Apparatus for precise transfer and manipulation of fluids by centrifugal and or capillary forces

• US 8,337,775 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2008
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Pugia, Michael J., Blankenstein, Gert, Peters, Ralf-Peter, Bartos, Holger
• Primary Examiner(s): SIEFKE, SAMUEL P
• Application Number:
  US12/205,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20090004059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,569 Days
• Field of Search: 422/414, 422/68.1, 422/501, 422/502, 422/503, 422/506
• US Class Current: 422/414
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• 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 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/165 Specific details about hydrophobic, oleophobic surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/06 Valves, specific forms thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• 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 3/502723 characterised by venting arrangements
• 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: F04B 19/006 Micropumps F04B43/043 and F04B43/095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A micro-liter liquid sample, particularly a biological sample, is analyzed in a device employing centrifugal and capillary forces. The sample is moved through one or more sample wells arrayed within a small flat chip via interconnecting capillary passageways. The passageways may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic and may include hydrophobic or hydrophilic capillary stops.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose device for analyzing a biological fluid sample comprising:

(a) at least one sample well for receiving said sample;

(b) a capillary passageway communicating with at least one of said sample wells of (a) for receiving said sample from said sample well by capillary action, said capillary passageway including a metering capillary segment defining a uniform volume of said sample fluid, said capillary segment having at least three ends;

a first and second end each delimited by the intersection of an air entry passageway with said segment;

said air entry passageways separate from said at least one sample well and vented to the atmosphere; and

a third end delimited by a capillary stop between said two intersecting points of said air entry passageways with said segment;

said third end of said capillary segment in fluid communication with a first reagent well for transferring said uniform sample from said capillary segment to said first reagent well.

2. A multi-purpose device of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one second reagent well in fluid communication through a capillary passageway with said first reagent well and a vent channel for venting to atmosphere said at least one second reagent well.

3. A multi-purpose device of claim 2, wherein at least one of said second reagent wells is in fluid communication with said first reagent well.

4. A multi-purpose device of claim 2, wherein one or more of said first and second reagent wells contain reagents for treating said sample.

5. A multi-purpose device of claim 1, wherein said capillary stop is a hydrophilic stop.

6. A multi-purpose device of claim 1, wherein said capillary stop is a hydrophobic stop.

7. A multi-purpose device of claim 1, wherein said metering segment has walls with a surface hydrophilic to said sample.

8. A multi-purpose device of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein said metering segment is in fluid communication with said first reagent well via a transfer capillary.

9. A multi-purpose device of claim 8, wherein said transfer capillary has walls with a surface hydrophobic to said sample.

10. A multi-purpose device of claim 7, wherein said metering segment has hydrophilic walls adjusted to provide a substantially complete passage of said sample.

11. A multi-purpose device of claim 1, wherein said capillary passageways have a width of about 10-500 μ

m and a depth of at least 5 μ

m.

12. A multipurpose device of claim 8, wherein said capillary stop is disposed within said transfer capillary such that said segment includes a portion of said transfer capillary proximal of said capillary stop.