Method for processing a nucleic acid sample by oscillating a cartridge, a system and a cartridge for performing such a method

• US 6,921,639 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2001
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Vischer, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Benzion, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chunduru, Suryaprabha
• Application Number:
  US10/033,424
• Publication Number:
  US 20020155475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6, 435/91.21, 536/24.33, 536/22.1
• US Class Current: 435/6.11
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/10 with a mixing receptacle rotating alternately in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/201 Holders therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0457 passive flow or gravitation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• 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 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00524 Mixing by agitating sample carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/924 using nanostructure as support of dna analysis

Abstract

A method for processing a nucleic acid sample contained in a liquid comprises: (a) introducing the liquid into a chamber (11) of a cartridge (12) which contains a chip shaped carrier (14), an active surface (15) of which carries an array of oligonucleotides; (b) positioning cartridge (12) into a cartridge holder (16) which holds cartridge (12); and (c) oscillating cartridge holder (16) and thereby cartridge (12) about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to a vertical plane, thereby moving cartridge (12) back and forth between a first angular position (26) and a second angular position (28) which lie on opposite sides of an intermediate angular position (27) at which active surface (15) of chip shaped carrier (14) is at the lowest part of its motion path caused by the oscillating motion of cartridge (12). These oscillations cause a relative motion of the sample containing liquid contained in channel (13) with respect to active surface (15) of chip shaped carrier (14). Chamber (11) has a narrow interior and includes a curved channel (13). Chip shaped carrier (14) is located in a central zone of the curved channel (13).

Claims

1. A method for processing a nucleic acid sample contained in a liquid, said method comprising

(a) introducing said liquid into a chamber of a cartridge which contains a chip shaped carrier, an active surface of which carries an array of oligonucleotides, said chamber having a narrow interior and including a channel comprised between two inner surfaces of said chamber,

(b) positioning said cartridge in a cartridge holder, said positioning being effected before or after introduction of said liquid into said chamber, and

(c) oscillating said cartridge holder and thereby said cartridge about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to a vertical plane, thereby moving said cartridge back and forth between a first angular position and a second angular position which lie on opposite sides of an intermediate angular position at which said active surface of said chip shaped carrier is substantially at a lowest part of its motion path caused by said oscillating of said cartridge, in order to cause relative motion of the liquid contained in said channel with respect to said active surface of said chip shaped carrier.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said channel is a curved channel.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is held by the cartridge holder in such a way that the active surface of the chip shaped carrier lies in a substantially vertical plane.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said active surface of the chip shaped carrier is adjacent to a central portion of said channel.