Devices and methods for using centripetal acceleration to drive fluid movement in a microfluidics system

• US 6,548,788 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2001
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tecan Trading AG (Tecan Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Tecan Trading AG (Tecan Group AG)
• Inventors: Willis, John P., Carvalho, Bruce L., Mian, Alec, Kellogg, Gregory, Kieffer-Higgins, Stephen G., Davis, Gene A., Oeltjen, Sarah D., Kob, Mikayla, Chapman, Laura L., Ommert, Shari, Minior, Ted
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Vinod D.
• Application Number:
  US09/981,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20020027133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 219/543, 435/283.1, 435/286.4, 435/285.2, 435/287.1
• US Class Current: 219/543
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/23 Mixing of laboratory samples e.g. in preparation of analysing or testing properties of materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/44 Mixing of ingredients for microbiology, enzymology, in vitro culture or genetic manipulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/30 Micromixers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7172 using capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71725 using centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/02 Adapting objects or devices to another
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0621 Control of the sequence of chambers filled or emptied
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/10 Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/023 Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0806 Standardised forms, e.g. compact disc [CD] format
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1838 using fluid heat transfer medium
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 : centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0415 : electrical forces, e.g. electrokinetic
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0421 : electrophoretic flow
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0633 : with moving parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0661 : shape memory polymer valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 : phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 : surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 : for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 : by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 : characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 : characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 : characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502753 : characterised by bulk separation arrangements on lab-on-a-chip devices, e.g. for filtration or centrifugation separation in general B01D; microapparatus for analysis using electrophoresis G01N27/44791; sample preparation G01N1/28
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/00 : Heating or cooling apparatus autoclaves B01J3/04; Heat insulating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 : with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 : for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/002 : actuated by temperature variation thermo-electric F16K31/025
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/07 : Centrifugal type cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00069 : whereby the sample substrate is of the bio-disk type, i.e. having the format of an optical disk
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 17/06586 : composed of organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/64 : Devices for uninterrupted current collection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 366/03 : Micromixers: variable geometry from the pathway influences mixing/agitation of non-laminar fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 464/90 : Electrically insulative member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1797 : Heat destructible or fusible
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1812 : In fluid flow path
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4643 : Liquid valves

Abstract

This system provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the system provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the system are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays. An electronic spindle designed rotor capable of transferring electrical signals to and from the microsystem platforms of the system is also provided.

Claims

1. A microsystem platform, comprising a substrate having a first flat, planar surface and a second flat, planar surface opposite thereto, wherein the first surface comprises a multiplicity of microfluidics components embedded in said first surface and in fluidic contact, and a resistive heater element comprising in combination:

a) an electrically inert substrate capable of being screen printed with a conductive ink and a resistive ink;

b) a conductive ink screen-printed in a pattern;

c) a resistive ink screen-printed in a pattern over the conductive ink pattern wherein the resistive ink in electrical contact with the conductive ink and wherein an electrical potential applied across the conductive ink causes current to flow across the resistive ink wherein the resistive ink produces heat,

wherein the resistive heater element is in thermal contact with at least one of the multiplicity of microfluidics components.

2. The microsystems platform of claim 1, wherein the conductive ink of the resistive heater element is a silver conductive ink selected from the group consisting of Dupont 5028, Dupont 5025, Acheson 423SS, Acheson 426SS and Acheson SS24890.

3. The microsystems platform of claim 1, wherein the resistive ink of the resistive heater element is selected from the group consisting of Dupont 7082, Dupont 7102, Dupont 7271, Dupont 7278 and Dupont 7285.

4. The microsystems platform of claim 1, wherein the resistive ink of the resistive heater element is a PTC ink.

5. A microsystems platform according to claim 1 wherein the resistive heater element further comprises

d) a dielectric ink screen-printed over the resistive ink pattern and conductive ink pattern.

6. A microsystems platform according to claim 1, wherein one of the multiplicity of microfluidics components is a microchannel.

7. The microsystems platform of claim 6, wherein the microchannel further comprises a wax valve.

8. The microsystems platform of claim 7, wherein the resistive heater element is in thermal contact with the wax valve.