Apparatus for priming microfluidics devices with feedback control

• US 20060163070A1
• Filed: 11/28/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories Incorporated, Caliper Life Sciences Incorporated (Revvity, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories Incorporated, Caliper Life Sciences Incorporated (Revvity, Inc.)
• Inventors: Boronkay, Allen, Kennedy, Colin, Latham, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 7,727,477 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/601
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/146 Employing pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0293 for liquids
• 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 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44743 Introducing samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44756 Apparatus specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A priming unit for a microfluidics device contains a pressurization unit and pressure and temperature detectors as part of a feedback loop that controls the pressure applied by the pressurization unit and the time during which the pressure is applied. This control feature is particularly useful in controlling the exposure time of the microchannels to dyes in the priming liquids since certain dyes tend to adhere to the walls of the channels and produce non-uniform results.

Claims

1. Apparatus for priming a microchannel network in a microfluidics device with liquid, said apparatus comprising:

a carrier having at least one reservoir and configured to receive said microfluidics device with said reservoir in fluid communication with said microchannel network;

a pressurization unit for receiving said carrier and for forcing liquid from said reservoir into said microchannel network, said pressurization unit comprising pressure applying means for applying pressure to said reservoir, means for detecting pressure so applied, and a feedback loop providing automated control of said pressure applying means based on pressure so detected to cause said pressurization unit to pressurize said reservoir at a pressure level and a pressurization time that will cause a selected amount of liquid to pass from said reservoir into said microchannel network.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for applying pressure to said reservoir comprise a barrel and a motor-driven plunger.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said motor-driven plunger is driven by a stepper motor.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said motor-driven plunger comprises a plunger and a motor operatively joined to said plunger by a lead screw.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for detecting pressure is a pressure transducer.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said barrel, a mount for said motor, and a mount for said pressure detecting means are integrated into a single, injection-molded part.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said barrel has an outlet end through which pressure is transmitted to said reservoir, and said pressure transducer is positioned at said outlet end.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for detecting the temperature of said carrier, and wherein said feedback loop receives signals representative of both said temperature so detected and said pressure so detected and governs said pressure applying means based on both said signals.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said barrel has an outlet end with an interface for contact with said reservoir, said apparatus further comprising a manually removable pressure seal at said interface.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said barrel, a mount for said motor, a mount for said pressure detecting means, and a boss to receive said manually removable pressure seal are integrated into a single, injection-molded part.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feedback loop comprises a controller programmed to control pressure level and duration in accordance with an integral of pressure vs. time selected to cause passage of said selected amount of liquid.