TW200410896A - Configurable micro flowguide device - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a micro flowguide device comprising: a micro channel comprising at least one bubble trap to retard bubbles positioned in said bubble trap; an electrolytic bubble generating device to generate bubbles in said fluid by an electrolytic reaction; and a pressure source to supply a suited pressure to said fluid to pass through said micro channel; wherein said electrolytic bubble generating device causes bubbles to be generated at areas adjacent to said at least one bubble trap. Electrolytic bubbles are generated through a localized electrolytic reaction enabled by the exposure of a set of DC-source-connected electrodes inside a conduit branch. Accumulated bubbles will be trapped and kept at several traps of the invented flowguide. When the backward pressure of trapped bubbles is rising to the level of forward pressure head, flow speed reduces to zero and channel branch is shut down.

Description

200410896 V. Description of invention d) [Name of the month] [Application model of the invention] The invention relates to a microchannel with an electrolytic gas invention. ^ Environmental protection, electronics, [Background of the invention] "Miniature biochemical cracking without moving parts" It should be possible to apply sample purge, etc. The rationale mainly includes: 1 · Thermally triggered internal fluid viscosity, 2 · Thermally triggered bubble generation to form 3 · Field force guidance generated by electromagnetic force guidance (MHD) 4. Gel valve (with contraction principle, made 5 · Bubble trigger Sate valve) · Flow. Channel fluid conduction? Element domain] is a microchannel fluid guiding element, especially for microchannel fluid conduction Leading element. The body guiding element can be used in various medical, chemical, industrial, agricultural, and military applications. Flowing elements, especially microchannel fluid guiding elements, play an important role in micro applications. Flow in, for example, cell manipulation, classification, drug distribution, and biochemical technologies The difference is to determine the flow direction of the fluid. Boiling vapor block flow: The use of heat causes the fluid to boil, and the block flow depends on whether the fluid circulates. Induction (M agnet 〇- H ydr 〇dynamica 1 1 y flow): Use a magnetic field to act on the current The flow field is fluid.

Thermal gelation): Expansion of the thermosensitive gel into a valve. Gate valve (ElectrolySis-bubble actuated

200410896 V. Description of the invention (2) 6 · Mechanically actuated valve: Operate the valve with mechanical force or structure to open and close the channel. In the above application principles, gel valves, bubble-triggered gate valves, and mechanically actuated valves need to have special materials or internal / external movable components built into the microchannels, increasing the complexity of the components and their external systems. Thermally-triggered flow-by-channel viscosity shunting, thermally-triggered> Fortten strip air blocking and electromagnetic force guidance methods, although they can provide a simpler internal enemy-type non-moving mechanism, but the operating temperature or voltage may The intended operation of the biochemical fluid used is contrary. In addition to the microfluidic elements, microfluidic channel guiding elements are set at most specific positions in the microchannel system to guide the microfluidics in the microchannel system according to the predetermined direction, speed and steps, and perform the required biochemical reactions one by one. The so-called "microchannel matrix" is also a developing trend. In this kind of microchannel matrix, through the way of programming, controlling the microfluid's traveling direction, traveling speed, staying period, etc. are even more needed applications in the future. Become the goal of this industry. Therefore, there is currently a need for a novel, motionless, microchannel fluid guiding element. At the same time, there must be a novel microchannel fluid guiding element, which can complete the moving parts-free fluid guiding without using special materials or additional complex components. At the same time, there must be a novel microchannel fluid guiding element, the working principle of which will not harm the purpose of fluid reaction. At the same time, there must be a low-cost, simple-to-manufacture, fluid-free microfluidic channel fluid guide element.

200410896 V. Description of the Invention (3)-At the same time, there must be a microchannel fluid guiding element, which is suitable for using programmable control methods to achieve fluid guiding control. At the same time, there must also be a stylized micro-channel fluid guidance system. Through a programmable control method, the fluid can be guided in accordance with predetermined routes and procedures to complete the various reactions required. ^ At the same time, there must be a stylized micro-channel fluid guidance system, which can provide users with easy-to-use reaction procedures and steps when performing biochemical experiments. 1. The purpose of the invention is to provide a new type of micro-channel fluid guide, which is another leading element of the present invention, without the moving element, the leading element of the present invention, and the non-moving element of the present invention. The invention piece is suitable for the invention of the bow system. It can be routed and steps. The invention must use the body to guide another microfluid, another application, another application, another penetration, and another procedure. The purpose is also to provide a novel microchannel fluid-conducting special material or additional complex elements, that is, the purpose of the purpose is also working as the principle is not the purpose, the channel fluid purpose is also planned, the control purpose is also planned to control, and complete the purpose It is also for the purpose of providing a novel microchannel fluid conducting which will damage the fluid reaction. Once it is provided, a low-cost, easy-to-manufacture guide element is provided. A microchannel fluid guidance element is provided to achieve fluid guidance control. A stylized microchannel fluid conduction method is provided to guide various reactions in the fluid according to a predetermined demand. Provide a stylized microchannel fluid guide 200410896 V. Description of the invention (4) The system chip is provided to provide the user with an easy-to-select reaction procedure for different purposes: biochemical experiment [Brief description of the invention] ^ step. The micro-channel according to the present invention is a bubble-type micro-fluidic switch or a micro-valve 2 guide mechanism. The bubble system is reaction-free 2 and provides an electrical collapse. Because the liquid M and the bubble surface tension = fluid characteristics, = channel fluid is guided to pressure to reach equilibrium. Choose the difference between ^ and #. The method of a # quickly produces% ^ Bombing and shouting to harmonize 40 into large bubbles, leaving stagnation bubbles in place, that is, forming micro-flows at appropriate positions to form bubbles and using gas micro-switches or micro-valves. : Bean's flow resistance, providing flow-free flow through Chu Tu Zhao, 丨 the position and function of the electrode of Taobie Valley bubble generation, through the pre-regulation of W & system to achieve a programmable micro fluid The purpose of guidance. By using the microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention, a desired fluid traveling route, fluid reaction steps, and procedures can be arbitrarily selected on a wafer provided with a plurality of microfluidic reaction regions to complete various biochemical reactions. The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made clearer by the following detailed description and reference to the following drawings. [Brief description of the drawings] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the working principle of the microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the application of the microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention to a microswitch. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing process of the microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention.

Page 9 200410896 V. Description of the invention (5) [Detailed description of the invention] The present invention provides a novel microchannel fluid guiding element and a method for preparing the element. Although not intending to be bound by any theory, the present inventors have found that the liquid agent used in general biochemical reactions usually has specific electrochemical characteristics. In other words, specific electrolytes are present in the commonly used biochemical reaction fluids. If a local current is applied to the biochemical reaction fluid, electrolytic bubbles can be generated quickly. This kind of bubble generation method does not need to heat the reaction fluid to a degree sufficient to damage the biochemical reaction, and the applied local current does not cause overall damage to the reaction system. The resulting bubbles are initially micro-bubbles, but due to the pressure exerted by the driving source of the reaction liquid on the reaction liquid, there is a considerable difference between the surface tension of the bubbles, which promotes the destruction of small bubble surfaces to form larger bubbles. 'Until the two have reached a balance. By using a bubble trap and a large-angle reverse flow channel design to indulge the large bubbles, a first-order resistance can be formed, which is sufficient for the flow resistance of microfluids. The electrolytic bubble fluid flow is to form a fluidless micro-switch or micro-valve to provide fluid guiding function. In a biochemical wafer or other biochemical reaction system, most reaction zones are prepared, and selectivity is formed in each reaction zone. 'Microchannel' and setting the electrolytic bubble fluid micro switch or micro-pump at the selection node can determine the flow path, steps and Sequence. A control device can be planned to control the operation of each of the electrolytic bubble fluid micro-switches or micro-valves' to achieve the application of a programmed biochemical wafer.

Page 10 200410896 V. Description of the invention (6) The microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention and a method for preparing the microchannel fluid guiding element will be described below with examples. Fig. 1 shows the working principle of the micro-channel fluid guiding element of the present invention. As shown, the microchannel fluid guiding element is built on a substrate (10). The substrate (10) can be a plate of any material to accommodate the micro-channel fluid guiding element, and generally can be a suitable material such as glass, plastic, or silicon wafer. The microchannel fluid directing element includes a microchannel (20) carried on the substrate (10). The microchannel (20) has a fluid inlet (21) and a fluid outlet (25), and has a first bubble trap (22), a second bubble trap (23), and a bridge section (24) therebetween. The fluid inlet (21) can be connected to a pressure source (not shown) 'to provide the pressure of the fluid flowing from the inlet (21) through the bridge section (24) to the outlet (25). The pressure source may be a pneumatic source, a hydraulic source, or other pressure source, as long as it is suitable for transporting a fluid to move in the microchannel (20). Below the first bubble trap (22), a first electrode (31) is provided, below the second bubble trap (23) is a third electrode (33), and below the bridge section (24) is provided a The second electrode (32). Each electrode is electrically connected to a contact (3 7) (3 8) (3 9) located on the edge of the substrate (10) by a lead (34) (3 5) (3 6). The electrodes (3 1) (32) (3 3) are preferably exposed at least partly in the microchannel (20) to provide a flow through the first bubble trap (22), the bridge section (24) and / Or the fluid of the second bubble trap (23) is in electrical contact with the electrode (3 1) (3 2) (33) for supplying an electric current to the fluid. The electrode (3 1) (3 2) (3 3) and the lead

