Systems and methods for thermal actuation of microfluidic devices

• US 10,351,901 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2017
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HandyLab Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: HandyLab Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Ganesan, Karthik, Handique, Kalyan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hopkins, Robert A
• Application Number:
  US15/619,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20180119204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 422502, 422505
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/02 Adapting objects or devices to another
• 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 2200/14 Process control and prevention of errors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/147 Employing temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/02 Identification, exchange or storage of information
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0442 thermal energy, e.g. vaporisation, bubble jet
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/049 vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/00 Heating or cooling apparatus autoclaves B01J3/04; Heat insulating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6806 Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay C12Q1/6804 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/4077 by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids

Abstract

A microfluidic processing device includes a substrate defining a microfluidic network. The substrate is in thermal communication with a plurality of N independently controllable components and a plurality of input output contacts for connecting the substrate to an external controller. Each component has at least two terminals. Each terminal is in electrical communication with at least one contact. The number of contacts required to independently control the N components is substantially less than the total number of terminals. Upon actuation, the components typically heat a portion of the microfluidic network and/or sense a temperature thereof.

Claims

1. A microfluidic system, comprising:

a first substrate defining a microfluidic network comprising at least a thermally actuated reaction chamber configured to receive a polynucleotide-containing sample;

a second substrate defining a plurality of heat sources, wherein in use, the first substrate and the second substrate mate to bring the plurality of heat sources and elements of the microfluidic network into thermal communication;

and

wherein two heat sources of the plurality of heat sources are configured to receive the same current or wherein a heat source driver is configured to supply the same output voltage for supplying current to the heat sources.

2. The microfluidic system of claim 1, further comprising a controller.

3. The microfluidic system of claim 1, further comprising a processor.

4. The microfluidic system of claim 1, further comprising a heat source driver configured to supply a specified amount of current.

5. The microfluidic system of claim 1, further comprising the heat source driver configured to supply a particular voltage.

6. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein each heat source has a unique pair of contacts in an array.

7. The microfluidic system of claim 6, wherein each heat source is individually actuatable by supplying current to the appropriate pair of contacts.

8. A microfluidic system, comprising:

a first substrate defining a microfluidic network comprising at least a thermally actuated valve;

a second substrate defining a plurality of heat sources, wherein in use, the first substrate and the second substrate mate to bring the plurality of heat sources and elements of the microfluidic network into thermal communication;

and

wherein two heat sources of the plurality of heat sources are configured to receive the same current or wherein a heat source driver is configured to supply the same output voltage for supplying current to the heat sources.

9. The microfluidic system of claim 8, wherein multiple valves are configured to be closed simultaneously.

10. The microfluidic system of claim 8, wherein each thermally actuated valve comprises a thermally responsive substance.

11. The microfluidic system of claim 10, wherein the thermally responsive substance is wax.

12. The microfluidic system of claim 10, wherein the thermally responsive substance is configured to obstruct or allow passage of a sample along a channel.

13. The microfluidic system of claim 10, wherein pressure from a pressure source moves the thermally responsive substance.

14. The microfluidic system of claim 10, wherein the thermally responsive substance comprises a volume of about 250 nanoliters or less.

15. The microfluidic system of claim 10, wherein a chamber of gas is configured to be heated to move the thermally responsive substance.

16. The microfluidic system of claim 8, wherein each thermally actuated valve is configured to reversibly open and close.