ANALYSIS INSTRUMENT

• US 20100126857A1
• Filed: 02/08/2006
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lab901 Limited (Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: MacNamara, Kenneth G., Fearnel, Joel, Lamb, Urs, Polwart, Stuart
• Granted Patent: US 8,101,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/403.140
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0672 Integrated piercing tool
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0293 for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1034 Transferring microquantities of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00009 provided with a sample supporting tape, e.g. with absorbent zones

Abstract

An analysis instrument for processing a microfluidic device, having sample storage means, a microfluidic device holder, sample loading means for loading sample into a microfluidic device disposed in the holder, processing means for enabling a reaction in a microfluidic device, and detection means for detecting and/or measuring the reaction is disclosed. The microfluidic device holder is adapted to hold the microfluidic device including a tape in position for processing and/or detection. A microfluidic processing device is also disclosed which includes a reaction chamber, and a sample loading chamber into which a sample is injectable. The reaction chamber is operatively connected to the sample loading chamber. A cover extends across at least part of the sample loading chamber. The cover and the reaction chamber include pierceable material and are separated by an overspill cavity configured to accept any overspill of an injected sample. A kit is also disclosed which has the analysis instrument and the microfluidic processing device as described above.

Claims

1. An analysis instrument for processing a microfluidic device, comprising sample storage means, a microfluidic device holder, sample loading means for loading sample into a microfluidic device disposed in the holder, processing means for enabling a reaction in a microfluidic device, and detection means for detecting and/or measuring the reaction, characterised in that the microfluidic device holder is adapted to hold the microfluidic device comprising or including a tape in position for processing and/or detection.

2. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein the sample loading means is moveable relative to the sample storage means and relative to the microfluidic device holder.

3. An instrument according to claim 1, further comprising opening means for opening a microfluidic device.

4. An instrument according to claim 3, the sample loading means and the microfluidic device opening means being disposed a fixed distance apart on a moveable common support and spaced such that the sample loading means can acquire sample from the sample storage means whilst at the same time the microfluidic device opening means opens the microfluidic device.

5. An instrument according to claim 3, the sample loading means comprising a nozzle, the nozzle being adapted to removably mount a pipette tip, the nozzle further being operably attached to a pump for pumping liquid into a mounted pipette tip.

6. An instrument according to claim 5, including means for removal of a used pipette tip from the nozzle.

7. An instrument according to claim 6, the removal means comprising a flange, the pipette tip being removed by relative movement between the mounted pipette tip and the flange.

8. An instrument according to claim 7, including a receptacle for receiving a spent pipette tip.

9. An instrument according to claim 5, including a fresh pipette tip store adapted to store pipette tips such that the nozzle can be brought into contact with a pipette tip for attachment to the nozzle.

10. An instrument according to claim 47, the receptacle and the store being parts of a single demountable unit.

11. An instrument according to claim 4, wherein the opening means comprises a piercing tool, removably mounted on the moveable common support.

12. An instrument according to claim 11, wherein the piercing tool comprises a needle.

13. An instrument according to claim 11, including means for removal of a used needle from the moveable common support.

14. An instrument according to claim 13, the removal means comprising a flange, the used needle being removed by relative movement between the needle and the flange.

15. An instrument according to claim 14, including a receptacle for receiving a used needle.

16. An instrument according to claim 12, including a fresh needle store adapted to store needles such that the common support can be brought into contact with a needle for attachment thereto.

17. An instrument according to claim 48, the receptacle and the store being parts of a single demountable unit.

18. An instrument according to claim 12, adapted to maintain a count of needle usage to alert a user to a requirement for needle changeover.

19. An instrument according to claim 1, operable to process a single sample using one single element of a microfluidic device.

20. An instrument according to claim 19, operable to process a single sample using one single element of a microfluidic device by comprising a single sample loading means only, the single sample loading means being enabled to load sample one sample at a time from a plurality of sample holders, and deliver each said sample to a separate element of a microfluidic device.

21. An instrument according to claim 1, operable to permit a batch of multiple samples to be processed up to the limit of the test element capacity of a single microfluidic device.

22. An instrument according to claim 1, operable to permit a batch of multiple samples to be processed up to the limit of the capacity of a microfluidic device feeder module.

23. An instrument according to claim 1, the sample storage means being mounted on a platform, moveable relative to the sample detection means.

24. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein the sample detection means and the microfluidic device holder are moveable relative to one another to allow samples within the microfluidic device to be positioned at a predetermined location for detection.

25. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein the microfluidic device holder is adapted to accommodate a microfluidic device having a plurality of microfluidic processing elements such that each said element can be individually detected by the detection means.

26. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein the microfluidic device holder is mounted on the same platform as the sample storage means.

27. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein the sample processing means comprises a plurality of probes for applying voltage to a sample in a microfluidic device mounted in the holder.

28. An instrument according to claim 27, wherein the probes are disposed to contact conductive pads of the microfluidic device.

29. An instrument according to claim 27, adapted to enable electro-phoretic separation of a sample containing, molecules of DNA or RNA or proteins.

30. An instrument according to claim 27, adapted to enable electo-kinetic transport of a biological sample past a zone within the microfluidic device that contains one or more antibodies, such that binding between the sample and any antibody material can be enabled.

31. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is adapted to detect change in conductivity in a sample.

32. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein the sample detection means comprises an optical assembly.

33. An instrument according to claim 32, wherein the optical assembly includes a light source capable of emitting at a predetermined first frequency for excitation of constituents of the sample to allow the sample to emit light at a second frequency, and a light receiver.

34. An instrument according to claim 33, wherein the receiver comprises a charged coupled device, or a line scan camera.

35. An instrument according to claim 33, wherein the receiver is configured to send image data to an external data processing device.

36. An instrument according to claim 1, including an on-board system controller, the controller being programmable by a user to perform automated microfluidic device processing.

37. An instrument according to claim 1, adapted to be controlled by an external system controller.

38. An instrument according to claim 1, including a feeder module removeably attachable to the instrument and storing multiple microfluidic devices for automatic loading into or unloading from the microfluidic device holder.

46. A kit comprising an analysis instrument according to claim 1 and a microfluidic processing device, comprising a reaction chamber, a sample loading chamber into which a sample is injectable, the reaction chamber being operatively connected to the sample loading chamber, a cover that extends across at least part of the sample loading chamber, the cover and the reaction chamber comprising pierceable material and being separated by an overspill cavity configured to accept any overspill of an injected sample.

47. An instrument according to claim 8, including a fresh pipette tip store adapted to store pipette tips such that the nozzle can be brought into contact with a pipette tip for attachment to the nozzle.

48. An instrument according to claim 15, including a fresh needle store adapted to store needles such that the common support can be brought into contact with a needle for attachment thereto.

39. A microfluidic processing device, comprising a reaction chamber, a sample loading chamber into which a sample is injectable, the reaction chamber being operatively connected to the sample loading chamber, a cover that extends across at least part of the sample loading chamber, the cover and the reaction chamber comprising pierceable material and being separated by an overspill cavity configured to accept any overspill of an injected sample.

40. A microfluidic processing device according to claim 39, wherein the reaction chamber contains a molecular separation medium.

41. A microfluidic processing device according to claim 39, wherein the reaction chamber is a channel.

42. A microfluidic processing device according to claim 41, wherein the microfluidic processing device further includes a receiving chamber at an end of the reaction channel remote from the sample loading chamber.

43. A microfluidic processing device according to claim 40, wherein the cover and/or the loading chamber are manufactured from polymer film.

44. A microfluidic processing device according to claim 39, having a laminated structure.

45. A microfluidic processing device according to claim 39, including optical fiducial marks whose position is known relative to the reaction chamber and which can be acquired by the detection means of an analysis instrument to accurately identify the position of a reaction process.