WO2024092504A1

WO2024092504A1 - Micro-channel cassette

Info

Publication number: WO2024092504A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/128978
Authority: WO
Inventors: 王俊超
Original assignee: 信任生医股份有限公司
Priority date: 2022-11-01
Filing date: 2022-11-01
Publication date: 2024-05-10

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of micro-channel cassettes. Provided is a micro-channel cassette. The micro-channel cassette comprises a body and a top cover. The body comprises a receiving recess, a plurality of reaction recesses, a plurality of flow guide channels and a plurality of indication recesses, which are all arranged on the body. The receiving recess comprises a plurality of buffer flow channels, the plurality of reaction recesses are located downstream of the receiving recess and are in fluid communication with the receiving recess by means of the flow guide channels, and the plurality of indication recesses are used for receiving a sample fluid flowing out of the plurality of reaction recesses. The top cover covers the body, and is structurally provided with an injection hole, a plurality of sample inspection holes and a flow guide member. The injection hole is arranged corresponding to the receiving recess; the plurality of sample inspection holes are arranged respectively corresponding to the plurality of reaction recesses; the flow guide member is arranged corresponding to the buffer flow channels of the receiving recess, the flow guide channels and the reaction recesses and is in fluid communication with same so as to be used for guiding a sample fluid from the receiving recess to the reaction recesses.

Description

Microfluidic Cassette

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a microfluidic cartridge, and in particular to a microfluidic cartridge capable of completing a detection reaction without external power.

Background technique

Micro-test reagents can complete various clinical tests with a low volume of specimens, which has many advantages. The micro-test reagents can be developed with a variety of immune binding methods (e.g., direct detection, sandwich method or competitive method) to complete various tests. For medical tests, micro-test reagents are convenient, fast and safe, and have many advantages.

However, in the detection of the microfluidic channel of the test, it is also necessary to use external power, use a micro pump to drive the flow of the sample fluid through the pressure difference, and use a micro valve to control the flow direction of the sample fluid on the test microfluidic channel. This shows that the microfluidic cartridge of the prior art has its limitations in use.

In view of this, in order to improve the defects of the prior art, an improved test reagent is urgently needed in the art to improve the deficiencies of the prior art.

Summary of the invention

The invention summary is intended to provide a simplified summary of the content of this application so that readers can have a basic understanding of the content of this application. This invention summary is not a complete overview of the content of this application, and its intention is not to point out the important/key elements of the embodiments of the present invention or to define the scope of the present invention.

In order to solve the defects existing in the prior art, one aspect of the present invention is related to a microfluidic cartridge. Specifically, the microfluidic cartridge comprises a body and an upper cover, wherein the body comprises a receiving tank, a plurality of reaction tanks, a plurality of drainage channels and a plurality of indicator tanks disposed on the body, wherein the receiving tank comprises a plurality of buffer flow channels, the plurality of reaction tanks are located downstream of the receiving tank, one end of the plurality of drainage channels is in fluid communication with the receiving tank, and the other end of the plurality of drainage channels is in fluid communication with the plurality of reaction tanks to guide the sample fluid from the receiving tank to the reaction tank, and the plurality of indicator tanks are respectively in fluid communication with the plurality of reaction tanks to receive the sample fluid flowing out of the plurality of reaction tanks. The upper cover is covered on the main body, and is structurally provided with an injection hole, a sample inspection hole and a flow guide. The injection hole is arranged corresponding to the receiving groove on the main body, and the sample inspection hole is arranged corresponding to the plurality of reaction grooves; the flow guide is arranged corresponding to the plurality of buffer flow channels, the plurality of drainage channels and the plurality of reaction grooves of the receiving groove and is fluidically connected to guide the sample fluid from the receiving groove to the reaction groove.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the microfluidic cartridge may further include a collection tank in fluid communication with the plurality of indicator tanks, wherein the sample fluids in the plurality of indicator tanks will flow into the collection tank.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flow guide of the microfluidic cartridge further includes a plurality of protrusions, which are respectively disposed corresponding to the plurality of reaction slots to guide the sample fluid to flow into the plurality of reaction slots.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the micro-channel cartridge further includes a sliding cover coupled to the upper cover for moving along the length direction of the upper cover.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a sample cover is further provided on the injection hole. In other embodiments, the microfluidic cartridge further includes a viewing window, which is provided corresponding to the collection slot.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the microfluidic cartridge of the present invention further includes a water absorbing member disposed in the collecting tank.

In addition, in order to prevent the sample fluid from flowing back, a first tilt angle is configured at the connection point between the multiple reaction tanks and the multiple indicator tank fluids in the microchannel cartridge, and a second tilt angle is configured at the connection point between the multiple indicator tank sample fluids and the collection tank to prevent the sample fluid from flowing back into the indicator tank.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the microfluidic cartridge of the present invention further includes a plurality of anti-overflow rings respectively disposed on the upper edges of the plurality of sample inspection holes.

According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the microfluidic cartridge body corresponding to the plurality of reaction slots is more protruding than the bottom around the body.

After referring to the following embodiments, a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can easily understand the basic spirit and other invention purposes of the present invention, as well as the technical means and implementation forms adopted by the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention more clearly understood, the accompanying drawings of the present invention are described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a microfluidic cartridge 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of the microfluidic cassette 100 shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG3A is a top view of the body 120 of the microfluidic cassette shown in FIG1 ;

FIG3B is a bottom view of the body 120 of the microfluidic cassette;

FIG4A is a top view of the upper cover 160 of the microfluidic cassette shown in FIG1 ;

FIG4B is a bottom view of the upper cover 160 of the microfluidic cassette;

FIG4C is a cross-sectional view of the flow guide 166 of the microfluidic cassette;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a microfluidic cartridge 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

According to conventional working methods, various features and components in the figures are not drawn to scale, and the drawing method is to present the specific features and components related to the present invention in the best way. In addition, the same or similar element symbols are used to refer to similar elements/components between different figures.

Explanation of the reference numerals: 100, 200-microfluidic cartridge; 104-viewing window; 120-main body; 160, 260-upper cover; 122-receiving slot; 123-buffer channel; 124-reaction slot; 126-drainage channel; 128-indicator slot; 130-collecting slot; 132-water absorbent; A1-first inclination angle; A2-second inclination angle; 162-injection hole; 163-crack hole; 164-sample inspection hole; 166-flow guide; 167A, 167B-flow guide plate; 168, 168a, 168b and 168c-flow channel; 169-protrusion; 171-incision; 170-anti-overflow ring; 202-slide cover; 204-sample cover; 206-viewing window; 222-slide rail.

Detailed ways

In order to make the description of the content of this application more detailed and complete, the following is an illustrative description of the implementation and specific embodiments of the present invention; however, this is not the only form of implementing or using the specific embodiments of the present invention. The implementation covers the features of multiple specific embodiments and the method steps and sequences used to construct and operate these specific embodiments. However, other specific embodiments can also be used to achieve the same or equivalent functions and step sequences.

Although the numerical ranges and parameters used to define the broader scope of the present invention are approximate values, the relevant numerical values in the specific embodiments have been presented as accurately as possible. However, any numerical value inherently inevitably contains standard deviations due to individual testing methods. Here, "about" generally refers to the actual value within plus or minus 10%, 5%, 1% or 0.5% of a specific value or range. Alternatively, the term "about" means that the actual value falls within the acceptable standard error of the mean value, depending on the consideration of a person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. Except for the experimental examples, or unless otherwise explicitly stated, it should be understood that all ranges, quantities, values and percentages used herein (for example, to describe the amount of material used, the length of time, temperature, operating conditions, quantitative ratios and the like) are modified by "about". Therefore, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, the numerical parameters disclosed in this specification and the attached patent scope are all approximate values and can be changed as needed. At least these numerical parameters should be understood as the number of significant digits indicated and the values obtained by applying the general rounding method.

The term "sample fluid" herein refers to a sample suitable for use with the microfluidic cartridge 100 of the present invention, preferably a biological sample. In an optional embodiment, the biological sample may be blood, body fluid, saliva or other secretions. In another optional embodiment, the biological sample may be a processed biological sample, for example, a biological sample pre-treated with a buffer.

Unless otherwise defined in this specification, the scientific and technical terms used herein have the same meanings as those understood and used by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. In addition, singular nouns used in this specification include plural forms of the nouns, and plural nouns used also include singular forms of the nouns, unless they conflict with the context.

The present invention proposes a novel microfluidic cartridge 100, which can complete the detection reaction without the assistance of other devices to provide external force (for example, gas pressurization) through the design of the flow channel. Furthermore, the microfluidic cartridge 100 of the present invention is provided with multiple reaction slots 124 to simultaneously detect different test items for a single sample.

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a microfluidic cassette 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG2 is an exploded schematic diagram of the microfluidic cassette 100 shown in FIG1. As shown in FIG2, the microfluidic cassette 100 includes a body 120 and an upper cover 160, which are engaged with each other to form the microfluidic cassette 100. A person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present invention should understand that the engagement structure of the upper cover 160 and the body 120 can be completed by using an existing engagement structure in the technical field.

Please refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B , where FIG. 3A is a top view of the body 120 of the microfluidic cassette shown in FIG. 1 ; and FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the body 120 of the microfluidic cassette. As shown in the figure, the microfluidic body 120 includes a receiving slot 122, a plurality of reaction slots 124, a plurality of drainage channels 126, and a plurality of indicator slots 128 disposed on the body 120. In a specific embodiment, the slots of the microfluidic cassette 100 are arranged from upstream to downstream, and are sequentially the receiving slot 122, the reaction slot 124, and the indicator slot 128, that is, the sample fluid (e.g., the test sample) enters the reaction slot 124 from the receiving slot 122, and the excess sample fluid will overflow to the indicator slot 128. It should be noted that in a preferred embodiment, the flow direction of the sample fluid in the receiving slot 122, the reaction slot 124, and the indicator slot 128 of the present invention is a unidirectional setting, that is, the sample fluid does not flow back.

In this embodiment, the receiving tank 122 is provided with four buffer channels 123, which are arranged radially, wherein one end of the four buffer channels 123 is close to each other and connected to the three drainage channels 126. It should be noted that the buffer channel 123 is in the shape of a water drop, and the diameter width of the end not connected to the drainage channel 126 is larger than the diameter width of the end connected to the drainage channel 126. Then, through the plurality of drainage channels 126, it is respectively connected to the three reaction tanks 124 to guide the sample fluid from the receiving tank 122 to each of the reaction tanks 124 to facilitate the reaction. In this embodiment, three indicator tanks 128 are provided, which are respectively connected to the fluid of each of the reaction tanks 124, and the sample fluid overflowing from the reaction tank 124 will enter the indicator tank 128. In addition, the buffer channel 123 on the receiving slot 122 enters the drainage channel 126 , and the inclination of the buffer channel 123 is at least about 1 degree, preferably 1.5 degrees, to help the sample fluid flow into the drainage channel 126 without flowing back to the buffer channel 123 .

Furthermore, in a non-limiting embodiment, the body 120 of the microfluidic cartridge 100 is further provided with a collection tank 130 in fluid communication with the plurality of indicator tanks 128, wherein the sample fluid in each of the indicator tanks 128 will converge into the collection tank 130. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a height difference is provided between the collection tank 130 and the indicator tank 128, wherein the height of the collection tank 130 is higher than that of the indicator tank 128. In addition, in a non-limiting embodiment, the microfluidic cartridge 100 of the present invention may further include a water absorbing member 132 disposed in the collection tank 130 to absorb the sample fluid and guide the sample fluid from the indicator tank 128 into the collection tank 130. In other embodiments, the water absorbing member 132 may also be disposed between the collection tank 130 and the indicator tank 128. In an optional embodiment, the water absorbing member 132 may be a sponge, a cotton sheet, or a water absorbing material made of fiber.

Next, please refer to FIG. 3B , which is a bottom view of the body 120. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the portion of the bottom of the body 120 corresponding to the reaction tank 124 is more protruding than the surrounding area. As shown in the figure, the portion corresponding to the reaction tank 124 protrudes from the bottom of the body 120 to facilitate heating the reaction tank 124. Furthermore, in order to increase the volume of the collection tank 130, the portion of the bottom corresponding to the collection tank 130 may also protrude from the bottom of the body 120.

In addition, in order to prevent the sample fluid from flowing back, an inclined angle design may be provided between each slot of the microfluidic cartridge 100 to prevent the sample fluid from flowing back. Referring to FIG. 3A , a first inclined angle A1 is configured at the fluid connection between the reaction slot 124 and the plurality of indicator slots 128, and a second inclined angle A2 is configured at the connection between the sample fluid of the indicator slot 128 and the collection slot 130 to prevent the sample fluid from flowing back into the indicator slot 128. The angles of the first inclined angle A1 and the second inclined angle A2 are about at least 10 degrees, for example, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, preferably at least 15 degrees.

FIG. 4A is a top view of the upper cover 160 of the microfluidic cartridge 100 shown in FIG. 1 , and FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the upper cover 160 of the microfluidic cartridge 100. Specifically, the upper cover 160 covers the body 120, preferably by snapping and fixing. The upper cover 160 is provided with an injection hole 162, a plurality of sample inspection holes 164, and a flow guide 166 in structure. The injection hole 162 is arranged corresponding to the receiving slot 122 on the body 120, and the plurality of sample inspection holes 164 are arranged corresponding to the plurality of reaction slots 124. The flow guide 166 is arranged corresponding to the plurality of buffer channels 123, the plurality of drainage channels 126, and the plurality of reaction slots 124 of the receiving slot 122 and is fluidically connected to guide the sample fluid from the receiving slot 122 to the reaction slot 124.

FIG4C is a cross-sectional view of the flow guide 166 of the microfluidic cartridge 100. The flow guide 166 is structurally composed of at least two flow guide plates, namely, flow guide plates 167A and 167B. The flow guide plates 167A and 167B are arranged at an inclined angle, and each of the flow guide plates 167A and 167B defines a flow channel 168 at a distance interval, so that the flow guide 166 and the plurality of buffer flow channels 123 of the receiving tank 122, the plurality of flow guide channels 126 and the plurality of reaction tanks 124 are in fluid communication. In addition, a protrusion 169 is provided at the terminal of the flow guide 166, i.e., where the reaction tank 124 is arranged, and is in fluid communication with the sample fluid in the flow channel 168 defined between the flow guide plates 167A and 167B, so that the sample fluid can flow through the flow guide plates 167A and 167B to the protrusion 169 at the terminal, and be guided to the plurality of reaction tanks 124. Structurally, the protrusion 169 is columnar and has a cutout 171 . The cutout 171 is connected to the sample fluid in the flow channel 168 .

In addition, three viewing windows 104 may be further provided on the upper cover 160 , which are respectively disposed corresponding to the three indicator slots 128 . Whether the sample fluid flows into the indicator slots 128 can be checked through the viewing windows 104 , which can be used to confirm whether the test sample volume is sufficient.

Please refer to FIG. 4A , the injection hole 162 is specially designed. The injection hole 162 is provided with a crack hole 163, and below the crack hole 163 is a portion of a guide member 166, which is arranged corresponding to the configuration of the buffer flow channel 123. The crack hole structure design of the crack hole 163 allows the sample fluid to be retained in the injection hole 162 after being injected into the injection hole 162, and then guided to the reaction tank 124 through the guide member 166.

In this embodiment, the body 120 of the microfluidic cartridge 100 disclosed in the present invention is provided with three reaction slots 124. In order to control the flow rate and flow velocity of the sample fluid entering each of the reaction slots, the widths of the

flow channels

168a, 168b and 168c corresponding to the plurality of drainage channels 126 can be adjusted. For example, the widths of the two

outer channels

168a and 168c are greater than the width of 168b, so that the speed of the sample fluid flowing from the receiving slot 122 to each of the reaction slots 124 is close to the same.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, the micro-channel cartridge 100 of the present invention further includes a plurality of anti-overflow rings 170 respectively disposed on the upper edges of the plurality of sample inspection holes 164 .

It can be seen from this that the microfluidic cartridge 100 proposed by the present invention, through the design of the cartridge structure, allows the sample fluid to enter the buffer channel 123 through the injection hole 162 through the guide member 166, and enter the reaction tank 124 through the drainage channel 126. Excessive samples overflow into the indicator tank 128 and then enter the collection tank 130. During the test process, the sample reacts in the reaction tank 124, and the result after the reaction (such as color reaction) can be read through the sample inspection hole 164 of the upper cover 160 with relevant test equipment, for example, through the measurement of absorbance. In addition, whether the test sample volume in the microfluidic cartridge 100 is sufficient for the test can also be confirmed through the viewing window 104. The sample volume can be confirmed by measuring it with the naked eye or with relevant instruments.

