Integrated sample analysis device

• US 6,979,424 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2001
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cepheid (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cepheid (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Kovacs, Gregory T. A., Petersen, Kurt E., Northrup, M. Allen, McMillan, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marschel, Ardin H.
• Application Number:
  US09/929,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20020025576A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,597 Days
• Field of Search: 422/50, 422/68.1, 422/129, 435/6, 435/7.1, 435/4
• US Class Current: 422/50
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0093 Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1883 using thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0418 electro-osmotic flow [EOF]
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0421 electrophoretic flow
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0633 with moving parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• 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: G01N 27/44743 Introducing samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6095 Micromachined or nanomachined, e.g. micro- or nanosize

Abstract

An analysis device comprises a body having a reaction chamber for chemically reacting a sample, a separation region for separating components of the sample, and a transition region connecting the reaction chamber to the separation region. The transition region includes at least one valve for controlling the flow of fluid between the reaction chamber and the separation region. Further, the transition region thermally isolates the reaction chamber from the separation region. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction chamber is an amplification chamber for amplifying nucleic acid in the sample, and the separation region comprises an electrophoresis channel containing a suitable matrix material, such as electrophoresis gel or buffer, for separating nucleic acid fragments. Electrodes are embedded in the body for separation of sample components. The body may also be surrounded by external, functional components such as an optical detector for detecting separated components of the sample.

Claims

1. A device for analyzing a sample, the device comprising:

a) a body having;

i) a reaction chamber for chemically reacting the sample;

ii) a separation region for separating components of the sample;

iii) a transition region connecting the reaction chamber to the separation region; and

iv) at least one mechanical valve in the transition region for controlling fluid flow between the reaction chamber and the separation region;

b) a first electrode coupled to the body adjacent the reaction chamber;

c) a second electrode coupled to the body adjacent the transition region; and

d) a third electrode coupled to the body adjacent the separation region, the electrodes being positioned such that when a first voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, the components in the sample are transported from the reaction chamber to the transition region, and such that when a second voltage is applied between the second and third electrodes, the sample components are transported into the separation region.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a molecular weight filter for filtering species in the sample having a sufficiently high molecular weight, the filter being positioned in a channel between the second electrode and the transition region such that when the first voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, the species are transported from the reaction chamber and collected on the filter, and such that when the second voltage is applied between the second and third electrodes, the species collected on the filter are transported into the separation region.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the body further includes:

a) a side channel connected to the transition region for adding or removing fluid from the transition region; and

b) at least a second mechanical valve for controlling fluid flow through the side channel.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the valves comprise membrane valves.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a polymeric material, and wherein the electrodes are over-molded in the body.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are screen-printed on the body.