High throughput microfluidic systems and methods
First Claim
1. A system for analyzing a large number of sample compounds, the system comprising:
- a plurality of arrays, each array having a plurality of regions for holding samples;
an array transport system for translating the arrays sequentially along an array path;
an analysis station comprising at least one microfluidic device disposed off the array path the microfluidic device having a sample input port and a channel system with a channel cross sectional dimension in a range from about 0.1 μ
m to about 500 μ
m;
a transportation mechanism which moves each array from the array path and sequentially aligns each region of the array with the sample input port of the microfluidic device; and
a detection system for monitoring a characteristic of the samples in said analysis station.
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Abstract
The invention provides improved systems, devices, and methods for analyzing a large number of sample compounds contained in standard multi-well microtiter plates or other array structures. The multi-well plates travel along a conveyor system to a test station having a microfluidic device. At the test station, each plate is removed from the conveyor and the wells of the multi-well plate are sequentially aligned with an input port of the microfluidic device. After at least a portion of each sample has been input into the microfluidic channel system, the plate is returned to the conveyor system. Pre and/or post testing stations may be disposed along the conveyor system, and the use of an X-Y-Z robotic arm and novel plate support bracket allows each of the samples in the wells to be input into the microfluidic network through a probe affixed to a microfluidic chip. A clamshell structure having a hinged lid can releasably support the chip while providing and/or accommodating the electrical, optical, structural, and other interface connections between the microfluidic device and the surrounding system.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for analyzing a large number of sample compounds, the system comprising:
- a plurality of arrays, each array having a plurality of regions for holding samples;
an array transport system for translating the arrays sequentially along an array path;
an analysis station comprising at least one microfluidic device disposed off the array path the microfluidic device having a sample input port and a channel system with a channel cross sectional dimension in a range from about 0.1 μ
m to about 500 μ
m;
a transportation mechanism which moves each array from the array path and sequentially aligns each region of the array with the sample input port of the microfluidic device; and
a detection system for monitoring a characteristic of the samples in said analysis station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- a plurality of arrays, each array having a plurality of regions for holding samples;
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14. A system for analyzing a large number of samples, the system comprising:
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a plurality of plates, each having an array of wells;
a plate conveyor for translating the plates along a plate path;
at least one test station disposed along the plate path, the at least one test station comprising;
a microfluidic substrate having a sample input port in fluid communication with at least one channel disposed within the substrate, the channel having a cross sectional dimension in a range from about 0.1 μ
m to about 500 μ
m;
a plurality of lifting pins to sequentially lift the plates from the conveyor; and
a plate transportation mechanism which moves the lifted plates from the plate path with at least two degrees of freedom to sequentially align the wells of the plate with the sample input port of the substrate;
wherein the transportation mechanism comprises a rigid plate support bracket which fittingly receives the plate when the plate rests on the bracket;
and a detection system for monitoring a characteristic of the samples in said test station. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method for testing a large number of samples the method comprising:
- Arranging the samples at a plurality of regions, the regions disposed on a plurality of arrays;
transporting the arrays along an array path using an array transportation system, removing the arrays from the path and sequentially aligning the regions of the removed array with a sample input port of a microfluidic device using a transportation mechanism so that the samples are transferred sequentially from the regions into a channel system, the channel system having a cross sectional dimension in a range from about 0.1 μ
m to about 500 μ
m, and detecting a characteristic of the samples in the microfluidic device.
- Arranging the samples at a plurality of regions, the regions disposed on a plurality of arrays;
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17. A system for analyzing a large number of samples, the system comprising;
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a plurality of arrays, each array having a plurality of regions for holding samples;
an array transport system for translating the arrays sequentially along an array path;
a batch process station disposed along the array path for simultaneously processing the samples of the array;
an analysis station comprising at least one microfluidic device disposed off the array path, the microfluidic device having a sample input port and a microfluidic channel system;
a transportation mechanism which moves each array from the array path sequentially and aligns each region of the array with the sample input port of the microfluidic device;
and a detection system for monitoring a characteristic of the samples in said analysis station.
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Specification