FIG5 is a microfluidic cartridge 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the microfluidic cartridge 200 further includes a slide cover 202 and a sample cover 204. The slide cover 202 is movably engaged with the upper cover 260 of the microfluidic cartridge 200, and can move along the length direction of the upper cover 260. Please refer to FIG5. In this embodiment, a slide rail 222 is provided on the upper cover 260, and the slide cover 202 moves along the slide rail 222. Those with common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs should understand that the setting of the slide rail 222 can be changed according to actual use requirements and common knowledge in the field. Furthermore, the sample cover 204 covers the injection hole.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sliding cover 202 can cover the sample inspection hole of the upper cover 260, and the sample inspection hole can be exposed by sliding. As shown in the figure, the upper cover 260 covers the sample inspection hole of the upper cover 260, and when the upper cover 260 moves toward the sample cover 204, the sample inspection hole is exposed.

In addition, on the microfluidic cartridge 200, a single viewing window 206 may be further provided on the upper cover 260, corresponding to the indicator slot (not shown in the figure), and the viewing window 206 may be used to check whether the sample fluid flows into the indicator slot to confirm whether the test sample volume is sufficient.

Although the above embodiments disclose specific embodiments of the present invention, they are not intended to limit the present invention. A person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs may make various changes and modifications without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be based on that defined by the accompanying patent application.

Claims

A microfluidic cartridge for processing a fluid, characterized by comprising:

One body, containing;

a receiving tank, comprising a plurality of buffer flow channels, disposed on the body;

A plurality of reaction tanks are disposed on the body and located downstream of the receiving tank;

A plurality of drainage channels, one end of which is in fluid communication with the receiving tank and the other end of which is in fluid communication with the plurality of reaction tanks, for guiding the sample fluid from the receiving tank to the reaction tank; and

A plurality of indicator grooves are respectively connected to the reaction groove fluid to receive the sample fluid flowing out of the reaction groove;

An upper cover, covering the main body, comprising:

An injection hole, located at the upper cover and correspondingly arranged to the receiving groove;

A plurality of sample inspection holes are located on the upper cover and are respectively arranged corresponding to the plurality of reaction tanks;

A flow guide is located below the upper cover and is arranged corresponding to the plurality of buffer flow channels, the plurality of drainage channels and the plurality of reaction channels of the receiving tank, and is fluidly connected with the plurality of buffer flow channels, the plurality of drainage channels and the plurality of reaction channels to guide the sample fluid from the receiving tank to the plurality of reaction channels.
The microfluidic cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the flow guide further comprises a plurality of protrusions, which are respectively arranged corresponding to the plurality of reaction slots to guide the sample fluid to flow into the plurality of reaction slots.
The microfluidic cartridge according to claim 1 is characterized by further comprising a sliding cover coupled to the upper cover for moving along the length direction of the upper cover.
The microfluidic cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a sample cover disposed on the injection hole.
The microfluidic cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a viewing window disposed corresponding to the indicator slot.
The microfluidic cartridge according to claim 1 is characterized in that it further comprises a collection tank connected to the fluid of the plurality of indicator tanks, wherein the sample fluids in the plurality of indicator tanks will converge into the collection tank.
The microfluidic cartridge according to claim 6, further comprising a water absorbing member disposed in the collecting tank.
The microfluidic cartridge according to claim 1 is characterized in that a first tilt angle is configured at the fluid connection between the plurality of reaction slots and the plurality of indicator slots to prevent the sample fluid from flowing back into the reaction slots.
The microfluidic cartridge according to claim 6 or 7 is characterized in that a second inclination angle is configured at the connection point between the sample fluid of the plurality of indicator slots and the collecting slot to prevent the sample fluid from flowing back into the indicator slots.
The microfluidic cartridge according to claim 1 is characterized by further comprising a plurality of anti-overflow rings respectively disposed on upper edges of the plurality of sample inspection holes.
The microfluidic cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the body corresponding to the plurality of reaction slots is more protruding than the bottom around the body.