Compliant microfluidic sample processing disks

• US 20070009391A1
• Filed: 07/05/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diasorin Italia SPA
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Bedingham, William, Robole, Barry
• Granted Patent: US 7,763,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/100
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0803 Disc shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1805 Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046

Abstract

Microfluidic sample processing disks with a plurality of fluid structures formed therein are disclosed. Each of the fluid structures preferably includes an input well and one or more process chambers connected to the input well by one or more delivery channels. The process chambers may be arranged in a compliant annular processing ring that is adapted to conform to the shape of an underlying thermal transfer surface under pressure. That compliance may be delivered in the disks of the present invention by locating the process chambers in an annular processing ring in which a majority of the volume is occupied by the process chambers. Compliance within the annular processing ring may alternatively be provided by a composite structure within the annular processing ring that includes covers attached to a body using pressure sensitive adhesive.

Claims

1. A microfluidic sample processing disk comprising:

a body comprising first and second major surfaces;

a plurality of fluid structures, wherein each fluid structure of the plurality of fluid structures comprises;

an input well comprising an opening;

a process chamber located radially outward of the input well, wherein the process chamber comprises a void formed through the first and second major surfaces of the body; and

a delivery channel connecting the input well to the process chamber, wherein the delivery channel comprises an inner channel formed in the second major surface of the body, an outer channel formed in the first major surface of the body, and a via formed through the first and second major surfaces of the body, wherein the via connects the inner channel to the outer channel;

wherein the vias and the process chambers of the plurality of fluid structures define annular rings on the body;

a first annular cover attached to the first major surface of the body, the first annular cover defining the vias, the outer channels, and the process chambers in connection with the first major surface of the body;

a second annular cover attached to the second major surface of the body, the second annular cover defining the process chambers of the plurality of fluid structures in connection with the second major surface of the body, wherein an inner edge of the second annular cover is located radially outward of the annular ring defined by the vias of the plurality of fluid structures; and

a central cover attached to the second major surface of the body, the central cover defining the inner channels and the vias in connection with the second major surface of the body, wherein an outer edge of the central cover is located radially outward of the annular ring defined by the vias of the plurality of fluid structures.

2. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 1, wherein the input wells of the plurality of fluid structures are located within raised structures extending above the first major surface of the body, wherein each raised structure of the plurality of raised structures comprises two or more of the input wells.

3. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 2, wherein the inner channels extending from two or more input wells in each of the raised structures extend along lines that are not coincident with a radius defined by a center of the annular rings.

4. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge of the central cover and the inner edge of the second annular cover define a junction located radially outside of the annular ring defined by the vias of the plurality of fluid structures.

5. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 1, wherein the input wells comprise voids formed through the first and second major surfaces of the body, wherein the central cover defines ends of the input wells on the second major surface of the body.

6. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 1, wherein the second annular cover comprises a metallic foil layer.

7. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 1, wherein the first annular cover transmits electromagnetic radiation of selected wavelengths into and/or out of the process chambers of the plurality of fluid structures.

8. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 1, wherein the first annular cover, the second annular cover, and the central cover are adhesively attached to the body using one or more pressure sensitive adhesives.

9. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 1, wherein the process chambers of the plurality of fluid structures define an annular processing ring on the sample processing disk, wherein the process chambers occupy 50% or more of the volume of the body within the annular processing ring.

10. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 1, wherein the process chambers of the plurality of fluid structures define an annular processing ring on the sample processing disk, and wherein one or more orphan chambers are located within the annular processing ring, wherein each orphan chamber is formed by a void or depression in the body and one or both of the first annular cover and the second annular cover.

11. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 10, wherein the voids of the process chambers and the orphan chambers together occupy 50% or more of the volume of the body within the annular processing ring.

12. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 1, further comprising an input well seal adapted to close the opening in the input well of each fluid structure of the plurality of fluid structures.

13. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 12, wherein the input well seal is adhesively attached over the opening in the input well of each fluid structure of the plurality of fluid structures.

14. A microfluidic sample processing disk comprising:

a body comprising first and second major surfaces;

a plurality of fluid structures, wherein each fluid structure of the plurality of fluid structures comprises;

an input well comprising an opening;

a process chamber located radially outward of the input well, wherein the process chamber comprises a void formed through the first and second major surfaces of the body; and

a delivery channel connecting the input well to the process chamber;

a first cover attached to the first major surface of the body with a pressure sensitive adhesive, the first cover defining a portion of the process chambers of the plurality of fluid structures in connection with the first major surface of the body;

a second cover attached to the second major surface of the body with a pressure sensitive adhesive, the second cover defining a portion of the process chambers of the plurality of fluid structures in connection with the second major surface of the body, wherein the second cover comprises an inner edge and an outer edge that is located radially outward of the inner edge;

wherein the process chambers of the plurality of fluid structures define an annular processing ring that comprises an inner edge and an outer edge located radially inward of a perimeter of the body, wherein the inner edge of the annular processing ring is located radially outward of the inner edge of the second cover.

15. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 14, wherein the process chambers of the plurality of fluid structures occupy 50% or more of the volume of the body within the annular processing ring.

16. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 14, wherein the second cover comprises a metallic layer.

17. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 16, wherein the metallic layer is coextensive with the second cover.

18. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 14, wherein the second cover comprises a metallic layer, and wherein the first cover comprises a polymeric layer that transmits electromagnetic energy of selected wavelengths into or out of the process chambers of the plurality of fluid structures.

19. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 14, wherein the delivery channel comprises an inner channel formed in the second major surface of the body, an outer channel formed in the first major surface of the body, and a via formed through the first and second major surfaces of the body, wherein the via connects the inner channel to the outer channel and wherein the vias of the plurality of fluid structures define an annular array of vias on the body;

wherein the first cover defines a portion of the vias and the outer channels;

and wherein the microfluidic sample processing disk further comprises a central cover attached to the second major surface of the body, the central cover defining the inner channels and the vias in connection with the second major surface of the body, wherein an outer edge of the central cover is located radially outward of the annular array of vias.

20. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 19, wherein the outer edge of the central cover is located radially inward of the inner edge of the second cover.

21. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 19, wherein the outer edge of the central cover and the inner edge of the second cover define a junction located radially outside of the annular array of vias.

22. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 14, wherein the input wells of the plurality of fluid structures are located within raised structures extending above the first major surface of the body, wherein each raised structure of the plurality of raised structures comprises two or more of the input wells.

23. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 14, wherein the input wells comprise voids formed through the first and second major surfaces of the body, wherein the central cover defines ends of the input wells on the second major surface of the body.

24. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 14, further comprising an input well seal adapted to close the opening in the input well of each fluid structure of the plurality of fluid structures.

25. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 24, wherein the input well seal is attached over the opening in the input well of each fluid structure of the plurality of fluid structures with a pressure sensitive adhesive.

26. A microfluidic sample processing disk comprising:

a body that comprises first and second major surfaces;

an annular processing ring comprising a plurality of process chambers formed in the body, each process chamber of the plurality of process chambers defining an independent volume for containing sample material;

an annular metallic layer located within the annular processing ring, wherein the annular metallic layer is proximate the first surface of the body, wherein the plurality of process chambers are located between the annular metallic layer and the second major surface of the body;

a plurality of channels formed in the body, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels is in fluid communication with at least one process chamber of the plurality of process chambers;

wherein the annular processing ring comprises a compliant structure in which the independent volumes of the plurality of process chambers maintain fluidic integrity when a portion of the annular processing ring is deflected in a direction normal to the first and second major surfaces of the body.

27. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 26, wherein the plurality of process chambers occupy 50% or more of the volume of the body within the annular processing ring.

28. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 26, wherein one or more orphan chambers are located within the annular processing ring, wherein each orphan chamber comprises a void or depression in the body.

29. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 28, wherein the plurality of process chambers and the orphan chambers together occupy 50% or more of the volume of the body within the annular processing ring.

30. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 26, wherein the annular metallic layer is attached to the first surface of the body with a pressure sensitive adhesive.

31. A microfluidic sample processing disk according to claim 26, wherein the annular processing ring comprises an annular transmissive cover attached to the second surface of the body with a pressure sensitive adhesive, wherein the annular metallic layer is attached to the first surface of the body with a pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein each process chamber of the plurality of process chambers is defined by a void formed through the first and second major surfaces of the body, a portion of the annular transmissive cover and a portion of the annular metallic cover.