Microfluidic cartridge with reservoirs for increased shelf life of installed reagents

• US 20060023039A1
• Filed: 07/28/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Padmanabhan, Aravind, Cabuz, Cleopatra, MacFadden, Kenneth O.
• Granted Patent: US 8,097,225 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/86
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/12 Specific details about materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/165 Specific details about hydrophobic, oleophobic surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/06 Valves, specific forms thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure

Abstract

A microfluidic cartridge that includes at least one reservoir for storing a reagent or the like for an extended period of time. In one illustrative embodiment, at least part of a wall of a reservoir includes a hydrophobic material, such as a polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer. The hydrophobic material may help reduce leaching, evaporation, diffusion and/or other transfer of the reagent or one of its components from the reservoir. When the reagent or the like is lyophilized, the hydrophobic material may help keep water, water vapor and/or other gases or liquids from entering the reservoir prior to use of the microfluidic cartridge.

Claims

1. A micro-fluidic cartridge comprising:

a channel for transporting a fluid from a first location in the micro-fluidic cartridge to a second location;

a reservoir that is at least selectively in fluid communication with the channel for storing at least some of the fluid and having an inner surface that is adapted to be in contact with the fluid, wherein at least part of the inner surface of the reservoir includes a Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

2. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a valve for selectively allowing the fluid to pass between the reservoir and the channel.

3. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 1 wherein the channel passes an optical window in the micro-fluidic cartridge.

4. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is at least substantially defined by a top wall, a bottom wall and one or more side walls, and wherein at least one of the top wall, the bottom wall and/or the one or more side walls has an inner surface that includes the Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

5. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is defined by a top wall, a bottom wall and one or more side walls, and wherein the top wall and the bottom wall have an inner surface that includes the Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

6. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is defined by a top wall, a bottom wall and one or more side walls, and wherein the top wall, the bottom wall and the one or more side walls have an inner surface that includes the Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

7. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is defined by a cavity in the micro-fluidic cartridge, and wherein at least a portion of the micro-fluidic cartridge that defines at least part of the cavity is formed from the Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

8. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is defined by a cavity with one or more inner walls in the micro-fluidic cartridge, and wherein at least a portion of the inner walls of the cavity includes a coating of the Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

9. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a mixer, for mixing the fluid in the reservoir.

10. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 1 wherein the fluid is a buffer fluid, a reagent fluid, a lyse fluid, a sphering fluid, a diluent, a sheathing fluid, a fluorescent dye, a cytochemical stain, a detergent, a monoclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody with an attached fluorescent dye, a phosphate buffered saline, an electrolyte solution, an enzymatic cleanser and/or a sample fluid to be analyzed.

11. A micro-fluidic cartridge comprising:

a reservoir for storing a fluid, the reservoir having an inner surface that is adapted to be in contact with the fluid, wherein at least part of the inner surface of the reservoir includes a hydrophobic substance.

12. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes a Poly-Vinylidene Dichloride (PVdC) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

13. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes a Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

14. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes an ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer.

15. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer.

16. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes a fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer (FEP).

17. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes a perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA).

18. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes a polyvinylidene fluoride.

19. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes a polyvinyl fluoride.

20. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes a polyvinylidene chloride.

21. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes a tetrafluoroethylene homopolymer and/or copolymer.

22. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes a hexafluoropropylene homopolymer and/or copolymer.

23. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic substance includes a vinylidene fluoride homopolymer and/or copolymer.

24. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 further comprising a mixer, for mixing the fluid in the reservoir.

25. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 11 wherein the fluid is a buffer fluid, a reagent fluid, a lyse fluid, a sphering fluid, a diluent, a sheathing fluid, a fluorescent dye, a cytochemical stain, a detergent, a monoclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody with an attached fluorescent dye, a phosphate buffered saline, an electrolyte solution, an enzymatic cleanser and/or a sample fluid to be analyzed.

26. A micro-fluidic cartridge comprising:

a first layer;

a second layer;

one or more intermediate layers between the first layer and the second layer, wherein at least one of the one or more intermediate layers includes an aperture extending therethrough, and wherein the first layer, the one or more intermediate layers and the second layer are stacked and secured together such that the aperture, the first layer and the second layer at least substantially defined a reservoir; and

wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layer have an inner surface facing the reservoir, and wherein at least part of the inner surface includes a Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

27. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 26 wherein the Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer is a coating.

28. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 26 wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layer is formed from the Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

29. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 28 wherein the first layer, the second layer and at least one of the one or more intermediate layers is formed from the Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

30. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 28 wherein the reservoir stores a fluid.

31. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 30 wherein the fluid is a buffer fluid, a reagent fluid, a lyse fluid, a sphering fluid, a diluent, a sheathing fluid, a fluorescent dye, a cytochemical stain, a detergent, a monoclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody with an attached fluorescent dye, a phosphate buffered saline, an electrolyte solution, an enzymatic cleanser and/or a sample fluid to be analyzed.

32. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 30 further comprising a mixer, for mixing the fluid in the reservoir.

33. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 28 wherein the reservoir stores a lyophilized reagent or substance.

34. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 33 wherein the reservoir includes a port for adding a hydrating liquid to the lyophilized substance in the reservoir.

35. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 34 further comprising a mixer, for mixing the hydrating liquid and the lyophilized substance in the reservoir.

36. A micro-fluidic cartridge comprising:

a reservoir;

an insert for storing a fluid, the insert being adapted to be inserted into the reservoir and is further adapted to include a Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

37. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 36 wherein the insert is separately formed and then provided in the reservoir.

38. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 37 wherein the insert is a blister pack.

39. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 36 wherein the fluid is a buffer fluid, a reagent fluid, a lyse fluid, a sphering fluid, a diluent, a sheathing fluid, a fluorescent dye, a cytochemical stain, a detergent, a monoclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody with an attached fluorescent dye, a phosphate buffered saline, an electrolyte solution, an enzymatic cleanser and/or a sample fluid to be analyzed.

40. A micro-fluidic cartridge comprising:

a reservoir defined or substantially defined by one or more reservoir walls, wherein at least a portion of the one or more reservoir walls includes a Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer; and

a fluid in the reservoir.

41. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 40 further comprising a valve for selectively allowing the fluid to pass out of the reservoir.

42. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 40 wherein all of the one or more reservoir walls or substantially all of the one or more reservoir walls include the Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

43. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 40 wherein the fluid is a buffer fluid, a reagent fluid, a lyse fluid, a sphering fluid, a diluent, a sheathing fluid, a fluorescent dye, a cytochemical stain, a detergent, a monoclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody with an attached fluorescent dye, a phosphate buffered saline, an electrolyte solution, an enzymatic cleanser and/or a sample fluid to be analyzed.

44. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 40 further comprising a channel that is at least selectively in fluid communication with the reservoir.

45. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 44 wherein the channel is defined by one or more channel walls, and wherein at least a portion of the one or more channel walls includes a Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

46. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 44 wherein the channel is defined by one or more channel walls, and wherein all or substantially all of the one or more channel walls includes a Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

47. A micro-fluidic cartridge comprising:

a reservoir defined or substantially defined by one or more reservoir walls, wherein at least a portion of the one or more reservoir walls includes a hydrophobic material;

a lyophilized substance positioned in the reservoir.

48. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 47 wherein the reservoir includes a port for adding a hydrating liquid to the lyophilized substance in the reservoir.

49. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 48 further comprising a mixer, for mixing the hydrating liquid and the lyophilized substance in the reservoir.

50. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 47 wherein the hydrophobic material includes a Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

51. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 47 wherein the portion of the one or more reservoir walls that includes a hydrophobic material includes an inner surface of the reservoir.

52. A micro-fluidic cartridge comprising:

at least two reservoirs, each defined or substantially defined by one or more reservoir walls, wherein at least a portion of the one or more reservoir walls of each of the at least two reservoirs includes a hydrophobic material;

wherein a first of the at least two reservoirs includes a lysing agent; and

wherein a second of the at least two reservoirs includes a sheath agent.

53. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 52 wherein a third of the at least two reservoirs is adapted to include a collected sample.

54. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 52 wherein the hydrophobic material includes a Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

55. A method of making a micro-fluidic cartridge comprising the steps of:

providing a micro-fluidic cartridge with at least one reservoir, wherein the reservoir is defined by one or more inner walls; and

providing a hydrophobic material on or adjacent to at least part of the one or more inner walls of the reservoir.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein the micro-fluidic cartridge is assembled from two or more parts, and wherein the hydrophobic material is provided on or adjacent to at least part of the one or more inner walls of the reservoir before the two or more parts are assembled.

57. The method of claim 55 wherein the micro-fluidic cartridge is assembled from two or more parts, and wherein the hydrophobic material is provided on or adjacent to at least part of the one or more inner walls of the reservoir after the two or more parts are assembled.

58. The method of claim 55 wherein the hydrophobic material is provided as a coating.

59. The method of claim 55 wherein the hydrophobic material is provided as an insert.

60. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 55 wherein the hydrophobic material includes a Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.

61. A method of making a micro-fluidic cartridge comprising the steps of:

providing a micro-fluidic cartridge with at least one reservoir;

providing an insert that defines at least one cavity, wherein the insert is made at least in part from a hydrophobic material; and

inserting the insert into the at least one reservoir.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the micro-fluidic cartridge is assembled from two or more parts, and wherein the insert is inserted into the at least one reservoir before the two or more parts are assembled.

63. The micro-fluidic cartridge of claim 61 wherein the hydrophobic material includes a Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer.