Microfluidic cartridge
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic cartridge can include at least one nucleic acid analysis portion. Each nucleic acid analysis portion can include a fluidic network being configured for micro-liter volumes or less, a sample input at the beginning of the fluidic network, 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, a mixing chamber in the fluidic network, an amplification chamber in the fluidic network, and a separation channel in the fluidic network. A nucleic acid analyzer can be capable of performing nucleic acid analysis using the microfluidic cartridge. A nucleic acid analysis method can be performed using the microfluidic cartridge.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A nucleic acid analyzer, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification