Abstract:
A droplet microfluidic transporting module adapted for transporting a droplet is disclosed to include one or a number of connectors and one or a number of microfluidic transporting platform. Each connector defines a passage extending in one or multiple predetermined directions, and a first driving electrode extending along one side of the passage for the contact of the droplet to be transported. The microfluidic transporting platform is detachably electrically connected with the connector, defining a channel in communication with the passage of the connector and having a second driving electrode extending along one side of the channel for the contact of the droplet to be transported.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to microanalysis systems and more particularly to a droplet microfluidic transporting module for transporting one or several droplets. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The demand for microanalysis system (for example, biochip) for biomedical analysis and biochemical examination is increasing daily. In a biomedical analysis system or biochemical examination system, the microfluidic transporting platform that is used for transporting sample (or specimen) has a great concern with the analysis performance and result. 
         [0005]    Comparing to the conventional continuous microfluidic platform, the droplet-based microfluidic platform developed rapidly in recent years, since it can handle small amount of sample and does not need any movable components in the platform. These characteristics make the droplet-based microfluidic platform attractive for miniaturized biomedical analysis or examination systems. However, in order to develop a miniaturized biomedical analysis or examination systems, lots of components or subsystems need to be integrated, such as sensor units, analysis units, and microfluidic components. With the increasing complexity on such systems, these components or subsystems are often manufactured separately, then proper assembly techniques are needed, especially between different droplet microfluidic platforms. Furthermore, if the integration is achieved in a planner form, the device or system may still occupy a large area. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the invention to provide droplet microfluidic transporting module, which utilizes a detachable and plug-and-play interface design between a connector and a microfluidic transporting platform, facilitating synthesis of a complicated analysis system and alteration of analysis modules. 
         [0007]    To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, the droplet microfluidic transporting module is adapted for transporting one or several droplets, comprising at least one connector and at least one microfluidic transporting platform. Each connector comprises at least one passage extending in at least one predetermined direction, and a first driving electrode extending along one side of each passage for the contact of the droplet to be transported. The at least one microfluidic transporting platform is detachably electrically connected with the at least one connector, each comprising a channel in communication with the at least one passage of the at least one connector and a second driving electrode extending along one side of the channel for the contact of the droplet to be transported. 
         [0008]    Thus, the invention connects at least one connector to at least one microfluidic transporting platform to constitute a microfluidic transporting module for the connection of different analysis systems and for synthesis of a complicated analysis system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing showing a droplet microfluidic transporting module in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a modified arrangement of the droplet microfluidic transporting module in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention for 2-D direction droplet movement. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing showing a droplet microfluidic transporting module in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view in an enlarged scale of a part of  FIG. 3   
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing showing a droplet microfluidic transporting module in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a droplet microfluidic transporting module  100  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown for transporting a droplet D to a fluidic analysis unit A 1  for analysis, comprising a connector  10  and two microfluidic transporting platforms  20 . 
         [0015]    The connector  10  is a plate member covered with a conducting membrane, (for example, indium tin oxides conducting membrane), comprising two first connection electrodes  11  respectively disposed at the two distal ends thereof, a first driving electrode  12  formed between the first connection electrodes  11  and defining an intersection area  121  at each of the two distal ends of the plate member, a passage P 1  defined above the first driving electrode  12  in a one-dimensional direction D 1 , and an input/output terminal  13  electrically connected to the first driving electrode  12  for transmitting signal and receiving external power supply so that the electrodes  11  and  12  can receive external power supply. Further, the first driving electrode  12  is controllable by a program to apply a voltage to the droplet D, controlling the movement of the droplet D. 
         [0016]    The microfluidic transporting platforms  20  are narrow elongated platforms respectively prepared from a flexible polymer substrate (for example, poly ethylene terephthalate) and coated with a layer of conducting membrane (for example, indium tin oxides conducting membrane). Each microfluidic transporting platform  20  comprises two second connection electrodes  21  respectively disposed at the two distal ends thereof, a second driving electrode  22  formed between the two second connection electrodes  21  and defining with each of the two distal ends of the plate member a respective intersection area  221 , and a channel F 1  defined above the second driving electrode  22  in communication with the passage P 1  of the connector  10 . 
