CN1331575C - Implementation of Microfluidic Components in Microfluidic Systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for integrating microfluidic components into a microfluidic system that enables the microfluidic system to perform selected microfluidic functions. The capping module comprises a microfluidic element for performing a microfluidic function. The capping module is stacked on a microfluidic substrate with microfluidic conduits to incorporate the microfluidic function into the system.

Description

Implementation of Microfluidic Components in Microfluidic Systems

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 10/329018, filed December 23, 2002, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/409489, filed September 9, 2002, and Priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 60/410685, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

technical field

The invention relates to a microfluidic system for processing fluid samples at the microfluidic level. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for implementing microfluidic functions in a microfluidic system.

Background technique

Microfluidic devices and systems provide improved methods of performing chemical, biochemical, and biological analysis and synthesis. Microfluidic devices and systems allow multi-step, multi-type chemical manipulations to be performed in chip-based microchemical analysis systems. Chip-based microfluidic systems generally include conventional "microfluidic" elements, which are especially capable of processing and analyzing chemical and biological samples. Generally, the term "microfluidic" is used in the art to refer to a system or device having a network of process nodes, chambers, and reservoirs connected by channels, wherein the channels typically have cross-sectional dimensions ranging from about 1.0 microns to about 500 microns In the range. Channels with these cross-sectional dimensions are known in the art as "microchannels".

In the chemical, biomedical, bioscience, and pharmaceutical industries, it has become imperative to perform a large number of chemical operations such as reactions, separations, and subsequent detection steps in a highly parallel manner. High-throughput synthesis, screening, and analysis of (bio)compounds enable the economical discovery of new drugs and drug candidates, and enable the realization of sophisticated medical diagnostic devices. Important to the improvement of the chemical manipulations required in these applications is increased speed, enhanced reproducibility, reduced consumption of expensive samples and reagents, and reduced waste of materials.

In the fields of biotechnology, especially cytology and drug screening, high throughput particle filtration is required. Examples of particles that need to be filtered are various types of cells, such as platelets, white blood cells, tumor cells, and blast cells. These particles are of particular interest in the field of cytology. Other particles are (macro)molecular species such as proteins, enzymes and polynucleotides. Such particles are of particular interest in the field of drug screening during the development of new drugs.

Contents of the invention

The present invention provides a system and method for integrating microfluidic components into a microfluidic system so that the microfluidic system can perform selected microfluidic functions. The present invention uses a capping module comprising a microfluidic element capable of performing a microfluidic function. The capping module is stacked on a microfluidic substrate with microfluidic conduits to integrate microfluidic functionality into the system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a microfluidic system is provided, comprising: a first microchannel formed in a substrate; a first communication port connecting the first microchannel with the surface of the substrate; a second microchannel; a third microchannel formed in the substrate; and a capping module having a groove formed therein, and a semi-conductor for separating substances by size exclusion that covers the groove to form a cavity. a permeable membrane forming a wall of the chamber, a capping module comprising an inlet to the chamber and an outlet to the chamber formed therein, wherein the capping module is stackable on the substrate such that the inlet to the chamber is disposed To communicate with the first microchannel, the outlet of the chamber is set to communicate with the second microchannel, and the membrane is set to communicate with the third microchannel, so that the filtrate through the membrane enters into the third microchannel, thereby filtering the microjet Functionality introduced into the microfluidic system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a capping module for a microfluidic system, comprising: a substrate having a groove formed in the surface of the substrate; A semi-permeable membrane for material filtration, the membrane covering the groove to form a cavity; an inlet to the cavity formed in the substrate; an outlet from the cavity formed in the substrate; wherein, The capping module may be stacked on the microfluidic system in which the microchannel is formed, such that the cavity is arranged to communicate with the microchannel via the inlet, thereby introducing a filtering function into the microfluidic system.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a microfluidic system, comprising: a substrate having a plurality of microchannels formed therein, wherein each microchannel includes one or more a plurality of micro-fluidic capping modules, each module has a semi-permeable membrane for performing a micro-fluidic filtering function that is arranged on a groove so as to form a cavity in the corresponding capping module, a port leading to the cavity an inlet and an outlet leading to the cavity; wherein a first of the microfluidic capping modules is stacked on the substrate, and the first microfluidic capping module is enabled through communication ports associated with one or more microchannels. One of the inlet and outlet of the capping module is in fluid communication with the one or more microchannels, thereby incorporating a first microfluidic filtration function into the system, a second of the microfluidic capping modules stacked on the liner and one of the inlet and outlet of the second microfluidic capping module is in fluid communication with the other one or more microchannels through a communication port associated with the other one or more microchannels, thereby Incorporate a second microfluidic filtration function into the system.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a microfabricated filtration system in a microfluidic system comprising: a capping module comprising a membrane for separating a substance into first and second components; a first flow path of a substance through the microfluidic system, wherein the capping module intersects the first flow path when the capping module is stacked on the substrate; a first reservoir formed in the capping module above the membrane , having an inlet in communication with the first flow path for receiving the substance, and an outlet in communication with the first flow path for delivering the first component out of the first storage tank; a second storage tank, which formed in the substrate for receiving a second component of the substance; a second flow path for receiving the second component of the substance in fluid communication with a second reservoir; and for inducing flow of the substance a first fluid source in communication with the first flow path, wherein the capping module is stacked on the substrate such that the first reservoir communicates with the second reservoir and is separated from the second reservoir by the membrane, along the first The substance conveyed by the flow path is divided into a first component and a second component, wherein the first component flows along the first flow path through the first reservoir and the second component flows along the second flow path through the membrane.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a microfabricated filtration system in a microfluidic system, comprising: a substrate; a first flow path for transporting substances located in the substrate; A second flow path for receiving and delivering the filtered component of the substance; a groove formed in the substrate and communicating with the second flow path; a cover defining a retentate cavity stacked on the substrate so that the retentate The material chamber is arranged to communicate with the first flow path; the membrane fixed on the lid to cover the retentate chamber, wherein the membrane is sized to separate the material into a filtered component and a retained component, and is fixed on the lid When stacked on the substrate, it is arranged above the groove, thereby defining a filter cavity under the membrane, so that the second flow path can be arranged adjacent to and separated from the first flow path by the membrane; formed in A third flow path in the substrate and in communication with the retentate chamber for receiving and delivering retained components of said species from the retentate chamber.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a microfiltration system in a microfluidic chip for separating substances such as compounds passing through a capillary-sized closed channel system into different components. The filtration system of the present invention provides filtration modules that can be assembled at relatively low cost while providing an accurate means of filtering relatively large quantities of compounds per unit of time. Microfiltration systems integrate conventional membrane filtration technology into microfluidic systems formed from glass, plastic or other suitable materials. Microfabricated filtration systems may include subsystems designed to be inserted into standard microfluidic systems to provide on-chip filtration. An exemplary filtration system includes two flow paths separated by a membrane that size separates material flowing through the first flow path. A reservoir communicating with the flow path is formed on both sides of the membrane. A microfabricated lid is attached to the membrane, defining a reservoir above the membrane.

According to another aspect, the solenoid valve may be integrated into the microfluidic system using a cover structure in which the solenoid valve component is formed. The solenoid valve assembly includes a membrane for selectively blocking flow through one or more communication ports in the substrate, and an actuation assembly for controlling the position of the membrane.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a microfluidic system including a cap structure for integrating microfluidic functionality into the microfluidic system.

Figure 2 shows a diagnostic microfluidic chip suitable for use with a microfiltration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a microfiltration system in the chip shown in FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a membrane on the microfiltration system shown in FIG. 3. FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the microfabricated cover of the microfiltration system shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 6 is a top view of the microfiltration system shown in FIG. 3 .

Figure 7 is a top view of the diagnostic chip shown in Figure 2 prior to assembly of the microfiltration system.

Figure 8 is a top view of the diagnostic chip shown in Figure 2 after assembly of the microfiltration system.

Figure 9a is a top view of a two-port direct microfiltration system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9b is a perspective cross-sectional view of the microfiltration system shown in Figure 9a.

Figure 10a is a top view of a three-port direct microfiltration system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10b is a perspective cross-sectional view of the microfiltration system shown in Figure 10a with the microfabricated cover removed.

