System and method for movement and timing control
Inventors
Ismagilov, Rustem F. • Shen, Feng • Li, Liang • Selck, David • BAKER, Joe • Kahatt, Espir • da Costa, Chris
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10207269-B2
Publication Date
2019-02-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to fluidic systems for controlling one or more fluids and/or one or more reagents. These systems can be used in combination with one or more devices for assaying, processing, and/or storing samples. In particular, the systems and related methods can allow for dispensing fluid in a controlled manner and/or introducing pause(s) when implementing assays or processes.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a reagent dispensing device having a first substrate with a first surface and one or more first chambers situated within the first substrate. A first resistant unit is disposed adjacent to the first surface and fluidically connected to at least one of the one or more first chambers, and the first resistant unit comprises a first reagent. A first pushing unit moves along a circular path within a plane parallel or about parallel to the first surface to drive the first reagent into at least one of the one or more first chambers.
The pushing unit is configured to slidably engage along the first surface or slidably engage with the first resistant unit disposed above the first substrate along the first surface. Movement of the first pushing unit along the circular path causes the first reagent to enter the first chambers through the fluidic connection between the first resistant unit and the one or more first chambers. In some configurations, the circular-path movement causes rupture of a first wall, such that the first reagent enters the chambers.
The described configurations can include microfluidic embodiments in which the first resistant unit includes a first wall with an aperture on the first surface, the aperture being in fluid communication with one or more first chambers. Additional configurations can include a second resistant unit disposed to be radially aligned along the circular path, with a second reagent fluidically connected to the first chambers, where the configured volume, shape, or length of the first versus second resistant units affects relative timing of release of the first and second reagents.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim. It describes inventive features focused on circular-path reagent pushing, slidable engagement, and a fluidic resistant-unit structure that releases a first reagent into substrate chambers, with optional refinements for wall-rupture or aperture interfaces and multi-reagent relative timing.
Circular-path reagent pushing into substrate chambers
A first pushing unit configured to move along a circular path within a plane parallel or about parallel to the first surface of the first substrate, wherein movement of the first pushing unit along the circular path causes the first reagent to enter at least one of the one or more first chambers.
Slidable engagement of the pushing unit
The first pushing unit is configured to slidably engage along the first surface or slidably engage with the first resistant unit disposed above the first substrate along the first surface.
Fluidically connected resistant unit adjacent to the substrate
A first resistant unit disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first substrate and fluidically connected to at least one of the one or more first chambers, wherein the first resistant unit comprises a first reagent.
Receiving chambers within the first substrate
A first substrate having a first surface, wherein the first substrate comprises one or more first chambers situated within the first substrate.
Aperture-based resistant-unit fluid interface
The first resistant unit includes a first wall with an aperture on the first surface, wherein the aperture is in fluid communication with one or more first chambers.
Second resistant unit for relative release timing
A second resistant unit with a second reagent is fluidically connected to the first chambers and radially aligned along the circular path, and the configured volume, shape, or length of the first versus second resistant units affects relative timing of release of the first and second reagents.
Overall claim coverage centers on a substrate with chambers, a resistant unit holding a first reagent and fluidically connected to the chambers, and a pushing unit that executes circular-path motion parallel to the substrate surface to cause reagent entry, including slidable engagement options and relative timing between resistant units.
Stated Advantages
Provides timing control for reagent release via resistant/barrier geometry and hydrodynamic resistance and by configuring fluid properties such as viscosity.
Provides delay gating of pushing and release by using barrier units that withhold or slow pushing until a force or pressure condition is met.
Provides portability without external electrical power, using autonomous mechanical controller concepts.
Enables integration of sample preparation and analysis workflows including nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection.
Documented Applications
Nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection as part of sample preparation and analysis using the reagent dispensing device.
Sample preparation and processing workflows described as lysis-wash-dry-elution.
Plasma separation from whole blood using a membrane to obtain cell-free plasma.
Leukocyte enrichment using a leukosorb membrane for downstream analysis.
On-device lysis using impregnated membranes followed by drying with a desiccant and subsequent washing/elution.
Downstream applications including nucleic acid amplification and immunoassays.
Integration with automated base stations and phone-based imaging sensors for detection.
Sample storage/reconstitution as part of the described device/workflow concepts.
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