WO2015092611A1 - Dispositif permettant de commander l'écoulement d'un liquide - Google Patents

Dispositif permettant de commander l'écoulement d'un liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015092611A1
WO2015092611A1 PCT/IB2014/066715 IB2014066715W WO2015092611A1 WO 2015092611 A1 WO2015092611 A1 WO 2015092611A1 IB 2014066715 W IB2014066715 W IB 2014066715W WO 2015092611 A1 WO2015092611 A1 WO 2015092611A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
layer
recess
compartment
liquid
hydrophilic
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2014/066715
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English (en)
Inventor
Willem-Jan Arend DE WIJS
Menno Willem Jose Prins
Hendrik Sibolt Van Damme
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Koninklijke Philips N.V.
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Publication of WO2015092611A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015092611A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
    • B01L3/502738—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by integrated valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F16K99/0001—Microvalves
    • F16K99/0003—Constructional types of microvalves; Details of the cutting-off member
    • F16K99/0017—Capillary or surface tension valves, e.g. using electro-wetting or electro-capillarity effects
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0809—Geometry, shape and general structure rectangular shaped
    • B01L2300/0816—Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0887—Laminated structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
    • B01L2400/0403—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces
    • B01L2400/043—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces magnetic forces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/06—Valves, specific forms thereof
    • B01L2400/0688—Valves, specific forms thereof surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F16K2099/0082—Microvalves adapted for a particular use
    • F16K2099/0084—Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device comprising a capillary valve for controlling the flow of a liquid, the device comprising a compartment for containing the liquid, and a conduit for conveying the liquid from the compartment.
  • the conduit is enclosed by first and second layers disposed in a parallel fashion, the first layer having a first surface facing towards the second layer, and a recess extending from the first surface into the first layer.
  • the second layer has a second surface facing towards the first layer.
  • An example of such a device for controlling the flow of a liquid is a hydrophobic valve for use in a microfluidic device.
  • LOC label-on-a-chip
  • control of liquid flow and/or liquid dispersion is still a problem in LOC devices, due to manufacturing problems, as well as lack of controllability of behavior of liquids in the micro- and nanoscale.
  • Liu et al Single-use, thermally actuated paraffin valves
  • Sensors and Actuators B 98; 328-336, 2004 have described a single-use, thermally actuated paraffin valve for microfluidic applications, which has a "close-open” function, i.e., it can only open once (non-pinch-off, or tonic actuation mode).
  • Such valve however requires the use of heat, while the molten paraffin may contaminate the samples located on the device, or clog microchannels on the device.
  • International Patent Application WO2010070461 describes a device which allows control of liquid flow and/or liquid dispersion in a microfluidic device, said device comprises two planar solid substrates with a functionalized surface each, wherein the first substrate has a patterned surface comprising at least two hydrophilic areas separated from one another by at least one hydrophobic area; said patterning impedes hydrophilic liquids from crossing the hydrophobic area unless an external force is applied. If the second substrate is hydrophobic, the valve returns to a "close” position upon removal of the external force ("pinch-off effect").
  • a drawback of the known device for controlling the flow of a liquid is that hydrophobic/hydrophilic patterning of glass is complex and costly. Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention have observed that the use of a hydrophobic second substrate, in order to obtain a valve capable of returning to a close position (pinch-off), limits the use of liquids comprising hydrophobic particles (e.g. proteins), because of the adhesion of said hydrophobic particles on the hydrophobic surface.
  • hydrophobic particles e.g. proteins
  • the object is achieved in that the first surface comprises a first surface area located between the compartment and the recess, and in that the recess comprises an inner surface area located on an inner surface of the recess that is closest to the compartment, wherein the first surface area has a higher hydrophilicity than the inner surface area.
  • a capillary valve is a valve that can selectively stop or allow the flow of a liquid by capillary forces. The combination of surface tension (which is caused by cohesion within the liquid) and adhesive forces between the liquid and the compartment and/or the conduit act to guide the liquid along the conduit.
  • a recess can be an indentation extending partly into the first layer, but it can also be an opening extending through the entire thickness of the first layer.
  • the recess may extend along the full width and length of the conduit, but it may also extend only along a part of the width or a part of the length of the conduit.
  • the term "hydrophilic” refers to a surface on which water has a contact angle less than 90 degrees, the contact angle being the angle at which the water meets the surface. The higher the hydrophilicity is, the smaller the contact angle will be.