Figure 11 shows a solenoid valve incorporated into a microfluidic system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

The present invention provides a microfabricated filtration system for allowing on-chip filtration, purification or separation of samples. Microfabricated filtration systems can be used in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, blood separation and filtration, microdialysis, microchemical analysis and synthesis applications requiring filtration or dialysis subsystems, and other microfluidic applications. Hereinafter, the invention will be described with respect to an exemplary embodiment. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced in many different applications and embodiments and is not specifically limited in application to the specific embodiments described herein.

As used herein, the term "microfluidic" refers to a system or device for handling, processing, ejecting and/or analyzing a fluid sample that includes at least one channel having microscale dimensions.

As used herein, the terms "channel" and "flow channel" refer to a path formed in or through a medium that allows the movement of fluids, such as liquids and gases. The channels in the microfluidic system preferably have cross-sectional dimensions in the range of about 1.0 microns to about 500 microns, more desirably in the range of about 25 microns to about 250 microns, most preferably in the range of about 50 microns to about 150 microns Inside. Those of ordinary skill in the art are well within the ability to determine the appropriate volume and length of the flow channel. These ranges include the above values as upper or lower limits. The flow channels may have any chosen shape or arrangement, examples of which include linear or non-linear configurations, and U-shaped configurations.

As used herein, the term "microfluidic element" refers to components in a microfluidic system used to perform microfluidic functions, including but not limited to: passive check valves, active valves, pressure sensors, connecting channels, membrane filtration units, Threaded plugs for externally connected tubing, compression chambers, pumps, and other components known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, the terms "membrane" or "filter" refer to any material of suitable composition and size that can be used to separate or filter matter by size exclusion or other means.

As used herein, the term "substrate" refers to a support structure in which channels are formed for conveying fluids.

As used herein, the term "lid" or "capping module" refers to a device of the same size or slightly smaller than the substrate, of any selected size or shape formed of any selected material, and having microfluidic elements. structure. The capping module is configured to be stacked on or in communication with the substrate to complete or partially complete the fluidic pathway.

As used herein, the term "substance" refers to any material used in microfluidic processes, including but not limited to compounds, molecules, viruses, cells, particles, beads, buffers, or any other material that can be used in microfluidic processes .

As used herein, the term "microfluidic function" refers to any operation, function or process performed or applied to a fluid or sample in a microfluidic system, including but not limited to: filtration, dialysis, pumping, fluid flow regulation, controlling fluid flow wait.

As used herein, the term "port" refers to a structure that can provide fluid communication between two elements.

As used herein, the term "pump" refers to a device for drawing and expelling fluid, which may be of various sizes, including microscale sizes, referred to herein as a "micropump".

The present invention allows different microfluidic functions to be implemented in a microfluidic chip by using a capping module with microfluidic elements capable of performing microfluidic functions. As shown in FIG. 1, a microfluidic chip 10 suitable for implementing one embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate 11 having one or more flow channels 3, shown as microchannels, disposed therein. The flow channels may convey fluid through the microfluidic system 10 for processing, loading and unloading, and/or performing any other suitable operation on a fluid sample. Microfluidic system 10 may include any suitable number of flow channels 3 for conveying fluid through microfluidic system 10 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the flow channel 3 is formed in the substrate 11 and can be connected to the surface of the substrate via one or more communication ports 13a, 13b. A capping module 15 is provided on the substrate 11 to form a closed fluid path, the capping module comprising microfluidic elements 18 for performing microfluidic functions, such as filters, one or more valves, pressure sensors or other components . According to an alternative embodiment, the capping module may comprise connecting channels for redirecting fluid flow through microchannels surrounding another structure. The exemplary substrate 11 includes two communicating ports 13a, 13b, each port connecting the disconnected portion 3a, 3b of the flow channel 3 to the substrate surface, however those skilled in the art will recognize The size, number and structure of the channels are modified.

The exemplary capping module 15 may include a connection port that interfaces with a communication port of the substrate, and/or a cavity 12 or channel for providing a fluidic path between the first connection port and the second connection port. Those skilled in the art can recognize that the cover module can have other structures, and is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .

Microfluidic functions such as filtration, dialysis, pumping, flow control, etc. can be integrated into the microfluidic system 10 by using the capping module 15 without significant modifications to the substrate 11 . A substrate comprising any number or arrangement of conduits or channels 3 for conveying fluids can be transformed into a functional fluidic circuit by selecting one or more capping modules 15 with functional microfluidic elements 18 and placing It is implemented on a substrate, that is, a chip. According to an exemplary embodiment, the same automated "pick and place" surface mount equipment technology used to fabricate integrated circuits can be used to form jets on substrates with microchannels using various capping structures. circuit. Suitable pick and place equipment can be manufactured, for example, by Manncorp, Inc. (Huntingdon Valley, PA).

To manufacture the fluidic circuit, the channels 3 in the substrate 11 can be produced by chip microfabrication techniques. Channels or conduits can be made by etching half-channels in a first substrate and then gluing and/or laminating a second substrate to close the half-channels, thereby forming microchannels. If a more complex fluidic network is desired, the substrate can be formed from one or more layers containing etched channels. Communication ports can then be made in the substrate to connect the microchannels to the outer surface of the substrate. Suitable techniques for fabricating the communication ports include drilling, laser etching, powder blasting, or other techniques known in the art. After the substrate and communication ports have been fabricated, a capping module with the desired functionality is bonded to the substrate to form a microfluidic component in a larger microfluidic circuit.

Capping modules of different numbers and sizes can be bonded to the substrate in order to apply various microfluidic functions to form a microfluidic system. The capping module can be removed and replaced to enable reuse of the substrate.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the capping module has a cross-sectional dimension between about 1 millimeter and about 5 centimeters, although those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited in this scope. The lid module may be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic, glass, silicon, and others known in the art.

Figure 2 shows the architecture of an exemplary microfluidic diagnostic chip that can be fabricated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Diagnostic chip 20 may include one or more microfluidic components that, individually or in combination, may be configured to facilitate sample processing. For example, as shown, the diagnostic chip 20 includes a microfiltration system 100 that can separate substances in solution, eg, separate selected particles or other particles from cells or suspensions. Diagnostic chip 20 may also include one or more reservoirs 90 for storing and supplying samples, reagents, or other compounds to the system, and one or more waste reservoirs 91 for collecting sample waste. A diagnostic chip may also include one or more dosing, mixing and incubation components, such as an on-chip sample dilution system, for processing samples, such as performing mixing of specified amounts of sample and reagents. For example, the exemplary system includes a mixing component 60 and an incubation area 61 . The chip may also include a detector 70 for analyzing filtrate from the microfiltration system 100 . Detector 70 may utilize any suitable means of detection including, but not limited to, fluorescence, electrochemical analysis, dielectrophoresis, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), radio frequency, thermal analysis, and combinations thereof. The chip 10 may employ valves for selectively controlling fluid flow through the channels, and one or more drive units disposed on-chip or off-chip for driving fluid movement through the channels 3 on the chip. Those skilled in the art can realize that the microfluidic system is not limited to the diagnostic chip shown in FIG. 2 , and the structure, position, quantity and combination of various microfluidic components can be modified according to the present invention.

The microfiltration system 100 of the present invention utilizes a capping module to integrate traditional membrane filtration technology into a microfluidic chip. The filtration system can be inserted into an existing microfluidic chip to filter particles, cells or other matter in suspension without requiring significant or costly modifications to the chip structure.

Figures 3, 4 and 6 illustrate a microfabricated filtration subsystem 100 suitable for implementing microfabrication in the microfluidic system shown in Figure 2, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows a capping module 15 used to manufacture a filtration system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The filtration subsystem is used to separate substances, such as a sample comprising a mixture of particles and fluid, through the membrane 110, and thereafter collect the separated components. According to one exemplary embodiment, a filtration subsystem is employed to separate blood cells from plasma, however, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention has other applications as well. According to other applications, the filtration system can be used to separate viruses from cells, to separate beads from cells, and to separate compounds, molecules or other substances that can be separated by membranes. As shown, the filtration subsystem 100 is formed directly on the microfluidic chip, thereby adding filtration capabilities to the chip without requiring significant or costly modifications.

Filtration subsystem 100 utilizes conventional membrane filters 110 to separate two flow paths in substrate 11 to provide microvolume controlled filtration of samples. The exemplary filtration system is a four-port transversal filter that includes a first fluid flow path 120 for supplying a substance, such as a mixture of particles and fluid, to the filtration system, and for receiving and delivering filtrate from the filtration system. (ie filtrate) second fluid flow path 130 . The first fluid flow path 120 includes a first communication port shown as a first inlet channel 121 intersecting the filtration system at a first inlet 121a. The first fluid flow path 120 includes a second communication port, shown as a first outlet channel 122, which includes an outlet 122a from the filter cavity for receiving and delivering retained material from the filter system. The second fluid flow path includes an inlet channel 131 that intersects the filter chamber below the membrane 110 at a second inlet, and a second outlet channel 132 for conveying filtrate from the filtration system. The second fluid flow path 130 may include a carrier fluid for conveying filtrate. A fluid source drives the mixture through a filtration system to achieve component separation across membranes. Fluid sources may include off-chip syringe pumps, microfabricated peristaltic pumps, microfabricated syringes, or any suitable fluid source known in the art, such as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/391868 (Attorney Docket No. CVZ-019-2), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The exemplary microfabricated filtration system 100 has a small base area (less than about 1 square millimeter), resulting in a compact structure, lower cost, and relatively simple fabrication. The particle separator also provides a relatively low deformation rate with little or no clogging. The volume of fluid held can be large if desired, and the design can be scaled and repeated for additional analytical steps if desired.

The filtration subsystem of the present invention can be formed by providing a microfluidic chip comprising an intersection 101 of two flow channels 120,130. The assembly process is only to integrate mass-produced parts, which is relatively simple and can achieve low cost at high volume. According to an exemplary embodiment, the chip is formed with a groove 140 communicating with the second flow path 130 at the intersection portion 101 . The first flow path 120 is initially separated or divided by the groove 140 . Use a suitable adhesive or other suitable attachment mechanism to attach a suitable membrane 110 to the microfluidic chip so as to cover the grooves, thereby forming a structure underneath the membrane to hold the filtrate and transport the filtrate through the first channel. Two reservoirs of the flow path 130 . The membrane may comprise any suitable filter membrane known in the art.

The exemplary microfabricated capping module 15 shown in FIG. 5 is fixed over the membrane 110 to form a filter cavity 161 in communication with the first flow path 120 . Cover 15 may be attached using suitable adhesives or other suitable attachment mechanisms. The exemplary capping module 15 includes an inlet 162 and an outlet 163 in communication with the filter cavity to connect the first flow path 120 to the filter cavity 161 and enable flow of the composition to be filtered through the filter cavity above the membrane. Alternatively, the membrane 110 is directly fixed on the capping module 15, and the capping module is connected on the substrate, so that the filter system is integrated on the substrate. Those skilled in the art can realize that the cover module is not limited to this exemplary embodiment, and can be modified according to the content of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a microfluidic system 10 comprising channels 3 formed therein prior to assembly of a capping module 15 with a membrane 110 . FIG. 8 is a top view of a capped microfluidic system 10 with filtration capabilities.

The composition to be filtered is introduced into the filtration subsystem from the inlet channel and into the filter cavity and onto the membrane 110 . The components of the substance are separated by the membrane 110 , and the smaller components, such as blood plasma, flow through the membrane into the groove 140 and flow through the second flow path 130 . The rest, such as blood cells, flow through the filter cavity and reach the outlet of the first flow path 120 .

According to this exemplary embodiment, the substrate of the microfluidic chip may be formed of glass, plastic, silicon, quartz, ceramic, or any other suitable material. In microfluidic chips made of glass, the chip may comprise two layers, a chip and a cover secured to the chip to form the filtration subsystem. In microfluidic chips formed from plastic, these components may be pressed into a plastic substrate.

As shown in Figures 9a and 9b, according to an alternative embodiment, the microfiltration subsystem may include a dual port direct filter 180 comprising a membrane 110 inserted into a fluid flow path 181 . As shown, the dual port direct filter includes a fluid flow path 181 formed in a microfluidic substrate that is divided into two sections 181a, 181b. The second portion 181b forms a groove 186 to which the membrane 110 is adhered to form a filter cavity for receiving filtered material. A microfabricated cover 15 comprising grooves 186 forming filter cavities is attached to the substrate above the membrane to connect to the flow path 181 . The material to be filtered is conveyed into the filter cavity via the fluid flow path 181 and flows through the membrane 110 . Membrane 110 separates substances by capturing larger molecules, and the filtrate composed of remaining molecules flows through the membrane along the fluid flow path 181 and enters the groove 182, and flows out of the microfiltration system for further analysis and processing and collection etc.

According to another embodiment, a microfiltration system may include a three-port direct filter 190, as shown in Figures 10a and 10b. The three-port direct filter 190 includes two inlet flow channels 191 , 192 for inputting two samples into the filter chamber 195 , and one outlet channel 193 for conveying filtrate out of the filter 190 . The three-port direct filter includes a microfabricated cover 15 defining a filter cavity, and a membrane 110 separating the filter cavity from an outlet channel 193 . In operation, two samples are provided via inlet channels 191,192. The samples are mixed together in filter chamber 195 and the sample mixture is filtered through a membrane that separates the components of the sample mixture. Filtrate flowing through the membrane is conveyed through the outlet channel for further processing, analysis, collection, etc.

Those skilled in the art of membrane separations will recognize that the filtration systems described herein can be used to achieve all types of on-chip separations including membranes, including separation of molecules by size, or separation of beads from molecules, or separation of large particles Small particles are isolated, or viruses are isolated from cells, or used to effect other isolations known to those skilled in the art.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a capping module 15 may be used to incorporate a solenoid valve into a microfluidic system. An example of a solenoid valve housed in a cap structure for implementation in a microfluidic system according to the teachings of the present invention is shown in FIG. 11 . As shown, the electromagnetic module 150 includes a cover 15 that defines a lumen 151, a membrane 154 for selectively blocking flow through one or both communication ports in the substrate, and a membrane 154 for deflecting the membrane 154. Actuation assembly 160 . According to the exemplary embodiment, the actuation assembly includes a coil 162 and a magnet 164 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that other suitable means of deflecting the membrane may be used, including piezoelectric actuators.

The electromagnetic capping module 110 may be stacked on the substrate 11 such that the membrane, when deflected, can block one or more of the communication ports 13a, 13b. Thus, the electromagnetic capping module 110 integrates a valve for selectively blocking flow through channel 3 into the microfluidic flow path. As noted above, the electromagnetic capping module may be placed on the substrate using automated "pick and place" equipment or any suitable means known in the art.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the capping module is not limited to this exemplary embodiment and that other elements may be employed to add other microfluidic functions, in addition to or instead of filtration and flow control.

The microfiltration system of the present invention can advantageously combine the functionality and scope of traditional membrane technology with the small volume dynamic flow control inherent in microfabricated/microstructured microfluidic systems. The present invention provides cost-effective mixing of any suitable polymer film with a microfluidic network. The addition of the microfiltration system to the microfluidic system is simple and inexpensive because the additional cost of assembling the microfiltration system into the microfluidic chip is relatively small compared to the cost of the microfluidic system itself.

The microfluidic system according to the present invention may include one or more of the above-mentioned components alone or in combination with other components.

The invention has been described above with respect to an exemplary embodiment. Since certain changes can be made to the above structure without departing from the scope of the present invention, all the above content contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative rather than restrictive.

It is to be understood that the following claims cover all generic and specific features of the invention described herein, to which all statements of the scope of the invention are made by language.

Claims (7)

1. microfluidic systems comprises:

Be formed at first microchannel in the substrate;

First communications ports that described first microchannel is linked to each other with the surface of described substrate;

Be formed at second microchannel in the described substrate;

Be formed at the 3rd microchannel in the described substrate; With

The capping module, it has the groove that is formed at wherein, and covered described groove so as to form the chamber be used for repel to come the semi-permeable membrane of separate substance by size, described film has formed the wall in described chamber, described capping module comprises the outlet that is formed at the inlet that leads to described chamber wherein and leads to described chamber, wherein said capping module can be stacked on the described substrate, make the inlet in described chamber be arranged to be communicated with described first microchannel, the outlet in described chamber is arranged to be communicated with described second microchannel, and described film is arranged to be communicated with described the 3rd microchannel, like this, filtrate through described film enters into described the 3rd microchannel, thereby the microjet filtering function is incorporated in the described microfluidic systems.

