METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRECISE TRANSFER AND MANIPULATION OF FLUIDS BY CENTRIFUGAL AND OR CAPILLARY FORCES

• US 20090004059A1
• Filed: 09/08/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Bartos, Holger, Blankenstein, Gert, Peters, Ralf-Peter, Pugia, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,337,775 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/68.100
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• 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 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/165 Specific details about hydrophobic, oleophobic surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/06 Valves, specific forms thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• 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
• 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 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/006 Micropumps F04B43/043 and F04B43/095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A micro-liter liquid sample, particularly a biological sample, is analyzed in a device employing centrifugal and capillary forces. The sample is moved through one or more sample wells arrayed within a small flat chip via interconnecting capillary passageways. The passageways may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic and may include hydrophobic or hydrophilic capillary stops.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A multi-purpose device for analyzing a biological fluid sample comprising:

(a) at least one sample well for receiving said sample;

(b) a capillary passageway communicating with at least one of said sample wells of (a) for receiving said sample from said sample well by capillary action, said passageway including a segment defining a uniform volume of said sample fluid, said segment being disposed between two intersecting passageways vented to the atmosphere, said segment communicating through a transfer capillary passageway to a first reagent well for transferring said uniform sample from said segment to said first reagent well;

(c) a capillary stop disposed within said transfer passageway for preventing transfer of said uniform sample to said first reagent well;

(d) optionally at least one second reagent well in fluid communication through a capillary passageway with said first reagent well;

(e) optionally at least one third reagent well in fluid communication through a capillary passageway with at least one of said second reagent wells.

(f) optionally at least one additional well for receiving portions of said sample of (a);

(g) sufficient vent channels for venting to atmosphere the reagent wells of (b), (d), (e) and (f) and wherein said reagent wells of (b), (d) and (e), said vent channels, and said capillary step of (c) are positioned on a flat disc so that capillary passageways may be formed in said disc connecting said wells to each other and to said vent channels as needed for analyzing said biological fluid sample.

27. A multi-purpose device of claim 26, wherein said sample well of (a) is in fluid communication with one of said additional wells of (f) and said additional well of (f) is in venting communication with one of said vent channels of (g) and in fluid communication with at least one of said reagent wells of (b), (d) and (e) said at least one reagent well of (b), (d) and (e) being in venting communication with one of said vent channels of (g).

28. A multi-purpose device of claim 26, wherein at least one of said second reagent wells of (d) is in fluid communication with said first reagent well of (b) and said at least one of said reagent wells of (d) is in venting communication with a second of said venting channels of (g).

29. A multi-purpose device of claim 28, wherein said at least one of said second reagent wells of (d) is in fluid communication with at least one of said reagent wells of (e) and said third additional well of (e) is in venting communication with a venting channel of (g).

30. A multi-purpose device of claim 26, wherein one or more of said reagent wells of (b), (e) and (f) contain reagents for treating said sample.

31. A multi-purpose device of claim 26, wherein said capillary stop is a hydrophilic stop.

32. A multi-purpose device of claim 26, wherein said capillary stop is a hydrophobic stop.

33. A multi-purpose device of claim 26, wherein said capillary segment of (b) has walls with a surface hydrophilic to said sample.

34. A multi-purpose device of claim 26, wherein said transfer passageway of (b) and said passageways of (d) and (e) have walls with a surface hydrophobic to said sample.

35. A multi-purpose device of claim 33, wherein said capillary segment of (b) has hydrophilic walls adjusted to provide a substantially complete passage of said sample.

36. A multi-purpose device of claim 34, wherein said passageways of (b), (d) and (e) have hydrophobic walls adjusted to prevent deposits from adhering to said walls.

37. A multi-purpose device of claim 26, wherein said capillary passageways have a width of about 10-500 μ

m and a depth of at least 5 μ

m.