Disposable fluidic cartridge and components
Inventors
Turner, Robert • Madsen, James • Yang, Kai • HINESTROSA SALAZAR, Juan Pablo • Krishnan, Raj • Simon Herrera, Pedro David
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10232369-B2
Publication Date
2019-03-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed are cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods for isolating analytes from biological samples. In various aspects, the cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods may allow for a rapid procedure that requires a minimal amount of material from complex fluids.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a fluidic cartridge configured to close upon activation. The cartridge includes at least one inlet comprising a first self-sealing polymer, a sample reservoir, and a reagent reservoir, each with a sealing, gas-impermeable, removable cover, at least one bubble trap reservoir configured to trap air bubbles, a detection window configured for analysis of the biological sample, and a waste reservoir comprising at least one outlet comprising a second self-sealing polymer. The cartridge is connected by a continuous fluidic channel linking the inlet, reagent reservoir, sample reservoir, bubble trap reservoir, detection window, and waste reservoir.
The first self-sealing polymer and second self-sealing polymer are activated upon contact with liquid to form a liquid-tight seal in the fluidic cartridge. The bubble trap reservoir is used to trap air bubbles during fluid transport through the continuous fluidic channel. The cartridge architecture supports closed fluid handling for biological sample analysis through the detection window and delivery to the waste reservoir.
The disclosure further links the fluidic cartridge to compact mobile point-of-care devices for isolating nanoscale analytes, including nucleic acid such as DNA. The device has an optical pathway and a detection approach using an electronic chip, is controlled by a smart phone or mobile computing device, and uses alternating current electrode arrays to create dielectrophoretic high-field and low-field regions so that AC electrokinetic effects separate nanoscale analytes from larger molecular entities.
Claims Coverage
The provided claim coverage centers on one independent claim with two additional dependent refinements. It covers a sealed, self-sealing fluidic cartridge system with reservoirs, bubble trap functionality, and continuous fluidic channel connectivity, and extends to a compact mobile, low-power device with AC electrode dielectrophoretic nanoscale-analyte isolation and optical detection.
Liquid-tight closable fluidic cartridge with self-sealing polymers
A fluidic cartridge configured to close upon activation, comprising at least one inlet comprising a first self-sealing polymer, a sample reservoir, a reagent reservoir, at least one bubble trap reservoir configured to trap air bubbles, a detection window configured for analysis of the biological sample, and a waste reservoir comprising at least one outlet comprising a second self-sealing polymer; wherein the sample reservoir and the reagent reservoir each comprise a sealing, gas-impermeable, removable cover; wherein the at least one inlet, reagent reservoir, sample reservoir, bubble trap reservoir, detection window, and waste reservoir are connected by a continuous fluidic channel; and wherein the first self-sealing polymer and second self-sealing polymer are activated upon contact with liquid to form a liquid-tight seal in the fluidic cartridge.
Bubble trap cross-sectional area sized relative to the fluidic channel
The fluidic cartridge includes a bubble trap whose cross-sectional area is at least two times larger than the cross-sectional area of the fluidic channel.
Compact mobile device for nanoscale analyte isolation with limited power
A compact device for isolating nanoscale analytes in a sample, including a housing, optical pathway, fluid-moving mechanism, electronic chip, and a fluidic cartridge system of clm-00001, where the device is controlled by a mobile computing device and requires no more than 5 Watts of power.
AC electrode dielectrophoretic high-field/low-field separation of nanoscale analytes
The compact device includes alternating current electrodes that can be energized to create dielectrophoretic high-field and low-field regions to separate nanoscale analytes from larger molecular entities using AC electrokinetic effects.
Overall, the claim set focuses on a closable fluidic cartridge with continuous microfluidic connectivity and self-sealing liquid-tight activation using first and second self-sealing polymers, together with bubble trapping. The dependent claim set further constrains bubble trap sizing and extends the cartridge to a compact mobile, limited-power device using AC electrokinetic dielectrophoretic high-field and low-field regions for nanoscale-analyte isolation with optical detection.
Stated Advantages
Provides a liquid-tight seal in the fluidic cartridge upon activation by contact with liquid.
Traps air bubbles while allowing fluid transport through the continuous fluidic channel.
Supports analysis of the biological sample through a detection window within a closed cartridge system.
Enables compact mobile point-of-care nanoscale analyte isolation controlled by a mobile computing device.
Uses no more than 5 Watts of power in the compact device.
Uses AC electrokinetic effects with dielectrophoretic high-field and low-field regions to separate nanoscale analytes from larger molecular entities.
Documented Applications
Isolating nanoscale analytes in a sample, including nucleic acid such as DNA, using the fluidic cartridge system in a compact mobile device for point-of-care analysis.
Biological sample analysis via a detection window in the disposable sealed fluidic cartridge system.
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