Flow cell array and uses thereof

• US 10,258,954 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2015
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Colgan, Evan G., Lvov, Alexey Y., Polonsky, Stanislav
• Primary Examiner(s): Forman, Betty J
• Application Number:
  US14/973,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20160101417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00286 Reactor vessels with top and bottom openings
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00306 Reactor vessels in a multiple arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00418 using pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00511 Walls of reactor vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00522 in a multiple parallel arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00527 Sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00576 fluorophore
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00596 Solid-phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00621 by physical means, e.g. trenches, raised areas
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00689 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00695 Synthesis control routines, e.g. using computer programs
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00698 Measurement and control of process parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00702 Processes involving means for analysing and characterising the products
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/10 Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/024 Storing results with means integrated into the container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/041 Connecting closures to device or container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0874 : Three dimensional network
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 : with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 : by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6874 : involving nucleic acid arrays, e.g. sequencing by hybridisation

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for using a flow cell array are provided herein. An apparatus includes an array comprising one or more pixels, wherein each of the one or more pixels comprises multiple reaction sites openings; a first set of one or more sub-surface channels, wherein each of the multiple reaction site openings is connected to a sub-surface channel from the first set of one or more sub-surface channels; a second set of two or more sub-surface channels; and multiple vias connecting each channel from the first set of one or more sub-surface channels to (i) a first sub-surface channel from the second set of two or more sub-surface channels and (ii) a second sub-surface channel from the second set of two or more sub-surface channels.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an array comprising multiple pixels, wherein each of the pixels comprises multiple reaction sites, and wherein each of the pixels is approximately one micrometer in size;

a set of multiple surface channels, wherein each of the multiple reaction sites is connected to a surface channel from the set of multiple surface channels;

a set of two or more groups of sub-surface channels, wherein each of the groups of sub-surface channels is designated for use with (i) a distinct one of multiple distinct chemistries used in the pixels, (ii) one or more of the multiple reaction sites designated for use with the distinct one of the multiple distinct chemistries, and (iii) one or more of the multiple surface channels connected to the one or more of the multiple reaction sites designated for use with the distinct one of the multiple distinct chemistries; and

multiple vias connecting each channel from the set of multiple surface channels to (i) a first sub-surface channel from the set of two or more groups of sub-surface channels and (ii) a second sub-surface channel from the set of two or more sub-surface channels, wherein the first sub-surface channel and the second sub-surface channel form a group and are each aligned perpendicular to the surface channel connected thereto.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover secured to the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said cover is temporarily secured to the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said cover is permanently secured to the apparatus.