Multi-Channel Flow Cells

• US 20080219888A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
• Original Assignee: Helicos Biosciences Corporation
• Inventors: Lawson, John, Kiani, Sepehr, Wellsman, Parris
• Application Number:
  US11/928,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20080219888A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00522 in a multiple parallel arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00605 the compounds being directly bound or immobilised to solid supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00621 by physical means, e.g. trenches, raised areas
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0877 Flow chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/16 Surface properties and coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/163 Biocompatibility
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/049 vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502761 specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads, for physically stretching molecules investigating characteristics of particles G01N15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0346 Capillary cells; Microcells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/05 Flow-through cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1095 for supplying the samples to flow-through analysers for a specific analyser see relevant groups, e.g. under G01N15/00, G01N21/00, G01N27/00, G01N30/00, H01J49/00

Abstract

A multi-channel flow cell can allow for reduced cross-contamination in sample loading and the ability to observe activity within the flow cell once the channels are loaded. A multi-channel flow cell includes a plurality of independently-addressable channels sandwiched between a two substrates. Each of the channels can be coated with a layer that facilitates support-binding of an analyte. Each of the channels terminates on one end in an inlet and on the other end in an outlet. A loading block having inlet ports that match the inlets of the channels can be mated to the inlets of the channels, and an outlet block can be mated to the outlets of the channels. Analytes can be introduced into the channels via the inlet ports of the loading block and are pulled through the channels by capillary action or by vacuum. Once analyte has been introduced into each of the channels, the loading and outlet blocks can be removed and the device turned over. Such a flow cell can be used for streamlining the process of reaction and interrogation of biochemical assays at the microfluidic level. Reagents can be introduced into each of the channels of the flow cell for chemical reactions therein, excess reagent being washed out through the channel outlets. Observation of optically-detectable moieties is then conducted. With such a flow cell optical labels associated with incorporation in a sequencing-by-synthesis reaction can be observed.

Claims

1. A device for use in single molecule sequencing of one or more samples, the device comprising a flow cell defining a plurality of individually isolated channels through which fluid can flow, the flow cell also defining an inlet port and an outlet port for each of the channels, at least a portion of an internal surface of at least one of the channels including a material to facilitate binding of at least one compound capable of hybridizing with one of the samples.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a loading block defining a plurality of wells and being removably attachable to the flow cell such that each of the inlet ports corresponds to one of the wells.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising an outlet block being removably attachable to the flow cell in registration with the outlet ports.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the outlet ports of the flow cell are connectable to a vacuum source.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the flow cell comprises a first substrate and second substrate.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein at least one of the substrates comprises glass, fused silica, sapphire, or plastic.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein at least one of the substrates comprises acrylic or polycarbonate.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the compound comprises epoxide.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said coating comprises avidin.

10. A device for the analysis of one or more samples comprising:

a first substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a plurality of independent-accessible channels formed in the bottom surface of the first substrate, each channel having an inlet hole at one end of the channel extending through the first substrate from the bottom surface to the top surface and an outlet hole at the opposite end of the channel extending through the first substrate from the bottom surface to the top surface;

a second substrate selectively secured to the bottom surface of the first substrate sealing the channels, such that each channel is fluidly isolated from an adjacent channel; and

a material disposed on at least a portion of at least one channel to facilitate binding at least one compound capable of hybridizing with one of the samples;

wherein fluid can flow into the inlet hole into the channel and then out the outlet hole.

11. The device of claim 10 further comprising a loading block defining a plurality of wells and being removably attachable to the top surface such that each of the wells correspond to one of the inlet holes.

12. The device of claim 10 further comprising an unloading block being removably attachable to the top surface in registration with the outlet ports.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the outlet holes of the first substrate are connectable to a vacuum source.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein at least one of the substrates comprises glass, fused silica, sapphire, or plastic.

15. The device of claim 10 wherein at least one of the substrates comprises acrylic or polycarbonate.

16. The device of claim 10 wherein the compound comprises epoxide.

17. The device of claim 10 wherein the compound comprises avidin.

18. The device of claim 14 wherein the channels are formed by etching.

19. The device of claim 15 wherein the channels are formed by molding.

20. A device for the analysis of one or more samples comprising:

A first substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface;

at least one inlet hole extending through the first substrate from the bottom surface to the top surface and at least one outlet hole extending through the first substrate from the bottom surface to the top surface;

an adhesive layer disposed on the bottom surface of the first substrate in a predetermined bonding pattern, the bonding pattern having voids extending between the at least one inlet hole and the at least one outlet hole;

a second substrate affixed to the adhesive layer sealing the voids, thereby forming channels; and

a material disposed on at least a portion of at least one channel to facilitate binding at least one compound capable of hybridizing with one of the samples;

wherein fluid can flow into the inlet hole into the channel and then out the outlet hole.