Method and biochip for studying a chemical sample

• US 20070141553A1
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Abraham-Fuchs, Klaus
• Granted Patent: US 9,005,951 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/4
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/10 Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/143 Quality control, feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• 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

Abstract

A method for studying a biological sample in a biochip (“lab-on-a-chip”) is disclosed. In at least one embodiment of the method, a biological sample is introduced into the biochip, the sample is subjected to at least one preparation step and, at the end of a measurement cycle, the concentration of a particular analyte is measured. The concentration of a marker substance, which for example is a reaction substance involved in a preparation step, is furthermore measured. A corresponding biochip is further disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for studying a biological sample in a biochip with a miniaturized laboratory, comprising:

introducing a biological sample into the biochip;

subjecting the sample to at least one preparation step;

measuring, at the end of a measurement cycle, at least one of a concentration and a presence of a particular analyte in the prepared sample; and

measuring at least one of a concentration and a presence of a marker substance.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marker substance is a reaction substance involved in a preparation step.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marker substance is stored particularly in dried form on the biochip before the study.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marker substance is an enzyme which is involved in the preparation step, and which is used in particular for the cell breakup.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the result of the measurement of the marker substance is used for at least one of quality control of the measurement of the analyte and error source analysis in the event of a faulty measurement of the analyte.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the result of the measurement of the marker substance is used for correcting the result of the measurement of the analyte.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a reaction substance involved in the preparation step is stored before the measurement cycle in a reservoir isolated by a protective membrane on the biochip, and wherein the marker substance is a breakdown product of the protective membrane.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein different protective membranes on a biochip consist of different chemical compositions, in order to be able to detect the disintegration of the protective membranes individually.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the concentration or the presence of the marker substance is measured after a particular step during the measurement cycle.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the result of the measurement of the marker substance is used for controlling the further measurement cycle.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the concentration or the presence of the marker substance is measured several times during the measurement cycle.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a reaction substance involved in the preparation step is stored before the measurement cycle in a reservoir isolated by a protective membrane on the biochip, a marker substance being added to the reservoir content.

20. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the marker substance is stored particularly in dried form on the biochip before the study.

13. A biochip with a miniaturized laboratory, comprising:

an input for introducing a biological sample;

a device for carrying out at least one sample preparation step;

a sensor for measuring at least one of concentration and presence of a particular analyte in the prepared sample; and

at least one further sensor for measuring the at least one of the concentration and the presence of a marker substance.

14. The biochip as claimed in claim 13, wherein the marker substance is a reaction substance involved in a preparation step.

15. The biochip as claimed in claim 13, wherein the sensor for the marker substance comprises a measurement probe, on which capture molecules that bind to the marker substance are arranged.

16. The biochip as claimed in claim 13, wherein a plurality of sensors for the marker substance are provided, which measure the concentration or the presence of the marker substance at different positions on the biochip.

17. The biochip as claimed in claim 13, wherein a reaction substance involved in the preparation step is stored in a reservoir isolated by a protective membrane on the biochip, a marker substance being added to the reservoir content.

18. The biochip as claimed in claim 13, wherein a reaction substance involved in the preparation step is stored in a reservoir isolated by a protective membrane on the biochip, and wherein the marker substance is a breakdown product of the protective membrane.

19. The biochip as claimed in claim 18, wherein different protective membranes on a biochip consist of different chemical compositions with different marker substances.

21. The biochip as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sensor for the marker substance comprises a measurement probe, on which capture molecules that bind to the marker substance are arranged.