Electronic device for pathogen detection

• US 9,120,105 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2012
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fluid-Screen Inc.
• Original Assignee: Monika Weber
• Inventors: Weber, Monika, Lo, Siu Lung, Montanaro Ochoa, Hazael Fabrizio, Yerino, Christopher Daniel, Reed, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIETERLE, JENNIFER M
• Application Number:
  US13/664,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20130105317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 204450-453, 204600-603, 422/68.1, 422/82.01
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0874 Three dimensional network
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0424 Dielectrophoretic forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502753 characterised by bulk separation arrangements on lab-on-a-chip devices, e.g. for filtration or centrifugation separation in general B01D; microapparatus for analysis using electrophoresis G01N27/44791; sample preparation G01N1/28
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/26 for use in medical applications
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 5/005 Dielectrophoresis, i.e. dielectric particles migrating towards the region of highest field strength B03C5/02 takes precedence; electrophoresis B01D57/02
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 5/024 using high-gradient differential dielectric separation, i.e. using a dielectric matrix polarised by an external field
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4145 specially adapted for biomolecules, e.g. gate electrode with immobilised receptors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/487 of liquid biological material

Abstract

An apparatus and method for separating an analyte from a test sample, such as bacteria from blood components, based on their dielectric properties, localizing or condensing the analyte, flushing substantially all remaining waste products from the test sample, and detecting low concentrations of the analyte. Species movement is caused by a module array imparting opposing dielectrophoretic forces. The module array includes a plurality of microfluidic channels with connecting microfluidic waste channels for directing undesired material away from the analyte. An electric field is applied causing a positive dielectrophoretic force to the analyte to capture the analyte. The Clausius-Mossotti factor of the analyte is changed by flushing the analyte with a reference solution, which causes a negative dielectrophoretic force to facilitate release of the analyte. A field effect nanowire or nanoribbon sensor detects the analyte after capture.

Claims

1. An apparatus for analyte detection comprising:

a first chamber configured to store a test sample including analyte and microscaled components;

a second chamber configured to store a reference solution;

a pump and a plurality of injection chambers configured to introduce said reference solution and said test sample to a microfluidic separator;

said microfluidic separator including a plurality of plates patterned with metal electrodes on at least one side and a plurality of internal channel structures having electrodes patterned on at least one internal surface wherein each of said plurality of internal channel structures is sandwiched between two of said plurality of plates which together form an array of microfluidic channels, said plate electrodes and said internal channel electrodes configured to provide opposing dielectrophoretic forces on said test sample which separates said test sample into said analyte and said microsealed components;

a plurality of receiving microchannels adjacent said plurality of microfluidic channels configured to receive and remove said microscaled components;

a third chamber configured to store said microscaled components when separated from said analyte;

a condenser configured to capture said analyte once said analyte has passed through said microfluidic separator; and

a sensor configured to detect said analyte.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrodes are located on opposing or adjacent internal walls of said microfluidic channels.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including a collecting electrode to attract said product to be analyzed at an inlet of said sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor includes a nanowire sensor, nanoribbon sensor, or ion sensitive field effect transistor, and is capable of applying a confining dielectrphoretic force trapping said product to be analyzed.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said sensor includes an array of field effect transistor biosensors.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said sensor surface includes geometry to enhance capture of said product to be analyzed.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pump comprises a micro-pump operating in tandem with micro-valves to achieve a fully automated pathogen detection filtration system capable of miniaturization to a chip-scale design.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 including a microfluidic transport module for transporting said product to be analyzed to a location in the vicinity of a sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said opposing dielectrophoretic forces tune the electric field such that said analyte is isolated, and any remaining microsealed components are substantially eliminated.

10. An apparatus for analyte detection comprising:

a microfluidic assembly including a plurality of plates patterned with metal electrodes on at least one side, and a plurality of internal channel structures having electrodes patterned on at least one internal surface,

wherein each of said plurality of internal channel structures is sandwiched between two of said plurality of plates which together form an array of microfluidic channels, said plate electrodes and said internal channel electrodes configured to provide opposing dielectrophoretic forces on a test sample, which separates said test sample into an analyte and a waste product; and

a plurality of receiving microchannels adjacent said plurality of microfluidic channels configured to receive and remove said waste product;

a condenser area including an electrode configured to localize said analyte for sensing; and

a sensor for detecting said analyte.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said opposing dielectrophoretic forces allow said analyte to be detected without any labeling or marking process steps.