CN111437894A - A micro-droplet generation system and method for precisely encapsulating micro-particles - Google Patents

Abstract

A micro-droplet generation system and generation method for precisely encapsulating micro-particles. A discrete-phase fluid containing micro-particles enters a micro-channel through a particle arrangement device, and by controlling the flow rate and flow ratio of a first sheath flow and a second sheath flow, the micro-particles are regulated. The total flow, particle spacing and position in the channel; the microchannel is simultaneously connected with the first split microchannel and the second split microchannel, the second split microchannel is directly connected with the outlet, and the first split microchannel is passed through the microdroplet generation device and The outlet microchannel is connected with the outlet; one side of the two microchannels is respectively designed with an airtight elastic membrane, which is respectively connected with the gas control device through the gas channel, and then connected with the external gas source; the gas control device respectively controls the air pressure in the gas channel , realize the deformation control of the air-tight elastic film, and realize the precise control of the flow in the first shunt micro-channel and the second shunt micro-channel; finally, the micro-droplets encapsulating the specified number of micro-particles are accurately generated in the micro-droplet generating device .

Description

A micro-droplet generation system and method for precisely encapsulating micro-particles

technical field

The invention relates to a method for generating micro-droplets that precisely wraps micro-particles. Specifically, it relates to a micro-droplet generation system and method for precisely wrapping micro-particles.

Background technique

Microdroplets encapsulating microparticles have important potential applications in biomedicine, food safety testing and other fields. For example, in the field of biomedicine, rapid screening and efficacy evaluation of newly developed drugs can be achieved by precisely encapsulating target cells in microdroplets. It has been found that the size of the formation of simple microdroplets without encapsulating microparticles is directly related to the frequency and the flow ratio between the discrete phase/continuous phase. In order to realize the precise generation of micro-droplets encapsulating micro-particles, in addition to controlling the flow ratio between the discrete phase/continuous phase, it is also necessary to precisely control the movement, spacing and position of the micro-particles in the discrete phase. The coordinated control of the two is the key problem that restricts the accurate generation of microdroplets encapsulating microparticles, and there is no relevant technical report to solve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above-mentioned key problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a micro-droplet generation system and method for precisely encapsulating micro-particles. By combining sheath flow and micro-channel flow resistance control, the movement and distribution of micro-particles and the fluid in the micro-channel can be controlled. The coordinated control of the flow provides a new method and technical means for the precise generation of micro-droplets encapsulated by micro-particles. It has the advantages of simple structure, easy operation and high control accuracy, and has a good application prospect in the fields of biomedicine, food safety detection and the like.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

A micro-droplet generation system for precisely wrapping micro-particles, comprising a particle arranging device 1, a micro-channel 2 communicating with the particle arranging device 1, and a micro-channel 2 arranged on both sides of the micro-channel 2 for regulating the total flow of fluid in the micro-channel 2, The first sheath flow 3 and the second sheath flow 4 of the particle spacing and position; the end of the microchannel 2 is split into the first split microchannel 6 and the second split microchannel 7, and the first split microchannel 6 and the second split microchannel 7 One side is respectively connected to the first gas channel 9 and the second gas channel 8, and the first air-tightness is respectively provided at the first gas channel 9 and the second gas channel 8 where the first split micro channel 6 and the second split micro channel 7 communicate with the first gas channel 9 and the second gas channel 8. The elastic elastic film 16 and the second air-tight elastic film 15, the first gas channel 9 and the second gas channel 8 are respectively connected to the first gas control device 11 and the second gas control device 10 connected to the external gas source; The end of the first split microchannel 6 is communicated with the outlet 12 through the droplet generation device 13 and the outlet microchannel 14 in turn, and the end of the second split microchannel 7 is directly communicated with the outlet 12; the first gas control device 11 and the second gas control device The device 10 controls the air pressure in the first gas channel 9 and the second gas channel 8 respectively, realizes the deformation control of the first air-tight elastic film 16 and the second air-tight elastic film 15, and then controls the first shunt microchannel respectively. 6 and the flow rate of the second split microchannel 7, and finally the microdroplets that precisely encapsulate the microparticles are generated in the microdroplet generating device 13.

The first sheath flow 3 and the second sheath flow 4 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the microchannel 2 and need to be controlled cooperatively to achieve precise regulation of the total fluid flow, microparticle spacing and position of the microchannel 2 .

The first dense elastic film 16 and the second dense elastic film 15 are deformed under the cooperative control of the first gas control device 11 and the second gas control device 10, and the first shunt microchannel 6 and the second shunt microchannel are changed. The cross-sectional area of the channel 7 and the fluid flow rate are used to achieve accurate control of the fluid flow in the microchannel.

In the method for generating micro-droplets by the micro-droplet generation system that precisely wraps micro-particles, the discrete-phase fluid containing micro-particles enters the micro-channel 2 after realizing the chain arrangement of single micro-particles in the particle arranging device 1. The flow rate and flow ratio of the first sheath flow 3 and the second sheath flow 4 regulate the total fluid flow, particle spacing and position in the microchannel 2; Connected, wherein the second shunt microchannel 7 regulates the fluid flow in the first shunt microchannel 6 for shunt regulation; the first gas control device 11 and the second gas control device 10 respectively control the first gas channel 9 and the second gas channel 8 The air pressure in the middle of the air can realize the deformation control of the first dense elastic film 16 and the second dense elastic film 15, and then control the flow rate of the first shunt microchannel 6 and the second shunt microchannel 7 respectively; finally realize the movement of micro particles , distribution and coordinated regulation of the fluid flow in the micro-droplet generation microchannel, in the micro-droplet generation device 13, micro-droplets that precisely encapsulate the micro-particles are generated.

The present invention has the following advantages:

1) Simple structure. Through a simple symmetrical sheath flow design, the effective regulation of the spacing and position of microparticles in the discrete phase fluid can be effectively achieved, which facilitates the fabrication of the device.

2) Easy to operate. Coupling gas control and air-tight elastic membrane, through the reversible deformation of the elastic membrane, it is convenient to realize the effective regulation of microchannel structure and fluid flow rate, so as to control the flow rate of discrete phase fluid into the microdroplet generation device.

3) High control accuracy. Through the action of symmetrical sheath flow, precise control of the movement and distribution of micro-particles can be achieved; through the deformation of the elastic membrane, precise control of the flow rate of discrete phases entering the micro-droplet generation device can be achieved, while ensuring that micro-particles enter the micro-droplets Generate device. Through the coordinated control of the microdroplet movement, distribution, and fluid flow in the microchannel, the precise control of the generation of microdroplets encapsulating the microparticles can finally be achieved.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the method for generating microdroplets for precisely wrapping microparticles according to the present invention.

Detailed ways

The present invention will be described in further detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

As shown in Figure 1, the present invention is a micro-droplet generation system that precisely encapsulates micro-particles. The discrete-phase fluid containing micro-particles enters the micro-channel 2 through the particle arrangement device 1, and controls the first sheath flow 3 and the second sheath flow by controlling the first sheath flow. The flow rate and flow ratio of 4 can regulate the total flow, particle spacing and position in the microchannel 2. The microchannel 2 is simultaneously connected with the first splitting microchannel 6 and the second splitting microchannel 7, the second splitting microchannel 7 is directly connected with the outlet 12, and the first splitting microchannel 6 passes through the microdroplet generating device 13 and the outlet microchannel 14. Connect to outlet 12. The first air-tight elastic film 16 and the second air-tight elastic film 15 are respectively designed on one side of the first shunt micro-channel 6 and the second shunt micro-channel 7, through the first gas channel 9 and the second gas channel 8, respectively. It is connected with the first gas control device 11 and the second gas control device 10, and then connected with the external gas source. The first gas control device 10 and the second gas control device 11 respectively control the air pressures in the first gas channel 9 and the second gas channel 8, so as to realize the air pressure of the first air-tight elastic film 16 and the second air-tight elastic film 15. Deformation control, respectively regulating the flow of the first shunt microchannel 6 and the second shunt microchannel 7 . Finally, the coordinated regulation of the movement and distribution of the micro-particles and the fluid flow in the micro-droplet generation microchannel is realized, and the micro-droplets that precisely encapsulate the micro-particles are generated in the micro-droplet generation device 13 .

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first sheath flow 3 and the second sheath flow 4 described in the present invention are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the microchannel 2, and the flow needs to be controlled cooperatively, so as to realize the total flow of the fluid in the microchannel 2 and the microchannel flow. Precise control of particle spacing and position.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first air-tight elastic film 16 and the second air-tight elastic film 15 in the present invention are deformed under the cooperative control of the first gas control device 11 and the second gas control device 10 , changing the cross-sectional area and fluid flow rate of the first shunt microchannel 6 and the second shunt microchannel 7 to achieve accurate control of the fluid flow in the microchannel.

Describe the implementation process of the present invention with an embodiment below:

The specific steps of using the present invention to generate micro-droplets encapsulating a single micro-particle are as follows. The discrete phase fluid encapsulating the microparticles can achieve chain arrangement of the microparticles at a single location in the particle arrangement device 1 , or the discrete phase fluid can directly enter the microchannel 2 for a lower particle concentration. According to an appropriate flow ratio, the flow rates of the first sheath flow 3 and the second sheath flow 4 are regulated, and the position of the microparticles and the distance between adjacent particles are regulated in the microchannel 2 . According to the flow rate of the continuous phase in the microdroplet generating device 13, the gas pressures in the first gas channel 9 and the second gas channel 8 are respectively controlled by the first gas control device 11 and the second gas control device 10, so that the first gas is airtight The elastic elastic membrane 16 and the second air-tight elastic membrane 15 undergo corresponding deformation, thereby changing the flow resistance in the first shunt microchannel 6 and the second shunt microchannel 7, and regulating the first shunt microchannel 6 and the second shunt microchannel. The fluid flow in the channel 7 makes the flow in the first split microchannel 6 meet the discrete/continuous phase flow ratio required for the generation of micro-droplets, and at the same time ensures that the micro-particles enter the micro-droplet generation device 13 at a suitable distance, and finally Microdroplets encapsulating individual microparticles are generated in the microdroplet generating device 13 , and then enter the outlet 12 through the outlet microchannel 14 . In the above process, the fluid in the microchannel 2 that enters the first split microchannel 6 enters the outlet 12 through the second split microchannel 7 . In summary, the precise control of the movement and distribution of micro-particles is achieved through sheath flow, and the precise control of discrete phase flow is achieved by coupling gas control and elastic membrane deformation. Generates droplets encasing the specified number of particles. It has important application value in biomedicine, food safety testing and other fields.

Claims (4)

1. A micro-droplet generation system of precisely wrapping micro-particles is characterized in that: comprising a particle arranging device (1), a micro-channel (2) communicated with the particle arranging device (1), arranged on two sides of the micro-channel (2). A first sheath flow (3) and a second sheath flow (4) on the side for regulating the total fluid flow, particle spacing and position in the microchannel (2); the end of the microchannel (2) is split into a first split microchannel (6) and the second shunt microchannel (7), one side of the first shunt microchannel (6) and the second shunt microchannel (7) are respectively connected to the first gas channel (9) and the second gas channel (8), First Diversion Micro Channel (6) and Second Substitution Micro Channel (7) and First Gas Channel (9) and Second Gas Channel (8) are connected to set up first gas elastic membranes (16) and first Two air-tight elastic membranes (15), the first gas channel (9) and the second gas channel (8) are respectively connected to the first gas control device (11) and the second gas control device (10) connected to the external gas source The end of the first shunt microchannel (6) is communicated with the outlet (12) through the droplet generation device (13) and the outlet microchannel (14) in turn, and the end of the second shunt microchannel (7) is directly connected to the outlet (12). 12) communicated; the first gas control device (11) and the second gas control device (10) respectively control the air pressure in the first gas passage (9) and the second gas passage (8), so as to achieve air tightness to the first gas passage The deformation control of the elastic film (16) and the second air-tight elastic film (15), and then the flow rate of the first shunt microchannel (6) and the second shunt microchannel (7) are respectively controlled, and finally the micro-droplet generation device (13), microdroplets that precisely encapsulate microparticles are generated. 2. A micro-droplet generation system for precisely wrapping micro-particles according to claim 1, characterized in that: the first sheath flow (3) and the second sheath flow (4) are symmetrically arranged in the microchannel (2). ) on both sides, coordinated control is required to achieve precise regulation of the total fluid flow, microparticle spacing and position of the microchannel (2). 3. A micro-droplet generation system for precisely wrapping micro-particles according to claim 1, characterized in that: the first dense elastic film (16) and the second dense elastic film (15) are in the first Deformation occurs under the coordinated control of the gas control device (11) and the second gas control device (10) to change the cross-sectional area and fluid flow rate of the first split microchannel (6) and the second split microchannel (7), so as to achieve Accurate control of fluid flow in microchannels. 4. The method for generating micro-droplets by a micro-droplet generating system that precisely wraps micro-particles according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: the discrete-phase fluid containing micro-particles is realized in the particle arranging device (1). The chain arrangement of the single microparticles enters the microchannel (2), and by controlling the flow rate and the flow rate ratio of the first sheath flow (3) and the second sheath flow (4), the total fluid flow in the microchannel (2), Particle spacing and position; the end of the microchannel (2) is communicated with the first splitting microchannel (6) and the second splitting microchannel (7) at the same time, wherein the second splitting microchannel (7) regulates the first splitting microchannel for splitting (6) fluid flow; the first gas control device (11) and the second gas control device (10) control the air pressure in the first gas passage (9) and the second gas passage (8) respectively, so as to realize the control of the first gas passage (9). Deformation control of the dense elastic membrane (16) and the second dense elastic membrane (15), so as to control the flow of the first split microchannel (6) and the second split microchannel (7) respectively; finally, the movement of the micro-particles is realized. , distribution and coordinated regulation of the fluid flow in the micro-droplet generation microchannel, and the micro-droplet that precisely encapsulates the micro-particles is generated in the micro-droplet generation device (13).

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