Microfluidic cartridge and method of using same

• US 8,709,787 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2007
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HandyLab Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: HandyLab Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Handique, Kalyan
• Primary Examiner(s): FORMAN, BETTY J
• Application Number:
  US11/940,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20090047713A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,358 Days
• Field of Search: 435/283.1, 435/6, 435/6.12
• US Class Current: 435/283.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/142 Preventing evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0803 Disc shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/14 Means for pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1844 using fans
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0694 vents used to stop and induce flow, backpressure valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502723 characterised by venting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• 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: B81C 1/00087 Holes
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6806 Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay C12Q1/6804 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/686 : Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/008 : Multi-layer fabrications
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0084 : Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0001 : Microvalves microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006

Abstract

The present technology provides for a microfluidic substrate configured to carry out PCR on a number of polynucleotide-containing samples in parallel. The substrate can be a single-layer substrate in a microfluidic cartridge. Also provided are a method of making a microfluidic cartridge comprising such a substrate. Still further disclosed are a microfluidic valve suitable for use in isolating a PCR chamber in a microfluidic substrate, and a method of making such a valve.

Claims

1. A microfluidic cartridge comprising a microfluidic substrate layer, the microfluidic substrate layer comprising:

a first reaction chamber;

a second reaction chamber;

a first inlet port for introducing a first sample onto the microfluidic substrate layer, the first inlet port formed in a surface of the microfluidic substrate layer and in fluid communication with the first reaction chamber;

a second inlet port for introducing a second sample onto the microfluidic substrate layer, the second inlet port spaced apart from the first inlet port on the surface of the microfluidic substrate layer, the second inlet port in fluid communication with the second reaction chamber;

a first outlet, in fluid communication with the first reaction chamber;

a second outlet, in fluid communication with the second reaction chamber;

a first set of microfluidic valves configured to isolate the first reaction chamber from the first inlet port and the first outlet; and

a second set of microfluidic valves configured to isolate the second reaction chamber from the second inlet port and the second outlet independent of the isolation of the first reaction chamber by the first set of microfluidic valves,

wherein the isolation effected by the first and the second set of microfluidic valves prevents movement of fluid into and out of the first and the second reaction chambers, wherein the first set of microfluidic valves comprises a first microfluidic valve spatially separated from the first inlet port and a second microfluidic valve spatially separated from the first outlet, and wherein the second set of microfluidic valves comprises a first microfluidic valve spatially separated from the second inlet port and a second microfluidic valve spatially separated from the second outlet, and wherein each of the first and second reaction chambers, the first and second inlet ports, the first and second outlets, and the first and second sets of microfluidic valves are all formed in the microfluidic substrate layer.

2. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first reaction chamber and the second reaction chamber are configured to amplify one or more polynucleotides independently of the other chamber.

3. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first outlet comprises a first vent and the second outlet comprises a second vent.

4. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first inlet port and the second inlet port are configured to accept a sample from a pipette tip.

5. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1, configured to carry out real-time PCR in at least one of the reaction chambers.

6. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first inlet port and the second inlet port are spaced apart from one another to permit simultaneous loading from a multiple-pipette head dispenser.

7. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first set of microfluidic valves and the second set of microfluidic valves comprise a temperature responsive substance that melts upon heating and seals the first and the second reaction chambers.

8. The microfluidic substrate of claim 1, wherein the first and second reaction chambers and the first and second sets of microfluidic valves are formed in a first side of the microfluidic substrate layer, and wherein the first and second inlet ports and the first and second outlets are formed in a second side of the microfluidic substrate layer opposite the first side.

9. A method of carrying out PCR independently on a plurality of polynucleotide-containing samples, the method comprising:

introducing the plurality of samples into the microfluidic cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge has a plurality of reaction chambers comprising the first reaction chamber and the second reaction chamber, the plurality of reaction chambers configured to permit thermal cycling of the plurality of samples independently of one another;

moving the plurality of samples into the respective plurality of reaction chambers;

isolating the plurality of reaction chambers; and

amplifying polynucleotides contained with the plurality of samples, by application of successive heating and cooling cycles to the reaction chambers.

10. A microfluidic substrate, comprising:

a plurality of sample lanes, wherein each of the plurality of sample lanes comprises a microfluidic network having, in fluid communication with one another;

an inlet;

a first valve and a second valve;

a first channel leading from the inlet, via the first valve, to a reaction chamber; and

a second channel leading from the reaction chamber, via the second valve, to a vent,

wherein the first valve and the second valve are configured to isolate the reaction chamber from the inlet and the vent to prevent movement of fluid into or out of the reaction chamber, wherein the first valve is spatially separated from the inlet and the second valve is spatially separated from the vent, wherein the reaction chamber, the first channel, and the second channel are formed in a first side of the microfluidic substrate, wherein the inlet and the vent are formed in a second side of the microfluidic substrate opposite the first side, and wherein the first valve in each of the plurality of sample lanes is operated independently of any other first valve.

11. The microfluidic substrate of claim 10, additionally comprising:

a third channel leading from the inlet to the reaction chamber, wherein a gate is positioned in the third channel, and wherein the gate is configured to open the third channel to permit material from the reaction chamber to be removed via the inlet.

12. The microfluidic substrate of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of sample lanes is configured to amplify one or more polynucleotides independently of the other lanes.

13. The microfluidic substrate of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of sample lanes further compiises a bubble vent.

14. The microfluidic substrate of claim 10, wherein the inlet is configured to accept sample from a pipette tip.

15. The microfluidic substrate of claim 10, configured to carry out real-time PCR in at least one of the reaction chambers.

16. The microfluidic substrate of claim 10, wherein the inlets of the respective plurality of sample lanes are spaced apart from one another to permit simultaneous loading from a multiple-pipette head dispenser.

17. The microfluidic substrate of claim 10, wherein the first and second valves comprise a temperature responsive substance that melts upon heating and seals the reaction chamber.

18. The microfluidic substrate of claim 10, wherein the second valve in each of the plurality of sample lanes is operated independently of any other second valve.

19. A microfluidic cartridge comprising the microfluidic substrate of claim 10.

20. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 19, further comprising a registration member that ensures that the cartridge is received by a complementary diagnostic apparatus in a single orientation.

21. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 19, wherein each of the microfluidic networks, including the reaction chamber, the inlet, and the valves for isolating the reaction chamber, is defined in a single substrate.

22. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 21, wherein the substrate is a rigid substrate and impervious to air or liquid, and entry or exit of air or liquid during operation of the cartridge is only possible through the inlet or a vent.