MICROFLUIDEIC DEVICE

Abstract

The microfluidic device of the present invention includes a plate having a first main surface that has an opening area in which a plurality of openings for injecting fluid are formed, a second main surface being the opposite side of the first main surface, and an outer side surface communicating the first main surface and the second main surface; and a reservoir that has an opening with a bottom and is capable of storing liquid, the opening standing above the first main surface outside the opening area.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device comprising: a plate having a first main surface that has an opening area in which a plurality of openings for injecting fluid are formed, a second main surface being the opposite side of the first main surface, and an outer side surface communicating the first main surface and the second main surface; and a reservoir that has at least one opening with a bottom and is capable of storing liquid, the opening standing above the first main surface outside the opening area.

2. The microfluidic device according to claim 1, wherein the microfluidic device is provided with a holder having an inner wall surface that is located outside the outer side surface of the plate and a support surface on which the second main surface of the plate is mounted.

3. The microfluidic device according to claim 2, wherein the reservoir includes a bottom located outside the opening area of the plate, an inner frame standing upward from the bottom to above the first main surface and being separated inward from the inner wall surface of the holder, and an outer frame standing upward from the bottom between the inner wall surface and the inner frame.

4. The microfluidic device according to claim 3, wherein the reservoir is configured separately from the holder, and the bottom is located above the first main surface.

5. The microfluidic device according to claim 3, wherein the reservoir is partitioned into a plurality of cells by a partitioning plate that communicates between the inner frame and the outer frame.

6. The microfluidic device according to claim 4, wherein the reservoir is partitioned into a plurality of cells by a partitioning plate that communicates between the inner frame and the outer frame.

7. The microfluidic device according to claim 1, wherein the total area of the inner bottom surface of the reservoir is more than twice the total area of the openings in the plate.

8. The microfluidic device according to claim 1, wherein the inner side surface of the reservoir has a marker that serves as an indicator of the amount of replenishment fluid.

9. The microfluidic device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the reservoir is provided with an evaporation enhancing member.

10. The microfluidic device according to claim 1, wherein the microfluidic device is provided with a cover that covers the opening area and the reservoir to form a gap between the cover and the upper end of the reservoir.

11. The microfluidic device according to claim 1, wherein the plate is constituted by bonding at least two substrates and includes a space between the bonded substrates for being capable of culturing cells or tissues.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a microfluidic device illustrating a first embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the microfluidic device taken along plane A1 in FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the microfluidic device illustrating the first embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a top view of a plate.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plate taken along line A2-A2 in FIG. 4.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a holder taken along plane A3 in FIG. 3.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the microfluidic device taken along plane A4 in FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a reference view of a microfluidic device without a partitioning plate.

[0029] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the A5 area in FIG. 3, with markers added.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a microfluidic device illustrating a modified example.

[0031] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along plane A6 in FIG. 10.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a microfluidic device illustrating a second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The microfluidic device in accordance with the embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. It is noted that the following drawings are just schematically illustrated. In other words, the dimensional ratios on the drawings do not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratios, and the dimensional ratios between each drawing do not necessarily match either.

[0034] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the XYZ coordinate system as necessary. In the case of describing a direction to distinguish a positive direction from a negative direction, a positive or negative sign is added to the direction, such as “+X direction” or “−X direction”. In the case of describing a direction without distinguishing a positive direction from a negative direction, the direction is simply expressed as “X direction”. In other words, the term “X direction” used in this specification refers to both “+X direction” and “−X direction”. The same manner applies to the Y direction and the Z direction. In the present embodiments, the horizontal plane is parallel to the XY plane, and the vertical direction is the −Z direction. The plate described below is illustrated to be parallel to the XY plane.

First Embodiment

[0035] The first embodiment of the microfluidic device is described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a microfluidic device 100. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the microfluidic device taken along plane A1 (parallel to YZ plane) in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the microfluidic device 100. The microfluidic device 100 includes a plate 1 for culturing and analyzing cells or tissues, a reservoir 3, and a holder 5 that supports the plate 1 from below. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the microfluidic device 100 is formed by fitting the plate 1 inside the holder 5 from the upper side (+Z side) of the holder 5, and fitting the reservoir 3 inside the holder 5 from the upper side of the fitted plate 1.

