MICROFLUIDIC CHIP FOR MULTI-ANALYTE DETECTION
First Claim
1. A microfluidic chip for use with an assay using a plurality of microbeads, the microfluidic chip comprising:
- (a) two opposed planar sides defining therebetween an elongate planar sample chamber in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet, wherein the direction from the inlet to the outlet defines a downstream longitudinal direction and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the plane of the sample chamber; and
(b) at least one microbead trap within the sample chamber between the inlet and the outlet.
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Abstract
A microfluidic chip and compatible bio-sensor are provided to detect and/or quantify an analyte in a sample fluid, and preferably to simultaneously quantify multiple analyte(s) in a sample fluid volume. A fluid volume containing microbeads is flowed through an elongate planar sample chamber of the microfluidic chip. Microbead traps or barriers in the sample chamber retain the microbeads. The sample fluid volume is Excitation flowed through the sample chamber. A conjugate specific to the analyte is and labeled with a fluorophore is introduced into the sample chamber. In the biosensor, an excitation wavelength is directed parallel to the plane of the sample chamber. Any fluorescent emissions from the sample chamber are detected in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane of the sample chamber by a photodetector, and correlated to an amount or concentration length of sample chamber of analyte in the sample fluid volume.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A microfluidic chip for use with an assay using a plurality of microbeads, the microfluidic chip comprising:
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(a) two opposed planar sides defining therebetween an elongate planar sample chamber in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet, wherein the direction from the inlet to the outlet defines a downstream longitudinal direction and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the plane of the sample chamber; and (b) at least one microbead trap within the sample chamber between the inlet and the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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9. (canceled)
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17. A method of detecting and/or quantifying at least one analyte in a fluid sample, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a microfluidic chip defining an elongate planar sample chamber in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet, and comprising at least one microbead trap within the sample chamber between the inlet and the outlet; (b) causing microbeads to be retained by the at least one microbead trap by flowing a fluid containing a plurality of microbeads through the sample chamber, wherein the microbeads each comprise a binding conjugate specific to the at least one analyte; (c) introducing the sample into the inlet and allowing the sample to flow through the sample chamber to the outlet such that any analyte present in the sample binds to the binding conjugates; (d) introducing a fluorophore into the sample chamber, wherein the fluorophore is bound to a labelling conjugate specific to the at least one analyte, or is bound to a control analyte which competes with the at least one sample analyte for binding to the binding conjugates; (e) directing an excitation wavelength into the sample chamber in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the sample chamber; and (f) detecting any fluorescent emissions or absence thereof emitted from the sample chamber in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane of the sample chamber. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21-25. -25. (canceled)
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26. A biosensor for detecting a fluorophore in an elongate sample chamber defining a longitudinal direction, the biosensor comprising:
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(a) an excitation/emission chamber for retaining the sample chamber; (b) an excitation light source directed at the sample chamber along the longitudinal direction; and (c) at least one photodetector positioned to detect light emissions from the sample chamber in a direction substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal direction.
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27-32. -32. (canceled)
Specification