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Publication Number
US-12128402-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
The technology described herein generally relates to microfluidic cartridges configured to amplify and detect polynucleotides extracted from multiple biological samples in parallel. The technology includes a microfluidic substrate, comprising: a plurality of sample lanes, wherein each of the plurality of sample lanes comprises a microfluidic network having, in fluid communication with one another: an inlet; a first valve and a second valve; a first channel leading from the inlet, via the first valve, to a reaction chamber; and a second channel leading from the reaction chamber, via the second valve, to a vent.
Core Innovation
The microfluidic cartridge includes a plurality of sample lanes, and each sample lane comprises a reaction chamber. The reaction chambers are arranged as two banks: a first bank of sample lanes in which the reaction chambers are linearly arranged, and a second bank of sample lanes in which the reaction chambers are linearly arranged. An axis intersecting a reaction chamber of the first bank and a reaction chamber of the second bank is transverse to a reaction chamber axis along which the reaction chambers of the first bank are arranged.
Samples are configured to be loaded into the microfluidic cartridge at different times, and passed to the reaction chambers independently of one another. The first bank comprises 12 sample lanes and the second bank comprises 12 sample lanes. This arrangement supports routing different samples independently to their respective reaction chambers within the cartridge.
The cartridge structure is described as a 3-layer multi-lane microfluidic PCR/detection cartridge in which each lane includes a microfluidic network having an inlet, a first valve, a reaction chamber, a second valve, and a vent. The valves are thermally actuated using thermally responsive material, and the venting includes a hydrophobic vent design to control fluid venting within the cartridge. A heater unit and apparatus integration are described to enable uniform heating and efficient cooling across reaction chambers, while optical fluorescence monitoring is used for detection.
Claims Coverage
The document provides a single independent claim defining the microfluidic cartridge architecture. The claim coverage is primarily focused on the two-bank, transverse-axis lane layout and independent routing for sample loading at different times, with additional inventive features refined in dependent claims.
Two-bank, transverse-axis reaction chamber arrangement
A microfluidic cartridge with a plurality of sample lanes, each sample lane comprising a reaction chamber, where the sample lanes form a first bank with linearly arranged reaction chambers and a second bank with linearly arranged reaction chambers, and where an axis intersecting a reaction chamber of the first bank and a reaction chamber of the second bank is transverse to a reaction chamber axis along which the reaction chambers of the first bank are arranged.
Independent sample loading and independent passage to reaction chambers
Samples are configured to be loaded into the microfluidic cartridge at different times, and passed to the reaction chambers independently of one another.
Equal lane bank size with specified lane counts
The first bank of sample lanes comprises 12 sample lanes and the second bank of sample lanes comprises 12 sample lanes.
Independent thermal cycling between banks
The reaction chambers of the first bank are configured to be independently thermally cycled from the reaction chambers of the second bank.
Alternating inlet channel arrangement between banks
The inlet channels of the first bank of sample lanes and the inlet channels of the second bank of sample lanes alternate.
Different outlet channel lengths between banks
The outlet channels of the first bank of sample lanes and the outlet channels of the second bank of sample lanes have different lengths.
Inlets and vents associated with inlet/outlet channels
The cartridge further comprises an inlet in fluid communication with each inlet channel, and a vent in fluid communication with each outlet channel.
Overall claim coverage centers on a microfluidic cartridge that organizes reaction chambers into two banks with a transverse-axis relationship, enables samples to be loaded at different times and routed independently, and specifies lane counts. Dependent claim refinements further define independent thermal cycling between banks, spatial and structural relationships such as alternating inlet channels and different outlet channel lengths, and the inclusion of an inlet associated with each inlet channel and a vent associated with each outlet channel.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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