Self-contained biological assay apparatus, methods, and applications
First Claim
1. A self-contained, biological assay apparatus, comprising:
- a housing;
a dispensing platform including a controllably-movable reagent dispensing system, disposed in the housing;
a reagent supply component disposed in the housing;
a pneumatic manifold removably disposed in the housing in a space shared by the dispensing platform, removably coupled to a fluidic transport layer and a plurality of reservoirs, wherein the fluidic transport layer, the reservoirs, and a test sample to be introduced therein are disposed in the housing in the space separate from the dispensing platform;
a pneumatic supply system removably coupled to the pneumatic manifold in the housing in a space separate from the dispensing platform; and
a control system coupled to at least one of the dispensing platform and the pneumatic supply system, disposed in the housing,wherein the apparatus is characterized as a self-contained, fully automated biological assay-performing apparatus.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained, fully automated, biological assay-performing apparatus includes a housing; a dispensing platform including a controllably-movable reagent dispensing system, disposed in the housing; a reagent supply component disposed in the housing; a pneumatic manifold removably disposed in the housing in a space shared by the dispensing platform, removably coupled to a fluidic transport layer and a plurality of reservoirs, wherein the fluidic transport layer, the reservoirs, and a test sample to be introduced therein are disposed in the housing in the space separate from the dispensing platform; a pneumatic supply system removably coupled to the pneumatic manifold in the housing in a space separate from the dispensing platform; and a control system coupled to at least one of the dispensing platform and the pneumatic supply system, disposed in the housing.
43 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A self-contained, biological assay apparatus, comprising:
-
a housing; a dispensing platform including a controllably-movable reagent dispensing system, disposed in the housing; a reagent supply component disposed in the housing; a pneumatic manifold removably disposed in the housing in a space shared by the dispensing platform, removably coupled to a fluidic transport layer and a plurality of reservoirs, wherein the fluidic transport layer, the reservoirs, and a test sample to be introduced therein are disposed in the housing in the space separate from the dispensing platform; a pneumatic supply system removably coupled to the pneumatic manifold in the housing in a space separate from the dispensing platform; and a control system coupled to at least one of the dispensing platform and the pneumatic supply system, disposed in the housing, wherein the apparatus is characterized as a self-contained, fully automated biological assay-performing apparatus. - 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)
wherein the diaphragm valve is adapted to controllably direct a flow of the material from the at least one reagent reservoir to a plurality of reservoirs via at least one of the channels coupled to the diaphragm valve, further wherein the multi-layer, monolithic microfluidic component consists of a non-elastomeric, polymeric material.
-
-
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the substrate further comprises at least one analysis reservoir, the at least one analysis reservoir includes an analysis system disposed therein;
- wherein the analysis system is one of colorimetric, fluorescent colorimetric, chemiluminescent, electrochemical, electrophoretic, lateral flow, protein microarray, nucleic acid microarray, fluorescent.
-
17. The system of claim 15, further comprising an analysis membrane in the at least one analysis reservoir, and a securing-ring structure having a plurality of perimeter indentations, wherein the analysis membrane is operatively engaged with the securing-ring structure.
-
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one analysis reservoir has at least a partial inner perimetal shelf upon which the analysis membrane is disposed.
-
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the securing-ring structure comprises two opposing ring structures each having a plurality of perimeter indentations, further wherein the analysis membrane is disposed intermediate the two opposing ring structures.
-
20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a heater.
-
21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a heatable, magnetically engageable reservoir;
- wherein the heater is disposed in heating proximity to the heatable, magnetically engageable reservoir.
-
22. The system of claim 15, further comprising:
-
a plurality of lumens attached to a bottom surface of the substrate each having a proximal end that is fluidly connected to a respective fluid channel and a distal end projecting downwardly perpendicularly from the substrate; a film layer; and a respective plurality of amplification/reaction reactors attached to a bottom of the film layer such that the distal end of each lumen is disposed within and substantially at a bottom of a respective amplification/reaction reactor.
-
-
23. The system of claim 22, further comprising at least one heater incorporated into the pneumatic manifold and interfitting with the exterior of the distal ends of the amplification/reaction reactors for elevating a temperature in each of the amplification/reaction reactors.
-
24. The system of claim 11, further comprising an operable magnetic assembly disposed under a reservoir or channel in the biological assay apparatus.
Specification