Handheld and portable microfluidic device to automatically prepare nucleic acids for analysis

• US 20060051252A1
• Filed: 09/09/2005
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MicroFluidic Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MicroFluidic Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Yuan, Bob, Aflatooni, Nima
• Granted Patent: US 7,988,935 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/102
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0217 of the plunger pump type medical syringes A61M
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0293 for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• 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: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/14 Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/40 Concentrating samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/405 by adsorption or absorption

Abstract

A handheld and portable extraction device is directed to a microfluidic-based system to be used in the field to extract and purify an analyte, preferably a nucleic acid, from a fluid-based sample. Preferably, the fluid-based sample is water-based. The fluid-based sample can also be a biological fluid sample. The handheld and portable extraction device includes a syringe-like device coupled to a purification chip. The purification chip is preferably included within a chip block which is removable from the remaining portion of the handheld and portable extraction device. The analyte collected within the purification chip can be later removed and collected for analysis.

Claims

1. A handheld and portable device to extract and purify an analyte from a fluid sample is adapted for field use, wherein the device includes an intake apparatus to draw the fluid sample into the device and a purification apparatus to extract and purify the analyte from the drawn fluid sample.

2. The handheld and portable device of claim 1 wherein the intake apparatus comprises a syringe-like apparatus including a sample collection chamber, a plunger, and a pipette tip.

3. The handheld and portable device of claim 2 further comprising separating means to separate solid debris from the fluid sample.

4. The handheld and portable device of claim 3 wherein the separating means includes one or more filters.

5. The handheld and portable device of claim 3 wherein the purification apparatus comprises a purification chip.

6. The handheld and portable device of claim 5 further comprising means for regulating a fluid flow of the sample through the purification chip.

7. The handheld and portable device of claim 1 wherein the fluid sample is water-based.

8. The handheld and portable device of claim 1 wherein the analyte is a nucleic acid.

9. A handheld and portable device comprising:

a. means for drawing a fluid-based sample into the device;

b. means for extracting and purifying an analyte from the sample;

c. means for directing the sample from the means for drawing to the means for extracting and purifying; and

d. means for regulating a fluid flow of the sample through the means for extracting and purifying.

10. The handheld and portable device of claim 9 wherein the means for drawing comprises a syringe-like apparatus including a sample collection chamber, a plunger, and a pipette tip.

11. The handheld and portable device of claim 10 wherein the means for regulating includes a spring coupled to the plunger.

12. The handheld and portable device of claim 10 wherein the means for regulating includes one of a group consisting of a pump, a motor, or a CO₂ pressure cannister.

13. The handheld and portable device of claim 9 wherein the fluid-based sample is a water-based sample.

14. The handheld and portable device of claim 9 wherein the fluid-based sample is a biological fluid sample.

15. The handheld and portable device of claim 9 wherein the fluid-based sample is an environmental fluid sample.

16. The handheld and portable device of claim 9 wherein the analyte is a nucleic acid.

17. The handheld and portable device of claim 9 wherein the analyte is an amino assay.

18. The handheld and portable device of claim 9 further comprising means for separating to separate solid debris from the fluid-based sample, wherein the means for separating is coupled to the means for drawing and the means for directing.

19. The handheld and portable device of claim 18 wherein the means for separating includes one or more filters.

20. The handheld and portable device of claim 9 wherein the means for directing includes one or more check valves and an output connection.

21. The handheld and portable device of claim 9 wherein the means for extracting and purifying includes a purification chip.

22. The handheld and portable device of claim 21 wherein the purification chip includes a plurality of pillars, each pillar coated with silicon oxide.

23. The handheld and portable device of claim 22 wherein a density configuration of the plurality of pillars forms a gradient.

24. The handheld and portable device of claim 21 wherein the means for extracting and purifying further comprises a chip block including the purification chip and microfluidic pathways to and from the purification chip.

25. The handheld and portable device of claim 24 wherein the chip block is detachable from the handheld and portable device.

26. A handheld and portable device comprising:

a. a syringe-like device to draw a fluid-based sample into the device;

b. a purification chip to extract and purify an analyte from the sample;

c. a fluidic pathway to direct the sample from the syringe-like device to the purification chip; and

d. a fluid flow regulator to regulate a fluid flow of the sample through the purification chip.

27. The handheld and portable device of claim 26 wherein the syringe-like device includes a sample collection chamber, a plunger, and a pipette tip.

28. The handheld and portable device of claim 27 wherein the fluid flow regulator includes a spring coupled to the plunger.

29. The handheld and portable device of claim 27 wherein the fluid flow regulator includes one of a group consisting of a pump, a motor, or a CO₂ pressure cannister.

30. The handheld and portable device of claim 26 wherein the fluid-based sample is a water-based sample.

31. The handheld and portable device of claim 26 wherein the fluid-based sample is a biological fluid sample.

32. The handheld and portable device of claim 26 wherein the fluid-based sample is an environmental fluid sample.

33. The handheld and portable device of claim 26 wherein the analyte is a nucleic acid.

34. The handheld and portable device of claim 26 wherein the analyte is an amino assay.

35. The handheld and portable device of claim 26 further comprising a separator to separate solid debris from the fluid-based sample, wherein the separator is coupled to the syringe-like device and the fluid flow regulator.

36. The handheld and portable device of claim 35 wherein the separator includes one or more filters.

37. The handheld and portable device of claim 26 wherein the fluidic pathway includes a check valve and an output connection.

38. The handheld and portable device of claim 26 wherein the purification chip includes a plurality of pillars, each pillar coated with silicon oxide.

39. The handheld and portable device of claim 38 wherein a density configuration of the plurality of pillars forms a gradient.

40. The handheld and portable device of claim 26 further comprises a chip block including the purification chip and microfluidic pathways to and from the purification chip.

41. The handheld and portable device of claim 40 wherein the chip block is detachable from the handheld and portable device.

42. A method of preparing a sample in the field, the method comprising:

a. drawing a fluid-based sample into a handheld and portable device;

b. directing the sample through a fluidic pathway within the device to a purification chip;

c. regulating a fluid flow of the sample through the purification chip; and

d. extracting and purifying an analyte from the sample.

43. The method of claim 42 further comprising detaching the purification chip with the nucleic acid from the device.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein the fluid-based sample is a water-based sample.

45. The method of claim 42 wherein the fluid-based sample is a biological fluid sample.

46. The method of claim 42 wherein the fluid-based sample is an environmental fluid sample.

47. The method of claim 42 wherein the analyte is a nucleic acid.

48. The method of claim 42 wherein the analyte is an amino assay.

49. The method of claim 42 further comprising separating solid debris from the fluid- based sample prior to extracting and purifying the analyte from the sample.