WO2013133458A1

WO2013133458A1 - Microfluidic system

Info

Publication number: WO2013133458A1
Application number: PCT/KR2012/001630
Authority: WO
Inventors: 양광석; 전혜경; 임귀삼; 한정선
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2012-03-06
Filing date: 2012-03-06
Publication date: 2013-09-12

Abstract

Disclosed is a microfluidic system. The microfluidic system according to the present invention comprises: a fluid channel for the flow of a biological sample; and a plurality of hydrogels for capturing a predetermined amount of the biological sample. The hydrogels cause a volumetric variation when contacting the biological sample flowing along the fluid channel. Thus, a multi-item test using a hydrogel reaction chamber within a single microchannel can be performed. Further, problems in a multi-item test, such as signal interference between items being measured, can be overcome.

Description

Micro fluidic system

The present invention relates to a microfluidic system, and more particularly, to a microfluidic system capable of reducing the measurement error caused by external factors by capturing the measurement solution to improve the reliability of the measurement value.

Many users require a diagnostic device for point of care testing (POCT) that enables multi-item measurements with a single injection of a biological sample. It is expected to have the effect of 'one stone two trillion' which mainly reduces time and cost.

POCT devices for simultaneous multi-item measurement have been accelerated by the development and application of bioMEMS technology. This microfluidic control technique enables the efficient analysis of quantitatively or qualitatively the small amount of specific components contained in biological fluids such as blood. Accordingly, POCT technology is becoming a core technology in the field of biochip or lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology.

On the other hand, microfluidic systems using microfluidic channels have reached a level of sensitivity and reproducibility, even though advances have been made in the development of microchannel manufacturing technology and microquantitative pumps. .

However, despite the advances in nanotechnology and biomem technologies, such as chemical surface treatment, nanomaterials, and microchannel structure, the flow path design technology for multi-item measurement is a quantitative distribution of biological samples, quantitative transfer of microfluids, and measurement items. Problems in sensitive areas such as signal interference (interference) between the noise signal, etc. are not completely solved.

In reality, in the biochip or lab-on-a-chip-based POCT device market, one item can be measured through one sample injection due to the practical requirements of mass production, development time, and cost reduction, as well as the practical limitations of the sample acquisition and testing. This is mainstream.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical limitations, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microfluidic system capable of multi-item testing using a hydrogel reaction chamber in a single microchannel.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a microfluidic system that can overcome problems in multiple tests such as signal interference between measurement items.

Microfluidic system according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is a fluid channel for moving a biological sample; And a plurality of hydrogels for capturing the biological sample by a predetermined dose, wherein the hydrogel may cause a volume change when contacted with the biological sample flowing through the fluid channel.

In addition, the plurality of hydrogels may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and the space may include a reaction detector for detecting an electrochemical or optical reaction of the biological sample.

The reaction detector may be configured of a biosensor such as a detection electrode.

In addition, the detection electrode may be immobilized with reactants such as antibodies, DNA, antigens, RNA, receptors, and the like.

The spaced plurality of hydrogels may cause a volume change from the hydrogel farthest away from the injection portion of the biological sample.

In addition, the biological sample may be at least one of blood, urine, serum, and saliva.

Meanwhile, a microfluidic system according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a first fluid channel for moving a biological sample; A second fluid channel for the biological sample to flow in a direction opposite to the direction of travel in the first fluid channel; And a plurality of hydrogels in contact with the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel, the plurality of hydrogels for capturing the biological sample by a predetermined dose, wherein one end of the second fluid channel is selected from the plurality of hydrogels. In the vicinity of the presence of the hydrogel farthest from the inlet of the biological sample, it may be connected to the first fluid channel.

In addition, the hydrogel may cause a volume change when contacted with the biological sample flowing through the fluid channel.

In addition, a waterproof membrane is formed in the first channel, and when the biological sample flows through the first channel, the waterproof membrane may suppress a reaction between the biological sample and the hydrogel.

In addition, the plurality of hydrogels may be in physical contact only when the biological sample flows through the second channel, thereby causing a volume change.

In addition, the biological sample may be injected into the second channel at a portion where the first channel and the second channel are connected while flowing through the first channel to change the flow in the opposite direction.

The plurality of hydrogels may capture one of the biological samples by sealing one region of the first channel when the volume change occurs.

