Self-contained microfluidic biochip and apparatus
First Claim
1. A self-contained disposable microfluidic biochip for performing multi-step reactions comprising:
- a multi-layered body structure comprising plurality of layers, including a first layer defining a plurality of reagent cavities and at least second layer defining a plurality of reaction wells connected via microfluidic channels;
said reagent cavities respectively storing a plurality of reagents, wherein a seal is provided between the reagent cavities in the first layer and the microfluidic channels in the second layer;
said seal comprising a separate thin film located at the bottom of each reagent cavity to prevent escape of fluids through said microchannels; and
said thin film being breakable and allowing said reagents to be released sequentially into at least one of said microfluidic channels and said reaction wells one at a time;
an integrated micro cap assembly located within each said reagent cavity comprising a pin for puncturing said thin film and a stopper slidable in each said reagent cavity to press a respective one of said reagents into said microfluidic channels;
said reaction wells, allowing sample input, and allowing said multi-step reactions to occur by removing away a sequence of said reagents.
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Abstract
A biochip and apparatus is disclosed for performing biological assays in a self-contained microfluidic platform. The disposable biochip for multi-step reactions comprises a body structure with a plurality of reagent cavities and reaction wells connected via microfluidic channels; the reagent cavities with reagent sealing means for storing a plurality of reagents; the reagent sealing means being breakable and allowing a sequence of reagents to be released into microfluidic channel and reaction well; and the reaction well allowing multi-step reactions to occur by sequentially removing away the residual reagents. The analysis apparatus can rapidly, automatically, sensitively, and simultaneously detect and identify multiple analytes or multiple samples in a very small quantity.
60 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A self-contained disposable microfluidic biochip for performing multi-step reactions comprising:
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a multi-layered body structure comprising plurality of layers, including a first layer defining a plurality of reagent cavities and at least second layer defining a plurality of reaction wells connected via microfluidic channels; said reagent cavities respectively storing a plurality of reagents, wherein a seal is provided between the reagent cavities in the first layer and the microfluidic channels in the second layer; said seal comprising a separate thin film located at the bottom of each reagent cavity to prevent escape of fluids through said microchannels; and
said thin film being breakable and allowing said reagents to be released sequentially into at least one of said microfluidic channels and said reaction wells one at a time;an integrated micro cap assembly located within each said reagent cavity comprising a pin for puncturing said thin film and a stopper slidable in each said reagent cavity to press a respective one of said reagents into said microfluidic channels; said reaction wells, allowing sample input, and allowing said multi-step reactions to occur by removing away a sequence of said reagents. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A self contained disposable microfluidic biochip for performing multi-step reactions, comprising:
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a body comprising a layered structure, including; a first layer that comprises a plurality of reagent cavities each containing a reagent, a second layer that comprises at least one reaction well in fluid communication with the plurality of reagent cavities, and a separate layer of a sealing material disposed between the first layer and the second layer,which retains the reagent in each reagent cavity, and which is breakable at each regent cavity to permit flow of reagent into the reaction well, wherein the first layer, the sealing layer and the second layer are bonded together to form the layered structure; and a microcap assembly slidably received in each resent cavity, the microcap assembly comprising a stopper and a pin extending from the stopper towards the layer of sealing material, wherein the pin punctures the layer of sealing material when the stopper is pressed towards the layer of sealing material. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification