Micro-Fluidic Modules on a Chip for Diagnostic Applications

• US 20140051159A1
• Filed: 08/15/2013
• Published: 02/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shanghai Aurefluidics Technology Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Inventors: Bergstedt, Steven W., DeMoor, Stephen J., Guan, Yimin
• Granted Patent: US 9,364,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/289.1
• 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 2200/147 Employing temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0803 Disc shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0848 Specific forms of parts of containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0883 Serpentine channels
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/18 Means for temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1883 using thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0442 thermal energy, e.g. vaporisation, bubble jet
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• 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 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 1/686 Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]

Abstract

A chip having a substrate for amplifying genetic material includes a substrate heater having a plurality of substrate heating resistors. The heating resistors define a first temperature zone for maintaining a first temperature, a second temperature zone for maintaining a second temperature below the first temperature, and a third temperature zone for maintaining a third temperature between the first and second temperatures, on the substrate. A flow path formed on the substrate allows conveying of reactions to the first temperature zone, the third temperature zone, and the second temperature zone so as to undergo denaturing, annealing, and extension, respectively, according to a polymerase chain reaction process, for at least one cycle.

Claims

1. A chip having a substrate for amplifying genetic material, comprising:

a substrate heater having a plurality of substrate heating resistors that define a first temperature zone for maintaining a first temperature, a second temperature zone for maintaining a second temperature below the first temperature, and a third temperature zone for maintaining a third temperature between the first and second temperatures, on the substrate; and

a flow path formed on the substrate for conveying reactions to the first temperature zone, the third temperature zone, and the second temperature zone to allow the reactions to undergo denaturing, annealing, and extension, respectively, according to a polymerase chain reaction process for at least one cycle.

2. The chip of claim 1, further comprising one or more pumps disposed along the flow path for compelling the reactions to move along the flow path.

3. The chip of claim 1, wherein the flow path is formed by a flow feature layer disposed above the substrate heater.

4. The chip of claim 1, wherein the first temperature is above 90°

C.

5. The chip of claim 1, wherein the second temperature is between about 70°

C. and about 75°

C.

6. The chip of claim 1, wherein the third temperature is between about 50°

C. and about 65°

C.

7. A semiconductor chip for amplifying genetic material according to a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process, comprising:

a semiconductor substrate;

a plurality of heaters on the substrate for heating the substrate, the plurality of heaters defining a first temperature zone operative to maintain a first temperature, a second temperature zone operative to maintain a second temperature below the first temperature, and a third temperature zone operative to maintain a third temperature between the first and second temperatures, on the substrate; and

a flow feature layer formed above the substrate and defining a flow path for conveying reactions, for at least one cycle, to the first temperature zone, the third temperature zone, and the second temperature zone for denaturing, annealing, and extension, respectively, of the reactions according to the PCR process.

8. The semiconductor chip of claim 7, further comprising one or more pumps formed along the flow path for compelling the reactions to move along the flow path.

9. The semiconductor chip of claim 7, wherein the first temperature is above 90°

C.

10. The semiconductor chip of claim 7, wherein the second temperature is between about 70°

C. and about 75°

C.

11. The semiconductor chip of claim 7, wherein the third temperature is between about 50°

C. and about 65°

C.