CHIP HOLDER, FLUIDIC SYSTEM AND CHIP HOLDER SYSTEM

• US 20090302190A1
• Filed: 10/25/2006
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forsching E.V., University of Nijmegan
• Original Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forsching E.V., University of Nijmegan
• Inventors: Van Hest, Jan Cornelis Maria, Nieuwland, Pieter, Koch, Kaspar, Slotkowski, Johann, Wiebke, Peter, Trieu, Hoc Khiem, Klieber, Robert, Rutjes, Floris Petrus Johannes Theodorus
• Application Number:
  US12/447,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20090302190A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/683
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/147 Employing temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1822 using Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1844 using fans
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/565 Seals in general F16L
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip

Abstract

A chip holder for holding a fluidic chip and for providing a fluid connection thereto has a guide adapted such that the fluidic chip can be slid into the chip holder in a guiding direction. The chip holder further has a fastener adapted to press a fluidic connection toward the fluidic chip, such that the fluidic chip is fixed within the chip holder. The guide and the fastener are adapted such that the guiding direction and the direction in which the fluidic connection is pressed exhibit an angle in the range between 45° and 135°, including 45° and 135°. A fluidic system has a chip holder and a fluidic chip inserted therein. A chip holder system has a chip holder and an extension module attached thereto such that the extension module is in contact with the fluidic chip, when the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder.

Claims

1-37. -37. (canceled)

38. A chip holder for holding a fluidic chip and for providing a fluid connection to the fluidic chip, the chip holder comprising:

a guide, the guide being adapted such that the fluidic chip can be slid into the chip holder in a guiding direction; and

a fastener, the fastener being adapted to press a fluidic connection toward the fluidic chip, such that the fluidic chip is fixed within the chip holder,

wherein the guide and the fastener are adapted such that the guiding direction and the direction, in which the fluidic connection is pressed, exhibit an angle in the range between 45° and

135°

, comprising 45° and

135°

, wherein the fastener comprises a threaded hole and a threaded bolt or threaded screw,

wherein the threaded bolt or threaded screw comprises a fluid guide structure for guiding a fluid along an axis of the threaded bolt or threaded screw,

wherein one end surface of the threaded bolt or threaded screw is adapted to press a seal toward the fluidic chip, and

wherein the seal is adapted such that a sealed fluid connection between the fluid guide structure and a fluid channel of the fluidic chip is established when the fastener presses the seal toward the fluidic chip.

39. The chip holder of claim 38, wherein the fastener is adapted to detachably press the seal toward the fluidic chip,

wherein the seal is adapted to avoid a leakage of a fluid connection between a pipe and a fluid channel within the fluidic chip, the pipe connecting the fluidic chip with a fluidic system external to the fluidic chip.

40. The chip holder of claim 38, wherein the chip holder comprises a plurality of fasteners for fastening a plurality of fluidic connections, and wherein the fasteners are adapted such that the connections can be adjusted individually.

41. The chip holder of claim 38, wherein the fluidic connection comprises a seal with a conical shape, such that a diameter of the seal decreases in a direction toward the fluidic chip;

and

wherein the seal is adapted to be inserted, at least partially, into a conical connection opening of the fluidic chip.

42. The chip holder of claim 38, wherein the fastener is adapted to press an O-ring or a flat ferrule with a capillary through the O-ring or through the flat ferrule toward the fluidic chip.

43. The chip holder of claim 38, wherein the fluidic connection comprises a capillary extending through the fastener, and wherein the fastener is adapted such that the capillary is in a sealed fluid connection with the fluidic channel of the fluidic chip, when the fastener is pressed toward the fluidic chip.

44. The chip holder of claim 38, wherein the chip holder further comprises at least one dummy fastener, the dummy fastener being adapted to be pressed toward the fluidic chip, such that the fluidic chip is fixed within the chip holder, wherein the dummy fastener is adapted to be replaceable with the fastener for pressing the fluidic connection toward the fluidic chip.

45. The chip holder of claim 38, wherein the guide comprises a slot, the slot being adapted to guide the fluidic chip, or wherein the guide comprises a first recess for guiding a first edge of the fluidic chip and a second recess for guiding a second edge of the fluidic chip, the second edge of the fluidic chip being arranged opposite to the first edge of the fluidic chip.

46. The chip holder of claim 38, wherein the chip holder is adapted to provide access to a portion of the fluidic chip, where no fluidic connections are present, when the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder, and wherein the chip holder comprises a module fastener for detachably fastening an extension module to the chip holder, such that the extension module is in an optical, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, thermal or fluidic contact with the fluidic chip, when the extension module is fastened to the chip holder and the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder, and wherein the chip holder and the module fastener are adapted to press the extension module toward the fluidic chip, when the extension module is fastened to the chip holder and the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder.

47. A chip holder for holding a fluidic chip and for providing a fluidic connection to the fluidic chip, the chip holder comprising:

a holder for holding the chip within the chip holder;

an opening to provide access to a portion of the fluidic chip where no fluidic connections are present, when the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder; and

a module fastener for detachably fastening an extension module to the chip holder, such that the extension module is in an optical, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, thermal or fluidic contact with the accessible portion of the fluidic chip, when the extension module is fastened to the chip holder, and when the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder;

wherein the holder comprises a guide and a fastener;

wherein the guide is adapted such that the fluidic chip can be slid into the chip holder in a guiding direction; and

wherein the fastener is adapted to press a fluidic connection toward the fluidic chip, such that the fluidic chip is fixed within the chip holder,

wherein the guide and the fastener are adapted such that the guiding direction and the direction, in which the fluidic connection is pressed, exhibit an angle in the range between 45° and

135°

, comprising 45° and

135°

,

wherein the fastener comprises a threaded hole and a threaded bolt or threaded screw,

wherein the threaded bolt or threaded screw comprises a fluid guide structure for guiding a fluid along an axis of the threaded bolt or threaded screw,

wherein one end surface of the threaded bolt or threaded screw is adapted to press a seal toward the fluidic chip, and

wherein the seal is adapted such that a sealed fluid connection between the fluid guide structure and a fluid channel of the fluidic chip is established when the fastener presses the seal toward the fluidic chip.

48. A chip holder for holding a fluidic chip and for providing a fluid connection to the fluidic chip, the chip holder comprising:

a guide, the guide being adapted such that the fluidic chip can be slid into the chip holder in a guiding direction,

wherein the guide comprises two recesses; and

a fastener, the fastener being adapted to press a fluidic connection toward the fluidic chip, such that the fluidic chip is fixed within the chip holder, the fastener comprising holes,

wherein the guide and the fastener are adapted such that the guiding direction and the direction, in which the fluidic connection is pressed, exhibit an angle in the range between 45° and

135°

, comprising 45° and

135°

;

wherein the chip holder comprises a first carrying structure mechanically connecting pieces of material carrying the recesses, and

a second carrying structure mechanically connecting the piece of material in which the first recess is formed with the piece of material in which the second recess is formed;

wherein the carrying structures comprise the holes, into which the fluidic connections can be inserted;

wherein the chip holder comprises an exemption arranged between the first carrying structure and the second carrying structure and allowing for an access to the fluidic chip when the fluidic chip is inserted into the chip holder;

wherein the chip holder comprises a module fastener for detachably fastening an extension module to the chip holder in the region of the exemption, such that the extension module is in an optical, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, thermal or fluidic contact with the fluidic chip, when the extension module is fastened to the chip holder and the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder.

49. The chip holder according to claim 48, wherein the exemption is arranged to allow for an access to the middle portion of the fluidic chip when the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder.

50. The chip holder of claim 48, wherein the fastener is adapted to detachably press a seal toward the fluidic chip, wherein the seal is adapted to avoid a leakage of a fluid connection between a pipe and a fluid channel within the fluidic chip, the pipe connecting the fluidic chip with a fluidic system external to the fluidic chip.

51. The chip holder of claim 48, wherein the fastener comprises a threaded hole and a threaded bolt or threaded screw, wherein the threaded bolt or threaded screw comprises a fluid guide structure for guiding a fluid along an axis of the threaded bolt or threaded screw,

wherein one end surface of the threaded bolt or threaded screw is adapted to press the seal toward the fluidic chip, and

wherein the seal is adapted such that a sealed fluid connection between the fluid guide structure and a fluid channel of the fluidic chip is established when the fastener presses the seal toward the fluidic chip.

