Portable sensor array system

• US 7,316,899 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2001
• Issued: 01/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System), University of Texas System
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: McDevitt, John T, Neikirk, Dean P., Anslyn, Eric V., Shear, Jason B.
• Primary Examiner(s): FORMAN, BETTY J
• Application Number:
  US09/775,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20030186228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,533 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6, 435/7.1, 435/174, 435/283.1, 435/288.5, 422/50, 422/68.1, 422/82.05
• US Class Current: 435/6.19
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/005 Beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00576 fluorophore
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00648 by the use of solid beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00702 Processes involving means for analysing and characterising the products
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00722 Nucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0657 Pipetting powder
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0668 Trapping microscopic beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/12 Specific details about manufacturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0415 electrical forces, e.g. electrokinetic
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/049 vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0633 with moving parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0638 membrane valves, flap valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0289 Apparatus for withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid B01L3/02 takes precedence; sample taking G01N1/00; sample taking within automatic analysers G01N35/00; volume measuring in general G01F
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• 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: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 : characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 : characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502761 : specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads, for physically stretching molecules investigating characteristics of particles G01N15/00
• CPC Class Codes: C07B 2200/11 : Compounds covalently bound to a solid support
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/34 : involving hydrolase
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/37 : involving peptidase or proteinase
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 40/00 : Libraries per se, e.g. arrays, mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/021 : Correlating sampling sites with geographical information, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6417 : Spectrofluorimetric devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6421 : Measuring at two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6432 : Quenching
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6439 : with indicators, stains, dyes, tags, labels, marks
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6441 : with two or more labels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6482 : Sample cells, cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 : Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00564 : Handling or washing solid phase elements, e.g. beads
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/253 : for batch operation, i.e. multisample apparatus analytical automats G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6428 : Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 : Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6454 : using an integrated detector array
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6458 : Fluorescence microscopy fluorescence microscopes per se G02B21/0076 and G02B21/16
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6486 : Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells G01N21/6428 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/77 : by observing the effect on a chemical indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 : LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0627 : Use of several LED's for spectral resolution
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54313 : the carrier being characterised by its particulate form
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 : Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54373 : involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/924 : using nanostructure as support of dna analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A system for the rapid characterization of multi-analyte fluids, in one embodiment, includes a light source, a sensor array, and a detector. The sensor array is formed from a supporting member into which a plurality of cavities may be formed. A series of chemically sensitive particles are, in one embodiment positioned within the cavities. The particles may be configured to produce a signal when a receptor coupled to the particle interacts with the analyte. Using pattern recognition techniques, the analytes within a multi-analyte fluid may be characterized.

Claims

1. A sensor array system for detecting an analyte in a fluid comprising:

a body;

a light source disposed within the body;

a cartridge, wherein the cartridge is configured to be removably positionable in the body, and wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a sensor array disposed within the cartridge body, and wherein the sensor array comprises;

a sensor layer comprising a plurality of cavities fabricated within the sensor layer to form an ordered array;

a particle, wherein the particle is positioned in a cavity, and wherein the particle comprises a receptor coupled to a polymeric bead, and wherein the particle is configured to produce a signal when the particle interacts with an analyte during use, and wherein the cavity is configured such that a particle is substantially contained within the cavity during use;

a plurality of assembled layers comprising a support layer, a cover layer and a spacer layer,

wherein the cover layer is positioned over the cavity and is configured to inhibit dislodgment of the particle during use, the cover layer comprising a substantially transparent cover plate positioned such that a first channel is formed between an upper surface of the supporting member and the cover layer, and wherein the fluid passes through the first channel during use; and

wherein the spacer layer provides for a second channel under the sensor layer and above the support layer, and wherein the fluid passes through the second channel during use; and

a detector disposed within the body, wherein the detector is configured to detect the signal produced by the interaction of the analyte with the particle during use;

wherein the light source and the detector are positioned such that light passes from the light source, to the particle, and onto the detector during use.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sample input port, wherein the sample input is positioned on the body, and wherein the sample input port is coupled to the sensor array such that samples introduced into the input port are transferred to the sensor array.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sample input port, wherein the sample input is positioned on the body, and wherein the sample input port is coupled to the sensor array such that samples introduced into the input port are transferred to the sensor array, and wherein the sample input port is configured to receive a syringe.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sample input port and a filter, wherein the sample input is positioned on the body, and wherein the sample input port is coupled to the sensor array such that samples introduced into the input port are transferred to the sensor array, and wherein the filter is coupled to the sample input port.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid cartridge coupled to the body and the sensor array.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an electronic controller disposed in the body and coupled to the sensor array, the light source, and the detector;

wherein the electronic controller is configured to control the operation of the sensor array system.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a global positioning system coupled to the body.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a data transfer system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a monochrome detector.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a color detector.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid delivery system coupled to the sensor layer.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a charge-coupled device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a plurality of particles positioned within the plurality of cavities, and wherein the system is configured to substantially simultaneously detect a plurality of analytes in the fluid.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the particle ranges from about 0.05 micron to about 500 microns.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein a volume of the particle changes when contacted with the fluid.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the particle further comprises a first indicator and a second indicator, wherein the first and second indicators are configured to be coupled to the receptor, wherein the interaction of the receptor with the analyte causes the first and second indicators to interact such that the signal is produced.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the particle further comprises an indicator, wherein the indicator is associated with the receptor such that in the presence of the analyte the indicator is displaced from the receptor to produce the signal.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor layer comprises silicon.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor layer comprises a plastic material.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor layer comprises a dry film photoresist material.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the cavity is configured such that the fluid entering the cavity passes through the cavity during use.

23. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pump coupled to the sensor layer, wherein the pump is configured to direct the fluid towards the cavity.

24. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum apparatus coupled to the sensor array, wherein the vacuum apparatus is configured to pull the fluid through the cavity during use.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor array is positioned within a cartridge, and wherein the cartridge is removable from the body.