  • the contact angle is specific for any given system and is determined by the interactions across the three interfaces. Most often the contact angle concept is illustrated with a small liquid droplet resting on a flat horizontal solid surface. The shape of the droplet is determined by the Young-Laplace equation. If a liquid is very strongly attracted to a solid surface (for example water on a strongly hydrophilic solid) a droplet will completely spread out on the solid surface and the contact angle will be close to 0°.
  • hydrophobic and “superhydrophobic” are also used, referring to a surface on which water has a contact angle larger than 90 degrees and larger than 150 degrees, respectively.
  • the difference in hydrophilicity refers to a difference in contact angle or a difference in surface energy.
  • the difference in hydrophilicity between the first surface area of the first surface and the inner surface area of the recess is also referred to as a hydrophilicity gradient; in fact, said difference can also take the form of a hydrophilicity gradient, wherein said gradient can be a gradual decrease or a stepwise decrease from a higher hydrophilicity value to a lower hydrophilicity value (or from a lower contact angle to a higher contact angle, or from a higher surface energy to a lower surface energy).
  • the second surface of the conduit is hydrophilic.
  • the device further comprises a ridge at an edge of the recess that is closest to the compartment, thus reducing the height of the conduit at the location of the edge closest to the compartment.
  • an edge of the recess that is closest to the compartment forms a substantially square angle with the first surface.
  • the first layer comprises an inner material and an outer material, wherein the outer material is more hydrophilic than the inner material, and wherein the inner material is exposed at the inner surface area of the recess.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • the object is achieved by a method for manufacturing a device according the first aspect, wherein the first layer comprises an inner material and an outer material, the inner material being less hydrophilic than the outer material, and wherein the method comprises the step of forming a recess in the first layer thereby exposing the inner material.
  • the advantage of said method is that it is simple and economical because manufacturing of the device can be done in e.g. organic materials such as polymers, which can be processed with high-throughput methods such as injection molding, foil processing, embossing, etc.
  • the recess is formed by any technique comprised in the group consisting of laser melting, laser ablation, punching, embossing, molding, and vacuum forming.
  • Using the technique of laser melting has the additional advantage that a ridge extending toward the compartment can be created, wherein said ridge increases the retention power of the capillary valve.
  • a microfluidic system comprising a device according to the first aspect, wherein the device is for use with liquids comprising magnetic particles, and wherein the microfluidic system further comprises a magnetic actuator arranged to move the magnetic particles from the compartment towards the recess.
  • the microfluidic system in resting conditions a liquid is contained by a device according to the first aspect.
  • the magnetic actuator is switched on or moved, the magnetic particles comprised in the liquid are drawn towards the recess and drag the liquid along, to the point that the containment power of the device is overcome by the external magnetic force, allowing the liquid to move out of the compartment and to flow along the conduit.
  • the magnetic actuator comprises a plurality of magnets, including electromagnets, that can be independently activated or moved.
  • electromagnets that can be independently activated or moved.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of a multicompartment microfluidic device comprising a device for controlling the flow of a liquid according to the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic cross section of a multicompartment microfluidic device comprising a device for controlling the flow of a liquid according to the present invention
  • Figs. 3a to 3d schematically show the operation of a multicompartment microfluidic device comprising a device for controlling the flow of a liquid according to the present invention
  • Figs. 4a to 4c are close-ups of a cross section of a device for controlling the flow of a liquid according to the present invention
  • Fig. 5 is a plot of the first surface hydrophilicity along the first surface itself;
  • Figs. 6a to 6c show the steps of a method for manufacturing a device according to the invention;
  • Fig. 7 schematically shows the operation of a multicompartment microfluidic system comprising a device according to the invention and a magnetic actuator for controlling the movement of the liquid; and
  • Fig. 8 schematically shows the operation of a multicompartment microfluidic system comprising a device according to the invention and an array of electromagnets for controlling the movement of the liquid.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of multicompartment microfluidic device 100, which comprises five consecutive sections 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150, respectively.
  • Each of the sections 110, 120, 130 and 140 represents a device according to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • the first section 110 comprises compartment 111, which is coupled to compartment 121 of the second section 120 via conduit 112.