200410896 V. Description of the invention (7) (3 4) (3 5) (3 6) and the contact (3 7) (3 8) (3 9) can be the same material or different materials, but it is preferably an electrical conductor And can be made on the substrate (10) in a single step. In manufacturing, any suitable method can be used, such as printing, coating, etching, chemical vapor deposition and the like. If necessary, an insulating layer can be added to the surface of the electrode to reserve the required pores to regulate the electrical contact between the electrode and the fluid. To achieve the purpose of generating bubbles in electrolysis, the first electrode (31) and the third electrode (33) are preferably connected to a first polarity of a power source (not shown), and the second electrode (32) is Connect to the second polarity of this power supply (not shown). Therefore, the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) are connected to different polarities, respectively. The same applies to the second electrode and the third electrode. The microfluidic system to be reacted enters through the inlet (21) of the microchannel (20). The driving source of its movement is the pressure generated by the pressure source (not shown) or other pressure. The fluid usually includes a liquid and a substance to be reacted dissolved or suspended therein, and is used to perform a required biochemical experiment in a specific reaction zone in the microchannel (20). Possible experiments include: physical, chemical, or biological reactions such as heating, mixing, chemical reactions, immune reactions, adding substances, precipitation, extraction, drying, and standing. The liquid contained in the fluid may be the carrier liquid or the reaction liquid itself, and usually may be water, low molecular weight compounds, other solvents, serum, human or animal body fluids, or animal or plant products. However, in order to achieve the purpose of generating bubbles in the electrolysis of the present invention, it should have an electrolyte that does not adversely affect the reaction system and helps to generate bubbles in the electrolysis. Taking the liquid contained in the fluid to be reacted as a cell culture liquid as an example, a commercially available RPMI-1640 (GIBC0 company) can be applied. Small amount of salt

Page 12 200410896 V. Description of the invention (8) That $ is the applicable electrolytic reaction solution. The concentration depends on the application needs. In addition, it is also feasible to add a liquid containing an electrolyte to the liquid to be reacted to promote the generation of bubbles in the electrolysis. As long as the added substance and its reaction system to the reaction fluid have an adverse effect. The flow is injected from the inlet (21) of the microchannel (20), and the pressure is applied to the fluid by a pressure source, and the fluid will flow to the first bubble trap (2 2) having a lower pressure in the bridge section (24). When When a part of the fluid enters the bridge section and a part of the f enters the first bubble trap (22), the first electrode (31) and '2) ^^ supply current. In application, the first electrode (3 1) blood stem (33 = should be of different polarity; the second electrode (32) and the third electrode ~ 33) are also the same. However, the polarity of each electrode should still depend on the application. Principle > Eight f 'When supplying a current to a microfluid, the continuous part of the microfluid ^: part of the contact-the electrode of the first polarity, and the other part of the microfluid comes in contact with the thunder of the two poles n ^ The electrode 'promotes the electrolytic reaction of the microfluid. When the current is supplied to the helium discharge fluid, because the microfluid is in contact with ten poles of different poles at the same time; 口 二. °, and the fluid contains an electrolyte, so an electrolytic reaction occurs, and beans two! ^ = Many tiny occurrences bubble. For example, 'when the microfluid is water-containing and the other salt is salt', nitrogen gas will be generated at the negative electrode. The same phenomenon occurs in other microfluidics and their degrading situations. When the Xiqiang fluid is injected into the first bubble trap (22) and the bridge section (24), the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) are energized. Therefore, if the fluid is internally decomposed, it will decompose and generate micro-bubbles due to energization. Because the micro gas = and the surface area is relatively large, the pressure provided by the micro fluid from the pressure source will destroy the surface of the bubble, so that the micro bubbles are combined into larger bubbles, and the combination of bubbles continues.

Page 13 200410896 V. Description of the invention (9) Occurs, and the bubbles will be blocked by the large-angle curve and will gather in the downstream bubble trap until the surface tension of the bubbles, internal pressure and external pressure reach equilibrium. At this time, because of the bubble traps (2 2) (2 3), the size and position of the bubbles can be maintained and grown. When the volume of the formed bubbles is appropriate, the microfluid can be isolated from the upper and lower sides of the first bubble well (2 2), stop the fluid from entering the downstream side of the first bubble well (2 2), and form A micro valve. And when the bridge section is filled with bubbles, the electrolytic reaction will automatically stop the reaction because the salt bridge is blocked by bubbles. This phenomenon may also occur in the second bubble trap (2 3). In other words, this device can be used in series. Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention when applied to a microswitch. As shown in the figure, when used as a micro-switch, the micro-channel fluid guiding element is still fabricated on a substrate (50) and includes a micro-channel (40). The microchannel (40) has an inlet (41), and branches into two branches at a node (46), each of which has a microvalve containing a bubble trap (42) (44) and its individual outlet (43 ) (4 5). The manufacturing method and structure of the substrate, micro-channels, electrodes, wires, contacts, etc. are as described above and will not be described again. In application, the fluid is caused to enter the microchannel (40) from the inlet (41), and is advanced by pressure, and enters the first microvalve (42) containing the bubble trap and the second microbubble containing the bubble trap through the node (46). Micro valve (44). Using the foregoing operation, the small bubbles near the bubble trap of the selected microvalve form large bubbles to form a barrier, so that fluid cannot flow through the bubble trap of the selected electrode, forcing the fluid to flow only to another bubble trap containing the bubble trap. The microvalve moves toward the outlet on its downstream side.

