Capillary flow for a heterogenous assay in a micro-channel environment

• US 7,524,462 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Drese, Klaus Stefan, Leonard, Leslie, Boecker, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden; Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): HYUN, PAUL SANG HWA
• Application Number:
  US10/113,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20030185713A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,587 Days
• Field of Search: 210/656, 422 56- 59, 422/69, 422/282, 422/68.1, 422/82, 422/99, 422/101, 435/7.1, 435/286.7, 435/287.6, 435/287.9, 435/288.1, 530/413, 935/108, 436/56, 436/57
• US Class Current: 422/417
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0621 Control of the sequence of chambers filled or emptied
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0694 vents used to stop and induce flow, backpressure valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/084 Passive control of flow resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/086 using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/088 by specific surface properties
• 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 3/502746 characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00257 Capillary stop flow circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Apparatus and methods consistent with certain principles related to the present invention include a first channel, where a fluid flows through the first channel, where the first channel comprises an upstream region, a tagging region downstream of the upstream region, where at least one analyte is tagged when the fluid flows through the tagging region, a capture region downstream of the tagging region, where at least one tagged analyte is captured when the fluid flows through the capture region. A second channel communicating the upstream region of the first channel with the first channel intermediate the tagging region and capture regions, where a portion of the fluid flows through the second channel and subsequently flows into the capture region of the first channel, and where the fluid flowing through the tagging region flows into the capture region before the portion of the fluid flowing through the second channel flows into the capture region of the first channel.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first channel, wherein a fluid introduced to the apparatus flows through said first channel, wherein said first channel comprises;

an upstream region;

a tagging region downstream of said upstream region, wherein an analyte is tagged when said fluid flows through said tagging region by interacting with a tagging reagent present in the tagging region;

a capture region downstream of said tagging region, wherein at least one tagged analyte is captured when said fluid flows through said capture region by binding to at least one analyte capture reagent immobilized in the capture region;

a second channel communicating said upstream region of said first channel with said first channel intermediate said tagging region and capture region, wherein a portion of said fluid flows through said second channel and subsequently flows into said capture region of said first channel; and

wherein said second channel comprises means for retarding flow rate, whereby fluid flowing through said tagging region flows into said capture region before said portion of said fluid flowing through said second channel flows into said capture region of said first channel.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first channel and said second channel are adapted for capillary flow of said fluid.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said upstream region further comprises:

a filter region, comprising a filter.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first channel further comprises:

a terminal region, downstream of said capture region, said terminal region adapted to absorbing said fluid.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a vent communicating with the second channel.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a first channel, wherein a first fluid introduced to the apparatus flows through said first channel, wherein said first channel comprises;

an upstream region;

a tagging region downstream of said upstream region, wherein an analyte is tagged when said first fluid flows through said tagging region by interacting with a tagging reagent present in the tagging region;

a capture region downstream of said tagging region, wherein at least one tagged analyte is captured when said first fluid flows through said capture region by binding to at least one analyte capture reagent immobilized in the capture region;

a second channel in fluid communication with said first channel intermediate said tagging region and said capture region;

a trigger channel communicating with said first channel, wherein said first fluid flows through said trigger channel toward said second channel, causing a second fluid to flow through said second channel and subsequently flow into said capture region of said first channel;

wherein said second channel comprises means for retarding flow rate, whereby first fluid flowing through said tagging region flows into said capture region before said second fluid flows through said second channel into said capture region of said first channel.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first channel and said second channel are adapted for capillary flow of said fluid.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said upstream region further comprises:

a filter region, comprising a filter.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first channel further comprises:

a terminal region, downstream of said capture region, said terminal region adapted to absorbing said fluid.

10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said second channel contains a vent.