Microfabricated devices for the storage and selective exposure of chemicals and devices

• US 20030049865A1
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microchips Biotech, Inc. (Keratin Biosciences, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MicroCHIPS Inc.
• Inventors: Santini, John T. Jr., Sheppard, Norman F. Jr., Langer, Robert S., Young, Chung Chang
• Granted Patent: US 6,551,838 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/518
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/6957 the form being a device or a kit, e.g. stents or microdevices
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0002 General or multifunctional contrast agents, e.g. chelated agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0004 Osmotic delivery systems; Sustained release driven by osmosis, thermal energy or gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0009 involving or responsive to electricity, magnetism or acoustic waves; Galenical aspects of sonophoresis, iontophoresis, electroporation or electroosmosis microelectromechanical systems A61K9/0097
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0097 Micromachined devices; Microelectromechanical systems [MEMS]; Devices obtained by lithographic treatment of silicon; Devices comprising chips intradermal microneedle arrays A61K9/0021; MEMS in general B81B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/10 for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0093 Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00317 Microwell devices, i.e. having large numbers of wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00351 Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00783 Laminate assemblies, i.e. the reactor comprising a stack of plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00819 Materials of construction
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00822 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00824 Ceramic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00828 Silicon wafers or plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00831 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00833 : Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00835 : Comprising catalytically active material
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00844 : Comprising porous material
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00853 : Employing electrode arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00873 : Heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00889 : Mixing
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00907 : using membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00925 : Irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00952 : Sensing operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00957 : Compositions or concentrations
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00966 : pH
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0097 : Optical sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00984 : Residence time
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00986 : Microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/12 : Specific details about manufacturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/023 : Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/049 : Valves integrated in closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0627 : Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 : Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 : Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 : phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 : with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 : for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 : Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00247 : Microvalves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49007 : Indicating transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 : Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation

Abstract

Microchip devices are provided which include a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs containing a secondary device, a reacting component, or a combination thereof. At least one barrier layer covers each reservoir to isolate the reservoir contents from one or more environmental components outside the reservoirs. The barrier layer can be selectively disintegrated or permeabilized to expose the isolated contents to the one or more environmental components. The secondary device preferably includes a sensor or sensing component, for example, a biosensor, or a light detection or imaging device, such as an optical fiber. Preferred reacting components include catalysts and reagent, which may be immobilized in the reservoirs.

Claims

1. A microchip device for the controlled exposure of a secondary device, comprising

a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs;

a secondary device in one or more of the reservoirs; and

at least one barrier layer covering the one or more reservoirs to isolate the secondary device from one or more environmental components outside the reservoirs;

wherein the barrier layer can be selectively disintegrated or permeabilized, thereby exposing the secondary device to said one or more environmental components.

2. The microchip device of claim 1 wherein the secondary device comprises a sensor or a sensing component.

3. The microchip device of claim 2 wherein each reservoir comprises a sensor and a reference sensor.

4. The microchip device of claim 2 wherein the sensor comprises a biosensor.

5. The microchip device of claim 2 wherein the sensor comprises one or more electrodes.

6. The microchip device of claim 1 wherein the secondary device comprises a light detection or imaging device.

7. The microchip device of claim 6 wherein the secondary device comprises an optical fiber.

8. The microchip device of claim 1 wherein the secondary device substantially fills the reservoir.

9. The microchip device of claim 1 wherein the substrate further comprises one or more reservoirs containing a reacting component.

10. The microchip device of claim 9 wherein the reacting component is selected from the group consisting of proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides.

11. The microchip device of claim 9 wherein the reacting component comprises an assay reagent or catalyst.

12. The microchip device of claim 11 wherein the reacting component comprises glucose oxidase.

13. The microchip device of claim 1 wherein the barrier layer is selectively permeable to at least one of the environmental components and is covered by a second barrier layer that is impermeable to the at least one of the environmental components.

14. The microchip device of claim 1 further comprising a cathode, wherein the barrier layer comprises an anode, whereby upon application of an electric potential between the cathode and the anode the barrier layer disintegrates.

15. The microchip device of claim 14 further comprising a microprocessor which can be directed to control the application of the electric potential.

16. A microchip device for use in sensing comprising

a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs having at least one barrier layer covering one or more of the reservoirs;

and

a sensor or sensing component attached to the substrate outside the reservoir, wherein the sensing component detects or measures a property in or adjacent to at least one of the reservoirs.

17. The microchip device of claim 16 further comprising at least one reservoir which contains a reacting component.

18. The microchip device of claim 17 further comprising one or more barrier layers covering the at least one reservoir to isolate the reacting component from one or more environmental components outside the reservoir, wherein the barrier layer can be selectively disintegrated or permeabilized, thereby exposing the reacting component to said one or more environmental components.

19. The microchip device of claim 16 wherein the sensing component is used in measuring a property selected from the group consisting of biological activity, chemical activity, pH, temperature, optical properties, radioactivity, pressure, and electrical conductivity.

20. A microchip device for controlled exposure of a reacting component comprising

a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs;

a secondary device in one or more of the reservoirs; and

at least one barrier layer covering one or more of the reservoirs to isolate the reacting component from one or more environmental components outside the reservoirs;

wherein the barrier layer can be selectively disintegrated or permeabilized, thereby exposing the reacting component to said one or more environmental components.

21. The microchip device of claim 20 wherein the reacting component is immobilized in the reservoir.

22. The microchip device of claim 21 wherein the reacting component comprises a catalyst or enzyme.

23. The microchip device of claim 20 further comprising a reaction control component mounted inside the reservoirs.

24. The microchip device of claim 20 further comprising a swellable material or osmotic pressure generating material provided in one or more of the reservoirs.

25. The microchip device of claim 24 wherein said one or more of the reservoirs contain a swellable material comprising a water-swellable polymer and wherein the barrier layer is rupturable upon swelling of the polymer.

26. The microchip device of claim 24 wherein said one or more of the reservoirs contain an osmotic pressure generating material and wherein at least one of the barrier layers comprises a semi-permeable membrane which is water permeable.

27. The microchip device of claim 26 wherein at least one of the barrier layers is rupturable by a force induced by osmotic pressure generated by water entering one or more reservoirs through the semi-permeable membrane.

28. A method for controlling exposure of a secondary device within reservoirs of a microchip device to one or more environmental components outside the reservoirs, the method comprising

providing at a site which comprises said one or more environmental components the microchip device comprising a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs containing the secondary device, wherein at least one barrier layer covers each reservoir to isolate the secondary device from said one or more environmental components;

and

selectively disintegrating or permeabilizing said at least one barrier layer to expose one or more of the secondary device to said one or more environmental components.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein disintegration or permeabilization of the barrier layer is initiated by application of a stimulus selected from the group consisting of an electric field or current, magnetic field, heat, chemicals, osmotic pressure, ionic gradients, capillary forces, and surface tension.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the secondary device comprises a sensor.

31. A method for detecting or measuring a property at a site, the method comprising

providing at the site a microchip device having a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs, wherein a sensing component is attached to the substrate outside of or positioned within the reservoir;

and

utilizing the sensing component to detect or measure a property in or adjacent to at least one of the reservoirs.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the microchip device further comprises a reacting component provided within one or more reservoirs which have at least one barrier layer covering each reservoir to isolate the reacting component from one or more environmental components outside the reservoir, the method further comprising selectively disintegrating or permeabilizing the barrier layer to expose the reacting component to said one or more environmental components at a site in or adjacent to the one or more reservoirs where the property is detected or measured.

33. A method of controlling exposure of a reacting component to an environmental component, the method comprising

providing a microchip device which comprises a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs which contain the reacting component, and a barrier layer covering each reservoir to isolate the reacting component from one or more environmental components outside the reservoir;

and

selectively disintegrating or permeabilizing the barrier layer to expose the reacting component to said one or more environmental components.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the reacting component is immobilized in the reservoir.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein the reacting component comprises a catalyst or enzyme.