Plurality of reaction chambers in a test cartridge

• US 9,968,928 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2015
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qiagen GmbH (Qiagen NV)
• Original Assignee: Stat-Diagnostica & Innovation, S.L.
• Inventors: Bru Gibert, Rafael, Carrera Fabra, Jordi, Comengs Casas, Anna, Garcia Snchez, Jos Antonio
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Young J
• Application Number:
  US14/743,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20150284774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0627 Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0848 Specific forms of parts of containers
• 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 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/12 Specific details about materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/18 Means for temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1822 using Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0475 specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• 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: C12Q 1/6806 Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay C12Q1/6804 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/75 Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated systems in which material is burnt in a flame or plasma G01N21/72, G01N21/73
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/50 Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing measuring or testing processes involving enzymes or microorganisms, compositions or test papers therefor; processes for forming such compositions, condition responsive control in microbiological or enzymological processes C12Q
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5306 Improving reaction conditions, e.g. reduction of non-specific binding, promotion of specific binding

Abstract

A fluidic testing system is presented that includes a plurality of test chambers, a plurality of inlet channels, and a fluidic network that connects the inlet channels to one or more other chambers. The plurality of test chambers are each characterized by a length and a hydraulic diameter. The length of each test chamber is aligned substantially parallel to a gravity vector. Each of the test chambers has only one opening disposed along the length of the corresponding test chamber. Additionally, each of the test chambers is coupled via its respective opening to only one of the plurality of inlet channels.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

flowing liquid through a plurality of inlet channels, each inlet channel coupled to a corresponding test chamber of a plurality of test chambers via an opening through a wall of the corresponding test chamber, wherein the wall defines a longest side of the corresponding test chamber, and wherein the opening is the only opening into the corresponding test chamber;

filling each of the plurality of test chambers with the liquid up to a threshold amount;

drawing the liquid away from each of the plurality of test chambers through the opening of each corresponding test chamber, wherein the drawing leaves behind a predetermined amount of the liquid below a height at which the opening is disposed along the wall of each corresponding test chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising re-suspending one or more reagents disposed in one or more of the plurality of test chambers in the predetermined amount of the liquid left behind within the one or more test chambers.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the drawing draws liquid that does not contain the one or more reagents.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein filling up to the threshold amount comprises filling each of the test chambers up to a height equal to or greater than a height at which the opening is disposed along the wall of each corresponding test chamber.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating the liquid within at least one of the plurality of test chambers.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the heating comprises heating with a Peltier device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the heating comprises heating with resistive heating elements.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the heating comprises heating with forced air.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting one or more optical properties of contents in the liquid within at least one of the plurality of test chambers.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the flowing is performed via a single pump source.