Methods and systems for delivery of fluidic samples to sensor arrays

• US 20070092975A1
• Filed: 08/22/2006
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BL Technologies Inc. (Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Xiao, Caibin, Potyrailo, Radislav, Boyette, Scott, Leach, Andrew, Shrikhande, Prashant
• Granted Patent: US 8,133,741 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/169
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0642 Filling fluids into wells by specific techniques
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0806 Standardised forms, e.g. compact disc [CD] format
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0427 Electrowetting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0448 Marangoni flow; Thermocapillary effect
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502723 characterised by venting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502746 characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7766 Capillary fill
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7773 Reflection
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7783 Transmission, loss
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7786 Fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7793 Sensor comprising plural indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/80 Indicating pH value
• 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 436/144444 : Glucose
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Delivery means are provided to deliver a metered quantity of sample fluid to the sensor array. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation. The improved array response may then be utilized to measure, monitor, and control the concentration of analytes in the chemical or biological sample or water system.

Claims

1. A method for simultaneously measuring a plurality of biological or chemical analytes in a fluid, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a substrate comprising a plurality of sensor elements, each said sensor element responding to at least one of said plurality of analytes;

providing at least one light source for directing light onto said sensor elements;

delivering metered quantities of said fluid to each said sensor element;

detecting a response from said sensor elements;

recording said response into a digital record;

processing said digital record; and

utilizing said digital record to determine a concentration of each said analyte in said fluid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said delivering step comprises providing a delivery device comprising a plurality of reservoirs communicating with said sensor elements, said delivery device further comprising a sample entry port and a plurality of hydrophilic fluidic channels, said channels being connected between said reservoirs and said entry port so as to transport a controlled volume of said fluid between said entry port and said reservoirs, said delivery device further comprising a cover layer attached to said delivery device, said cover layer comprising a plurality of substantially hydrophobic vent holes disposed above said reservoirs, said cover layer further comprising a substantially hydrophilic bottom surface for providing a hydrophilic roof portion above said reservoirs to facilitate transport of said fluid to said reservoirs.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said substrate is a single formed structure comprising a plurality of reservoirs, a sample entry port, and a plurality of fluidic channels connecting the entry port to said reservoirs, said method further comprising the step of providing a cover layer adapted to cover said reservoirs, wherein said sensor elements are disposed within said reservoirs or on a bottom surface of said cover layer.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of removing said substrate from said delivery device after said delivering step.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of removing excess fluid from said delivery device after said delivering step, wherein said substrate is a DVD, CD, Super-audio CD, double-layer, or blu-ray disk.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said delivery device further comprises an o-ring operatively associated with said entry port, said o-ring being adapted to absorb excess fluid that spills over the top of said delivery device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a disk case for enclosing said substrate, wherein said substrate is a DVD, CD, Super-audio CD, double-layer, or blu-ray disk.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of providing a blotting layer to remove excess fluid from said substrate.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein said channels are capillary channels adapted to transport said metered quantities of said fluid from said entry port to said reservoirs by capillary force without the use of wicking materials or pumps.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein said delivering step comprises delivering said fluid to said sensor elements by way of electro-osmotic flow, electro-wetting, thermo-capillary pumping, magnetic fields, surface directed flow, electro-chemical control, mechanical devices, centripetal force, surface energy gradients, or combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said delivering step comprises providing a delivery device mounted to said substrate, said delivery device comprising a plurality of reservoirs communicating with said sensor elements, said reservoirs being adapted to receive a sample volume of said fluid when said device is dipped in said fluid, said reservoirs being adapted to maintain said sample volume in said reservoirs by way of surface tension when said device is removed from said fluid.

12. A system for simultaneously measuring a plurality of biological or chemical analytes in a fluid, said system comprising:

a substrate comprising a plurality of sensor elements, each said sensor element responding to at least one of said plurality of analytes;

at least one light source for directing light onto said sensor elements;

a detector means for detecting a response from said sensor elements, said detector means adapted to convert said response into a digital record;

an image identification algorithm for identifying said at least one analyte based on said digital record;

a software-based optimization algorithm for utilizing said digital record to produce an analysis result; and

a delivery means for delivering metered quantities of said fluid to each said sensor element.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said delivery means comprises a delivery device comprising a plurality of reservoirs communicating with said sensor elements, said delivery device further comprising a sample entry port and a plurality of hydrophilic fluidic channels, said channels being connected between said reservoirs and said entry port so as to transport a controlled volume of said fluid between said entry port and said reservoirs, said delivery device further comprising a cover layer attached to said delivery device, said cover layer comprising a plurality of substantially hydrophobic vent holes disposed above said reservoirs, said cover layer further comprising a substantially hydrophilic bottom surface for providing a hydrophilic roof portion above said reservoirs to facilitate transport of said fluid to said reservoirs.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said substrate is a single formed structure comprising a plurality of reservoirs, a sample entry port, and a plurality of fluidic channels connecting the entry port to said reservoirs, said system further comprising a cover layer adapted to cover said reservoirs, wherein said sensor elements are disposed within said reservoirs or on a bottom surface of said cover layer.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said delivery device permanently adheres to said substrate.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said delivery device detachably adheres to said substrate.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said delivery device further comprises an o-ring operatively associated with said entry port, said o-ring being adapted to absorb excess fluid that spills over the top of said delivery device.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein said substrate is a DVD, CD, Super-audio CD, double-layer, or blu-ray disk.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising an optical drive for quantifying said response, wherein said delivery means comprises a disk case for enclosing said substrate.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a blotting layer to remove excess fluid from said substrate.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein said channels are capillary channels adapted to transport said metered quantities of said fluid from said entry port to said reservoirs by capillary force without the use of wicking materials or pumps.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein said delivery means comprises means for delivering said fluid to said sensor elements by way of electro-osmotic flow, electro-wetting, thermo-capillary pumping, magnetic fields, surface directed flow, electro-chemical control, mechanical devices, centripetal force, surface energy gradients, or combinations thereof.

23. The system of claim 12, wherein said delivery means comprises a delivery device mounted to said substrate, said delivery device comprising a plurality of reservoirs communicating with said sensor elements, said reservoirs being adapted to receive a sample volume of said fluid when said device is dipped in said fluid, said reservoirs being adapted to maintain said sample volume in said reservoirs by way of surface tension when said device is removed from said fluid.