Abstract:
An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the transducer and the flexible wall. The apparatus may also include beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.
Abstract:
The invention presents a microfluidic device and method for separating a desired material, such as nucleic acid, from other materials in a fluid sample. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a microfabricated chip (20) having an inlet port (28), an outlet port (30), and an extraction chamber (26) in fluid communication with the ports. The chamber (26) has internal attachment surfaces for capturing the desired material from the fluid sample as the sample flows continuously through the chamber. The captured material may then be eluted by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the chamber (26), thus releasing the material from the internal surfaces into the elution fluid. The flow-through design of the device allows target material from a relatively large volume of fluid sample to be concentrated into a much smaller volume of elution fluid. The internal surfaces are preferably formed by an array of columns (32) integrally formed with a wall of the chamber (26) and extending into the chamber (26). The collumns (32) provide a large surface area for capturing the desired material. The device also preferably includes an integrated heater (34) for increasing elution efficiency.
Abstract:
An assembly for performing controlled heat exchanging reactions is provided. The assembly has a chemical reaction chamber adapted to receive a sample and allow the sample to chemically react; a thermal sleeve having heating elements for making efficient thermal contact with a reaction chamber; an instrument with a housing comprising an electrical connection, a cooling source, a processing area adapted to receive a thermal sleeve, and an optics assembly in optical communication with a chemical reaction chamber; and a circuit for monitoring and controlling the optics assembly and for collecting the output signal of the optics assembly. Preferably there are a plurality of housings and associated modules, each of which may be independently controlled for heat exchanging operations.
Abstract:
A cartridge for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample has a sample flow path and a lysing chamber (86) in the sample flow path. The lysing chamber contains at least one filter for capturing cells or viruses from the sample as the sample flows through the lysing chamber. Beads are also disposed in the lysing chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses to release the analyte therefrom. An analyte flow path extends from the lysing chamber and diverges from the sample flow path. The analyte flow path preferably leads to a reaction chamber for chemically reacting and optically detecting the analyte. The cartridge also includes at least one flow controller (e.g., valves) for directing the sample into the waste chamber after the sample flows through the lysing chamber and for directing the analyte separated from the sample into the analyte flow path.
Abstract:
A cartridge (101) for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample includes a sample port (103) and a sample flow path extending from the port through the body of the cartridge. The sample flow path includes at least one flow-through component (122), e.g. filter paper or a microfabricated chip, for capturing the desired analyte from the sample as the sample flows through the cartridge. The cartridge also includes an elution flow path for carrying elution fluid through the component (122) to release captured analyte from the component into the elution fluid. The elution flow path diverges from the sample flow path after passing through the component (122). Flow controllers (41A and 41B) direct the remaining fluid sample into a waste chamber (139) after the sample flows through the component (122) and direct the elution fluid and eluted analyte into a reagent chamber (141) and reaction chamber (143). The continuous-flow design of the cartridge permits the rapid processing of a fluid sample that is larger in volume than any interactive region within the cartridge, allowing increased sensitivity in the detection of low copy concentrations of analytes, such as nucleic acid. A preferred embodiment relates to a device for lysing components of a fluid sample, the device comprising inter alia, an ultrasonic transducer.
Abstract:
A device for analyzing a sample comprises a body having a reaction chamber f or conducting a reaction, a separation channel for separating sample components , a transition region connecting the reaction chamber to the separation channel, and at least one valve in the transition region for controlling fluid flow between the reaction chamber and the separation channel. At least two electrodes are coupled to t he body, the electrodes being positioned to induce electrophoretic flow, electroosmotic flow, or isoelectric focusing of the sample components in the separation channel when a voltage difference is applied between the electrodes.
Abstract:
A cartridge (20) for conducting a chemical reaction includes a body having a t least one flow path formed therein. The cartridge also includes a reaction vessel (40) extending from the body for holding a reaction mixture for chemical reaction and optical detection. The vessel (40) comprises a rigid frame defining the side walls of a reaction chamber. The frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber. The vessel also includes flexible films or sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber. In addition, at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each to permit real-time optical detection of analyte in the reaction chamber.
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a reaction mixture contained in a reaction vessel, wherein the vessel includes a reaction chamber and at least one port for adding fluid to the chamber, and wherein the chamber has at least one flexible wall, comprises a) a thermal surface for contacting the flexible wall; b) a platen for heat sealing the vessel to seal the port closed and increase the pressure in the chamber, wherein the pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the flexible wall to conform to the thermal surface; and c) at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the thermal surface to induce a temperature change within the chamber.