Microfluidic chip, microfluidic device, associated uses and methods
Inventors
Fernández Ledesma, Luis José • MONGE PRIETO, Rosa Maria • CALAVIA CALVO, Jose Luis • SANTOLARIA MAZO, JORGE • ORÚS PONTAQUE, Javier • PERIBÁÑEZ SUBIRÓN, Carlos • RODRIGUEZ FORTÚN, José Manuel • OCHOA GARRIDO, Ignacio
Assignees
Universidad de Zaragoza • Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red CIBER • Instituto Tecnologico de Aragon
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Publication Number
US-12343721-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to a chip equipped with a plurality of compact microfluidic valves with multiple inlets and outlets, actuated by means of a flexible membrane system. The chip preferably comprises a deformable sealing layer made of at least one flexible, elastic, and insulating material; a structure formed by a succession of one or several microstructured layers, wherein said structure comprises one or several micro-chambers, one or several microfluidic channels, and one or several fluidic inlets and outlets; and wherein said structure is installed on a base substrate. The invention likewise relates to a microfluidic device that comprises the aforementioned chip, to a method for the fabrication of the chip, and to the uses associated with the chip and the microfluidic device.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a miniaturized microfluidic chip for cell culturing, comprising a deformable sealing layer and a structure formed by an arrangement of micro-structured layers comprising a thermoplastic material. The micro-structured thermoplastic layers are arranged on a base substrate and include one or several micro-chambers, one or several microfluidic channels for the circulation of fluid to and from the micro-chambers, and one or several fluidic inlets and outlets. The deformable sealing layer comprises a flexible, elastic, and insulating material that enables sealing between the thermoplastic micro-structured layers and the sealing layer.
A fabrication method is provided in which a plasma cleaning treatment is applied to the structure of the micro-structured thermoplastic layers and to the deformable sealing layer. After the plasma cleaning treatment, 3-Aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) is applied to the structure of the micro-structured thermoplastic layers and to the deformable sealing layer, wherein APTES comprises amine and hydroxyl free radicals. After arranging the deformable sealing layer on the micro-structured thermoplastic layers, a sealing temperature between 70 and 100 °C and a sealing pressure between 0.1 and 5 bar are applied for a sealing time between 5 and 45 minutes to seal the micro-structured thermoplastic layers to the deformable layer.
The described architecture uses membrane valves that include multiple compact membrane valves and independently actuated closing pins pressed against the deformable sealing layer. The closing pins are actuated by cantilevered piezoelectric actuators, with independently actuated closing to control fluid communication through the microfluidic channels. The chip further provides watertight sealed inlet/outlet conduits via toric seals and a housing configuration with hinged/clip/clamp connections and disposable encapsulation for ease of replacement, and the actuator programming supports operation as microfluidic pump/peristaltic behavior.
Claims Coverage
The provided material includes one independent claim defining a fabrication method. The main coverage centers on a microfluidic chip with a flexible, elastic, insulating deformable sealing layer and micro-structured thermoplastic layers forming micro-chambers, microfluidic channels, and fluidic inlets/outlets on a base substrate, with surface treatment and sealing under specified ranges.
Plasma cleaning and APTES functionalization of both layers
A plasma cleaning treatment is applied to the structure of micro-structured thermoplastic layers and to the deformable sealing layer, followed by applying 3-Aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) to both layers.
Stacking and sealing micro-structured thermoplastic layers to a deformable insulating sealing layer
The deformable sealing layer is arranged on the micro-structured thermoplastic layers and sealed using a temperature between 70 and 100 °C, a pressure between 0.1 and 5 bar, and a sealing time between 5 and 45 minutes.
The claim coverage is centered on forming a microfluidic chip structure with micro-chambers, microfluidic channels, and fluidic inlets/outlets in micro-structured thermoplastic layers on a base substrate, and on fabricating the chip by plasma cleaning and APTES functionalization of both the thermoplastic structure and the deformable sealing layer, followed by arranging and sealing them using specified temperature, pressure, and time ranges.
Stated Advantages
Extreme miniaturization of microfluidic chambers.
Scalable valve/channel configuration.
Modular reusability/disposability through disposable encapsulation and ease of replacement.
Low energy portable operation and simplified electrical connections.
Leak protection via sealed inlet/outlet conduits and watertight sealing.
Documented Applications
Cell culturing using the miniaturized microfluidic chip with compact membrane valves.
Microfluidic pump/peristaltic behavior supported by actuator programming.
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