Method of processing dried samples using digital microfluidic device
First Claim
1. A method of sample preparation in a two-plate digital microfluidic device comprising an array of digital microfluidic elements that can be electrically actuated, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a solid phase support at a first location so that said solid phase support is sandwiched between an upper plate and a lower plate of said two-plate digital microfluidic device, wherein said solid phase support comprises a dried sample, wherein said first location is dropwise addressable under actuation of said two-plate digital microfluidic device, further wherein a lateral extent of said solid phase support is limited to a portion of the array of digital microfluidic elements to permit a transfer of droplets by said array of digital microfluidic elements;
actuating said two-plate digital microfluidic device to transport a droplet of an extraction solvent from a second location that is dropwise addressable under actuation of said two-plate digital microfluidic device to said first location; and
incubating said droplet of said extraction solvent to extract an analyte from said dried sample into said droplet of said extraction solvent, wherein said dried sample is selected from the group consisting of;
dried whole blood, dried serum, dried plasma, dried urine, dried sputum, and dried cerebral spinal fluid.
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Abstract
Methods are provided for the preparation of a sample using a digital microfluidic platform and the optional subsequent mass analysis of an extracted analyte. A sample is dried, optionally on a solid phase support, and contacted with digital microfluidic array. An analyte present within the dried sample is extracted into an extraction solvent by electrically addressing the digital microfluidic array to transport a droplet of extraction solvent to the dried sample spot. The extracted sample may be dried and subsequently processed on the digital microfluidic array for derivatization. The digital microfluidic device may further include an integrated microfluidic channel having an output aperture, and the method may further include contacting a droplet containing extracted analyte with the microfluidic channel and applying a suitable electric field for generating nano-electrospray, thereby enabling the device to be directly interfaced with a mass analysis device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of sample preparation in a two-plate digital microfluidic device comprising an array of digital microfluidic elements that can be electrically actuated, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing a solid phase support at a first location so that said solid phase support is sandwiched between an upper plate and a lower plate of said two-plate digital microfluidic device, wherein said solid phase support comprises a dried sample, wherein said first location is dropwise addressable under actuation of said two-plate digital microfluidic device, further wherein a lateral extent of said solid phase support is limited to a portion of the array of digital microfluidic elements to permit a transfer of droplets by said array of digital microfluidic elements; actuating said two-plate digital microfluidic device to transport a droplet of an extraction solvent from a second location that is dropwise addressable under actuation of said two-plate digital microfluidic device to said first location; and incubating said droplet of said extraction solvent to extract an analyte from said dried sample into said droplet of said extraction solvent, wherein said dried sample is selected from the group consisting of;
dried whole blood, dried serum, dried plasma, dried urine, dried sputum, and dried cerebral spinal fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of sample preparation in a two-plate digital microfluidic device comprising an array of digital microfluidic elements that can be electrically actuated, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing a solid phase support at a first location so that said solid phase support is sandwiched between an upper plate and a lower plate of said two-plate digital microfluidic device, wherein said solid phase support comprises a dried sample, wherein said first location is dropwise addressable under actuation of said two-plate digital microfluidic device, further wherein a lateral extent of said solid phase support is limited to a portion of the array of digital microfluidic elements to permit a transfer of droplets by said array of digital microfluidic elements, wherein said solid phase support comprises filter paper; punching said filter paper to a pre-selected size prior to placing said solid phase support at said first location; actuating said two-plate digital microfluidic device to transport a droplet of an extraction solvent from a second location that is dropwise addressable under actuation of said two-plate digital microfluidic device to said first location; and incubating said droplet of said extraction solvent to extract an analyte from said dried sample into said droplet of said extraction solvent.
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Specification