Analysis based on flow restriction
First Claim
1. A device for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid sample, the device comprising:
- a solid substrate microfabricated to define;
a sample inlet port; and
a mesoscale flow system comprising;
a primary sample flow channel extending from said inlet port; and
a fractal region, in fluid communication with said primary flow channel, comprising bifurcations leading to plural secondary flow channels; and
means for detecting a flow property of a fluid sample in said flow system as an indication of the presence of an analyte in the fluid sample.
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Abstract
Disclosed are devices and methods for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The invention provides a device comprising a solid substrate, typically on the order of a few millimeters thick and approximately a 0.2 to 2.0 centimeters square, microfabricated to define a sample inlet port and a mesoscale flow system. A sample is passed through the mesoscale flow system, and the restriction or blockage of flow through the flow system is detected as a positive indication of the presence of the analyte. The mesoscale flow system includes in one embodiment a primary sample flow channel extending from the inlet port, and a fractal region, in fluid communication with the flow channel, comprising bifurcations leading to plural secondary flow channels. The device may be adapted for operation in conjunction with a pump, for example, to induce flow of a sample through the flow system. A detector may also be provided for detecting analyte induced changes in flow properties in the mesoscale flow system. The devices of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, such as viruses.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A device for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid sample, the device comprising:
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a solid substrate microfabricated to define; a sample inlet port; and a mesoscale flow system comprising; a primary sample flow channel extending from said inlet port; and a fractal region, in fluid communication with said primary flow channel, comprising bifurcations leading to plural secondary flow channels; and means for detecting a flow property of a fluid sample in said flow system as an indication of the presence of an analyte in the fluid sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 42, 43, 44)
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26. A method for detecting the presence or absence of an analyte in a fluid sample, the method comprising the steps of:
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(i) providing a device comprising; a solid substrate microfabricated to define; a sample inlet port; and a mesoscale flow system comprising; a primary sample flow channel extending from said inlet port; and a fractal region, in fluid communication with said primary flow channel, comprising bifurcations leading to plural secondary flow channels; (ii) passing a fluid sample suspected to contain an analyte through said mesoscale flow system; (iii) detecting the restriction or blockage of flow of the fluid sample through said system; and (iv) correlating the detected restriction or blockage of flow, or lack of said detected restriction or blockage of flow, to the presence or absence of an analyte in said sample. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 45, 46, 47)
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39. A method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid sample, the method comprising the steps of:
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(i) providing a device comprising; a solid substrate microfabricated to define; a sample inlet port; and a mesoscale flow system comprising; a primary sample flow channel extending from said inlet port; and a fractal region, in fluid communication with said primary flow channel, comprising bifurcations leading to plural secondary flow channels; (ii) passing a fluid sample suspected to contain an analyte through said mesoscale flow system; (iii) detecting a flow property of the fluid sample in the flow system; and (iv) correlating the detected flow property of the fluid sample to the presence or absence of an analyte in the sample. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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Specification