Fluidic connectors and microfluidic systems
First Claim
1. A device in combination with at least first and second reagents, comprising:
- a substrate comprising a microfluidic system comprising a first microfluidic channel including at least one inlet and one outlet, a second microfluidic channel including at least one inlet and one outlet, and a reaction area in fluid communication with the second microfluidic channel;
a first reagent disposed in the first microfluidic channel, wherein the first reagent is a liquid reagent;
a seal covering, the inlet of the first microfluidic channel and a seal covering the outlet of the first microfluidic channel so as to store the first reagent in the first microfluidic channel;
a second reagent disposed in the reaction area, wherein the second reagent is a substantially dry reagent; and
a fluidic connector that can be connected to the substrate, wherein the fluidic connector comprises a fluid path including a fluid path inlet and a fluid path outlet, wherein upon connection, the fluid path inlet connects to the outlet of the first microfluidic channel to allow fluid communication between the fluid path and the first microfluidic channel, and the fluid path outlet connects to the inlet of the second microfluidic channel to allow fluid communication between the fluid path and the second microfluidic channel,wherein the first and second microfluidic channels are not in fluid communication with one another absent connection via the fluidic connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analyses (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use. Prior to connection of the fluid connector and the substrate, the fluid path may be filled with a sample (e.g., blood). The sample may be obtained, for example, by pricking a finger of a user until blood is drawn from the finger into the fluid path (e.g., by capillary forces). Upon connection of the fluidic connector and the channels of the substrate, the sample can pass through a reaction area within the first channel of the substrate. This process can allow components of the sample to interact with components disposed in the reaction area. Afterwards, reagents from the second channel can flow to the reaction area via the fluid path, allowing components in the reaction area to be processed (e.g., amplified to produce detectable signal). Components in the reaction area can then be determined using various methods of detection.
193 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A device in combination with at least first and second reagents, comprising:
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a substrate comprising a microfluidic system comprising a first microfluidic channel including at least one inlet and one outlet, a second microfluidic channel including at least one inlet and one outlet, and a reaction area in fluid communication with the second microfluidic channel; a first reagent disposed in the first microfluidic channel, wherein the first reagent is a liquid reagent; a seal covering, the inlet of the first microfluidic channel and a seal covering the outlet of the first microfluidic channel so as to store the first reagent in the first microfluidic channel; a second reagent disposed in the reaction area, wherein the second reagent is a substantially dry reagent; and a fluidic connector that can be connected to the substrate, wherein the fluidic connector comprises a fluid path including a fluid path inlet and a fluid path outlet, wherein upon connection, the fluid path inlet connects to the outlet of the first microfluidic channel to allow fluid communication between the fluid path and the first microfluidic channel, and the fluid path outlet connects to the inlet of the second microfluidic channel to allow fluid communication between the fluid path and the second microfluidic channel, wherein the first and second microfluidic channels are not in fluid communication with one another absent connection via the fluidic connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification