Microfluidic devices
First Claim
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1. A method for processing and analyzing an analyte comprising the steps of:
- a) concentrating a polypeptide-containing analyte in a macroscale module by;
(i) providing a sample comprising a polypeptide-containing analyte in an initial volume into an off-chip macroscale module configured to hold a volume of a milliliter to a liter;
(ii) capturing the polypeptide-containing analyte from said initial volume onto a plurality of magnetic beads in the macroscale module;
(iii) immobilizing the magnetic beads with the captured polypeptide-containing analyte in the macroscale module with a magnet;
(iv) washing the magnetic beads with the captured polypeptide-containing analyte; and
(v) releasing the washed beads into a reduced volume compared with said initial volume to concentrate the polypeptide-containing analyte;
b) introducing, with pressure from a pressure source, the released magnetic beads with the captured polypeptide-containing analyte in the reduced volume into a bioprocessor module that is fluidically integrated with the macroscale module, wherein introducing comprises passing the magnetic beads with the captured polypeptide-containing analyte from the macroscale module through a microfluidic channel in a microfluidic chip and into a reaction chamber in the bioprocessor module wherein the microfluidic channel is in fluidic communication with the macroscale module and with the reaction chamber;
c) labeling the polypeptide-containing analyte; and
d) detecting the labeled polypeptide-containing analyte in an analysis module fluidically integrated with the bioprocessor module.
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Abstract
Methods and devices for the interfacing of microchips to various types of modules are disclosed. The technology disclosed can be used as sample preparation and analysis systems for various applications, such as DNA sequencing and genotyping, proteomics, pathogen detection, diagnostics and biodefense.
413 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for processing and analyzing an analyte comprising the steps of:
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a) concentrating a polypeptide-containing analyte in a macroscale module by; (i) providing a sample comprising a polypeptide-containing analyte in an initial volume into an off-chip macroscale module configured to hold a volume of a milliliter to a liter; (ii) capturing the polypeptide-containing analyte from said initial volume onto a plurality of magnetic beads in the macroscale module; (iii) immobilizing the magnetic beads with the captured polypeptide-containing analyte in the macroscale module with a magnet; (iv) washing the magnetic beads with the captured polypeptide-containing analyte; and (v) releasing the washed beads into a reduced volume compared with said initial volume to concentrate the polypeptide-containing analyte; b) introducing, with pressure from a pressure source, the released magnetic beads with the captured polypeptide-containing analyte in the reduced volume into a bioprocessor module that is fluidically integrated with the macroscale module, wherein introducing comprises passing the magnetic beads with the captured polypeptide-containing analyte from the macroscale module through a microfluidic channel in a microfluidic chip and into a reaction chamber in the bioprocessor module wherein the microfluidic channel is in fluidic communication with the macroscale module and with the reaction chamber; c) labeling the polypeptide-containing analyte; and d) detecting the labeled polypeptide-containing analyte in an analysis module fluidically integrated with the bioprocessor module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A sample processing and analysis system, comprising:
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(a) an integrated set of modules comprising; (i) a capturing and concentrating off-chip macroscale module comprising; (1) a reservoir dimensioned to receive a liquid having an initial sample volume of a milliliter to a liter, (2) magnetic beads contained in the macroscale module configured for capturing and concentrating an analyte comprising a polypeptide from said initial sample volume; and (ii) a bioprocessor module comprising; (1) a microfluidic chip comprising a microfluidic channel in fluidic communication with the macroscale module and configured to receive the magnetic beads from said macroscale module, and (2) a reaction chamber in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel, wherein the reaction chamber is configured to receive the polypeptide analyte and for performing a capture assay on the polypeptide to produce a processed sample; (b) a magnet configured to immobilize the magnetic beads with the captured polypeptide analyte in the macroscale module and to release the beads with the captured polypeptide analyte into said reduced sample volume; and (c) a pressure source configured for moving the magnetic beads from the macroscale module into the microfluidic channel, wherein the magnetic beads with captured polypeptide analyte move into the microfluidic chip in a reduced sample volume as compared to the initial sample volume; (d) an analysis module fluidically connected to said reaction chamber and configured to perform an analysis on the processed sample; (e) a computer comprising software programmed to operate the off-chip macroscale module, the bioprocessor module, the pressure source, and the analysis module. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification