Stand alone microfluidic analytical chip device
Inventors
Saleh, Nedal • Khalid, Waqas • Saleh, Faisal
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10832895-B2
Publication Date
2020-11-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided is an analytical device including: a self-flowing microfluidic system, having a sample extraction location, at least one sample preparation location, and at least one sample analytical chamber; wherein the sample extraction location, the sample preparation location, and the at least one sample analytical chamber are interconnected by at least one microfluidic channel on a first substrate; and a signal readout system, having at least one sample analysis elements, and a data gathering and processing element.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a stand alone point-of-care microfluidic analytical chip device with a self-flowing, pump-free microfluidic system. The microfluidic system includes a sample extraction location, at least one sample preparation location, and at least one sample analytical chamber interconnected by microfluidic channels on a first substrate.
The microfluidic channels are defined by regions of the surface having different hydrophilicity relative to other areas of the surface. Functionalization of polymer surfaces is described, including plasma-patterning to enable different hydrophilicity, including oxygen-enhanced hydrophilicity, and the configuration enables spontaneous fluid movement without external pumping or reservoirs.
A signal readout system is provided in a reader device, including an optical module and an electrochemical module. The signal readout system receives from a microfluidic analytical chip instructions specifying, at least in part, one or more optical modes of measuring the fluid and executes the instructions to measure the fluid with the one or more optical modes.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims. Both independently require a pump-free microfluidic test card with extraction, preparation, and analytical chambers interconnected by microfluidic channels defined by different surface hydrophilicity, together with a signal readout system that receives optical-mode instructions from the chip and executes optical measurements.
Card reader accepting a pump-free microfluidic test card
The card reader having a test card receptacle is configured to accept a test card comprising a pump-free microfluidic system with a sample extraction location, at least one sample preparation location, and at least one sample analytical chamber.
Microfluidic channels defined by different hydrophilicity promoting movement without applied pressure
The pump-free microfluidic system includes a plurality of microfluidic channels on a first substrate, the microfluidic channels being defined by regions of the surface having different hydrophilicity relative to other areas of the surface, with at least some channels configured to promote movement of fluid from the sample extraction location to the sample preparation location in the absence of a pressure applied to the fluid.
Interconnection of extraction, preparation, and analytical chambers on the first substrate
The sample extraction location, the sample preparation location, and the at least one sample analytical chamber are interconnected by at least one of the plurality of microfluidic channels on a first substrate having the surface.
Optical-mode instructions received from the microfluidic analytical chip
The signal readout system is configured to receive from a microfluidic analytical chip of the pump-free microfluidic system instructions specifying, at least in part, one or more optical modes of measuring the fluid and execute the instructions to measure the fluid with the one or more optical modes.
Sample analytical chamber selected among analysis chamber types
The pump-free microfluidic system includes at least one sample analytical chamber comprising one or more of an electrochemical analysis chamber, an optical analysis chamber, a biomaterial analysis chamber, or a spectrophotometry chamber.
Across the independent claims, the inventive focus is on a pump-free microfluidic analytical chip card whose microfluidic channels are defined by different surface hydrophilicity to promote fluid movement without applied pressure, interconnecting extraction, preparation, and analytical chambers on a first substrate. A reader-based signal readout system receives optical-mode measurement instructions from the chip and executes optical-mode measurements, with the analytical chamber selected among electrochemical, optical, biomaterial, or spectrophotometry chambers.
Stated Advantages
Enables movement of fluid without pressure applied to the fluid (pump-free microfluidic system).
Enables optical-mode measurement by receiving instructions from the microfluidic analytical chip and executing the instructions.
Documented Applications
Point-of-care microfluidic analytical chip device use as a stand alone analytical chip device with a reader device providing signal readout and communication of results.
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