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Microfluidic cartridge

  • US 9,988,676 B2
  • Filed: 06/19/2015
  • Issued: 06/05/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A nucleic acid analyzer, comprising:

  • a microfluidic cartridge module configured to accept at least one microfluidic cartridge comprising;

    at least one nucleic acid analysis portion, each nucleic acid analysis portion including;

    a fluidic network defined within the nucleic acid analysis portion, the fluidic network being configured for micro-liter volumes or less, the fluidic network including at least one frangible seal formed from a depression defined in a fluidic channel with a fluid flow resistance determined by a depth and a width of the depression;

    a sample input at a beginning of the fluidic network, the sample input having a fitting that is configured to be mated to a complementary fitting of a sample acceptor to form a fluid-tight seal;

    a plurality of vent ports and fluidic channels in the fluidic network configured to effectuate hydrodynamic movement within the fluidic network;

    an extraction mixture reservoir in the fluidic network, the extraction mixture reservoir being configured to hold an enzymatic mixture for performing nucleic acid extraction on a sample provided by the sample acceptor;

    a mixing chamber in the fluidic network, the mixing chamber being configured to mix amplification reagents and a portion of an extracted nucleic acid mixture; and

    an amplification chamber in the fluidic network, the amplification chamber being configured to hold an amplification mixture during nucleic acid amplification;

    a pressure module configured to be coupled to the plurality of vent ports to effectuate hydrodynamic movement within the fluidic network of the microfluidic cartridge;

    an extraction thermal module configured to impart temperatures to any of the microfluidic cartridge and the sample acceptor during nucleic acid extraction;

    an amplification thermal module configured to impart temperatures to the microfluidic cartridge during nucleic acid amplification;

    a high voltage module configured to apply high voltages on the microfluidic cartridge;

    a power module configured to provide operation powers to the nucleic acid analyzer;

    a detection module configured to detect labeled or dyed nucleic acids; and

    a controller module configured to control the pressure module, the extraction thermal module, the amplification thermal module, the high voltage module, the power module, and the detection module according to a control procedure.

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