  • compartment 121 of the second section 120 is coupled to compartment 131 of the third section 130 via conduit 122
  • compartment 131 of the third section 130 is coupled to compartment 141 of the fourth section 140 via conduit 132
  • compartment 141 of the fourth section 140 is coupled to
  • FIG. 2 A cross sectional view of multicompartment device 100 along axis 160 is schematically shown in Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross section of multicompartment device 100 identical to that of Figure 1.
  • Each conduit 112, 122, 132 and 142 comprises a recess that extends along the entire width and length of the conduit. These recesses are labelled 118, 128, 138 and 148, respectively.
  • a glass second layer 101 extends longitudinally for the full length of device 100.
  • Each compartment comprises a first layer 115, 125, 135, 145, 155 made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which delimits the upper border of the compartment.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • This PET layer has a first surface facing towards the glass layer 101, and this first surface layer has been treated with UV-Ozone to increase its hydrophilicity as compared to the bulk of the PET layer.
  • first layer 115 comprises a less hydrophilic inner material 115a made of PET and a more hydrophilic outer material 115b comprising the UV-Ozone hydrophilized portion of PET, positioned below inner material 115a.
  • First layer 115 is separated from first layer 125 by recess 118; in turn first layer 125 is separated from first layer 135 by recess 128, first layer 135 is separated from first layer 145 by recess 138, and first layer 145 is separated from first layer 155 by recess 148, wherein recess 118 is delimited in the lower end by edges 116a and 116b, recess 128 is delimited in the lower end by edges 126a and 126b, recess 138 is delimited in the lower end by edges 136a and 136b, and recess 138 is delimited in the lower end by edges 136a and 136b.
  • recess 138 is delimited in the lower end by edges 136a and 136b.
  • the recesses 118, 128, 138, and 148 are openings that extend for the full length and width of the respective conduits. However, it is noted that a recess can also extend only partially along the length and width of the conduit. In the context of the present invention, an edge is defined as the line along which the first layer changes its inclination with respect to the second layer. It is to be understood that other materials can be used, for example glass coated with a monolayer of a perfluorosilane compound for the second layer and PET coated with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) groups for the first layer.
  • PEO poly(ethylene oxide)
  • Fig. 3 illustrates multicompartment device 100 in function.
  • a compartment 1 11 is filled with aqueous liquid L, for example phosphate-buffered saline comprising albumin and magnetic particles in solution, through injection hole 114 (not shown in Fig. 3, see Fig. 1 instead).
  • aqueous liquid refers to a liquid which has water as a major solvent. It is noted that the scope of the invention is not limited to using an aqueous liquid, but other liquids can be used, for example hydrocarbons like decane, alcohols, and chloroform.
  • Liquid L is retained within compartment 111 by capillary valve 113, based on capillary forces and on the hydrophilic gradient present between the first surface area comprising more hydrophilic outer material 115b and the inner surface area of the recess comprising less hydrophilic inner material 115a.
  • a hydrophobic second layer will tend to repel an hydrophilic liquid toward a more hydrophilic environment, such as that encountered within each compartment, due to the hydrophilicity of the first surface; on the other hand, if second surface is hydrophilic, a hydrophilic liquid will tend to wet it and diffuse all along it.
  • compartments 121 and 131 are empty, but it is to be understood that the scope of the invention comprises the possibility that compartments 121 and/or 131 are pre-filled with a liquid, wherein following movement of liquid L to compartments 121 and/or 131, liquids are mixed, for example to operate a washing step.
  • the properties of device 100 work in both directions, so that, as shown in Fig. 3d, liquid L is prevented by valve 113a from flowing back to compartment 111 in case conduit 112 is in a closed configuration.
  • Fig. 4 schematically shows a close-up of a cross section of a device that is similar to the device shown in Figure 1; in particular, a close-up of capillary valve 213, similar to valve 113 in Fig. 1, is shown.
  • Capillary valve 213 comprises first layer 215 and second layer 201.
  • First layer 215 comprises outer material 215b and inner material 215a, the outer material 215b being more hydrophilic than the inner material 215a.
  • First layer 215 comprises a recess 218 having an edge 216.
  • Edge 216 defines a separation between compartment 211 and a recess section which in the context of this figure corresponds to conduit 212 and recess 218.
  • second layer 201 and first layer 215 are substantially parallel and separated by a distance h such that capillary action can be provided by compartment 211.
  • First layer 215 has a first surface facing towards the second layer 201, on which surface point SO is indicated.
  • Recess 218 has an inner surface 271 that is closest to the compartment 21 1, which inner surface 271 has an inner surface area on which surface point SI is indicated.
  • Surface points SO and SI are at the same distance from edge 216, a distance that is given by alpha*h, wherein alpha is a number higher than 0.01, for example in a range between 0.1 and 4, for example in a range between 0.5 and 2, such as 1.
  • alpha is a number higher than 0.01, for example in a range between 0.1 and 4, for example in a range between 0.5 and 2, such as 1.
  • surface point SI is located on the interface between outer material 215a and inner material 215b, but it is to be understood that SI can be localized in any position, provided that it fulfils the aforementioned properties
  • Fig. 4b schematically shows the principle according to which the recess 218 increases the retention power of the device according to the present invention. It is known that capillary devices can function as valves if a hydrophobic area is created along one of the surfaces, because it repels the aqueous liquid up to a certain pressure. A higher
  • hydrophobicity of the surface increases the liquid retention power of the valve.
  • the recess functions as a hydrophobic area itself.
  • said edge 216 increases the contact angle by 90 degrees in comparison to a flat surface, as shown in Fig. 4b.
  • Fig. 4c shows capillary valve 313 according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which edge 316 comprises a ridge 317 that protrudes from first layer 315 towards second layer 301.
  • a ridge is defined as a protrusion of material that extends beyond the original surface of said material, wherein the original surface is the surface corresponding to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Ridge 317 has a height in a range between 2 and 100 micrometers, for example between 10 and 80 micrometers, such as between 30 and 60 micrometers. The inventors of the present invention experimentally proved that such a ridge further increases the retention power of the invention.
  • Each of the capillary valves as illustrated in the aforementioned figures serves as a barrier in order to prevent free liquid flow between at least two capillary areas.
  • the inventors of the present invention have observed that the retention power of such a capillary valve increases if the hydrophilicity at point SI is lower than the hydrophilicity at point SO.
  • the inventors of the present invention have further observed that the retention power is optimized when the distance between point SI and the edge of the recess is equal to height h of the capillary section.
  • second layerslOl, 201, and 301 can equally be hydrophobic or hydrophilic.
  • the hydrophilicity of second layers 101, 201, and 301 influences the behaviour of liquid L after liquid L has been forced to flow beyond capillary valves 113, 213, 313 as described above.
  • Fig. 5 the hydrophilicity of first layer 215 (as described in Fig. 4) has been plotted as a function of the position along a surface that comprises the surface of first layer 215 facing capillary compartment 21 1, and the inner surface of recess 218 closest to compartment 211.
  • hydrophilicity at point SO must be higher than hydrophilicity at point SI, wherein the hydrophilicity profile between these two points may have any shape.
  • two possible hydrophilicity profiles 460 and 461 are illustrated.
  • profile 460 the hydrophilicity of first layer 215has a constant value HI up to point SI, where it decreases in a single step to lower hydrophilicity value HO.
  • profile 461 the hydrophilicity of first layer 215 has a constant value HI up to an including point SO, where it decreases in a single step to lower hydrophilicity value HO, to remain constant at least until point SI .
  • the hydrophilicity of first layer 215 has a constant value HI up to an including point
  • hydrophilicity can also decrease, for example, following a multi-step profile, or it can also decrease progressively from point SO to point SI, but it can also increase after point SO and then decrease until point SI, as long as the hydrophilicity at point SI is lower than the hydrophilicity at point SO.
  • the inventors of the present invention found experimentally that a lower hydrophilicity at point SI, when compared to the hydrophilicity at point SO, increases per se the retention power. Therefore, a valve built according to the present invention is more efficient in retaining liquids and can sustain higher pressures.
  • An advantage of the present invention is that the retention power generated by the hydrophilic patterning of the first layer and by the recess is high enough to retain a liquid, with low dependency on the hydrophilicity of the second layer. This is advantageous as a hydrophilic second layer would prevent adhesion of hydrophobic compounds dissolved in the liquid, for example proteins, which would otherwise adhere and modify the valve properties.
  • the lateral wall of the conduit can be more or less hydrophilic without affecting the overall working principle of the device according to the present invention.
  • the lateral walls can form a unique component with the second layer, whether this is more or less hydrophilic.
  • first and second layers can be joined by double-adhesive tape, which would thus constitute the lateral walls of the conduit itself.
  • a manufacturing method to obtain a device according to the first aspect is described, wherein the first layer is a substrate comprising an inner material and an outer material, the inner material being less hydrophilic than the outer material, and wherein the method comprises the step of forming a recess in the substrate thereby exposing the inner material.
  • a substrate comprising a less hydrophilic inner material and a more hydrophilic outer material is for example a polymer layer of which a surface has been functionalized with hydrophilic groups, such as a PET layer of which a surface has been treated with UV-Ozone or oxygen plasma, or a PET layer coated with hydrophilic groups containing PEO.
  • a functionalized surface refers to a surface which has been equipped with a given function, e.g. a polymer functionalized with a hydrophilic surface.
  • Said polymer can be functionalized along its entire surface, but it can also be functionalized only on one side, i.e. in the context of the present invention, on the side facing the second layer.
  • Hydrophilic functionalization can for example be achieved by a treatment with poly(ethylene glycol)silane ("PEG-silane”), in which the silane groups bind, among others, to a glass surface, and the PEG-group create a hydrophilic environment, or by a plasma polymerization treatment, which is a process wherein a plasma source is used to generate a gas discharge that provides energy to activate or fragment gaseous or liquid monomer, often containing a vinyl group, in order to initiate polymerization.
  • the process can be used to deposit thin polymer films on a surface.
  • the monomer type and the energy density per monomer known as Yasuda parameter, the chemical composition and structure of the resulting thin film can be varied in a wide range.
  • a hydrophilic polymer composite can for example be obtained by creating a thin film polymerized from hexane, which provides covalent bonding sites for the outer layer polymerized from N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone.
  • the new surface thus obtained will present a less hydrophilic internal area and a more hydrophilic external area, in a fashion corresponding to the hydrophilicity profile of first layers 115, 215, and 315.
  • Fig. 6 shows an example of a method to obtain a material suitable to be used as first layer 115, 215, or 315.
  • a plate of PET on which surface a hydrophilic pattern has been produced according to any of the aforementioned methods is cut by laser ablation along line 570 (Fig. 6a), thereby exposing the inner core 515a.
  • the resulting exposed surface 571 will have a lateral profile consisting of three layers: a less hydrophilic layer 515a between two more hydrophilic layers 515b and 515c (Fig. 6b), wherein said lateral profile will be a substantially smooth profile.
  • the scope of the invention is not limited to PET, but it extends to any material which has suitable characteristics, for example polypropylene.
  • exposure of the less hydrophilic core 515a can be obtained by laser melting. Because of the melting process, an exposed surface 572 is obtained, wherein said exposed surface 572 will also comprise at least a less hydrophilic layer 515a between two more hydrophilic layers 515b and 515c (Fig. 6c), wherein the molten material will partially collapse forming ridge 517 (Fig. 6c).
  • a microfluidic system comprising a device according to the first aspect, wherein the device is for use with liquids comprising magnetic particles, and a magnetic actuator arranged to move the magnetic particles from the compartment towards the recess.
  • Magnetic particles are often used in the context of microfluidic devices, in which they fulfil a number of roles.
  • Magnetic beads can be coated with capturing agents, like streptavidin, chitin, oligonucleotide probes or antibodies, which allow the binding of biological entities, like cells (magnetic bead based cell separation), nucleic acids or proteins (magnetic bead based immunoprecipitation). Later on, the magnetic beads carrying the said biological entities are collected by means of magnetic forces
  • magnetic refers to materials which are either magnetic (i.e., they produce a magnetic field, also termed ferromagnetic), paramagnetic (i.e., they do not produce a magnetic field by themselves, but are attracted to magnetic fields, i.e., they have a relative magnetic permeability greater than one), or superparamagnetic (i.e., composed of small ferromagnetic clusters that can randomly flip direction under thermal fluctuations, in such way that the material as a whole is not magnetized except in an externally applied magnetic field), and/or - diamagnetic (i.e. , they create a magnetic field in opposition of an externally applied magnetic field).
  • the magnetic beads may, in another example, comprise iron oxides, for example magnetite or maghemite, both being either superparamagnetic or ferromagnetic).
  • the diameters of the magnetic beads may be in a range between 3 nanometers and 100 micrometers.
  • the diameters of the magnetic beads are in a range between 10 nanometers and 20 micrometers.