The biological sample may be at least one of blood, urine, serum, and saliva.

According to the microfluidic system according to the above configuration, a multi-item test is possible using a hydrogel reaction chamber in a single microchannel. It can also overcome problems in multiple tests, such as signal interference between measurement items.

1 is a view for explaining the basic configuration and principle of a microfluidic system according to an embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a view showing the configuration of a microfluidic system according to an embodiment of the present invention,

3A to 3C are diagrams sequentially showing operations of a microfluidic system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4a to 4c show a microfluidic system according to another embodiment of the present invention, and

5 is a view showing the configuration of a microfluidic system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

When a component is said to be "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, but it may be understood that another component may be present in the middle. Should be. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, action, component, part, or combination thereof described on the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

In addition, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same components regardless of reference numerals will be given the same reference numerals and duplicate description thereof will be omitted. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a view for explaining the basic configuration and principle of a microfluidic system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the biological sample 10 is injected through the inlet 20 and flows through the channel. Between the injection port 20 and the discharge port 30, the biological sample 10 reacts with the reactants in the region 50 provided with the electrode, the electrode is sensed to examine the components in the biological sample 10.

Herein, the biological sample 10 refers to a component that can be extracted from a human body such as blood, urine, serum, and saliva, and the electrode includes an antibody, DNA, antigen, RNA, or receptor. A reactant such as a receptor is fixed and the components of the biological sample 10 are analyzed.

2 is a view showing the configuration of a microfluidic system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the microfluidic system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention moves or diffuses a biological sample generated by internal or external factors during measurement when the biological sample is to be detected electrochemically or optically. Or to prevent volume changes and ultimately improve the reliability of the values measured from the system.

As shown in FIG. 2, the microfluidic system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a fluid channel 100 and a reaction detector 120 for moving the biological sample 10. Meanwhile, hydrogels 110-1 and 110-2 having a function of capturing the moving biological sample 10 are included.

Fluid channel 100 may be manufactured in a very small form of micro size. Meanwhile, the reaction detector 120 may assume an electrode as an electrochemical measurement unit, but may be configured as various biosensors. However, for convenience of description, the following description will be made assuming the detection electrode.

The hydrogels 110-1 and 110-2 are designed to cause cross-sectional area changes inside the fluid channel 100 by absorbing moisture. Through this, the biological sample 10 flowing through the fluid channel 100 has an effect of being physically or chemically blocked between the hydrogels 110-1 and 110-2 for a predetermined time.

3A-3C illustrate the operation of the microfluidic system in order according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the biological sample 10 flows through the fluid channel 100. In the microfluidic system, as described above, the electrode 120 and the hydrogels 110-1 and 110-2 exist, and the electrode 120 has the first hydrogel 110-1 and the second hydrogel 110 spaced apart from each other. It is located between -2).

When the biological sample 10 passes through the first hydrogel 110-1 and the second hydrogel 110-2 as shown in FIG. 3b, the hydrogels 110-1 and 110-2 are formed of the biological sample 10 and the water. In response to a volume change. At this time, by changing the components of the first hydrogel (110-1) and the second hydrogel (110-2) it is possible to vary the rate causing the volume change.

The hydrogels 110-1 and 110-2, which caused the volume change as shown in FIG. 3C, block the passage of the fluid channel 100, and the biological sample 10 includes the first hydrogel 110-1 and the second hydrogel 110-. 2) is captured between. In addition, the reactant fixed to the electrode 120 reacts with the biological sample 10, and the electrode 120 may sense the reaction to analyze the biological sample 10.

4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a microfluidic system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the configuration of FIG. 2, the microfluidic system of FIGS. 4A to 4C has two fluid channels, that is, the first fluid channel 100 and the second fluid channel 130. In addition, the first fluid channel 100 is characterized in that the waterproof membrane 140 is formed, which is the hydrogels 110-1 and 110-2 while the biological sample 10 flows through the first fluid channel 100. It serves to suppress the reaction.

While the biological sample 10 flows through the first fluid channel 100 as shown in FIG. 4A, the hydrogels 110-1 and 110-2 do not react with the biological sample 10 to cause a volume change.

However, when the biological sample 10 passes the second hydrogel 110-2 as shown in FIG. 4B, the biological sample 10 flows through the second fluid channel 130 connected to the first fluid channel 100. Since the hydrogels 110-1 and 110-2 are in contact with the first fluid channel 100 and the second fluid channel 130, when the biological sample flows in the second fluid channel 100, first, the second hydrogel 110 may be used. -2) reacts and then the first hydrogel (110-1) is reacted.

The results are shown in Figure 4c. As shown in FIG. 4C, when the second hydrogel 110-2 reacts first, a volume change occurs to block the flow of the biological sample 10, and then the first hydrogel 110-1 causes a volume change to cause the biological sample 10 to react. ).

According to a microfluidic system according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the biological sample 10 is captured after sufficient flow, and thus a desired amount can be obtained.

5 is a view showing the configuration of a microfluidic system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the above two embodiments is the use of a larger number of hydrogels (110-1,110-2,110-3,110-4) rather than two hydrogels.

The operation method is the same as in the above two embodiments. That is, the biological sample 10 comes into contact with the hydrogels 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, and 110-4 while moving the fluid channel 100, and the hydrogels 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, and 110-4 undergo volume changes. It raises and captures the biological sample 10. In this case, however, it is divided into a plurality of sections and captured, so that each section may have a different reactant to perform various tests at the same time. In this case, by varying the reaction rate of each of the hydrogels 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, and 110-4, sufficient biological samples 10 can be captured.

In addition, the microfluidic system of FIG. 5 may be configured as a dual channel as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. If so, the fourth hydrogel (110-4) to the first hydrogel (110-1) causes a change in volume in order to be able to sufficiently capture the biological sample (10).

In the foregoing description, each component and / or function described in various embodiments may be implemented in combination with each other, and those skilled in the art may recognize the present invention described in the claims below. It will be understood that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope.

Claims

A fluid channel through which the biological sample moves;

And a plurality of hydrogels for capturing the biological sample by a predetermined dose.

And the hydrogel causes a volume change when contacted with the biological sample flowing through the fluid channel.
The method of claim 1,

And a plurality of hydrogels spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and a reaction detector for detecting an electrochemical or optical reaction of the biological sample in the spaces spaced apart from each other.
The method of claim 2,

The reaction detection unit is a microfluidic system, characterized in that composed of bio-sensors such as detection electrodes.
The method of claim 3,

The detection electrode is a microfluidic system, characterized in that the reactants such as antibodies, DNA, antigens, RNA, receptor (receptor) is fixed.
The method of claim 2,

The spaced plurality of hydrogels microfluidic system characterized in that for changing the volume from the hydrogel farthest away from the injection portion of the biological sample.
The method of claim 1,

The biological sample is at least one of blood, urine, serum, and saliva.
A first fluid channel through which the biological sample moves;

A second fluid channel for the biological sample to flow in a direction opposite to the direction of travel in the first fluid channel;

And a plurality of hydrogels in contact with the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel, for capturing the biological sample by a predetermined dose.

And one end of the second fluid channel is connected to the first fluid channel in the vicinity of the hydrogel that is farthest from the inlet of the biological sample among the plurality of hydrogels.
The method of claim 7, wherein

And the hydrogel causes a volume change when contacted with the biological sample flowing through the fluid channel.
The method of claim 7, wherein

The first channel is formed with a waterproof film,

When the biological sample flows through the first channel, the waterproof membrane inhibits the reaction between the biological sample and the hydrogel.
The method of claim 7, wherein

The plurality of hydrogels microfluidic system characterized in that the physical contact is made only when the biological sample flows through the second channel to cause a volume change.
The method of claim 7, wherein

The biological sample,

The microfluidic system flowing through the first channel is injected into the second channel at the portion where the first channel and the second channel are connected to change the flow in the opposite direction.
The method of claim 7, wherein

The plurality of hydrogels,

And capturing the biological sample by sealing a section of the first channel when causing the volume change.
The method of claim 7, wherein

And a plurality of hydrogels spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and a reaction detector for detecting an electrochemical or optical reaction of the biological sample in the spaces spaced apart from each other.
The method of claim 13,

The reaction detection unit is a microfluidic system, characterized in that composed of bio-sensors such as detection electrodes.
The method of claim 14,

The detection electrode is a microfluidic system, characterized in that the reactants such as antibodies, DNA, antigens, RNA, receptor (receptor) is fixed.
The method of claim 7, wherein

The biological sample is at least one of blood, urine, serum, and saliva.