Thermal reaction device and method for using the same

• US 9,150,913 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2012
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Standard Biotools Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
• Inventors: McBride, Lincoln, Facer, Geoffrey, Unger, Marc, Lucero, Michael, Nassef, Hany Ramez
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Young J
• Application Number:
  US13/548,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20130171633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,181 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0642 Filling fluids into wells by specific techniques
• 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 2200/142 Preventing evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/147 Employing temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/06 Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0874 Three dimensional network
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/123 Flexible; Elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1805 Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/06 Valves, specific forms thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0638 membrane valves, flap valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0248 Prongs, quill pen type dispenser
• 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 3/502707 : 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 3/502715 : characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• 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: 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: C12Q 1/68 : involving nucleic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/686 : Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/453 : Cells therefor

Abstract

An M×N matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.

Claims

1. A method for performing an analysis of a sample comprising the steps of:

a) providing a high density microfluidic device comprising

a first layer containing flow channels and a second layer containing flow channels;

a first flow channel in a first layer, said first flow channel in fluidic communication with a first inlet;

a second flow channel in a second layer, said second flow channel in fluidic communication with the first flow channel;

a third flow channel in the second layer, said third flow channel in fluidic communication with a second inlet;

wherein the second and third flow channels both cross over the first flow channel; and

wherein the second and third flow channels are in fluidic communication through a fourth flow channel in the second layer;

b) flowing a first reagent through the first and second flow channels and flowing a second reagent through the third channel;

c) combining the first reagent and the second reagent in the microfluidic device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second flow channel and third flow channel are about parallel to each other and are substantially perpendicular to the first.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the microfluidic device comprises a plurality of first, second, third, and fourth flow channels and each first flow channel is in fluid communication with a plurality of second flow channels.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first reagent is a fluorescently labeled compound and the second reagent is a template nucleic acid.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second layers comprise an elastomeric material.