Microfluidic Structure Having Recesses

Abstract

The invention relates to a microfluidic structure ( 1 ), comprising at least one cavity ( 10 ) having at least one inlet opening ( 11 ) and at least one outlet opening ( 12 ), wherein the cavity ( 10 ) can be filled with a liquid or a liquid can flow through the cavity and at least one element ( 13 ) is provided inside the cavity ( 10 ), which element stops the flow of the liquid at least temporarily and/or diverts the flow of the liquid at least in some regions within the cavity ( 10 ). According to the invention, the at least one element ( 13 ) is formed by a recess ( 13 ) introduced into a wall of the cavity ( 10 ), which recess ( 13 ) has at least one first region ( 14 ) at which the liquid stops at least temporarily and/or is diverted at least in some regions and at least one second region ( 15 ) at which the liquid preferably flows into the recess ( 13 ). Such a microfluidic structure makes it possible to fill the cavity ( 10 ) without air inclusions. Thereby, the useful volume of the cavity ( 10 ) is not limited, and the production costs of a microfluidic component ( 2 ) having such a microfluidic structure ( 1 ) can be kept low.

1 . Microfluidic structure ( 1 ,  3 ,  5 ), comprising at least one cavity ( 10 ,  30 ,  40 ) with at least one inlet opening ( 11 ) and at least one outlet opening ( 12 ), the cavity ( 10 ,  30 ,  40 ) being adapted to be filled with a liquid F or have such a liquid flow through it and within the cavity ( 10 ,  30 ,  40 ) at least one element ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ) being provided which at least temporarily stops and/or at least partially deflects the liquid (F) as it flows (S) within the cavity ( 10 ,  30 ,  40 ), characterised in that the at least one element ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ) is formed by a recess ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ) provided in a wall ( 19 ) of the cavity ( 10 ,  30 ,  40 ), said recess ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ) comprising at least one first region ( 14 ,  32 ,  42 ) at which the liquid (F) is at least temporarily stopped and/or is at least partly deflected and at least one second region ( 15 ,  15 ′,  5 ″,  15 ′″,  33 ,  43 ), at which the liquid (F) preferably flows into the recess ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ). 
     
     
         2 . Microfluidic structure ( 1 ,  3 ,  5 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the second region ( 15 ,  33 ,  43 ) is formed by a ramp-like transition (R) which, starting from a base level ( 19 ) of the cavity ( 10 ), extends to a base level ( 20 ) of the recess ( 13 ). 
     
     
         3 . Microfluidic structure ( 1 ,  3 ,  5 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the ramp-like transition (R), starting from a boundary edge ( 23 ) of the recess ( 13 ), forms an angle α of approximately 10° to 60°, particularly preferably about 45°, with the base plane ( 19 ) of the cavity ( 10 ). 
     
     
         4 . Microfluidic structure ( 1 ,  3 ,  5 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the first region ( 14 ,  32 ,  42 ) is formed by a boundary edge ( 22 ) of the recess ( 13 ), at which the convergent walls forming the boundary edge ( 22 ) form an angle β which is less than 120°, particularly preferably about 90°. 
     
     
         5 . Microfluidic structure ( 1 ,  3 ,  5 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the at least one recess ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ) is of elongate formation, the at least one first region ( 14 ,  32 ,  42 ) facing an incoming liquid (F) and the at least one second region ( 15 ,  33 ,  43 ) being remote from an incoming liquid (F). 
     
     
         6 . Microfluidic structure ( 1 ,  3 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that a plurality of recesses ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ) are provided which are arranged alternately, starting from side walls of the cavity ( 10 ,  30 ,  40 ). 
     
     
         7 . Microfluidic structure ( 1 ,  5 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the at least one first region ( 14 ,  32 ,  42 ) extends over substantially the entire length (L) of a longitudinal side of the at least one recess ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ) and the at least one second region ( 15 ,  33 ,  43 ) extends over only part of the length (L) of another longitudinal side. 
     
     
         8 . Microfluidic platform ( 2 ,  4 ,  6 ) having at least one microfluidic structure ( 1 ,  3 ,  5 ) comprising at least one cavity ( 10 ,  30 ,  40 ) with at least one inlet opening ( 11 ) and at least one outlet opening ( 12 ), the cavity ( 10 ,  30 ,  40 ) being adapted to be filled with a liquid F or have such a liquid flow through it and within the cavity ( 10 ,  30 ,  40 ) at least one element ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ) being provided which at least temporarily stops and/or at least partially deflects the liquid (F) as it flows (S) within the cavity ( 10 ,  30 ,  40 ), characterised in that the at least one element ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ) is formed by a recess ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ) provided in a wall ( 19 ) of the cavity ( 10 ,  30 ,  40 ), said recess ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ) comprising at least one first region ( 14 ,  32 ,  42 ) at which the liquid (F) is at least temporarily stopped and/or is at least partly deflected and at least one second region ( 15 ,  15 ′,  5 ″,  15 ′″,  33 ,  43 ), at which the liquid (F) preferably flows into the recess ( 13 ,  31 ,  41 ).