility problems between modules, such as uncoordinated fluid connection and signal transmission, which leads to the failure of the whole system.

Low degree of automation: at present, some microfluidic chips still need more manual operation in the process of experiment and detection, and the degree of automation is limited, which not only increases the operation error, but also reduces the work efficiency.

This is mainly due to the control system and interface design of the chip is not perfect, and the compatibility with external devices.

To sum up, the problems existing in the experiment and detection of microfluidic chips and their causes involve many aspects, and it is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as materials, design, experimental operation, production cost, technology platform and interdisciplinary to find effective solutions.

Please refer to Fig. 1- Fig. 2. The present invention provides an embodiment: a microfluidic chip clamping device, comprising a placing table 1, side plates 2, a clamping assembly, a diversion assembly, elastic bumps 5 and a mounting plate 6, wherein the left and right sides of the upper end of the placing table 1 are fixedly connected with the side plates 2; one end of the two groups of the side plates 2 close to each other is fixedly connected with the clamping assembly for clamping and fixing the chip in cooperation; and the upper ends of the two groups of the side plates 2 are fixedly connected with the diversion assembly for uniformly introducing fluid to the surface of the chip; a plurality of groups of elastic bumps 5 for increasing the friction with the bottom of the chip are uniformly and fixedly installed at the upper end of the placing table 1 in a linear distribution, the mounting plate 6 for increasing the stability is fixedly connected at the lower end of the placing table 1, and mounting holes 7 for mounting and fixing the mounting plate 6 are uniformly arranged around the four corners of the upper end of the mounting plate 6.

Please refer to Fig. 3. In this embodiment, the clamping assembly comprises 21600613 limiting frame 301, springs 302, dampers 303, a first threaded post 304, limiting blocks 305, a handle 306, a first protective pad 307 and a second protective pad 308, wherein five groups of springs 302 are uniformly and fixedly installed at one end of the limiting frame 301 close to the side plates 2 from left to right, and the dampers 303 for assisting rebound are arranged in the springs 302. Two groups of the limiting blocks 305 for clamping and fixing the front and rear ends of the chip are oppositely arranged at the inner sides of the left and right ends of the limiting frame 301, and the two groups of the limiting blocks 305 are both connected with the limiting frame 301 through the first threaded post 304. One end of the first threaded post 304 far from the limit blocks 305 is fixedly connected with the handle 306, and the handle 306 is convenient for screwing the first threaded post 304. The first protective pad 307 for protecting the left and right ends of the chip is attached to the inner side of one end of the limiting frame 301 close to the side plates 2, and the second protective pad 308 for protecting the front and rear ends of the chip is attached to one end of two groups of the limiting blocks 305 close to each other.

Please refer to Fig. 4. In this embodiment, the diversion assembly comprises a transparent plate 401, second threaded posts 403 and nuts 404, wherein four groups of the second threaded posts 403 are evenly distributed around the four corners of the transparent plate 401, the transparent plate 401 is connected with the second threaded posts 403 in a sliding way, and the surface of the transparent plate 401 is provided with a plurality of groups of diversion holes 402, and the diversion holes 402 are used for inserting conduits to guide fluid to the surface of the chip in a linear distribution. The nuts 404 for fixing the transparent plate 401 are arranged at the joint of the lower end of the transparent plate 401 and the second threaded posts 403, and the height of the transparent plate 401 is adjusted by screwing the nuts 404.

When working, firstly put the device in a stable position, and install and fix the device, and install and fix the mounting plate 6 through the mounting hole 7 on the mounting plate 6.

Then, the chip to be tested and experimented is placed between two groups f600613 clamping assemblies, and the left and right ends of the chip are clamped by two groups of oppositely arranged limiting frames 301, so that the first protective pad 307 is attached to the left and right ends of the chip, and the first threaded post 304 is controlled to move in the direction close to the chip by screwing the handle 306 until the front and rear ends of the chip are clamped and fixed by the limiting blocks 305, so that the second protective pad 308 is attached to the front and rear ends of the chip.

Then, according to the actual situation of the chip, the transparent plate 401 is adjusted to an appropriate height, and the height of the transparent plate 401 is adjusted by screwing the nut 404.

Finally, insert the corresponding diversion hole 402 through the conduit matched with the diversion hole 402 on the transparent plate 401, and uniformly introduce the fluid into the surface of the chip.

In the process of testing and testing the chip, the stability of the chip is maintained by the clamping assembly, and the stability of the chip is further increased by the elastic bumps 5 on the placing table 1, and the fluid is accurately introduced to the surface of the chip by the diversion assembly.

Through the above steps, the adjustable clamping assemblies are arranged to clamp and fix the front, back, left and right sides of the chip, which can be used to clamp and fix chips with different sizes and maintain their stability in the process of experiment and detection, and the elastic bumps 5 are arranged at the upper end of the placing table 1 to increase the friction with the bottom of the chip, thereby further improving the stability of the chip. And by arrange that diversion assembly with the transparent plate 401 with the adjustable distance up and down for introducing fluid to the surface of the chip, not only is it convenient to observe the state of the chip, but also the accuracy of fluid introduction can be ensure, so as to solve the problem that the existing microfluidic chip usually directly inserts a hard conduit into the sample hole of the microfluidic chip or sticks the conduit to the fluid inlet and outlet of a hard plastic or glass chip, which is easy to cause outlet blockage, and the position of the chip is easy to shift due to the weight of the conduit.

Claims

CLAIMS LU600613

1. A microfluidic chip clamping device, comprising a placing table (1), side plates (2), a clamping assembly, a diversion assembly, elastic bumps (5) and a mounting plate (6), wherein the left and right sides of the upper end of the placing table (1) are fixedly connected with the side plates (2); one end of the two groups of the side plates (2) close to each other is fixedly connected with the clamping assembly for clamping and fixing the chip in cooperation; and the upper ends of the two groups of the side plates (2) are fixedly connected with the diversion assembly for uniformly introducing fluid to the surface of the chip; a plurality of groups of elastic bumps (5) for increasing the friction with the bottom of the chip are uniformly and fixedly installed at the upper end of the placing table (1) in a linear distribution, the mounting plate (6) for increasing the stability is fixedly connected at the lower end of the placing table (1), and mounting holes (7) for mounting and fixing the mounting plate (6) are uniformly arranged around the four corners of the upper end of the mounting plate (6).

2. The microfluidic chip clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping assembly comprises a limiting frame (301), springs (302), dampers (303), a first threaded post (304), limiting blocks (305), a handle (306), a first protective pad (307) and a second protective pad (308), wherein five groups of springs (302) are uniformly and fixedly installed at one end of the limiting frame (301) close to the side plates (2) from left to right, and the dampers (303) for assisting rebound are arranged in the springs (302).

3. The microfluidic chip clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that two groups of the limiting blocks (305) for clamping and fixing the front and rear ends of the chip are oppositely arranged at the inner sides of the left and right ends of the limiting frame (301), and the two groups of the limiting blocks (305) are both connected with the limiting frame (301) through the first threaded post (304).

4. The microfluidic chip clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that one end of the first threaded post (304) far from the limit blocks (305) is fixedly connected with the handle (306), and the handle (306) is convenient for screwing the first threaded post (304).

5. The microfluidic chip clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that 500613 the first protective pad (307) for protecting the left and right ends of the chip is attached to the inner side of one end of the limiting frame (301) close to the side plates (2), and the second protective pad (308) for protecting the front and rear ends of the chip is attached to one end of two groups of the limiting blocks (305) close to each other.

6. The microfluidic chip clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the diversion assembly comprises a transparent plate (401), second threaded posts (403) and nuts (404), wherein four groups of the second threaded posts (403) are evenly distributed around the four corners of the transparent plate (401), the transparent plate (401) is connected with the second threaded posts (403) in a sliding way, and the surface of the transparent plate (401) is provided with a plurality of groups of diversion holes (402), and the diversion holes (402) are used for inserting conduits to guide fluid to the surface of the chip in a linear distribution.

7. The microfluidic chip clamping device according to claim 6, characterized in that the nuts (404) for fixing the transparent plate (401) are arranged at the joint of the lower end of the transparent plate (401) and the second threaded posts (403), and the height of the transparent plate (401) is adjusted by screwing the nuts (404).