Method for handling liquid using centrifugal force
Inventors
MOURA PIRES DE ANDRADE TENREIRO, Tania • DIAS MARTINS, Luis Miguel • ROLO PEREIRA, Fábio Miguel • Esteves Reis, Nuno Alexandre
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10661276-B2
Publication Date
2020-05-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices and methods for handling liquids are provided. The devices and methods make use of centrifugal forces to drive liquid flow and facilitate one or more of the mixing, metering and sequencing of liquids, for example on a microfluidic device.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a centrifugal "lab-on-a-disc" microfluidic device for handling liquids by rotating the device about an axis of rotation. The device includes a first cavity and a second cavity in communication with each other, and the rotation transfers liquid between the first cavity and the second cavity.
The method transfers liquid from the first cavity into a downstream cavity by rotating the device at a second rotational frequency lower than the first rotational frequency, and then rotating at a fifth rotational frequency different to the second rotational frequency after liquid transfer to the downstream cavity. The fifth rotational frequency controls the volume of liquid transferred from the first cavity to the downstream cavity.
The invention also includes rotating at additional rotational frequencies to mix the liquid and to resuspend dry reagents, using ordered rotational frequency relationships. In this framework, accelerating and decelerating the rotating device alternately drives liquid flow forward and forces it back through conduits, while additional chamber and conduit configurations support mixing, metering/aliquoting, retention in a detection chamber, and downstream delivery.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claim describes a multi-stage frequency-controlled liquid-driving method using a first cavity, a second cavity, and a downstream cavity, with a fifth rotational frequency that controls transferred volume. The dependent claims add intermediate rotational frequencies for mixing and specify a liquid-handling device rotatable about an axis of rotation.
Frequency-sequenced liquid transfer between first and second cavities
Rotating the device at a first rotational frequency to transfer liquid from a first cavity of the device into a second cavity of the device in communication with the first cavity, and rotating the device at a second rotational frequency lower than the first rotational frequency to transfer liquid from the second cavity back into the first cavity and to transfer liquid from the first cavity into a downstream cavity in communication with the first cavity.
Volume control by fifth rotational frequency
Subsequent to transferring liquid from the first cavity into the downstream cavity, rotating the device at a fifth rotational frequency different to the second rotational frequency to control the volume of liquid which is transferred from the first cavity to the downstream cavity, wherein the fifth rotational frequency being greater than the second rotational frequency decreases the volume of liquid transferred and wherein the fifth rotational frequency being less than the second rotational frequency increases the volume of liquid transferred.
Intermediary rotational-frequency mixing steps
After rotating at the first rotational frequency and before rotating at the second rotational frequency, rotating the device at a third rotational frequency and subsequently at a fourth rotational frequency to mix the liquid, with the third rotational frequency greater than the second and the fourth rotational frequency greater than the third.
Centrifugal implementation about an axis of rotation
Implementing the method with a liquid-handling device that is configured for rotation about an axis of rotation.
Across the independent claim, the core coverage is a centrifugal, multi-frequency method that transfers liquid between first and second cavities, moves liquid onward to a downstream cavity using a lower second rotational frequency, and controls transferred volume using a fifth rotational frequency greater than or less than the second rotational frequency. Dependent coverage further adds ordered intermediate mixing rotational frequencies and specifies a liquid-handling device rotatable about an axis of rotation.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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