Fluidics station injection needles with distal end and side ports and method of using
First Claim
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1. A fluidics station comprising:
- a base that is adapted to provide framework for the fluidics station;
a mounting system coupled to the base, the mounting system comprising a mounting member adapted to receive a cartridge, and wherein the mounting system is movable between a loading position and a closed position;
at least two needles coupled to the base frame, wherein the needles each include a distal end and side ports above the distal ends; and
at least one fluid source in communication with at least one of the needles;
wherein the cartridge is insertable into the mounting system when in the loading position, and wherein the needles are adapted to be inserted into the cartridge when in the closed position.
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Abstract
The present invention generally provides novel apparatuses for rapidly and efficiently carrying out repeated hybridizations of a target nucleic acid to an array of nucleic acid probes. The apparatus generally includes a fluid delivery system, a fluid mixing system, a temperature control system and a process control system integrated into a single device.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A fluidics station comprising:
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a base that is adapted to provide framework for the fluidics station;
a mounting system coupled to the base, the mounting system comprising a mounting member adapted to receive a cartridge, and wherein the mounting system is movable between a loading position and a closed position;
at least two needles coupled to the base frame, wherein the needles each include a distal end and side ports above the distal ends; and
at least one fluid source in communication with at least one of the needles;
wherein the cartridge is insertable into the mounting system when in the loading position, and wherein the needles are adapted to be inserted into the cartridge when in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for processing a fluid sample, comprising:
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a cartridge having a chamber, the chamber having disposed therein an array of probes, the array of probes including a plurality of different nucleic acid sequences coupled to a solid support in different known locations;
a fluid delivery system for delivering a sample to the chamber, the fluid delivery system including an input needle and an output needle, wherein the needles include blunt distal ends and side ports through which fluids may pass; and
a cartridge mounting system that is adapted to be moved between an loading position and a closed position, wherein the needles are adapted to be coupled to the chamber when the cartridge mounting system in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
a pump in fluid communication with the chamber when the fluid delivery system is coupled to the chamber;
a sample vessel;
a plurality of individual reagent vessels; and
a valve structure in communication with the pump, the valve structure being disposed between the chamber and the sample vessel and reagent vessels to individually connect each of the reagent vessels and the sample vessel to the pump such that operation of the valve structure places the sample vessel or one of the reagent vessels in fluid communication with the pump to allow the pump to deliver a fluid from the sample vessel or the reagent vessel to the chamber; and
a first length of tubing connecting the sample vessel to the pump and a second length of tubing connecting the pump to the chamber.
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9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump.
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10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the pump is a syringe pump.
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11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a mixing system positioned to mix the sample in the chamber, wherein the mixing system comprises a piezoelectric element disposed adjacent the chamber, whereby operation of the piezoelectric element produces a convective effect in the chamber.
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12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a mixing system positioned to mix the sample in the chamber, wherein the mixing system comprises a reversible pump for removing and redelivering the sample fluid out of and into the chamber.
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13. An apparatus for processing fluids, comprising:
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a fluid delivery system adapted to deliver fluids into an array cartridge, the array cartridge including a chamber having a probe array incorporated therein;
a mounting system which is adapted to removably hold the chamber within the array cartridge in fluid communication with the fluid delivery system, the mounting system having an loading position for receiving the cartridge and a closed position wherein the cartridge is positioned to be coupled with the fluid delivery system;
a temperature control system for monitoring and controlling a temperature of the fluids within the chamber;
an injection system to couple the fluid delivery system to the array cartridge when the mounting system is moved to the closed position, wherein the injection system comprises an inlet needle and an outlet needle, wherein each of the needles includes a blunt end and side ports for passing fluids; and
a process control system for monitoring and controlling the fluid delivery system and the temperature control system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for introducing a fluid into a cartridge, the method comprising:
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providing a frame, at least two needles coupled to the frame, wherein needles includes a distal end and a side port, and a mounting system that is coupled to the frame, wherein mounting system is movable between a loading position and a closed position;
placing at least one fluid source in communication with at least one of the needles;
inserting a cartridge into the mounting system while in the loading position;
moving the mounting system to the closed position to insert the distal end of the needles into the cartridge; and
transferring fluid from the source into the cartridge through the side port of one of the needles. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for staining a hybridization array, comprising:
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providing a station having a fluid delivery system to deliver at least one fluid from at least one vessel into an array cartridge, the array cartridge including a chamber having a hybridization array, and a mounting system for removably holding the chamber within the array cartridge in fluid communication with the fluid delivery system, the mounting system having an loading position for receiving the cartridge and a closed position wherein the cartridge is positioned to be coupled with the fluid delivery system;
inserting the cartridge into the mounting system in the loading position and moving the mounting the system to the closed position where the fluid delivery system is coupled to the cartridge; and
delivering a stain from the vessel into the chamber of the cartridge with the fluid delivery system to stain the array. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for washing a hybridization array, comprising:
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providing a station having a fluid delivery system to deliver at least one fluid from at least one vessel into an array cartridge, the array cartridge including a chamber having a hybridization array, and a mounting system for removably holding the chamber within the array cartridge in fluid communication with the fluid delivery system, the mounting system having an loading position for receiving the cartridge and a closed position wherein the cartridge is positioned to be coupled with the fluid delivery system;
inserting the cartridge into the mounting system and moving the mounting system to the closed position where the fluid delivery system is coupled to the cartridge;
delivering a washing fluid from the vessel into the chamber of the cartridge with the fluid delivery system to wash the array. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification