Microfluidic cartridge for processing and detecting nucleic acids
Inventors
Williams, Jeffrey S. • Brahmasandra, Sundaresh • Kusner, Michael T.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11142757-B2
Publication Date
2021-10-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A microfluidic cartridge, configured to facilitate processing and detection of nucleic acids, comprising: a top layer comprising a set of cartridge-aligning indentations, a set of sample port-reagent port pairs, a shared fluid port, a vent region, a heating region, and a set of Detection chambers; an intermediate substrate, coupled to the top layer comprising a waste chamber; an elastomeric layer, partially situated on the intermediate substrate; and a set of fluidic pathways, each formed by at least a portion of the top layer and a portion of the elastomeric layer, wherein each fluidic pathway is fluidically coupled to a sample port-reagent port pair, the shared fluid port, and a Detection chamber, comprises a turnabout portion passing through the heating region, and is configured to be occluded upon deformation of the elastomeric layer, to transfer a waste fluid to the waste chamber, and to pass through the vent region.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a cartridge for processing a sample using a layered microfluidic architecture. The cartridge includes a first layer defining a sample port and a reagent port, and an intermediate substrate coupled to the first layer that defines a chamber opposing the first layer and includes an external surface with a set of openings.
An actuation layer is arranged between the first layer and the intermediate substrate and is accessible through the set of openings. A fluidic pathway cooperatively defined by the first layer and the actuation layer fluidly couples the sample port and the reagent port and defines a set of actuation regions that each operate between an open configuration and a closed configuration upon manipulation of the actuation layer by a pin.
Chamber inlets extend from the fluidic pathway into the chamber so that, upon manipulation of the actuation layer, the cartridge drives fluid from the fluidic pathway into the chamber through at least a subset of the chamber inlets. The described cartridge architecture further integrates sub-features for nucleic-acid processing, including venting with a gas-permeable liquid-impermeable film, a heating region, detection chambers with PCR-compatible low-autofluorescence films and thermal/optical isolation features, and capture segments passing through a magnetic field.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim recites a layered microfluidic cartridge with pin-actuated deformation of an actuation layer to open and close actuation regions and to drive fluid from a sample/reagent fluidic pathway into a chamber inlet structure, for processing a sample. The independent claim includes 6 principal structural/functional elements and is further refined by dependent claims that add specific subsystem features.
Layered cartridge with sample and reagent ports
A cartridge includes a first layer defining a sample port and a reagent port and an intermediate substrate coupled to the first layer and defining a chamber opposing the first layer.
Intermediate substrate openings enabling actuation access
The intermediate substrate comprises an external surface having a set of openings.
Pin-accessible deformable actuation layer
An actuation layer is arranged between the first layer and the intermediate substrate and is accessible through the set of openings.
Actuation regions forming open and closed configurations
A fluidic pathway cooperatively defined by the first layer and the actuation layer fluidly couples the sample port and the reagent port, and the fluidic pathway defines a set of actuation regions, each operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration upon manipulation of the actuation layer by a pin.
Chamber inlets enabling fluid driving into the chamber
A set of chamber inlets extends from the fluidic pathway into the chamber, and the cartridge is operable to drive fluid from the fluidic pathway into the chamber through at least a subset of the set of chamber inlets upon manipulation of the actuation layer.
Heating region along the fluidic pathway
A heating element creates a heating region along part of the fluidic pathway.
Vent region with gas-permeable film fluidically connected to the fluidic pathway
A vent region includes a recessed region covered by a gas-permeable film that is fluidically connected to the fluidic pathway.
Detection chamber downstream of a capture segment
A first detection chamber is downstream of an s-shaped capture segment, where the actuation layer enables the cartridge to drive fluid through the fluidic pathway into the first detection chamber.
Permanent sealing of the chamber from the fluidic pathway
Manipulating an actuation region between the fluidic pathway and the chamber permanently seals the chamber off from the fluidic pathway.
Integrated magnet housing region and pin-receiving corrugated surface
A corrugated surface forms an external void for receiving a set of pins and a magnet housing region contains a permanently housed magnet integrated with the intermediate substrate.
Overall, the claim set covers a layered cartridge in which a deformable actuation layer is accessed by pins through openings in an intermediate substrate to toggle fluidic actuation regions between open and closed configurations. This enables driving fluid from a sample/reagent fluidic pathway into a chamber through chamber inlets, with dependent claims further specifying heating, venting with a gas-permeable film, downstream detection chamber functionality, permanent sealing behavior, and integration of a magnet housing region alongside pin-receiving structures.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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