[0036] [Plate]

[0037] The plate 1 is described below. FIG. 4 shows a top view of the plate 1. The plate 1 has a rectangular shape with its sides extending in the X direction and the Y direction. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plate taken along line A2-A2 in FIG. 4. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the plate 1 has a first main surface 1a with an opening area B1 including a plurality of openings 21 and slit-shaped openings 27, the openings for injecting fluid containing cells and tissues, a second main surface 1b being the opposite side of the first main surface 1a, and outer side surfaces 1c communicating the first main surface 1a and the second main surface 1b. The plate 1 is composed of the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 13, which are bonded together. The opening 21 is provided on a surface of the first substrate 12, the surface being not bonded to the second substrate 13. The surface of the first substrate 12 that is bonded to the second substrate 13 has grooves 24 for culturing and analyzing cells and tissues. In this embodiment, one groove 24 is connected to two openings 21.

[0038] The second substrate 13 is bonded to the first substrate 12 so as to cover the groove 24 connected to the two openings 21. The groove 24 serves as a hollow-shaped channel sandwiched between the two substrates (12, 13) by bonding the main surfaces of the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 13. This hollow-shaped channel is a microfluidic channel having a width and a depth on the order of micrometers. In the microfluidic channel, a small volume of fluid can be injected into the two openings 21 connected thereto and can be discharged from the microfluidic channel via the openings 21. The microfluidic channels are used as culture media or analysis sites for cells and tissues. The microfluidic channel may not necessarily be in a state where the fluid concerned flows through the channel; for example, the microfluidic channel may be in a state where the fluid has no flow, such as a state where fluid containing cells is stored in order to culture cells or tissues.

[0039] The bonding of the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 13 is performed, for example, by irradiating the bonding surfaces of the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 13 with ultraviolet light of 172 nm to activate the bonding surfaces and bond them together. In this embodiment, the thickness (dimension in the Z direction) of the second substrate 13 is thinner than the thickness (dimension in the Z direction) of the first substrate 12. The second substrate 13 is the same size as the first substrate 12 or smaller than the first substrate 12 when viewed from the +Z direction.

[0040] Resin materials constituting the first substrate 12 or the second substrate 13 include, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), polystyrene (PS), and silicone. In this embodiment, the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 13 are made of COP, which has high heat resistance and transparency and low autofluorescence in the fluorescence detection for analysis. The first substrate 12 and the second substrate 13 can be made from a combination of two or more of the resin materials described above. The first substrate 12 can be made of a material different from that of the second substrate 13.

[0041] The plate 1 can be any shape and may not be rectangular. The plate 1 may have a thickness (dimension in the Z direction) of 10 mm or less, preferably 7 mm or less, and more preferably 5 mm or less. The plate 1 may be composed of three or more substrates bonded together, or may be composed of a single substrate.

[0042] [Holder]

[0043] With reference to FIG. 3, the holder in the present embodiment is described. In this embodiment, the holder 5 is a frame shape with a central area 4 therethrough. Since the central area 4 of the holder 5 goes through, light is irradiated from the upper side (+Z side) of the microfluidic device 100, then the light transmitted through the groove 24 of the plate 1 at the lower side (−Z side) of the microfluidic device 100 can be analyzed. Light may be irradiated from the lower side of the microfluidic device 100 and the light reflected or scattered inside the groove 24 of the plate 1 at the lower side of the microfluidic device 100 may be analyzed.

[0044] The holder 5 can also be a shape in which the central area 4 of the holder 5 does not go through, i.e., a shape with a bottom. In a case where the holder 5 is a shape with a bottom and unlikely to transmit light, light is irradiated from the upper side of the microfluidic device 100 and the light reflected or scattered inside the groove 24 of the plate 1 is received at the upper side of the holder 5 for analysis.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a holder 5 taken along the plane A3 (parallel to the XZ plane) in FIG. 3. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, the holder 5 has an inner wall surface 52 located outside the outer side surface 1c of the plate 1 on the XY plane, and a support surface 53 on which the second main surface 1b of the plate 1 is mounted. The inner wall surface 52 is positioned to face the outer side surface 1c of the plate 1. The support surface 53 is in contact with the second main surface 1b of the plate 1. In the present embodiment, the holder 5 is formed to surround the outer side surfaces 1c of the plate 1. The inner wall surface 52 surrounds all the outer side surfaces 1c of the plate 1, and the support surface 53 supports the area of the second main surface 1b except the opening area B1 of the plate 1.

[0046] The material of the holder 5 may include, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), polystyrene (PS), silicone, and other resin materials, or metal materials. In this embodiment, PS is used for the holder 5.

[0047] [Reservoir]

[0048] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the reservoir 3 is described. The reservoir 3 is a container having an opening with a bottom for being capable of storing liquid. When liquid containing cells or tissues is injected into the plate 1 for cultivation, analysis, or storage, the liquid injected into the plate 1 needs to be suppressed from evaporating. To suppress the evaporation of the liquid, the reservoir 3 is filled with liquid to maintain high humidity in the atmosphere of the plate 1. The evaporation of the liquid stored in the reservoir 3 can suppress the decrease in humidity of the atmosphere of the plate 1.

[0049] Here, even if a reservoir is provided inside the plate 1, the reservoir will not be deeper than the thickness of the plate 1. However, the reservoir 3 provided outside the plate 1 according to the present invention, allows the reservoir to be deeper than the thickness of the plate 1. The reservoir 3 provided outside the plate 1 of the present invention enables to increase the amount of liquid available for storage, compared to the case where the reservoir is provided inside the plate 1. Hence, since sufficient amount of liquid can be secured, the atmosphere of plate 1 can maintain high humidity. Also the liquid stored in the reservoir 3 needs to be replenished periodically when the liquid gradually decreases for evaporation. Since the reservoir 3 of the present invention has a larger volume than the reservoir provided inside the plate 1, the frequency of replenishment can be reduced to, for example, once every one to three days. The reservoir of the present embodiment can store a total volume of 3 ml (milliliters) or more.

[0050] The reservoir 3 of the present embodiment is a frame shape with going through the central area 4 (see FIG. 3). The reservoir 3 includes an opening with a bottom, the opening standing above the first main surface 1a of the plate 1. The reservoir 3 includes a bottom 31, an inner frame 32 and an outer frame 33, those of the frames standing upward (+Z direction) from the bottom 31 (see FIG. 2). The bottom 31 is located outside the opening area B1 of the plate 1. The inner frame 32 is separated from the inner wall surface 52 of the holder 5, and located inside the inner wall surface 52. The outer frame 33 is located between the inner wall surface 52 and the inner frame 32. In this embodiment, the outer frame 33 is in contact with at least part of the inner wall surface 52. The reservoir 3 is surrounded by the bottom 31, the inner frame 32, and the outer frame 33 to form a cylinder-shaped space, and is capable of storing liquid in this space.

[0051] Water, for example, is used as the liquid to be stored in the reservoir 3. Chemicals such as antibiotics may be added to the liquid stored in the reservoir 3 to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria in the culture medium.

[0052] The reservoir 3 has a larger volume with its deeper depth. Here, the upper end 32e of the inner frame 32 is higher (on the +Z side) than the first main surface 1a of the plate 1 (see FIG. 2). This configuration indicates that a reservoir is allowed to be designed deeper compared with a reservoir provided inside the plate 1 to increase the amount of liquid that can be stored.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the reservoir 3 in this embodiment is configured separately from the holder 5. The microfluidic device 100 consists of the plate 1 fitted into the holder 5, and the reservoir 3 fitted into the holder 5, as described above. Here, the bottom 31 of the fitted reservoir 3 is located above the first main surface 1a, covering the outer periphery of the plate 1 (the area outside the opening area B1) (see FIG. 2). Since the reservoir 3 can be stacked on the plate 1, the reservoir 3 can have a larger area of the bottom 31 compared with a reservoir provided outside on the same surface as the plate 1. Hence, the reservoir 3 can store an increased amount of liquid. The reservoir 3 itself is designed in a size and a shape that does not cover the opening area B1, and allows liquid to be injected into the opening 21 while the reservoir 3 is fitted into the holder 5.

[0054] The reservoir 3 of this embodiment is partitioned into a plurality of cells by partitioning plates 35 that communicate between the inner frame 32 and the outer frame 33 (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the reservoir 3 has 24 cells; however, the number of cells can be any number. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the effect of partitioning the reservoir 3 into a plurality of cells is explained. FIG. 7 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the microfluidic device 100 taken along plane A4 (parallel to the YZ plane) in FIG. 1 at a predetermined tilted angle (in this case 45 degrees around the X axis). FIG. 7 illustrates the reservoir 3 in a state in which liquid 38 is injected into each cell of the reservoir 3 of the microfluidic device 100.

[0055] The microfluidic device 100 may be tilted for analysis or observation of cells or tissues contained in the microfluidic device 100 (especially in the groove 24). Moreover, the microfluidic device 100 may be unintentionally or inevitably tilted during transportation of the microfluidic device 100. FIG. 7 is a drawing that reflects this situation.

[0056] In contrast to the drawing in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the microfluidic device 200 in which the reservoir 3 is not partitioned into a plurality of cells. As shown in FIG. 8, when the microfluidic device 200 is tilted at a predetermined angle (in this case, 45 degrees around the X-axis), the liquid 38 accumulates in the lower part of the reservoir 3, and the liquid 38 overflows and flows out of the reservoir 3.

[0057] On the other hand, in the case of the reservoir 3 partitioned into each cell by the partitioning plates 35 (see FIG. 7), even if the microfluidic device 100 is tilted, the liquid 38 is not likely to flow out over each cell. In other words, in the case that the microfluidic device 100 is tilted, the configuration shown in FIG. 7 is more likely to prevent the liquid from flowing out of the reservoir 3 compared with the configuration shown in FIG. 8.

[0058] As shown above, the partitioning plates 35 provided in the reservoir have the effect of preventing the liquid in the reservoir 3 from flowing out, even if the microfluidic device 100 is tilted at a certain angle. Moreover, in the case of transporting the microfluidic device 100, the reservoir 3 provided with the partitioning plates 35 prevents the liquid in the reservoir 3 from flowing out. The partitioning plates 35 may be integrally formed with the bottom 31, then inner frame 32, and the outer frame 33, or they may be configured to be retrofitted.

[0059] The reservoir 3 may be provided with a marker that serves as an indicator of the amount of replenishment liquid in order to inject the appropriate amount of liquid into the reservoir 3. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the A5 area in FIG. 3, with an example of the markers added. The reservoir 3 is provided with protrusions 36 on the inner surface of the outer frame 33 that indicates the maximum liquid level height as an indicator. The liquid is replenished in the reservoir 3 until the liquid level reaches the position of the protrusion 36 by an operator replenishing the liquid or a replenishment device.

[0060] The protrusion 36 can be any shape. The marker may be a concave section, a printed mark, or any marker other than the projection 36. The markers may be provided on the outer surface of the outer frame 33 or on the inner frame 32. The markers may be located in all the cells or only in part of the cells. Each marker may have a different height position at each cell that constitutes the reservoir 3 to set the appropriate amount of liquid for each cell.

[0061] The materials of the bottom 31, the inner frame 32, the outer frame 33, and the partitioning plate 35 of the reservoir include, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), polystyrene (PS), silicone, and other resin materials, or metal materials. In this embodiment, PS is used for the reservoir 3. In at least part of the reservoir 3, an evaporation enhancing member (e.g., a hygroscopic gel or sponge liquid-absorbing material, or an evaporation mechanism that increases the area of the gas-liquid interface, such as fins) may be mounted inside the reservoir 3. Mounting the evaporation enhancing member in the reservoir 3 allows the atmosphere to maintain at a high humidity level, thus effectively suppressing the evaporation of the liquid from the plate 1.

[0062] Incidentally, the degree of evaporation of the liquid from the plate 1 and the reservoir 3 correlates with the area of the gas-liquid interface. In the case of a plate 1 having a large number of the openings 21 or a large area of the openings 21 per each opening, the plate 1 has a large area of the openings 21 in total. The increased total area of the openings 21 allows the area of the gas-liquid interface at the openings 21 to increase, thus causing the liquid to evaporate more quickly. The similar manner applies to the reservoir 3; the increased area of the reservoir allows the gas-liquid interface in the reservoir 3 to increase, thus causing the liquid to evaporate more quickly.

