MICROFLUIDIC CHIP WITH SEALED ON-BOARD REAGENT

• US 20160038938A1
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Published: 02/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Chen, Dafeng, Rasmussen, James E., Deshpande, Manish
• Granted Patent: US 10,441,951 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0672 Integrated piercing tool
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/123 Flexible; Elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0683 mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber
• 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 3/502715 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 3/523 with means for closing or opening
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/008 Multi-layer fabrications
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0084 Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/003 Valves for single use only

Abstract

A microfluidic product pouch assembly may be used in a microfluidic chip. The microfluidic product pouch may include a pouch surrounding an inner chamber and having a rupturing portion and an inner membrane positioned within the inner chamber. The inner membrane may separate the inner chamber into a first cavity and a second cavity. A reagent may be positioned within the first cavity and/or the second cavity. The microfluidic product pouch assembly may also include a rupturing structure. The rupturing structure may be configured to selectively break the rupturing portion of the microfluidic product pouch.

Claims

1. A microfluidic product pouch assembly for use in a microfluidic chip, comprising:

a pouch surrounding an inner chamber and having a rupturing portion;

an inner membrane positioned within the inner chamber to form a first cavity and a second cavity;

a reagent within the first cavity; and

a rupturing structure configured to selective break the rupturing portion;

wherein the second cavity houses pressurized air.

2. The microfluidic product pouch of claim 1, further comprising a diluent positioned within the second cavity.

7. The microfluidic product pouch of claim 1, wherein the pouch rupturing structure is a pin, the pin having a sharp edge configured to penetrate the rupturing portion.

8. The microfluidic product pouch of claim 1, wherein the pouch rupturing structure is a plunger.

9. The microfluidic product pouch of claim 8, wherein the plunger includes a rod connected to a contact member having a substantially flat surface.

10. The microfluidic product pouch of claim 9, wherein the pouch further includes a deformable membrane, the flat surface of the plunger configured to provide pressure to the deformable membrane to break the rupturing portion of the pouch.

11. The microfluidic product pouch of claim 9, wherein the plunger includes a first end and a second end, the first end configured to form fit within the second cavity of the inner chamber.

12. The microfluidic product pouch of claim 1, wherein the pouch rupturing structure includes a roller.

13. The microfluidic product pouch of claim 12, wherein the second cavity is an elongated cavity having a first end and a second end, the first cavity positioned at the second end of the cavity and the roller configured to move from the first end to the second end of the elongated cavity.

3-6. -6. (canceled)

14. A microfluidic chip, comprising:

a housing;

a sample port supported by the housing for introducing fluids into the housing;

one or more channels providing fluid communication between the sample port and a detection chamber; and

,

one or more product pouch assemblies positioned adjacent to the one or more channels and housing one or more reagents;

wherein the product pouch assemblies have a pouch forming an inner chamber, the inner chamber housing the one or more reagents, at least a portion of the pouch having a rupturing portion, the rupturing portion positioned in fluid communication with the one or more reagents and the one or more channels

wherein the inner chamber includes two or more cavities, the cavities separated by an inner membrane,

wherein one of the two or more cavities is a first cavity housing the one or more reagents, the first cavity in fluid communication with the rupturing portion,

wherein another one of the two or more cavities is a second cavity housing pressurized air.

15. The microfluidic chip of claim 14, wherein the product pouch assemblies have a pouch forming an inner chamber, the inner chamber housing the one or more reagents, at least a portion of the pouch having a rupturing portion, the rupturing portion positioned in fluid communication with the one or more reagents and the one or more channels.

16. The microfluidic chip of claim 15, wherein the inner chamber includes two or more cavities, the cavities separated by an inner membrane.

17. The microfluidic chip of claim 16, wherein one of the two or more cavities is a first cavity housing the one or more reagents, the first cavity in fluid communication with the rupturing portion.

18. The microfluidic chip of claim 17, wherein another one of the two or more cavities is a second cavity housing a diluent.

19. The microfluidic chip of claim 17, wherein another one of the two or more cavities is a second cavity housing pressurized air.

20. The microfluidic chip of claim 14, further comprising, a pouch rupturing structure configured to open the one or more product pouch assemblies to release the one or more reagents into the one or more channels.

21. The microfluidic chip of claim 14, wherein at least one of the channels has a first channel segment and a second channel segment separated by at least one of the one or more pouch assemblies such that rupturing at least two rupturing portions of the at least one pouch assembly connects the first channel segment to the second channel segment.

22-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A method comprising:

receiving a microfluidic device having a sample fluid in one or more channels of the microfluidic device, the microfluidic device comprising a pouch surrounding an inner chamber housing a reagent and having a rupturing portion defined by at least two membranes;

passing the sample fluid adjacent to the pouch; and

rupturing the at least two membranes such that the reagent housed within the inner chamber mixes with the sample fluid to form a mixture,

wherein the location of the sample fluid is determined using one or more fluid detectors.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

passing the mixture of the sample fluid and the reagent into one or more detection chambers of the microfluidic device; and

,

analyzing the mixture of the sample fluid and the reagent.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the microfluidic device further comprises a rupturing structure configured to selective break the at least two membranes of the rupturing portion, and wherein the step of rupturing is defined further as rupturing the at least two membranes with the rupturing structure to break the rupturing portion such that the reagent positioned within the inner chamber mixes with the sample fluid to form the mixture.