High throughput microfluidic systems and methods
First Claim
1. A system for analyzing a plurality of samples, the system comprising:
- a plurality of arrays, each array having a plurality of regions for holding the samples;
a robotic arm for translating the arrays sequentially along an array path;
an analysis station comprising at least one microfluidic device disposed off the array path, the microfluidic device having a sample input port, an analysis channel, and a detection point, the microfluidic device having at least one channel fluidly coupled to the sample input port with at least one channel cross-sectional dimension in a range from about 0.1 μ
m to about 500 μ
m; and
wherein the robotic arm is configured to sequentially aligns each region of each array with the input port of the microfluidic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides improved systems, devices, and methods for analyzing a large number of sample compounds contained in standard multi-well microtiter plates or other array structures. The multi-well plates travel along a conveyor system to a test station having a microfluidic device. At the test station, each plate is removed from the conveyor and the wells of the multi-well plate are sequentially aligned with an input port of the microfluidic device. After at least a portion of each sample has been input into the microfluidic channel system, the plate is returned to the conveyor system. Pre and/or post testing stations may be disposed along the conveyor system, and the use of an X-Y-Z robotic arm and novel plate support bracket allows each of the samples in the wells to be input into the microfluidic network through a probe affixed to a microfluidic chip. A clamshell structure having a hinged lid can releasably support the chip while providing and/or accommodating the electrical, optical, structural, and other interface connections between the microfluidic device and the surrounding system.
109 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for analyzing a plurality of samples, the system comprising:
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a plurality of arrays, each array having a plurality of regions for holding the samples; a robotic arm for translating the arrays sequentially along an array path; an analysis station comprising at least one microfluidic device disposed off the array path, the microfluidic device having a sample input port, an analysis channel, and a detection point, the microfluidic device having at least one channel fluidly coupled to the sample input port with at least one channel cross-sectional dimension in a range from about 0.1 μ
m to about 500 μ
m; andwherein the robotic arm is configured to sequentially aligns each region of each array with the input port of the microfluidic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15)
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10. A system for analyzing a plurality of samples, the system comprising:
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a plurality of plates, each plate having an array of wells; a robotic arm for moving the plates along a plate path; at least one test station disposed along the plate path, the at least one test station comprising; a microfluidic substrate having a sample input port, an analysis channel, and a detection point, the analysis channel disposed within the substrate and in fluid communication with the sample input port, the microfluidic substrate including at least one channel having a cross-sectional dimension in a range from about 0.1 μ
m to about 500 μ
m; andwherein the robotic arm has at least two degrees of freedom and is configured to sequentially align the wells of each plate with the input port of the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for testing a plurality of samples, the method comprising:
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arranging the samples in a plurality of regions disposed on at least one sample array; transporting the at least one sample array along an array path using a robotic arm having at least two degrees of freedom; removing the at least one array from the array path and sequentially aligning the regions of the array with a sample input port of a microfluidic device using the robotic arm so that the samples are transferred sequentially from the regions into the sample input port, the sample input port in fluid communication with an analysis channel disposed within the substrate, the microfluidic device including at least one channel having a cross-sectional dimension in a range from about 0.1 μ
m to about 500 μ
m; andtesting the samples using the analysis channel and a detection point disposed on or in the microfluidic device. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification