PORTABLE GENETIC DETECTION AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20130274148A1
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Published: 10/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Illumina Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Illumina Incorporated
• Inventors: Kain, Robert C., Shen, Min-Jui Richard, Moon, John A., Eltoukhy, Helmy A.
• Application Number:
  US13/790,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20130274148A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 506/38
• 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 2300/023 Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/024 Storing results with means integrated into the container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/027 Digital display, e.g. LCD, LED
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• 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 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/68 involving nucleic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6837 using probe arrays or probe chips C12Q1/6874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6869 Methods for sequencing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00881 network configurations
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48721 Investigating individual macromolecules, e.g. by translocation through nanopores Coulter counters in general G01N15/12; fabrication methods for nanoscale apertures B81B1/00; sequencing of nucleic acids C12Q1/68
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4875 Details of handling test elements, e.g. dispensing or storage, not specific to a particular test method test-elements per se B01L, automatic analysers G01N35/00, in-vivo analysis on the human body for medical diagnosis A61B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48792 Data management, e.g. communication with processing unit for in vivo diagnostics A61B5/0002; transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A portable detector is disclosed for detecting certain analytes of interest, such as genetic material (e.g., nucleic acids). The detector includes a reading component for the detection of the analytes, and control circuitry for controlling operation of the reading component. Processing circuitry may be included to perform both primary analysis of acquired data, and where desired, secondary analysis. Where desired, some or all of the computationally intensive tasks may be off-loaded to enhance the portability and speed of the device. The device may incorporate various types of interface, technologies for reading and analysis, positioning system interfaces, and so forth. A number of exemplary use cases and methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A portable genetic detector comprising:

a reading component configured to detect nucleic acids of interest in a biological sample introduced into the detector;

a control system configured to control operation of the reading component; and

a communications component configured to transmit data produced by the reading component to a remote computer system for analysis.

2. The detector of claim 1, comprising a sample receiving component configured to receive and prepare the biological sample on a support for genetic analysis.

3. The detector of claim 2, wherein the sample receiving component is controlled by the control system.

4. The detector of claim 1, wherein the detector has a form factor suitable for hand-held operation.

5. The detector of claim 1, comprising memory circuitry for storing at least some of the data produced by the reading component.

6. The detector of claim 1, comprising a processing system configured to perform at least primary analysis of the data produced by the reading component to create processed data.

7. The detector of claim 6, wherein the primary analysis comprises eliminating image data not corresponding to locations on the support having detectable nucleic acids.

8. The detector of claim 6, wherein at least one of the control system and the processing system is configured to balance costs of data acquisition, computation, storage and transmission of data.

9. The detector of claim 6, wherein at least one of the control system and the processing system is configured to determine a quality of data acquired and/or processed.

10. The detector of claim 9, wherein at least one of the control system and the processing system is configured to alter data acquisition and/or data processing and/or data storage and/or data transmission based upon the determined quality.

11. The detector of claim 1, wherein the reading component comprises an optical imaging system.

12. The detector of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a base unit, and the sample receiving component comprises a cassette-like system insertable into the base unit.

13. The detector of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a base unit in which the sample receiving component and the reading component are disposed, and a separate processing unit in which the processing system and communications component are disposed.

14. The detector of claim 1, comprising a locating component configured to locate the portable detector as it is displaced to sample locations.

15. The detector of claim 14, wherein the locating component comprises a global positioning system locator.

16. The detector of claim 14, wherein the locating component comprises a cellular network locator.

17. The detector of claim 1, wherein the communications component is configured to transmit the data wirelessly to the remote computer system.

18. A portable genetic detector comprising:

a reading component configured to detect nucleic acids of interest in a biological sample;

a control system configured to control operation of the reading component; and

a locating component configured to locate the portable detector as it is displaced to sample locations.

19. The detector of claim 18, comprising a mapping component configured to display a map for guidance of locations at which samples should be taken or locations at which samples are taken.

20. A portable genetic detector comprising:

a reading component configured to detect nucleic acids of interest in a biological sample;

a control system configured to control operation of the reading component; and

a memory circuit configured to store signature data for target genetic sequence;

wherein the processing system is configured to compare data derived from the reading component to the signature data.