Microfluidic storage device for pre-storing of fluid, method for its production and a use thereof

A microfluidic storage device, comprising:

• a first polymer substrate having a laterally extending recess formed in a first surface;
• a second polymer substrate having a second surface essentially formed to match the first surface with a form fit at least in subregions outside the recess;
• a base layer positioned on the first polymer substrate opposite the second polymer substrate;
• and
• an elastic polymer membrane arranged between the first polymer substrate and the second polymer substrate, the elastic polymer membrane in contact with the first surface and the second surface in regions outside the recess, the elastic polymer membrane configured, in a region of the recess, to essentially line the recess such that essentially a volume region inside the recess, between the elastic polymer membrane and the second polymer substrate, is configured to be filled with the fluid,
• wherein the first polymer substrate, the elastic polymer membrane and the second polymer substrate are configured to be joined to one another at least in subregions, outside the recess, in which the elastic polymer membrane is in contact with the first surface and the second surface,
• wherein the first polymer substrate defines a first through-hole, a first auxiliary through-hole formed between the first through-hole and the recess, a second through-hole arranged essentially opposite the first through-hole in relation to the recess, and a second auxiliary through-hole formed between the second through-hole and the recess, and
• wherein the base layer defines a first base through-hole aligned with the first through hole, a second base through-hole aligned with the second through-hole, a first base auxiliary through-hole aligned with the first auxiliary through-hole, and a second base auxiliary through-hole aligned with the second auxiliary through-hole.

A lab-on-a-chip, comprising:

• a microfluidic storage device configured to pre-store a fluid, the microfluidic storage device including:
• a first polymer substrate having a laterally extending recess formed in a first surface and defining a first through-hole, a first auxiliary through-hole arranged between the first through-hole and the recess, a second through-hole arranged essentially opposite the first through-hole in relation to the recess, and a second auxiliary through-hole arranged between the second through-hole and the recess;
• a second polymer substrate having a second surface essentially formed to match the first surface with a form fit at least in subregions outside the recess, wherein the second surface of the second polymeric substrate defines a first channel and a second channel;
• and
• an elastic polymer membrane arranged between the first polymer substrate and the second polymer substrate, the elastic polymer membrane in contact with the first surface and the second surface in regions outside the recess, the elastic polymer membrane configured, in a region of the recess, to essentially line the recess such that a volume region inside the recess, between the elastic polymer membrane and the second polymer substrate, is configured to be filled with the fluid,
• wherein the first polymer substrate, the elastic polymer membrane and the second polymer substrate are joined to one another, at least in subregions outside the recess in which the polymer membrane is in contact with the first surface and the second surface, and
• wherein the elastic polymer membrane is joined to a first wall of the first channel at a first contact region opposite the first auxiliary through-hole and to a second wall of the second channel at a second contact region opposite the second auxiliary through-hole in such a way that the volume region inside the recess is sealed from the first through-hole and the second through-hole.