Flexible apparatus with ablation formed chamber(s) for conducting bio-chemical analyses
First Claim
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1. Apparatus having microfabricated chambers for conducting biochemical analysis, comprising:
- a flexible substrate of the kind used in flexible circuit manufacturing technology comprising an ablatable polymeric material having a first major face and a bottom surface;
a plurality of ablated miniature reaction chambers spaced apart in the first major face, said chambers being produced by ablation;
a metallic layer fixed to the substrate and associated with each of the plurality of reaction chambers, the metallic layer comprising a plurality of independently controllable heaters configured to raise the temperature of the reaction chamber which a given heater is associated with;
a plurality of ablated analysis chambers spaced apart in the first major face of the substrate, each being in fluid communication with a reaction chamber, said analysis chambers being produced in the substrate by ablation;
each reaction chamber and analysis chamber having a lower surface in the substrate; and
a protective cover layer positioned over the reaction chambers.
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Abstract
Miniaturized, self-contained apparatus for conducting bio-chemical reactions and analyses is formed in a compact structure comprising a substrate which includes a plurality of reaction chambers and a plurality of analysis chambers which are in fluid communication with the reaction chambers. Independently controllable heaters and coolers are positioned in thermal contact with the reaction chambers to permit parallel processing of biological samples at different temperature cycles. The apparatus is especially useful for performing and analyzing the results of a polymerase chain reaction.
232 Citations
53 Claims
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1. Apparatus having microfabricated chambers for conducting biochemical analysis, comprising:
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a flexible substrate of the kind used in flexible circuit manufacturing technology comprising an ablatable polymeric material having a first major face and a bottom surface;
a plurality of ablated miniature reaction chambers spaced apart in the first major face, said chambers being produced by ablation;
a metallic layer fixed to the substrate and associated with each of the plurality of reaction chambers, the metallic layer comprising a plurality of independently controllable heaters configured to raise the temperature of the reaction chamber which a given heater is associated with;
a plurality of ablated analysis chambers spaced apart in the first major face of the substrate, each being in fluid communication with a reaction chamber, said analysis chambers being produced in the substrate by ablation;
each reaction chamber and analysis chamber having a lower surface in the substrate; and
a protective cover layer positioned over the reaction chambers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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- 6. Apparatus as defined in 1 including an analytical material useful in performing a PCR process positioned in said analysis chamber.
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14. Apparatus having microfabricated chambers for conducting biochemical analysis;
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a flexible substrate comprising an ablatable polymeric material having a first major face and a second major face defining a thickness therebetween;
a plurality of ablated reaction chambers spaced apart in the first major face, said chambers having an open top and a floor positioned within said thickness;
a plurality of individually controllable heaters integrally formed within said substrate, each heater positioned in thermal communication with at least one of said reaction chambers;
a plurality of ablated analyses chambers, each positioned in a path of fluid communication with at least one of the reaction chambers and having a window at one of the major faces and a lower surface positioned within said thickness; and
a plurality of valves controlling flow of fluid between each reaction chamber and a corresponding analysis chamber. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. Apparatus having microfabricated chambers for conducting biochemical analysis, comprising:
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a plurality of flexible substrates of the kind used in flexible circuit manufacturing technology comprising an ablatable polymeric material, each substrate having first and second oppositely disposed major faces defining a thickness therebetween;
at least one ablated reaction chamber formed within each substrate, having an open top at one of said major faces and a floor positioned within said thickness wherein said at least one reaction chamber is produced by ablation;
a thermo-electric module positioned in thermal communication with each said substrate; and
an ablated analysis chamber in a path of fluid communication with each said reaction chamber, said analysis chamber having a window at one of said major faces and a lower surface positioned within said thickness. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 41, 42, 43)
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- 38. Apparatus as defined in 33 including an analytical material useful in performing a PCR process, positioned in said analysis chamber.
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44. Apparatus having microfabricated chamber for conducting biochemical analysis, comprising:
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a plurality of flexible substrates of the kind used in flexible circuit manufacturing technology comprising an ablatable polymeric material, each substrate having first and second oppositely disposed major faces defining a thickness therebetween;
at least one ablated reaction chamber formed within each substrate, having an open top at one of said major faces and a floor positioned within said thickness wherein said at least one reaction chamber is produced by ablation;
a thermo-electric module positioned in thermal communication with each said substrate; and
individual controls for controlling the polarity and flow of current through each said thermo-electric module. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification