COMPONENTS

• US 20100267092A1
• Filed: 02/09/2010
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona), Whitespace Enterprise Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whitespace Enterprise Corporation
• Inventors: Estes, Matthew, Cai, Zhi, ZENHAUSERN, Frederic, Koumi, Pieris, Lenigk, Ralf, Yang, Jianing, Nordquist, Alan, Hurth, Cedric, Chen, Xiaojia, Moran, Nina, Hopwood, Andrew, Lee-Edghill, John
• Application Number:
  US12/703,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20100267092A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/91.200
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• 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: 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: C12Q 1/6806 Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay C12Q1/6804 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/00 Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/10 in the liquid or fluent state burettes, pipettes B01L3/02; sampling of ground water E02D1/06; metering by volume of fluids or fluent solid material G01F11/00, G01F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6484 Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/01 Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6428 Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/645 Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0846 Fibre interface with sample, e.g. for spatial resolution
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44721 by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44791 Microapparatus sample containers with integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/143333 Saccharide [e.g., DNA, etc.]

Abstract

A method and device structure are provided which enable an archive sample to be collected and detached relative to a device within which a series of processes, such as PCR are being provided. A chamber structure and method of use are provided in which a controlled and precise volume is obtained by control of the relative resistance to flow through various channels.

Claims

1. A method of providing a storable sample, the method including:

a) introducing a sample to a device;

b) conveying at least a part of the sample to a receiving location to provide a storable sample, wherein a storable sample of a sample on which one or more processes and/or reactions are performed is provided.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the receiving location is provided in a section of the device that is detachable from the device

3. A method according to claim 2 in which the section is detached from the device by breaking the material joining the section and the device.

4. A method according to claim 1 in which the storable sample is provided before one or more processes and/or reactions are performed.

5. A method according to claim 1 in which the storable sample is provided after one or more processed and/or reactions are performed.

6. A method according to claim 5 in which the one or more processes and/or one or more reactions include one or more of:

cell lysis, mixing, a surface based reaction, washing, elution, selective separation of DNA from one or more other materials, application of a magnetic field, removal of a magnetic field, amplification, PCR, detection and denaturation.

7. A method according to claim 1 in which the method provides a storable sample which is one part of the sample and one or more other parts of the sample are used in one or more processes and/or reactions.

8. A method according to claim 1 in which the method includes one or more of the following steps:

passing the sample through one or more channels and/or chambers to mix the sample with one or more fluids and/or solids;

increasing the temperature of the sample and/or a mixture including the sample, preferably whilst in a chamber;

holding the sample and/or a mixture including the sample in a chamber for a period of time;

passing the sample through one or more further channels and/or further chambers;

retaining at least a part of the sample in a chamber, preferably on a surface of one or more solids, preferably using a magnetic field;

washing at least another part of the sample from the chamber where the at least a part of the sample is retained;

eluting the retained part of the sample into a fluid.

9. A method according to claim 1 in which the method includes transferring at least a part of the sample from a reaction chamber to the receiving location.

10. A method according to claim 1 in which the method provides sample to a reaction chamber, with part of the sample progressing to the receiving location when the amount of sample in the reaction chamber exceeds a predetermined amount.

11. A method according to claim 1 in which the method includes sealing the channel leading to the receiving location.

12. A method according to claim 1 in which the method includes sealing the channel on the device side of the location where the channel is detached when the section is detached from the device.

13. A device, the device having:

a) an entry location;

b) a channel connected to the entry location;

c) a receiving location, the receiving location being connected to the channel.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the receiving location is detachable from the device.

15. A device according to claim 13 in which the receiving location is provided in a section of the device and an area or line of weakness is provided between the device and the section.

16. A device according to claim 13 in which the device is provided with a first valve in the section for sealing the channel between the receiving location and the part of the channel disrupted when the section is detached from the device.

17. A device according to claim 13 in which the device is provided with a second valve not on the section for sealing the channel between the part of the channel disrupted when the section is detached from the device and the remainder of the device.

18. A device according to claim 13 in which the receiving location has an inlet in the top of the receiving location, the device having an orientation of use, and the receiving location has an outlet in the top of the receiving location.

19. A device according to claim 13 in which the section is provided with an identifier.

20. A device according to claim 19 in which the identifier has the same identifier information or includes the same identifier information as an identifier provided on the remainder of the device.

21. A device according to claim 13 in which the device provides one or more processing locations and/or reaction locations between the entry location and the receiving location.

22. A device according to claim 21 in which the one or more processing locations are channels and/or chambers and the processing locations include one or more of:

a mixing location, a washing location, a selective separation location for DNA from one or more other material, an amplification process location, a location at which a magnetic field is applied and/or removed and/or varied, a cell lysis location, a surface based reaction location.

23. A device according to claim 13 in which the device includes a reaction chamber connected to the receiving location, the reaction chamber being a PCR reaction chamber.

24. A device in which the device includes one or more chambers, a chamber being provided with an inlet channel which leads to an inlet, an outlet channel which leads away from an outlet and a by-pass channel, wherein the fluid flow switches from the inlet channel to the by-pass channel when a predetermined volume of fluid is provided in the chamber.

25. A device according to claim 24 in which the resistance to fluid flow provided by the outlet and/or outlet channel is greater than the resistance to fluid flow provided by the inlet and/or inlet channel.

26. A device according to claim 24 in which the resistance to fluid flow provided by the outlet and/or outlet channel is greater than the resistance to fluid flow provided by the by-pass channel.

27. A device according to claim 24 in which the path of least resistance for the fluid is through the inlet and into the chamber until the fluid reaches the outlet and/or outlet channel.

28. A device according to claim 24 in which the path of least resistance for the fluid is through the by-pass channel once the fluid has reached the outlet and/or outlet channel.

29. A device according to claim 24 in which the chamber includes a support location for one or more particles.

30. A device according to claim 29 in which the one or more particles provide one or more or all the reagents for a reaction.

31. A device according to claim 30 in which the reaction is an amplification.

32. A device according to claim 24 in which the support location define a position of rest for the one or more particles, with the position of rest providing that the one or more particles do not block or obscure an inlet to and/or outlet from the chamber.

33. A device according to claim 24 in which the inlet for a sample is provided in the upper 20% of the height of the chamber.

34. A device according to claim 24 in which the outlet for the sample is provided in the upper 20% of the height of the chamber.

35. A device according to claim 24 in which the by pass channel connects a part of the inlet channel to a part of the outlet channel.

36. A device according to claim 24 in which one or more dimensions of the outlet channel are smaller than the corresponding dimension of the inlet channel.

37. A device according to claim 24 in which the cross-sectional area of the outlet and/or outlet channel is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet and/or inlet channel.

38. A device according to claim 24 in which the inlet channel and the outlet channel to the chamber are sealable by one or more valves.

39. A device according to claim 24 in which a channel leading to a chamber is provided with a sealable location and a channel leading from that chamber is provided with a further sealable location, wherein at one or more points in time, heat is applied to 90% or more of the volume of the channels and chamber between the location and the further location.

40. A device according to claim 39 in which the heat is applied by one or more heating elements in contact with a surface facing the channels and chambers.

41. A device according to claim 40 in which the heating elements are in contact with a a surface facing at least 90% of the volume of the channels and chamber between the location and further location.

42. A device according to claim 24 in which the chamber is provided with an inlet channel for a displacement fluid and an outlet channel leading to one or more further chambers, the inlet channel for the displacement fluid being the inlet, the outlet channel for the displacement fluid being the outlet.

43. A device according to claim 24 in which the by-pass channel is provided with a valve and the closing of the valve provides that the resistance to fluid flow provided by the outlet and/or outlet channel is less than the resistance to fluid flow provided by the by-pass channel.

44. A device according to claim 24 in which the resistance to fluid flow provided by the outlet and/or outlet channel is greater than the resistance to fluid flow provided by the by-pass channel.

45. A method of controlling the passage of one or more materials within a device, the method including:

moving one or more materials from a channel into a chamber connected to the channel;

moving one or more of the materials from the chamber into a channel connected to the chamber, wherein the chamber is provided with an inlet channel which leads to an inlet, an outlet channel which leads away from an outlet and a by-pass channel, wherein the fluid flow switches from the inlet channel to the by-pass channel when a predetermined volume of fluid is provided in the chamber.

46. A method according to claim 45 in which the chamber is provided with an inlet channel which leads to an inlet, an outlet channel which leads away from an outlet and a by-pass channel, wherein the fluid flow switches from the inlet channel to the by-pass channel when a predetermined volume of fluid is provided in the chamber.

47. A method according to claim 45 in which the resistance to fluid flow provided by the outlet and/or outlet channel is greater than the resistance to fluid flow provided by the inlet and/or inlet channel.

48. A method according to claim 45 in which the resistance to fluid flow provided by the outlet and/or outlet channel is greater than the resistance to fluid flow provided by the by-pass channel.

49. A method according to claim 45 in which the path of least resistance for the fluid is through the inlet and into the chamber until the fluid reaches the outlet and/or outlet channel.

50. A method according to claim 45 in which the path of least resistance for the fluid is through the by-pass channel once the fluid has reached the outlet and/or outlet channel.