         [0017]    In actual use, we can detachably connect the connector  10  or the microfluidic transporting platforms  20  to (the male or female connector of) the fluidic analysis unit A 1  to have the passage P 1  or channel F 2  in communication with the inside of the fluidic analysis unit A 1 , and then connect the input/output terminal  13  of the connector  10  to an external control apparatus and power supply device, and then detachably connect the microfluidic transporting platforms  20  to the connector  10  by, for example, snap means to have the second connection electrodes  21  be electrically connected with the first connection electrodes  11  and the intersection areas  121  of the connector  10  be abutted against one intersection area  221  of each of the microfluidic transporting platforms  20 . When installed, the second driving electrode  22  is controllable by a program to output a voltage, i.e., to support the plug-and-play function, causing the droplet D to move in proper order, subject to an electrowetting effect, along the left channel F 1 , the intersection areas  121  and  221 , the passage P 1  and the right channel F 2  to the inside of the fluidic analysis unit A 1  for further analysis operation. 
         [0018]    It is to be understood that the right-sided microfluidic transporting platform  20  can be eliminated from the droplet microfluidic transporting module  100  and the connector  10  can be directly and electrically connected to the fluidic analysis unit A 1 , achieving the same droplet D transporting effect. Further, when wishing to change the target sample to be analyzed, a matching fluidic analysis unit is used to substitute for the fluidic analysis unit A 1  without changing the whole analysis system like conventional techniques, i.e., the droplet microfluidic transporting module  100  of the present invention can be used repeatedly, facilitating analysis operation and saving much time. 
         [0019]    Of course, the first driving electrode  12  and the first connection electrodes  11  can extend in two-dimensional directions, as shown in  FIG. 2  and in consequence, the passage P 1  extends in two-dimensional directions for enabling the droplet D to be moved in two-dimensional directions. Thus, the connector  10  can be connected with at least three fluidic analysis units A 1 ˜A 3  either directly or through the microfluidic transporting platforms  20 , improving analysis performance, saving much time and, simplifying the operation procedure. 
         [0020]    As stated above, the invention provides a detachable and plug-and-play interface design of the connector  10  and microfluidic transporting platforms  20 , facilitating synthesis of a complicated analysis system and alteration of analysis modules. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a droplet microfluidic transporting module  200  in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown similar to the structural arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 , i.e., the passage of the connector of this second embodiment extends in two-dimensional directions for allowing transmission of a droplet on a two-dimensional plane, with the exception that the connector  30  and the microfluidic transporting platforms  40  according to this second embodiment commonly have a double-plate transporting structure. 
         [0022]    According to this second embodiment, the connector  30  comprises a top plate  31 , a bottom plate  32 , and a control substrate  33  arranged on the top side of the bottom plate  32 . The control substrate  33  comprises a first connection electrode  331  at each of the four sides thereof, a cross-shaped first driving electrode  332  arranged on the top surface thereof, a passage P 2  defined above the first driving electrode  332  between the top plate  31  and the bottom plate  32 , and an intersection area  333  defined between the first driving electrode  332  and each first connection electrode  331 . Further, each microfluidic transporting platform  40  comprises a top plate  41  and a bottom plate  42 . The top plate  41  comprises a second driving electrode  411  and a second connection electrode  412 , and a channel F 3  defined below the second driving electrode  411  between the top plate  41  and the bottom plate  42 . The bottom plate  42  has a water-repellent layer (not shown) on the surface thereof. 
         [0023]    By means of the aforesaid structure, a droplet D can be transported on a two-dimensional plane steadily. In addition, the connector  30  is connectable with at least three fluidic analysis units (the number of fluidic analysis units is relatively increased when increasing the connector amount). Therefore, when compared to conventional designs, the invention effectively improves analysis performance, saves much time and, simplifies the operation procedure. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a droplet microfluidic transporting module  300  in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. This third embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid second embodiment with the exception that the flexible material property of the microfluidic transporting platforms  50  allows multiple connectors  60  and substrates  70  (for example, biochips) to be stacked up to constitute a three-dimensional fluidic receiver system so that multiple droplets D can be moved along the microfluidic transporting platforms  50  in three-dimensional directions. Thus, the invention effectively reduces analysis system space occupation, facilitating fabrication of a multipurpose micro biochemical and biomedical analysis and examination system, and providing convenience for use and carrying. Further, the interface design of the connectors  60  and the microfluidic transporting platforms  50  allows connection of different analysis platforms (for example, substrates  70 ) to be connected together by the connectors  60  or the microfluidic transporting platforms  50  without changing the design or using external adapter means. Therefore, the invention facilitates assembling or replacement of different analysis platforms (substrates  70 ) so that the whole analysis system is highly expandable for wide range application. 
         [0025]    Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.