Abstract:
A reference T-sensor system is provided for detecting the presence and/or measuring the concentration of analyte particles in a sample stream comprising a laminar flow channel (100), three or more inlet means (40, 50, 55) in fluid connection with the laminar flow channel (100) for respectively conducting into the laminar flow channel an indicator stream (70) which may comprise an indicator substance which indicates the presence of the analyte particles by a detectable change in property when contacted with analyte particles, the sample stream (80), and a reference stream (75), which can be either a control stream or an internal standard stream or both.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for storing a particle-containing liquid. The storage apparatus comprises a microfluidic convoluted flow channel (20) having a plurality of particle capture regions. The storage channel (20) is preferably an isotropic spatially periodic channel. Sedimented particles can be resuspended following storage. This invention further provides a microfluidic analysis cartridge (160) having a convoluted storage channel (20) therein. The sample analysis can use optical, electrical, pressure sensitive, or flow sensitive detection. A plurality of analysis channels (24A-24B) can be included in a single cartridge (160). The analysis channels (24A-24B) can be joined to reagent inlets for diluents, indicators or lysing agents. A mixing channel (80) can be positioned between the reagent inlet and the analysis region (30) to allow mixing and reaction of the reagent. The cartridge (160) can include additional valves (V1-V5) and pumps (P11-P15) for flow management. The analysis cartridge (160) can be a self-contained disposable cartridge having an integral waste storage container (100). This invention further provides a sheath flow assembly (70). The sheath flow assembly (70) includes a sample channel (26) and first and second sheath fluid channels positioned on either side of and converging with the sample channel. The assembly (70) also includes upper and lower sheath fluid chambers prositioned above and below and converging with the sample channel (26). The flow cartridges (160) of this invention can be formed by molding, machining or etching. In a preferred embodiment they are laminated.
Abstract:
This invention provides rapid, accurate and repeatable alignment of components in three spatial coordinate directions to within about +/-10 νm. It comprises a two-stage kinematic mount and a corresponding two-stage mountable module, each having a macrostage for initial alignment and a microstage for further, high accuracy alignment. The microstage of the mount preferably has either three alignment pins or three constraints and the microstage of the mountable module likewise preferably has either three pins or three constraints, so that the constraints of one component receive the pins of the other. A compliant layer is positioned between the microstage and macrostage of the mountable module. This invention further includes two-stage mount and mountable modules incorporating optical, electrical, mechanical or fluidic elements. In a preferred embodiment, the microstage module has a V-groove fluid flow channel suitable for use in optical flow cytometry.
Abstract:
This invention provides rapid, accurate and repeatable alignment of components in three spatial coordinate directions to within about +/-10 mu m. It comprises a two-stage kinematic mount and a corresponding two-stage mountable module, each having a macrostage for initial alignment and a microstage for further, high accuracy alignment. The microstage of the mount preferably has either three alignment pins or three constraints and the microstage of the mountable module likewise preferably has either three pins or three constraints, so that the constraints of one component receive the pins of the other. A compliant layer is positioned between the microstage and macrostage of the mountable module. This invention further includes two-stage mount and mountable modules incorporating optical, electrical, mechanical or fluidic elements. In a preferred embodiment, the microstage module has a V-groove fluid flow channel suitable for use in optical flow cytometry.
Abstract:
This invention provides a microfabricated extraction system and methods for extracting desired particles from a sample stream containing desired and undesired particles. The sample stream is placed in laminar flow contact with an extraction stream under conditions in which inertial effects are negligible. The contact between the two streams is maintained for a sufficient period of time to allow differential transport of the desired particles from the sample stream into the extraction stream. In a preferred embodiment the differential transport mechanism is diffusion. The extraction system of this invention coupled to a microfabricated diffusion-based mixing device and/or sensing means allows picoliter quantities of fluid to be processed or analyzed on devices no larger than silicon wafers.
Abstract:
A reference T-sensor system is provided for detecting the presence and/or measuring the concentration of analyte particles in a sample stream comprising a laminar flow channel (100), three or more inlet means (40, 50, 55) in fluid connection with the laminar flow channel (100) for respectively conducting into the laminar flow channel an indicator stream (70) which may comprise an indicator substance which indicates the presence of the analyte particles by a detectable change in property when contacted with analyte particles, the sample stream (80), and a reference stream (75), which can be either a control stream or an internal standard stream or both.
Abstract:
A channel-cell system is provided for detecting the presence and/or measuring the presence of analyte particles in a sample stream comprising a laminar flow channel (100), two inlet means (30, 20) in fluid connection with said laminar flow channel (100) for respectively conducting into the laminar flow channel (100) an indicator stream (70) which may comprise an indicator substance which indicates the presence of said analyte particles by a detectable change in property when contacted with said analyte particles, and the sample stream (80), wherein the laminar flow channel (100) has a depth sufficiently small to allow laminar flow of the streams and a length sufficient to allow particles of the analyte to diffuse into said indicator stream (70) to the substantial exclusion of said larger particles in the sample stream (80) to form a detection area; and outlet means (60) for conducting the streams out of the laminar flow channel (100) to form a single mixed stream.
Abstract:
This invention provides a microfabricated extraction system and methods for extracting desired particles from a sample stream containing desired and undesired particles. The sample stream is placed in laminar flow contact with an extraction stream under conditions in which inertial effects are negligible. The contact between the two streams is maintained for a sufficient period of time to allow differential transport of the desired particles from the sample stream into the extraction stream. In a preferred embodiment the differential transport mechanism is diffusion. The extraction system of this invention coupled to a microfabricated diffusion-based mixing device and/or sensing means allows picoliter quantities of fluid to be processed or analyzed on devices no larger than silicon wafers.