Microfluidic microarray systems and methods thereof

• US 7,524,672 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2004
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions Of Sandia LLC (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: West, Jay A. A., Hux, Gary A., Hukari, Kyle W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin; Walter D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Doe; Shanta G
• Application Number:
  US10/946,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20060063160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,679 Days
• Field of Search: 4352872-2885
• US Class Current: 435/287.2
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00387 Applications using probes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00527 Sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00576 fluorophore
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00722 Nucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/10 Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0877 Flow chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/18 Means for temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1894 Cooling means; Cryo cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0293 for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/565 Seals in general F16L
• 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: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6837 using probe arrays or probe chips C12Q1/6874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2565/629 being a microfluidic device
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/0303 : Optical path conditioning in cuvettes, e.g. windows; adapted optical elements or systems; path modifying or adjustment G01N21/031 - G01N21/15 take precedence

Abstract

Disclosed are systems that include a manifold in fluid communication with a microfluidic chip having a microarray, an illuminator, and a detector in optical communication with the microarray. Methods for using these systems for biological detection are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a manifold comprising an opening disposed through the manifold, a recessed portion disposed about the opening in one surface of the manifold, the recessed portion for receiving a microfluidic chip, first and second lateral slots for providing light access to opposite edges of the microfluidic chip, means for securing the microfluidic chip to the manifold, and a plurality of via holes in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels disposed on the microfluidic chip, the microfluidic chip comprising a microarray, the microfluidic chip capable of receiving and transmitting light to the microarray;

an illuminator for providing the light; and

a detector in optical communication with the microarray.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the microfluidic chip is secured to the manifold using a backing plate and a compression frame.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the backing plate is optically transparent.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the backing plate comprises diamond, quartz, glass, ceramic, silicon or plastic.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the microfluidic chip is optically transparent.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the manifold further comprises at least one port in fluid communication with at least one fluid source.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the fluid source comprises buffer, solvent, sample, analyte, probe, label, tag, salts, acids, bases, detergents, or any combination thereof.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microchannels comprise open microchannels disposed on a surface of the microfluidic chip.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the microarray is in fluid communication with at least one of the microchannels.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the microarray comprises a plurality of biomolecules.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the microfluidic chip is fluidically sealed to the backing plate.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a microscope, scanner, PMT, CCD, or any combination thereof.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the microarray comprises a plurality of biomolecular spots disposed on the microarray.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising an optical coupling situated between the microfluidic chip and the detector.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the optical coupling comprises an optical waveguide, a lens, an optical fiber bundle, a glass or plastic rod, a fiber plate, an aperture, or any combination thereof.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the detector comprises a plurality of pixels, and wherein at least a portion of the pixels are optically coupled to a plurality of biomolecular spots disposed on the microarray.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein each of the pixels are, independently, optically coupled to one biomolecular spot.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the biomolecular spots are capable of binding an analyte.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the analyte comprises a fluorophore, a chromophore, or any combination thereof.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein a photon emitted from the fluorophore or chromophore is detected by the detector.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein a photon emitted from the fluorophore or chromophore is optically communicated to a pixel on the detector.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the illuminator comprises a waveguide.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the waveguide comprises a fiber bundle.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the illuminator comprises an LED, an incandescent light source, a fluorescent light source, an electroluminescent light source, a plasma light source, a laser, or any combination thereof.

25. The system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature controller.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the microfluidic chip comprises a surface and features formed in the surface, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the microfluidic chip is fluidically sealed to a substrate.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the substrate comprises a film.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the film is compressibly sealed to the microfluidic chip.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the film comprises a semi-elastic plastic material.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the film compressibly sealed to the microfluidic chip surface forms structures capable of containing and transporting fluids.