[0063] To suppress the evaporation of the liquid from the openings 21, the area of the gas-liquid interface in the reservoir 3 may be designed to a size corresponding to the total area of the openings 21. The amount of area of the gas-liquid interface in the reservoir 3 varies considerably depending on the size of the inner bottom surface of the reservoir 3. Hence, the total area of the inner bottom surface of the reservoir 3 may be preferably at least twice the total area of the openings 21, and may be more preferably 10 times or more. Setting this ratio (i.e. ratio of the total area of the inner bottom surface of the reservoir 3 to the total area of the openings 21) being twice or larger or even 10 times or larger allows the amount of evaporation from the entire reservoir 3 to become larger than the amount of evaporation from the entire openings 21, thereby suppressing the evaporation of liquid from the openings 21. A heat source or a heat conductive member connected with an external heat source may be mounted in the vicinity of the reservoir 3 in order to control the amount of evaporation from the reservoir 3.

[0064] When the microfluidic device 100 is stored in a storage chamber (also called an incubator) that is configured to have a high humidity environment (e.g., humidity of 95% or higher), the water vapor in the storage chamber provides atmosphere of the microfluidic device 100, thus easily controlling the humidity of the atmosphere of the microfluidic device 100. This configuration further suppresses the evaporation of liquid components from the openings 21 of the microfluidic device 100. Note that the reservoir 3 serves to control the humidity of the atmosphere of the plate 1 even when the plate 1 is stored in the storage chamber, since the storage chamber does not always strictly maintain a constant humidity level due to the opening and closing operation of its door or the like.

[0065] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, modified examples of a microfluidic device are shown. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the microfluidic device 300. The microfluidic device 300 includes a plate 1, a reservoir 3, a holder 5, and a cover 7. In FIG. 10, it is shown that the plate 1 and the reservoir 3 are fitted into the holder 5, and the cover 7 is separated from the holder 5. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane A6 (parallel to the YZ plane) in FIG. 10. In FIG. 11, the cover 7 is shown attached to the holder 5.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 11, the cover 7 is attached to the holder 5 to cover the opening area B1 and the reservoir 3. This allows the atmosphere in the opening area B1 to be limited in a small space, thereby enabling better control of humidity therein. A gap d1 is formed between the cover 7 and the upper end 32e of the inner frame 32 of the reservoir 3. This configuration allows the liquid stored in the reservoir 3 to evaporate and flow into the opening area B1 even with the cover 7 attached to the holder 5.

[0067] In FIG. 11, a small gap (not shown) that is capable of ventilation is provided between the cover 7 and the holder 5. Since the inside and the outside of the microfluidic device 300 are configured to be ventilated, the high-humidity atmosphere in the storage chamber can flow into the microfluidic device 300 even with the cover 7 attached to the holder 5. In the microfluidic device 300 configured to be ventilated, gas flowing from the outside to the inside passes near the liquid surface of the reservoir 3, thus enhancing the evaporation of the liquid in the reservoir 3. In addition, the small gap between the cover 7 and the holder 5 may also serve as an inlet for carbon dioxide (CO2), which may be added with its concentration higher than that of the atmosphere in order to maintain the acidity of the liquid injected into the microfluidic device.

[0068] The cover 7 may be composed of a light transmissive material, which enables the plate 1 to be analyzed with the cover 7 covering thereon. The cover 7 may also be provided with a port that allows liquid to be injected into the reservoir 3.

Second Embodiment

[0069] With reference to FIG. 12, a second embodiment of a microfluidic device is described. The microfluidic device 400 shown in FIG. 12 has a reservoir 8 including a holder 6. In other words, the holder 6 is integrated into the reservoir 8. In this embodiment, the upper end 42e of the inner frame 42 is also higher than the first main surface 1a of the plate 1; that is, the opening with the bottom stands above the first main surface.

[0070] In the above, the first embodiment, its variations, and the second embodiment have been described. However, the present invention is not limited in any way to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications or improvements may be made to each embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0071] Cultivation and analysis of cells and tissues is described above as applications of microfluidic devices. However, the microfluidic devices of the present invention can be applied to applications other than the cultivation and the analysis of cells and tissues. For example, the microfluidic devices of the present invention can be used for mixing, separation, reaction, synthesis, extraction, or analysis of chemicals.