  • the diameters of the magnetic beads are in a range between 50 nanometers and 10 micrometers.
  • the magnetic actuator may comprise a permanent magnet, and/or an electromagnet.
  • an electromagnet comprises a wire which generates a magnetic field when an electric current passes through it.
  • the wire is wound around a core of a magnetic material, preferably a soft magnetic core. The latter enhances the magnetic field.
  • the magnetic actuator may, in operation, move in a parallel fashion with respect to the solid substrates.
  • Fig. 7 shows microfluidic system 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • microfluidic system 600 comprises liquid L contained within compartment 611 by capillary valve 613, wherein liquid L comprises a plurality of magnetic particles 619 in solution.
  • liquid L comprises a plurality of magnetic particles 619 in solution.
  • no external forces are applied.
  • magnetic actuator 680 is, in its rest position, disposed below second layer 601. Its presence causes magnetic particles 619 to assemble in the area where the magnetic actuator 680 is disposed.
  • Fig. 7c magnetic actuator 680 is operated to move in the direction of conduit 612. Liquid L comprising magnetic particles 619 is thus forced to move beyond capillary valve 613 and to build up a passage of liquid L bridging recess area 618 in the fashion described above, thus connecting the two compartments 611 and 621. As long as said passage is established, capillary valve 613 is in an "open" position (Fig. 7d).
  • capillary valve 613 Whether or not capillary valve 613 returns to a "closed” position (Fig. 7e) once magnetic actuator 680 has passed the recess area 618 and comes to a rest in the second capillary area 621, depends on the hydrophilicity of the second surface of the second layer.
  • magnetic actuator 680 can also be disposed in a different position, for example above the device, or in the same horizontal plane of the device.
  • Magnetic actuator 680 comprises a permanent magnet, but it is to be understood that other type of magnets can be used as well, for example an electromagnet.
  • the magnetic actuator may comprise an array of electromagnets which can be switched on and off in a coordinated fashion, in order to obtain a travelling magnetic field.
  • the magnetic actuator has no movable parts. This results in less
  • Fig. 8 shows microfluidic system 700 according to this latter embodiment.
  • Fig. 8a shows microfluidic system 700 comprising liquid L, comprising a plurality of magnetic particles 719 in solution.
  • Below and along the system three switchable electromagnets 781, 782, 783 are disposed: first electromagnet 781 below first compartment 711, second electromagnet 782 below recess area 718, and third electromagnet 783 below second compartment 721.
  • the electromagnets 781, 782 and 783 are switched off, therefore no external forces are applied.
  • electromagnet 781 is switched on, causing magnetic particles 719 to assemble in the area above electromagnet 781.
  • capillary valve 713 Whether or not capillary valve 713 returns into a "closed” position (Fig. 8e) once the second electromagnet 782 is switched-off depends on the hydrophilicity of second layer 702, as described for previous embodiments.
  • electromagnets 781, 782 and 783 can also be disposed in a different position, for example above the device, or in the same horizontal plane of the device.
  • electromagnets 781, 782 and 783 can also be disposed in a different position, for example above the device, or in the same horizontal plane of the device.
  • a system with three electromagnets has been described, it is to be understood that a system with more electromagnets is also within the scope of the present invention. A higher number of electromagnets allows for a more accurate control of the liquid flow.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif comprenant une vanne capillaire pour commander l'écoulement d'un liquide. Le dispositif comprend un compartiment pour contenir le liquide, et une conduite pour transporter le liquide à partir du compartiment. La conduite est entourée par des première et seconde couches disposées de manière parallèle. La première couche possède une première surface faisant face à la seconde couche, et la seconde couche possède une seconde surface faisant face à la première couche. Un renfoncement s'étend à partir de la première surface dans la première couche. La première surface comprend une première superficie située entre le compartiment et le renfoncement, et le renfoncement comprend une superficie interne située sur une surface interne du renfoncement qui est la plus proche du compartiment. La première superficie possède une hydrophilie plus élevée que la superficie interne. Un tel dispositif peut être utilisé en tant que vanne hydrophobe dans un dispositif microfluidique. Il peut être fabriqué de manière économique et il peut être utilisé en combinaison avec une grande diversité de liquides différents présentant une performance de retenue améliorée.
PCT/IB2014/066715 2013-12-19 2014-12-09 Dispositif permettant de commander l'écoulement d'un liquide WO2015092611A1 (fr)

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