52. The chip holder of claim 48, wherein the chip holder comprises a plurality of fasteners for fastening a plurality of fluidic connections, and wherein the fasteners are adapted such that the connections can be adjusted individually.

53. The chip holder of claim 48, wherein the chip holder further comprises at least one dummy fastener, the dummy fastener being adapted to be pressed toward the fluidic chip, such that the fluidic chip is fixed within the chip holder, wherein the dummy fastener is adapted to be replaceable with the fastener for pressing the fluidic connection toward the fluidic chip.

54. The chip holder of claim 48, wherein the guide comprises a slot, the slot being adapted to guide the fluidic chip, or wherein the guide comprises a first recess for guiding a first edge of the fluidic chip and a second recess for guiding a second edge of the fluidic chip, the second edge of the fluidic chip being arranged opposite to the first edge of the fluidic chip.

55. The chip holder of claim 48, wherein the chip holder is adapted such that an optical inspection gap remains between a surface of the fluidic chip and a body of the chip holder, when the fluidic chip is inserted into the chip holder, wherein the optical inspection gap is arranged such that the fluidic connection can be inspected visually by an operator when the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder, and wherein the optical inspection gap is arranged to allow for an optical inspection of the fluidic connection along the guiding direction.

56. The chip holder of claim 48, wherein the chip holder and the module fastener are adapted to press the extension module toward the fluidic chip, when the extension module is fastened to the chip holder and the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder.

57. The chip holder of claim 48, wherein the module fastener comprises an electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector is adapted to fasten the extension module to the chip holder.

58. The chip holder of claim 48, wherein the chip holder comprises electrical wiring adapted to provide a power supply connection or an information signal connection to a sensor or actuator within the fluidic chip, within the chip holder or within an extension module attached to the chip holder.

59. A chip holder system:

a chip holder for holding a fluidic chip and for providing a fluid connection to the fluidic chip, the chip holder comprising;

a guide, the guide being adapted such that the fluidic chip can be slid into the chip holder in a guiding direction,

wherein the guide comprises two recesses; and

a fastener, the fastener being adapted to press a fluidic connection toward the fluidic chip, such that the fluidic chip is fixed within the chip holder, the fastener comprising holes,

wherein the guide and the fastener are adapted such that the guiding direction and the direction, in which the fluidic connection is pressed, exhibit an angle in the range between 45° and

135°

, comprising 45° and

135°

;

wherein the chip holder comprises a first carrying structure mechanically connecting pieces of material carrying the recesses, and

a second carrying structure mechanically connecting the piece of material in which the first recess is formed with the piece of material in which the second recess is formed;

wherein the carrying structures comprise the holes, into which the fluidic connections can be inserted;

wherein the chip holder comprises an exemption arranged between the first carrying structure and the second carrying structure and allowing for an access to the fluidic chip when the fluidic chip is inserted into the chip holder;

wherein the chip holder comprises a module fastener for detachably fastening an extension module to the chip holder in the region of the exemption, such that the extension module is in an optical, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, thermal or fluidic contact with the fluidic chip, when the extension module is fastened to the chip holder and the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder; and

an extension module attached to the chip holder such that the extension module is in contact with the fluidic chip, when the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder.

60. The chip holder system of claim 59, wherein the extension module is adapted to be mechanically or magnetically coupled to the further extension module to form a stack of at least two extension modules.

61. A chip holder for holding a fluidic chip and for providing a fluidic connection to the fluidic chip, the chip holder comprising:

a holder for pressing fluidic connections toward the fluidic chip to hold the chip within the chip holder;

an opening arranged between a first holder and a second holder to provide access to a middle portion of the fluidic chip where no fluidic connections are present, when the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder; and

a module fastener for detachably fastening an extension module to the chip holder in a region of the opening, such that the extension module is in an optical, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, thermal or fluidic contact with the accessible portion of the fluidic chip, when the extension module is fastened to the chip holder, and when the fluidic chip is inserted in the chip holder.

62. The chip holder of claim 61, comprising an electrical connector adapted to provide a detachable electrical connection between the chip holder and the extension module for exchanging energy and/or information between the chip holder and the extension module, when the extension module is attached to the chip holder.