用于细胞固定及溶液混合的微水池结构

Microfluidic Pool Structure for Cell Docking and Solution Mixing

一种用于细胞固定和溶液稀释的微流控水池结构是多层微流控芯片装置其中一层上的一个小的腔室,覆盖相对结合的另一层基底上的两条或者多条微通道。与通常的宏观流动不同,在微芯片内部的流动呈层流状态,具有确定并可控制的方向。在这个微水池结构中的流动分布对水池结构和位置的变化很敏感。通过改变水池的形状或者位置就可以实现简单的流动控制。它比传统的流动控制方法,如微阀或者压力控制,更加简单,因此具有广泛的用途。例如,通过控制液体在水池中的流向可以固定细胞到特定的位置,也可以通过不同结构层之间的快速扩散来实现快速的溶液混合。

A microfluidic pool structure for cell docking and solution mixing is described. It is defined as a micro-chamber connected with two or more separated microchannels on another structural layer. Different from the turbulent flow in a naturally macroscopic pool,laminar streams enter and exit this microfluidic pool structure with definite and controllable orientation. The flow profile within this pool structure is sensitive to its geometry and location. Thus, the microfluidic pool structure can be used to realize a simpler flow-controlling method by changing its geometry and location. This method is of more advantages than traditional microfluidic control method such as valve and pressure. It is of some important application. For example, controllable streams within this structure can be used to immobilize biological cells at desired location. Rapid diffusion of analyte occurs between parallel streams within pool structure for short diffusion distance.