Microfabricated reactor, process for manufacturing the reactor, and method of amplification

• US 20070117111A1
• Filed: 06/21/2006
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: M Northrup, Richard White
• Original Assignee: M Northrup, Richard White
• Inventors: Northrup, M., White, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,935,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/6
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0436 acoustic forces, e.g. surface acoustic waves [SAW]
• 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: 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
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/525 with physical movement of samples between temperature zones
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 11/16 by measuring damping effect upon oscillatory body
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 9/24 by observing the transmission of wave or particle radiation through the material

Abstract

An integrated microfabricated instrument for manipulation, reaction and detection of microliter to picoliter samples. The instrument is suited for biochemical reactions, particularly DNA-based reactions such as the polymerase chain reaction, that require thermal cycling since the inherently small size of the instrument facilitates rapid cycle times. The integrated nature of the instrument provides accurate, contamination-free processing. The instrument may include reagent reservoirs, agitators and mixers, heaters, pumps, and optical or electromechanical sensors. Ultrasonic Lamb-wave devices may be used as sensors, pumps and agitators.

Claims

1. An instrument for controlling a chemical reaction of reagents comprising:

integrated microfabricated elements, said elements including a first reagent chamber for containment of a first one of said reagents, and a means for manipulation of a parameter of said reaction.

2-92. -92. (canceled)