2. system according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described system also comprises second communications ports that described second microchannel is linked to each other with the surface of described substrate.

3. capping module that is used for microfluidic systems comprises:

Substrate, it has the groove that is formed in the described substrate surface;

Be located at being used on the described substrate and repel the semi-permeable membrane that carries out the material filtration by size, described semi-permeable membrane has covered described groove so that form the chamber;

Be formed at the inlet that leads to described chamber in the described substrate;

Be formed at the outlet that comes from described chamber in the described substrate;

Wherein, described capping module can be stacked on the microfluidic systems that wherein is formed with the microchannel, makes described chamber be arranged to be communicated with described microchannel via described inlet, thereby filtering function is incorporated in the described microfluidic systems.

4. capping module according to claim 3 is characterized in that, when described capping module stack was on described microfluidic systems, described chamber was provided with by the second microchannel fluidic communication in film and the described substrate, and separates with it.

5. microfluidic systems comprises:

Have a plurality of substrates that are formed at microchannel wherein, wherein each microchannel comprises one or more communications ports that described microchannel is linked to each other with the surface of described substrate of being used for; With

A plurality of microjet capping modules, each module have the semi-permeable membrane that is used to carry out the microjet filtering function that is arranged on the groove so that forms the chamber in corresponding capping module, lead to the inlet in described chamber and lead to described chamber outlet and

In the described microjet capping module first is stacked on the described substrate, and one of make by the communications ports that is associated with one or more microchannels in the entrance and exit of first microjet capping module and described one or more microchannels fluidic communication, thereby the first microjet filtering function is attached in the described system, second in the described microjet capping module is stacked on the described substrate, and one of make by the communications ports that is associated with another one or a plurality of microchannel in the entrance and exit of second microjet capping module and described another one or a plurality of microchannels fluidic communication, thereby the second microjet filtering function is attached in the described system.

6. the filtration system of the little manufacturing in the microfluidic systems comprises:

The capping module, it comprises the film that is used for separating substances is become first and second components;

Be used to transmit first flow path of material by described microfluidic systems, wherein when described capping module stack was on described substrate, described capping module and described first flow path intersected;

First storage tank, it is formed in the described capping module and is on the described film, have the inlet that is communicated with described first flow path that is used to accept described material, and the outlet that is communicated with described first flow path that is used for described first component is sent out from described first storage tank;

Second storage tank, it is formed in the described substrate and is used to accept second component of described material;

Be used to accept second component and the second flow path described second storage tank fluidic communication of described material; With

Be used to bring out the first-class body source that is communicated with described first flow path of described flow of matter, wherein said capping module stack is on described substrate, make described first storage tank be communicated with described second storage tank, and separate by described film and described second storage tank, the material that transmits along described first flow path is divided into first component and second component, wherein said first component flows path flow through described first storage tank along described first, and described second component is along the described second flow path described film of flowing through.

7. the filtration system of the little manufacturing in the microfluidic systems comprises:

Substrate;

Be arranged in first flow path that is used to transmit material of described substrate;

Being formed at being used in the described substrate accepts and transmits second flow path of component after the filter of described material;

Be formed in the described substrate and the groove that is communicated with described second flow path;

Define the lid in retention chamber, described lid is stacked on the described substrate, makes described retention chamber be arranged to be communicated with described first flow path;

Be fixed on the described lid to have covered the film in described retention chamber, the size of wherein said film is made for and described separating substances can be become filter back component and retained fraction, and when being stacked on the described substrate, described lid is arranged on the described groove, thereby define the filter chamber that is in described film below, so just can described second flow path is arranged near the of described first flow path and separate with it by described film;

Be formed in the described substrate and the 3rd flow path that is communicated with described retention chamber, be used for accepting and send retained fraction from the described material in described retention chamber.

Images