Devices and methods for the performance of miniaturized homogeneous assays

• US 20030232403A1
• Filed: 06/24/2003
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tecan Trading AG (Tecan Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Tecan Trading AG (Tecan Group AG)
• Inventors: Kellogg, Gregory L., Duffy, David C.
• Application Number:
  US10/602,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20030232403A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/7.32
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/23 Mixing of laboratory samples e.g. in preparation of analysing or testing properties of materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/23 Mixing by intersecting jets
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/31 in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/433 Mixing tubes wherein the shape of the tube influences the mixing, e.g. mixing tubes with varying cross-section or provided with inwardly extending profiles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/30 Micromixers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71725 using centrifugal forces
• 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 2219/00317 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 2219/00421 using centrifugation
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00479 Means for mixing reactants or products in the reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00488 by rotation of the reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00536 in the shape of disks
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00704 integrated with the reactor apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0072 Organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0806 Standardised forms, e.g. compact disc [CD] format
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 : comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 : Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 : Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0883 : Serpentine channels
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 : Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 : centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 : surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• 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: G01N 2035/00495 : Centrifuges
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00069 : whereby the sample substrate is of the bio-disk type, i.e. having the format of an optical disk
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/111666 : Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 : Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention provides a microsystem platform and a micromanipulation device for manipulating the platform that utilizes the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels. These assays may be performed for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to screening of drug candidate compounds, life sciences research, and clinical and molecular diagnostics. Methods specific for the apparatus of the invention for performing any of a wide variety of microanalytical or microsynthetic processes are provided.

Claims

1. In a centripetally-motivated microsystems platform, a microfluidics structure comprising:

one or a plurality of microchannels that join one or a plurality of capillary junctions, wherein each microchannel passes through a change in a lateral dimension where the microchannel joins a capillary junction; and

one or a plurality of mixing microchannels, each mixing microchannel being fluidly connected to the capillary junction of a microchannel, wherein each mixing microchannel is configured to bend a plurality of times around a plurality of curves as the mixing microchannel traverses a longitudinal path on the platform.

2. The microfluidics structure of claim 1, wherein each mixing microchannel fluidly connects to a second capillary junction, wherein the second capillary junction is separated by the longitudinal extent of the mixing microchannel from the capillary junction between the mixing microchannel and one of the plurality of microchannels.

3. The microfluidics structure of claim 1, wherein each mixing microchannel fluidly connects to a detection chamber.

4. The microfluidics structure of claim 1, further comprising one or a plurality of reagent reservoirs containing a reagent solution fluidly connected to the one or a plurality of microchannels.

5. The microfluidics structure of claim 1, further comprising one or a plurality of sample reservoirs containing a sample solution fluidly connected to the one or a plurality of microchannels.

6. The microfluidics structure of claim 1, wherein the change in the lateral dimension includes an interior diameter of the microchannel changing by between about 0% and about 95%.

7. The microfluidics structure of claim 1, wherein a length of the one or a plurality of mixing microchannels is chosen to provide a sufficient time for mixing via diffusion under an influence of centripetal acceleration.

8. The microfluidics structure of claim 1, wherein each mixing microchannel has a length of from about 1 mm to about 100 mm.

9. The microfluidics structure of claim 1, wherein each mixing microchannel comprises a plurality of bends having angles greater than 90°

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