Apparatus for active programmable matrix devices

• US 7,101,661 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2000
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gamida for Life B.V.
• Original Assignee: Nanogen, Inc.
• Inventors: Tu, Eugene, Heller, Michael James
• Primary Examiner(s): FORMAN, BETTY J
• Application Number:
  US09/597,866
• Time in Patent Office: 2,268 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6, 435/287.2, 435/288.2, 435/288.4, 435/288.5, 435/288.7
• US Class Current: 435/6.11
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00317 Microwell devices, i.e. having large numbers of wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00418 using pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00608 DNA chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00621 by physical means, e.g. trenches, raised areas
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00637 by coating it with another layer
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00644 the porous medium being present in discrete locations, e.g. gel pads
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00653 the compounds being bound to electrodes embedded in or on the solid supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0647 Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/12 Specific details about manufacturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0877 Flow chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0421 electrophoretic flow
• 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: C07H 21/00 Compounds containing two or more mononucleotide units having separate phosphate or polyphosphate groups linked by saccharide radicals of nucleoside groups, e.g. nucleic acids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"

Abstract

A system for performing molecular biological diagnosis, analysis and multistep and multiplex reactions utilizes a selfaddressable, selfassembling microelectronic system for actively carrying out controlled reactions in microscopic formats. Preferably, a fluidic system flow a sample across an active area of the biochip, increasing diagnostic efficiency. Preferably, the fluidic system includes a flow cell having a window.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the enhanced detection of a biological reaction between a sample and an active area of a biochip, the apparatus comprising:

a printed circuit board;

a biochip having an active area that is disposed on the printed circuit board;

an adhesive that mounts the biochip to the printed circuit board;

a permeation layer disposed on the surface of the biochip;

a fluidic system adapted to flow the sample over the active area of the biochip, wherein the fluidic system comprises

a fluid inlet port;

a fluid outlet port;

a flow cell connecting the inlet port and the outlet port, wherein the flow cell includes at least first and second planar portions defining at least a portion of the flow path from the inlet port to the outlet port, the first planar portion being between the inlet port and the biochip and the second planar portion being between the outlet port and the biochip; and

an optical window, the optical window including a flat bottom portion, that is disposed in a plane parallel to the biochip, the window being between the fluid inlet and output ports, wherein the flat bottom portion of the optical window is offset from said first and second planar portions of the flow cell, wherein the optical window is adapted to permit radiation from the active area of the biochip to external of the apparatus, and wherein the optical window, biochip, and flow cell define a sample chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluidic system is in direct contact with the biochip.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow cell substantially surrounds the active area of the biochip.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the optical window is a ports window.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow cell has a defined volume.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the flow cell has a volume from substantially 5 to 10 microliters.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a reservoir attached to the outlet port.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the reservoir comprises a waste tube.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the reservoir comprises an expandable structure.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board is a Personal Memory Card International Association board.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further including wires connecting the biochip to the circuit board.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wires are embedded in a protective material.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluidic system further comprises a flow cell, wherein the optical window has a planar bottom surface, the bottom surface being parallel to the upper surface of the biochip, wherein the inlet and outlet ports are above the upper surface of the biochip.