Enhanced sample processing devices, systems and methods

• US 7,435,933 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2007
• Issued: 10/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DiaSorin S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Bedingham, William, Robole, Barry W., Rajagopal, Raj
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBINSON, DANIEL LEON
• Application Number:
  US11/622,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20070114229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 219/752, 219/754, 219/745, 219/753, 219/755, 422/72, 422/58, 422/64, 422/68, 422/50
• US Class Current: 219/752
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0806 Standardised forms, e.g. compact disc [CD] format
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0874 Three dimensional network
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1822 using Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1861 using radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0661 shape memory polymer valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• 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 3/50273 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 7/52 with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/30 Combinations with other devices, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F27B 9/16 the charge moving in a circular or arcuate path
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 5/00 Supports, screens, or the like for the charge within the furnace travelling or movable supports F27D3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00069 : whereby the sample substrate is of the bio-disk type, i.e. having the format of an optical disk
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0098 : involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation magnetic particles used in immunoassays G01N33/54326; magnetic separation in general B03C
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/80 : Apparatus for specific applications stoves or ranges F24C7/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for processing sample materials. The sample materials may be located in a plurality of process chambers in the device, which is rotated during heating of the sample materials.

Claims

1. A method of processing sample material comprising:

providing a device comprising one or more process chamber arrays, each of the process chamber arrays comprising a loading chamber and a process chamber;

providing sample material in the loading chamber of at least one of the process chamber arrays;

moving the sample material from the loading chamber to the process chamber by rotating the device;

providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material located in the process chamber;

providing a magnet proximate the device;

rotating the device such that the paramagnetic particles within the sample material are subjected to the magnetic field of the magnet during the rotating;

moving the sample material from the process chamber to an output chamber by rotating the device; and

filtering the paramagnetic particles from the sample material by passing the sample material through a filter located between the process chamber and the output chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a plurality of the process chamber arrays.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotating comprises rotating the device at varying speeds.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing paramagnetic particles comprises providing the paramagnetic particles in the loading chamber and moving the paramagnetic particles to the sample material in the process chamber by rotating the device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the paramagnetic particles are subjected to the magnetic field while moving between the loading chamber and the process chamber.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample material comprises residual reaction materials and wherein the method further comprises using the paramagnetic particles to remove the residual reaction materials from the sample material.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the residual reaction materials comprise Sanger sequencing reaction products, and further wherein the paramagnetic particles comprise dye terminator removal material.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the paramagnetic particles are located in the process chamber before the sample material is moved into the process chamber.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the paramagnetic particles are dried down in the process chamber before the sample material is moved into the process chamber.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material comprises locating the paramagnetic particles in a porous structure through which the sample material moves.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising mixing the paramagnetic particles within the sample material by subjecting the paramagnetic particles to magnetic forces pulling opposite directions intermittently.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising facilitating the mixing of the paramagnetic particles in the process chamber by varying the rotational speed of the device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein rotating the device comprises rotating the device about an axis of rotation, and wherein the magnet is located between the process chamber and the axis of rotation.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the device comprises a multilayered composite structure comprising a substrate, a first layer attached to a first major side of the substrate, and a second layer attached to a second major side of the substrate.

15. A method of processing sample material comprising:

providing a device comprising one or more process chamber arrays, each of the process chamber arrays comprising a loading chamber and a process chamber;

providing sample material in the loading chamber of at least one of the process chamber arrays, wherein the sample material comprises residual reaction materials, wherein the residual reaction materials comprise Sanger sequencing reaction products;

moving the sample material from the loading chamber to the process chamber by rotating the device;

providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material located in the process chamber, wherein the paramagnetic particles comprise dye terminator removal material;

providing a magnet proximate the device;

rotating the device such that the paramagnetic particles within the sample material are subjected to the magnetic field of the magnet during the rotating; and

using the paramagnetic particles to remove the residual reaction materials from the sample material.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the device comprises a plurality of the process chamber arrays.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the rotating comprises rotating the device at varying speeds.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein providing paramagnetic particles comprises providing the paramagnetic particles in the loading chamber and moving the paramagnetic particles to the sample material in the process chamber by rotating the device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the paramagnetic particles are subjected to the magnetic field while moving between the loading chamber and the process chamber.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the paramagnetic particles are located in the process chamber before the sample material is moved into the process chamber.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the paramagnetic particles are dried down in the process chamber before the sample material is moved into the process chamber.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material comprises locating the paramagnetic particles in a porous structure through which the sample material moves.

23. The method of claim 15, further comprising mixing the paramagnetic particles within the sample material by subjecting the paramagnetic particles to magnetic forces pulling opposite directions intermittently.

24. The method of claim 15, further comprising facilitating the mixing of the paramagnetic particles in the process chamber by varying the rotational speed of the device.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein rotating the device comprises rotating the device about an axis of rotation, and wherein the magnet is located between the process chamber and the axis of rotation.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the device comprises a multilayered composite structure comprising a substrate, a first layer attached to a first major side of the substrate, and a second layer attached to a second major side of the substrate.

27. A method of processing sample material comprising:

providing a device comprising one or more process chamber arrays, each of the process chamber arrays comprising a loading chamber and a process chamber;

providing sample material in the loading chamber of at least one of the process chamber arrays;

moving the sample material from the loading chamber to the process chamber by rotating the device;

providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material located in the process chamber, wherein providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material comprises locating the paramagnetic particles in a porous structure through which the sample material moves;

providing a magnet proximate the device; and

rotating the device such that the paramagnetic particles within the sample material are subjected to the magnetic field of the magnet during the rotating.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the device comprises a plurality of the process chamber arrays.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the rotating comprises rotating the device at varying speeds.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein providing paramagnetic particles comprises providing the paramagnetic particles in the loading chamber and moving the paramagnetic particles to the sample material in the process chamber by rotating the device.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the paramagnetic particles are subjected to the magnetic field while moving between the loading chamber and the process chamber.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the sample material comprises residual reaction materials and wherein the method further comprises using the paramagnetic particles to remove the residual reaction materials from the sample material.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein the paramagnetic particles are located in the process chamber before the sample material is moved into the process chamber.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the paramagnetic particles are dried down in the process chamber before the sample material is moved into the process chamber.

35. The method of claim 27, further comprising mixing the paramagnetic particles within the sample material by subjecting the paramagnetic particles to magnetic forces pulling opposite directions intermittently.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising facilitating the mixing of the paramagnetic particles in the process chamber by varying the rotational speed of the device.

37. The method of claim 27, wherein rotating the device comprises rotating the device about an axis of rotation, and wherein the magnet is located between the process chamber and the axis of rotation.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the device comprises a multilayered composite structure comprising a substrate, a first layer attached to a first major side of the substrate, and a second layer attached to a second major side of the substrate.

39. A method of processing sample material comprising:

providing a device comprising one or more process chamber arrays, each of the process chamber arrays comprising a loading chamber and a process chamber, wherein the device comprises a multilayered composite structure comprising a substrate, a first layer attached to a first major side of the substrate, and a second layer attached to a second major side of the substrate;

providing sample material in the loading chamber of at least one of the process chamber arrays;

moving the sample material from the loading chamber to the process chamber by rotating the device;

providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material located in the process chamber;

providing a magnet proximate the device; and

rotating the device such that the paramagnetic particles within the sample material are subjected to the magnetic field of the magnet during the rotating, wherein rotating the device comprises rotating the device about an axis of rotation, and wherein the magnet is located between the process chamber and the axis of rotation.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the device comprises a plurality of the process chamber arrays.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the rotating comprises rotating the device at varying speeds.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein providing paramagnetic particles comprises providing the paramagnetic particles in the loading chamber and moving the paramagnetic particles to the sample material in the process chamber by rotating the device.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the paramagnetic particles are subjected to the magnetic field while moving between the loading chamber and the process chamber.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the sample material comprises residual reaction materials and wherein the method further comprises using the paramagnetic particles to remove the residual reaction materials from the sample material.

45. The method of claim 39, wherein the paramagnetic particles are located in the process chamber before the sample material is moved into the process chamber.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the paramagnetic particles are dried down in the process chamber before the sample material is moved into the process chamber.

47. The method of claim 39, further comprising mixing the paramagnetic particles within the sample material by subjecting the paramagnetic particles to magnetic forces pulling opposite directions intermittently.

48. The method of claim 47 further comprising facilitating the mixing of the paramagnetic particles in the process chamber by varying the rotational speed of the device.