Integrated system for processing microfluidic samples, and method of using same
Inventors
Handique, Kalyan • Brahmasandra, Sundaresh N. • Ganesan, Karthik • Wu, Betty • Phadke, Nikhil • Parunak, Gene • Williams, Jeff
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12162007-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-10
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 with multiple layers. The cartridge includes a plurality of sample lanes, each sample lane having a dedicated pipette inlet and a region where amplification occurs, and is configured to permit loading of the plurality of polynucleotide-containing samples at different times within the same apparatus.
The apparatus includes a bay configured to receive the multi-lane microfluidic cartridge, where a first heat source separate from the cartridge applies heat to selected regions of the cartridge at selected times to prepare polynucleotides for amplification. A plurality of second heat sources separate from the cartridge apply heat to selected regions at selected times to amplify the prepared polynucleotides within the amplification regions of the sample lanes.
A second heat source is configured to cyclically heat in a series of heating phases, with each heating phase cycling between at least two temperatures while maintaining a substantially uniform temperature within a region where amplification occurs at each temperature. The apparatus further includes a magnet configured to move into and out of place to apply a magnetic field to a polynucleotide-loaded retention member in a processing chamber, and an optical detector configured to detect the presence of the one or more amplified polynucleotides within the amplification region.
Claims Coverage
The provided content identifies one independent claim. It includes five inventive features covering a multi-lane layered microfluidic cartridge with time-offset loading, separate heat sources for preparation and amplification, cyclic amplification heating with substantially uniform temperature, movable magnetic handling of a polynucleotide-loaded retention member, and optical detection of amplified polynucleotides.
Multi-lane layered microfluidic cartridge with timed multi-sample loading
A multi-lane microfluidic cartridge configured to process and amplify a plurality of polynucleotide-containing samples, comprising multiple layers and a plurality of sample lanes, each sample lane having a dedicated pipette inlet and a region where amplification occurs, and configured to permit the plurality of polynucleotide-containing samples to be loaded at different times.
Separate first heat source for preparation and separate second heat sources for amplification
A first heat source separate from the cartridge configured to apply heat to selected regions at selected times to prepare one or more polynucleotides for amplification, and a plurality of second heat sources separate from the cartridge configured to apply heat to selected regions at selected times to amplify the prepared one or more polynucleotides.
Cyclic heating phases with substantially uniform amplification-region temperature
A second heat source configured to cyclically heat in a series of heating phases between at least two temperatures while maintaining a substantially uniform temperature within the region where amplification occurs at each temperature.
Magnet-applied magnetic field to a polynucleotide-loaded retention member
A magnet configured to move into and out of place to apply a magnetic field to a polynucleotide-loaded retention member in the processing chamber.
Optical detection of amplified polynucleotides in the amplification region
An optical detector configured to detect the presence of the one or more amplified polynucleotides within the region where amplification occurs.
The claimed apparatus combines a multi-lane layered cartridge that supports different-time sample loading, separate preparation and amplification heating using separate heat sources including cyclic thermal phases, magnetic-field handling of a polynucleotide-loaded retention member in a processing chamber, and optical detection of amplified polynucleotides in the amplification region.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?