Partitioned microelectronic and fluidic device array for clinical diagnostics and chemical synthesis
First Claim
1. An apparatus for processing two or more samples in parallel comprisingan array comprising (a) two or more modules, wherein the modules each comprise two or more wells connected together by one or more connector channels, (b) a sample channel for each module connecting the module to a fluid source, wherein said two or more modules are separately connected to fluid sources that are not connected to other modules, and (c) a valve in a connector channel of each module, wherein the wells and channels are formed on a substrate and enclosed by one or more covers that are affixed to the substrate,electrokinetic pumps to separately pump fluid in each module,a station housing a support for the array, anda controller electrically connected to the station for controlling the flow of fluids to the array.
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Abstract
A system for processing a plurality of tests or syntheses in parallel comprising a sample channel for moving samples into a microlaboratory array of a plurality of wells connected by one or more channels for the testing or synthesis of samples, a station for housing the array and an optical system comprising at least one light source and at least one light detector for measuring the samples in the array, and a means of electrically connecting the array to an apparatus capable of monitoring and controlling the flow of fluids into the array.
Samples are loaded from a common loading channel into the array, processed in the wells and measurements taken by the optical system. The array can process many samples, or synthesize many compounds in parallel, reducing the time required for such processes.
1012 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for processing two or more samples in parallel comprising
an array comprising (a) two or more modules, wherein the modules each comprise two or more wells connected together by one or more connector channels, (b) a sample channel for each module connecting the module to a fluid source, wherein said two or more modules are separately connected to fluid sources that are not connected to other modules, and (c) a valve in a connector channel of each module, wherein the wells and channels are formed on a substrate and enclosed by one or more covers that are affixed to the substrate, electrokinetic pumps to separately pump fluid in each module, a station housing a support for the array, and a controller electrically connected to the station for controlling the flow of fluids to the array.
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20. An apparatus for processing two or more samples or synthesizing a plurality of compounds in parallel comprising:
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(a) a substrate comprising two or more parallel modules which each comprise (i) a sample channel for moving a sample into the module, (ii) two or more wells, (iii) one or more connector channels that connect all of the wells in a module, wherein the wells and channels are formed on a substrate and enclosed by one or more covers that are affixed to the substrate, and (iv) an electrokinetic pump for pumping fluids through the channels; (b) a support station for housing the microfabricated substrate, which support station comprises an optical system comprising a light source and a light detector; and (c) a computer electrically coupled to the microfabricated substrate for monitoring and controlling the processing of the samples and which is programmed to monitor and control the electrokinetic pumps. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification