Integrated system for processing microfluidic samples, and method of using the same
Inventors
Handique, Kalyan • Brahmasandra, Sundaresh N. • Ganesan, Karthik • Wu, Betty • Phadke, Nikhil • Parunak, Gene • Williams, Jeff
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10843188-B2
Publication Date
2020-11-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
This patent application describes an integrated apparatus for processing polynucleotide-containing samples, and for providing a diagnostic result thereon. The apparatus is configured to receive a microfluidic cartridge that contains reagents and a network for processing a sample. Also described are methods of using the apparatus.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apparatus for processing and amplifying a plurality of polynucleotide-containing samples using a multi-lane microfluidic cartridge and a receiving bay. The multi-lane microfluidic cartridge has a plurality of sample lanes configured to share a reagent received from a reagent reservoir, while each lane includes a dedicated pipette inlet and an amplification reaction zone. The apparatus permits the plurality of samples to be loaded into the cartridge at different times and to be passed to the amplification reaction zones independently of one another.
The apparatus includes one or more components configured to inhibit motion of a material in the multi-lane microfluidic cartridge when the cartridge is received in a receiving bay. The motion inhibition comprises a valve that transitions from an open state to a closed state, allowing the material to pass along a channel in the open state and preventing the material from passing along the channel in the closed state. The material includes a polynucleotide-containing sample, a gas, or the reagent.
Temperature preparation and amplification are performed using separate heat sources. A first heat source separate from the cartridge applies heat to selected regions of the cartridge at selected times to prepare polynucleotides from the samples, while a plurality of second heat sources separate from the cartridge align with selected regions to amplify the prepared polynucleotides. A processor independently controls the plurality of second heat sources to cyclically heat a second heat source through heating phases, each phase cycling the second heat source between at least two temperatures while maintaining a substantially uniform temperature in an amplification reaction zone at each temperature.
Amplification is detected using an optical detector configured to detect the presence of the amplified polynucleotides in the amplification reaction zone. The optical detector includes a read head that does not cover the dedicated pipette inlets when the cartridge is received in the receiving bay, supporting optical reading of amplification while the cartridge is in the receiving bay.
Claims Coverage
The provided claim set includes one independent claim. The inventive coverage centers on five inventive features: a multi-lane microfluidic cartridge with shared reagent and independent lane processing, valve-based motion inhibition in a receiving bay, separate preparation and amplification heating with cyclic control, substantially uniform temperature control during heating phases, and optical detection with a read head that does not cover dedicated pipette inlets.
Independent multi-lane microfluidic processing with shared reagent
A multi-lane microfluidic cartridge processes a plurality of polynucleotide-containing samples independently in respective sample lanes sharing a reagent from a reagent reservoir, with each lane having a dedicated pipette inlet and an amplification reaction zone, and allowing samples to be loaded at different times and passed to amplification reaction zones independently.
Valve-based motion inhibition in a receiving bay
One or more components inhibit motion of material in the multi-lane microfluidic cartridge when received in a receiving bay, including a valve that transitions open to allow material passage along a channel and transitions closed to prevent passage, where the material comprises a polynucleotide-containing sample, a gas, or the reagent.
Separate first and second heat sources for preparation and cyclic amplification
A first heat source separate from the cartridge applies heat to selected regions at selected times to prepare polynucleotides, and a plurality of second heat sources separate from the cartridge apply heat to selected regions at selected times to amplify the prepared polynucleotides.
Independent cyclic control of second heat sources with substantially uniform temperature
A processor independently controls the plurality of second heat sources to cyclically heat a second heat source in a series of heating phases, each phase cycling the second heat source between at least two temperatures, while controlling the second heat source to maintain substantially uniform temperature in an amplification reaction zone at each temperature.
Optical detection with a read head not covering pipette inlets
An optical detector detects the presence of the amplified polynucleotides in the amplification reaction zone, the optical detector comprising a read head that does not cover the dedicated pipette inlets when the multi-lane microfluidic cartridge is received in the receiving bay.
Across the single independent claim, the main inventive elements are the independent multi-lane microfluidic cartridge architecture with shared reagent and different-time loading, valve-based motion inhibition in a receiving bay, separate preparation and amplification heating using cyclically controlled second heat sources with substantially uniform temperature control across at least two temperatures, and optical detection of amplified polynucleotides with a read head that does not cover the pipette inlets.
Stated Advantages
Processes and amplifies a plurality of polynucleotide-containing samples using a multi-lane microfluidic cartridge with independent lane processing.
Allows multiple polynucleotide-containing samples to be loaded into the cartridge at different times and processed independently in their lanes.
Provides cyclic control of amplification heating across at least two temperatures while maintaining a substantially uniform temperature in the amplification reaction zone.
Detects amplified polynucleotides optically using a read head that does not cover dedicated pipette inlets.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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