Page 14 200410896 V. Description of the invention (10) With the above operation, the micro-channel fluid guiding element of the present invention can be used as an early micro switch. FIG. 3 is a manufacturing flow chart of the microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention. The manufacturing method of the microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention is described below according to FIG. 3. As shown in the figure, a glass substrate is first prepared at 30 °, and then ^ 302), and then chemically evaporated on the substrate. Electrode layer is formed by plating and etching. Then, at (3 0 3), a micro-pass is prepared over the substrate and the electrode layer. After layer Ik, a pattern of ^ t is formed in the micro-channel layer by developing etching at (3 0 4), and the At least a part of the electrode of the electrode layer is exposed in the micro-manufacturing, it is necessary to reserve a suitable bubble trap. At (3 0 5) in the cold = ^ backup layer, take out the "mouth exit" on the cover plate at (3 0 6) to complete the [invention effect] of the microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention. The electrolysis channel fluid guiding device disclosed in the present invention does not have any switches or microvalves. The microelements are consumed, the reactants are blocked in the channel, etc., so they will not occur; microchannel fluid guidance elements No need to prepare complex: the use of electrolytic electricity = moreover, when driving micro-switches or micro-valves to simplify and easy, but the provided micro-switches or two power rate is small, the control has excellent and accurate functions. Experiments have shown that the de-bubbles within J Gu's back pressure range have a back pressure that is 2 3 · 5% higher than the electricity generated at 20 ° C at 10 ° C. ..., Shufa-type boiling bubbles, in addition, the microchannel fluid guides all the fine works of the penetrating, can pass electrons

200410896 V. Description of the invention (ιυ circuit, which is controlled by software, is even more convenient to apply. The microchannel fluid guiding element provided by the present invention can be provided with several microfluidic reaction modules, and the corresponding ones. Microvalves, microswitches, response elements and detection devices. The operation of all these elements and the program parameters of the operation time can be precisely controlled in a programmable way (programmab 1 e) to achieve the programmable microchannel fluid Purpose of Guiding. Since the micro-channel fluid guiding element disclosed in the present invention is not provided with a complicated driving and guiding element, its fabrication is extremely simple and the cost is low.

The above is the description of the micro-channel fluid guiding element of the present invention. It is not difficult for those skilled in Siyi to understand the spirit of the present invention and make different extensions and changes. As long as it does not exceed the spirit of the present invention, Should be included in the scope of its patent application. [Description of components] 10 substrate 20 microchannel 21 fluid inlet 22 first bubble trap 23 second bubble trap 24 bridge section

25 Fluid outlet 31 First electrode 32 Second electrode 33 Third electrode 3 4, 3 5, 3 6 Lead

Page 16 200410896

Page 17 200410896 Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the working principle of the microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the application of the microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention to a microswitch. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing process of the microchannel fluid guiding element of the present invention.

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Claims (1)

200410896 6. Scope of patent application [Scope of patent application] 1. A microchannel fluid guiding element, including: a microchannel for a fluid to pass through; the microchannel includes at least one bubble trap formed in the channel, and is used for Bubbles formed in the microchannel are retained; an electrolytic bubble generating device generates an electrolytic reaction by supplying an electric current to the fluid in the microchannel; and generates a bubble in the fluid; and a pressure source for passing through the microchannel The fluid provides an appropriate pressure; characterized in that the electrolytic bubble generating device can cause the fluid passing through the microchannel to generate bubbles near the bubble card. 2. The micro-channel fluid guiding element according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the bubble trap includes a large-angle curve formed in the micro-channel ° 3. The micro-channel according to item 1 of the scope of patent application A channel fluid guiding element, wherein the bubble trap includes a portion formed in the microchannel to block mud bubbles and gather the bubbles. 4. The micro-channel fluid guiding element according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the electrolytic bubble generating device comprises at least one electrode arranged near the bubble trap. 5. The micro-channel fluid guiding element according to item 4 of the scope of patent application, wherein the electrode has at least one portion that can contact the fluid. Page 19