TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a pillar structure for a biochip, and more particularly, to a pillar structure for a biochip which is configured to prevent a substrate portion from being partially recessed when the pillar structure is cooled during an injection molding process and to improve accuracy and reliability when samples are analyzed using microscopic images.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, biochips refer to microchips used to analyze genetic defects, protein distribution, reaction behaviors, or the like by placing biological micro-object samples such as DNA, proteins, or cells on small substrates.

Such a biochip includes: a pillar structure having a plurality of pillars formed on a substrate; and a well structure having a plurality of wells formed in a substrate. In general, the pillar structure and the well structure are formed by an injection molding method using a resin composition material.

However, according to techniques of the related art, as disclosed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2013-0084394, a pillar structure in which a plurality of pillars simply protrude from a surface of a substrate is used, and thus when the pillar structure is cooled after an injection molding process, the substrate undergoes non-uniform contraction, thereby having recessed portions.

In addition, as disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1218986, according to techniques of the related art, a sample is directly placed on a substrate or pillars having a simple pillar structure and is then inserted into wells, and thus when external force or vibration is applied to a biochip, the sample is separated or damaged as the sample or the pillars collide with sidewalls of the wells.

In addition, if the diameter of the pillars is increased to reduce collision between the sidewalls of the wells and the pillars, when the pillars are inserted into the wells, air contained in the wells may not escape because of narrow gaps between the sidewalls of the wells and the pillars, and thus bubbles are formed in a culture solution filled in the wells. Such bubbles formed in the culture solution may wither or damage the sample.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Technical Problem

Provided is a pillar structure for a biochip which is configured to prevent a substrate portion from being partially recessed when the pillar structure is cooled during an injection molding process, improve accuracy and reliability when samples are analyzed using microscopic images, and reduce collision between a sidewall of a well and a pillar while suppressing the formation of bubbles in the well when the pillar is inserted into the well.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a pillar structure for a biochip includes: a substrate portion having a plate structure; an insertion pillar portion formed in one piece with the substrate portion and protruding downward from a lower surface of the substrate portion so as to be inserted into a well; and a compensation pillar portion formed in one piece with the substrate portion, the compensation pillar portion corresponding to the insertion pillar portion and protruding upward from an upper surface of the substrate portion.

In an embodiment, the compensation pillar portion may have a diameter having a ratio to a diameter of the insertion pillar portion within a range of 1 to 1.3.

In an embodiment, the insertion pillar portion may include: a first pillar portion protruding downward from the lower surface of the substrate portion; and a second pillar portion protruding downward from a lower surface of the first pillar portion and configured to receive a sample, wherein the first pillar portion may have a diameter less than a diameter of the well but greater than a diameter of the second pillar portion.

In this case, the compensation pillar portion may have a diameter having a ratio to a diameter of the second pillar portion within a range of 1 to 1.3.

In an embodiment, the pillar structure may include a plurality of insertion pillar portions and a plurality of compensation pillar portions respectively corresponding to the plurality of insertion pillar portions, wherein each of at least some of the plurality of insertion pillar portions includes the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion.

Advantageous Effects of Disclosure

According to the present disclosure, an insertion pillar portion is formed on a surface of a substrate portion of a pillar structure for a biochip, and a compensation pillar is formed on the other surface of the substrate portion. Therefore, when the substrate portion is cooled during an injection molding process, the substrate portion may be prevented from being partially recessed, and when samples are analyzed using microscopic images, accuracy and reliability may be improved.

In addition, the diameter of an upper end portion of the insertion pillar portion to be inserted into a well is greater than the diameter of a lower end portion of the insertion pillar portion on which a sample is to be placed, thereby preventing the formation of bubbles in the well when the insertion pillar portion is inserted into the well, and reducing collision between a sidewall of the well and the insertion pillar portion and preventing separation of the sample from the insertion pillar portion when external force or vibration is applied to the biochip.

In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will clearly understand from the following description that various embodiments of the present disclosure may also be useful to solve various technical problems not mentioned above.

