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

• US 20030104590A1
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Published: 06/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microchips Biotech, Inc. (Keratin Biosciences, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Chung Chang Young, John T. Santini Jr, Norman F. Sheppard, Jr., Robert S. Langer
• Inventors: Santini,, John T. Jr., Sheppard,, Norman F. Jr., Langer, Robert S., Young, Chung Chang
• Granted Patent: US 6,849,463 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/174
• 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 micromixers B01F33/30
• 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 and methods of use are provided for the controlled exposure of a secondary device. In one embodiment, the microchip device include a substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a secondary device in one or more of the reservoirs, at least one barrier layer covering each of the reservoirs to isolate the secondary device from an environmental component outside the reservoirs, wherein the barrier layer is impermeable to the environmental component, and a microprocessor-controlled actuation means for rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable to the environmental component to expose the secondary device to said environmental component. The secondary device can comprise a sensor or sensing component (e.g., a biosensor). In other embodiments, microchip devices are provided for the controlled exposure of a reacting component, such as an enzyme. In still other embodiments, sensors are provided on the device outside of the reservoirs.

Claims

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

a substrate;

a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate;

a secondary device in one or more of the reservoirs;

at least one barrier layer covering each of the reservoirs to isolate the secondary device from an environmental component outside the reservoirs, wherein the barrier layer is impermeable to the environmental component; and

a microprocessor-controlled actuation means for rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable to the environmental component to expose the secondary device to said environmental component.

2. The microchip device of claim 1, wherein microprocessor-controlled actuation means comprises a microprocessor programmed to initiate said rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable at a specified time, upon receipt of a signal from another device, or upon detection of a specified sensed condition.

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

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

5. The microchip device of claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises a biosensor.

6. The microchip device of claim 3, wherein the sensor or sensing component comprises one or more electrodes.

7. The microchip device of claim 3, wherein the sensor or sensing component comprises a light detection or imaging device.

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

9. The microchip device of claim 8, wherein the reacting component is selected from the group consisting of cells, proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides.

10. The microchip device of claim 8, wherein the reacting component comprises an assay reagent or catalyst.

11. The microchip device of claim 8, wherein the reacting component comprises an enzyme.

12. The microchip device of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer comprises a combination of passive and active barrier layers.

13. The microchip device of claim 12, wherein the barrier layer comprises an active barrier layer on a passive barrier layer, the active barrier layer being impermeable to the environmental component and the passive barrier layer being permeable to at least the environmental component.

14. The microchip device of claim 13, further comprising a cathode, wherein the active barrier layer comprises an anode, whereby upon application of an electric potential between the cathode and the anode the active barrier layer disintegrates.

15. The microchip device of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer comprises a polymeric material.

16. The microchip device of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer comprises a porous metal, a porous semiconductor material, or a porous ceramic material.

17. A microchip device for use in sensing comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate;

at least one barrier layer covering each of the reservoirs; and

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

18. The microchip device of claim 17, wherein the reservoirs contain a reacting component.

19. The microchip device of claim 18, wherein the barrier layer is impermeable to an environmental component outside the reservoir and isolates the reacting component from the environmental component.

20. The microchip device of claim 19, further comprising a microprocessor-controlled actuation means for rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable to the environmental component to expose the reacting component to said environmental component.

21. The microchip device of claim 19, further comprising a cathode, wherein the barrier layer comprises an anode, whereby the barrier layer disintegrates upon application of an electric potential between the cathode and the anode.

22. The microchip device of claim 17, wherein the sensor or sensing component is used to measure a property selected from the group consisting of biological activity, chemical activity, pH, temperature, optical properties, radioactivity, pressure, and electrical conductivity.

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

a substrate;

a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate;

a reacting component in each of the reservoirs;

at least one barrier layer covering each of the reservoirs to isolate the reacting component from an environmental component outside the reservoirs, wherein the barrier layer is impermeable to the environmental component; and

a microprocessor-controlled actuation means for disintegrating the barrier layer or for rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable to the environmental component, to expose the reacting component to said environmental component.

24. The microchip device of claim 23, wherein the reacting component is immobilized in each of the reservoirs.

25. The microchip device of claim 23, wherein the reacting component comprises a catalyst.

26. The microchip device of claim 25, wherein the catalyst is an enzyme.

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

28. The microchip device of claim 23, further comprising a swellable material or osmotic pressure generating material provided in one or more of the reservoirs.

29. The microchip device of claim 28, wherein said one or more of the reservoirs contain a swellable material comprising a water-swellable polymer and wherein the barrier layer ruptures upon swelling of the polymer.

30. The microchip device of claim 28, wherein said one or more of the reservoirs contain an osmotic pressure generating material and wherein the barrier layer comprises a semi-permeable membrane permeable to water.

31. The microchip device of claim 30, wherein the barrier layer ruptures due to an osmotic-pressure-induced force, which is generated from water entering the reservoir through the semi-permeable membrane.

32. A method for controlling the exposure of a secondary device, which is located within a reservoir in a microchip device, to an environmental component outside the reservoir, the method comprising:

providing at a site, which comprises an environmental component, a microchip device which comprises a substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a secondary device in one or more of the reservoirs, at least one barrier layer covering each of the reservoirs to isolate the secondary device from an environmental component outside the reservoirs, wherein the barrier layer is impermeable to the environmental component, and a microprocessor-controlled actuation means for rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable to the environmental component; and

then

selectively rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable to the environmental component so that the environmental component passes through the barrier layer to contact or interact with the secondary device.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the microprocessor-controlled actuation means initiates said rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable by application of a stimulus selected from the group consisting of an electric field, electric current, magnetic field, heat, chemicals, osmotic pressure, ionic gradients, capillary forces, and surface tension.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the secondary device comprises a sensor or sensing component.

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

providing at the site a microchip device which comprises a substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, at least one barrier layer covering each of the reservoirs, and a sensor or sensing component attached to the substrate outside of the reservoirs, wherein the sensor or sensing component detects or measures a property in or adjacent to at least one of the reservoirs; and

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

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the reservoirs each comprise a reacting component therein.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising disintegrating the barrier layer or rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable to an environmental component, to expose the reacting component to said environmental component.

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

providing at a site, which comprises an environmental component, a microchip device which comprises a substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a reacting component in each of the reservoirs, at least one barrier layer covering each of the reservoirs to isolate the reacting component from the environmental component outside the reservoirs and at the site, wherein the barrier layer is impermeable to the environmental component, and a microprocessor-controlled actuation means for rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable to the environmental component; and

then

selectively disintegrating the barrier layer, or selectively rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable to the environmental component, to expose the reacting component to the environmental component.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the reacting component is immobilized in the reservoir.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the reacting component comprises an enzyme or other catalyst.