Fluidic systems comprising an incubation channel, including fluidic systems formed by molding
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- in a fluidic system comprising a sample collector and an article, performing the steps of;
introducing a sample comprising a sample component into the sample collector;
connecting the sample collector to a sample inlet port of the article, wherein the article comprises first and second sides, wherein the first side comprises an incubation channel, and wherein the first side and/or second side comprises a detection channel in fluid communication with the incubation channel, and wherein the sample inlet port is in fluid communication with the incubation channel;
flowing, at a first flow rate, at least a portion of the sample from the sample collector to the incubation channel;
reducing the flow rate of the sample to a second flow rate, wherein the second flow rate is less than the first flow rate and/or is zero to allow incubation of the sample in the incubation channel;
modulating the flow rate of the sample to a third flow rate which is greater than the second flow rate; and
flowing the sample through the detection channel;
wherein a ratio of heights and/or widths of the incubation channel to the detection channel is at least about 5;
1, andwherein prior to the step of reducing the flow rate of the sample, at least a portion of the sample is flowed into the detection channel.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fluidic devices and methods involving incubation and/or mixing of assay components are provided. In some embodiments, a biological and/or chemical assay may be performed in a fluidic device. The fluidic device may be designed to allow for controlled incubation and/or mixing of two or more assay components. In some such embodiments, the fluidic device may include an incubation channel having a relatively large cross-sectional dimension in fluid communication with a detection channel. The incubation channel may allow for adequate mixing and/or incubation of two or more assay components prior to analysis of the assay. In certain embodiments, the detection channel may be used to provide feedback on the extent of incubation and/or mixing. Based on the feedback, one or more component of the fluidic system may be regulated to allow the requisite degree of mixing and/or incubation to be achieved.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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in a fluidic system comprising a sample collector and an article, performing the steps of; introducing a sample comprising a sample component into the sample collector; connecting the sample collector to a sample inlet port of the article, wherein the article comprises first and second sides, wherein the first side comprises an incubation channel, and wherein the first side and/or second side comprises a detection channel in fluid communication with the incubation channel, and wherein the sample inlet port is in fluid communication with the incubation channel; flowing, at a first flow rate, at least a portion of the sample from the sample collector to the incubation channel; reducing the flow rate of the sample to a second flow rate, wherein the second flow rate is less than the first flow rate and/or is zero to allow incubation of the sample in the incubation channel; modulating the flow rate of the sample to a third flow rate which is greater than the second flow rate; and flowing the sample through the detection channel; wherein a ratio of heights and/or widths of the incubation channel to the detection channel is at least about 5;
1, andwherein prior to the step of reducing the flow rate of the sample, at least a portion of the sample is flowed into the detection channel.
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2. A method, comprising:
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in a fluidic system comprising a sample collector and an article, performing the steps of; introducing a sample comprising a sample component into the sample collector; connecting the sample collector to a sample inlet port of the article, wherein the article comprises first and second sides, wherein the first side comprises an incubation channel, and wherein the first side and/or second side comprises a detection zone comprising a detection channel in fluid communication with the incubation channel, and wherein the sample inlet port is in fluid communication with the incubation channel; flowing, at a first flow rate, at least a portion of the sample from the sample collector to the incubation channel; flowing at least a portion of the sample into a part, but not all, of the detection zone; reducing the flow rate of the sample to a second flow rate, wherein the second flow rate is less than the first flow rate and/or is zero; modulating the flow rate of the sample to a third flow rate which is greater than the second flow rate; and flowing the sample through the detection channel. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification