MICROFLUIDIC CHIP COMPRISING A FUNCTIONAL AREA, WHICH IS COVERED BY A FLEXIBLE OR DEFORMABLE COVER, AND MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEM

Abstract

A microfluidic chip includes a functional area, which is covered by a flexible or deformable cover. The cover has an expansion limiter. This expansion limiter can for example be embodied as a stable plate including one or more than one opening. The expansion limiter may be fixedly connected to the cover.

Claims

1. A microfluidic chip (2) comprising a functional area (5), which is covered by a flexible or deformable cover (6), wherein the cover (6) has an expansion limiter (3).

2. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, wherein the expansion limiter (3) is a stable plate comprising one or a plurality of openings (17).

3. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, wherein the expansion limiter (3) is fixedly connected to the cover (6).

4. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, wherein the expansion limiter (3) is adhered to the cover (6).

5. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, wherein the cover (6) is fixedly connected to the functional area (5).

6. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, wherein the cover (6) is adhered to the functional area (5).

7. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a diaphragm (12) or a film.

8. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, wherein it has different active and/or passive functional areas (5, 10), which are in each case covered by different covers (6, 11).

9. A microfluidic chip system comprising a microfluidic chip according to claim 1, wherein the functional area (5) has microfluidic control elements (9).

10. The microfluidic chip system according to claim 9, wherein a pneumatic adapter (16) is arranged on the microfluidic chip (2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0024] In the drawings,

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a sandwich structure of a microfluidic chip,

[0026] FIG. 2 shows the structure of a microfluidic cultivation platform,

[0027] FIG. 3 shows the cultivation platform shown in FIG. 2 in composite form,

[0028] FIG. 4 shows the pneumatically controllable diaphragm surface comprising an increased detail,

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a pneumatic adapter for the diaphragm actuation,

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a fluidic chip comprising an expansion limiter and

[0031] FIG. 7 shows an increased illustration of an expansion limiter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] The mode of operation is explained by means of a microfluidic chip 2, which is joined to a microtiter plate 1. In connection with control elements 9 of a corresponding pneumatic adapter 16, this combination represents an automated cultivation platform.

[0033] The preferred embodiment consists of the microfluidic chip 2, which is embodied as polymer body comprising microfluidic structures and which is fastened to the underside 4 of the microtiter plate 1, and comprises two functional areas: A narrow functional area 5, which is closed by the flexible or deformable cover, which is embodied as capping film 6, includes microfluidic valves 7 (only numbered in an exemplary manner), for controlling the fluid flows from the fluid reservoirs 8 (only numbered in an exemplary manner), which are located thereabove, arranged in the microtiter plate 1. FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate the microtiter plate 1 below the microfluidic chip 2. In practice, however, the microfluidic chip 2 is arranged below the microtiter plate 1.

[0034] Due to the fact that the capping film 6 in the narrower area 5 serves as diaphragm 12 for the control elements 9 (only numbered in an exemplary manner), the capping film 6 must have corresponding mechanical properties in particular with regard to deformability. Microfluidic channels (not shown), which, among others, lead into the reaction chambers (wells) 13 (only numbered in an exemplary manner) of the microtiter plate 1 arranged thereabove, are located downstream from the larger passive functional area 10, which the capping film 11 covers.

[0035] The arrangement of the diaphragm surfaces 12 and of the control elements 9 of the pneumatic adapter 16, which is pressed against the microfluidic chip 1 by means of a corresponding clamping device and which allows for the individual control of each individual diaphragm via a pneumatic line of the control elements 9, is shown in FIG. 5.

[0036] In this example of use, the expansion limiter 3 consists of a thin perforated sheet steel—or in the alternative of a corresponding plastic film—the outer dimensions of which correspond to those of the capping film 6 and on which the positions of the openings 17 (only numbered in an exemplary manner), which are embodied as holes, correspond to the position of the valves 7 in the microfluidic chip 2. The attachment of the expansion limiter 3 to the underside 14 of the capping film 6 is carried out here by means of a correspondingly structured, very thin adhesive film. 15. The adhesive film is designed in such a way that it isolates the individual holes on the hole positions 13 and valves 7, which in each case correspond, in an air-tight manner.

[0037] The effect of the expansion limiter 3 primarily consists in that it prevents every unwanted expansion of the capping film 6, which is embodied as diaphragm 12, so that no undefined changes to the diaphragm geometry, such as, e.g. sagging, can occur. In the position shown in FIG. 7, the diaphragm 12 can only move downwards. The upwards expansion is prevented by means of the expansion limiter 3. A high volumetric accuracy of the fluidic system is ensured through this. The expansion limiter 3 furthermore relieves the connection between the capping film 6 and the bottom of the microfluidic chip 2 of mechanical stress, whereby the risk of detachment of the capping film 6 is effectively prevented.

[0038] Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.