Microfluidic assay devices
First Claim
1. An assay device for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte within a fluid test sample, said assay comprising:
- an input channel;
an analysis zone in fluid communication with said input channel, said analysis zone defining a periphery, wherein said analysis zone serves as a location for detecting the analyte; and
a plurality of microfluidic wicking channels extending outwardly from the periphery of said analysis zone, wherein the assay device is configured so that the fluid test sample is capable of flowing through said input channel and said analysis zone primarily via capillary action.
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Abstract
A microfluidic assay device for determining the presence or absence of an analyte within a fluid test sample is provided. The present invention provides a technique for achieving continuous flow in a microfluidic device by using at least one input channel, an analysis zone, and a plurality of wicking channels disposed about the perimeter of the analysis zone. In one embodiment, for example, the wicking channels extend radially from the analysis zone. As a result of the particular configuration of the microfluidic device, an assay may performed in a “single step” without the need for active forces, such as a pressure source, electrokinetic force, etc., to induce flow of the fluid test sample through the device. Likewise, flow rate is controlled so that the dwell time of the fluid test sample within the analysis zone is long enough to allow for the desired reactions and/or detection.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An assay device for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte within a fluid test sample, said assay comprising:
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an input channel;
an analysis zone in fluid communication with said input channel, said analysis zone defining a periphery, wherein said analysis zone serves as a location for detecting the analyte; and
a plurality of microfluidic wicking channels extending outwardly from the periphery of said analysis zone, wherein the assay device is configured so that the fluid test sample is capable of flowing through said input channel and said analysis zone primarily via capillary action. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An assay device for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte within a fluid test sample, said assay comprising:
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an input channel;
a substantially circular analysis zone in fluid communication with said input channel, said analysis zone defining a periphery, wherein said analysis zone serves as a location for detecting the analyte;
a plurality of wicking channels extending radially from the periphery of said analysis zone, wherein said wicking channels have an aspect ratio of from about 0.1 to about 10 and a cross-sectional area of less than about 20 square millimeters; and
an overflow zone that is in fluid communication with said plurality of wicking channels, wherein the assay device is configured so that the fluid test sample is capable of flowing through said input channel and said analysis zone primarily via capillary action.
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21. A method for performing an assay, said method comprising:
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introducing into an input channel a fluid test sample suspected of containing an analyte;
allowing the fluid test sample to flow via capillary action from said input channel to an analysis zone that defines a periphery;
detecting the presence or absence of the analyte; and
drawing the fluid test sample from the analysis zone using a plurality of microfluidic wicking channels, said wicking channels extending outwardly from the periphery of said analysis zone. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification