FLUIDIC SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN INCUBATION CHANNEL, INCLUDING FLUIDIC SYSTEMS FORMED BY MOLDING
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- introducing a sample comprising a sample component into a sample collector;
connecting the sample connector to a sample inlet port of an article, wherein the article comprises first and second sides, wherein the first side comprises an incubation channel, and wherein the first side and/or second side comprises a detection channel in fluid communication with the incubation channel, and wherein the sample inlet port is in fluid communication with the incubation channel;
flowing, at a first flow rate, at least a portion of the sample from the sample collector to the incubation channel;
reducing the flow rate of the sample to a second flow rate, wherein the second flow rate is less than the first flow rate and/or is zero to allow incubation of the sample in the incubation channel;
modulating the flow rate of the sample to a third flow rate which is greater than or less than the second flow rate; and
flowing the sample through the detection channel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Fluidic devices and methods involving incubation and/or mixing of assay components are provided. In some embodiments, a biological and/or chemical assay may be performed in fluidic device. The fluidic device may be designed to allow for controlled incubation and/or mixing of two or more assay components. In some such embodiments, the fluidic device may comprise an incubation channel having a relatively large cross-sectional dimension in fluid communication with a detection channel. The incubation channel may allow for adequate mixing and/or incubation of two or more assay components prior to analysis of the assay. In certain embodiments, the detection channel may be used to provide feedback on the extent of incubation and/or mixing. Based on the feedback, one or more component of the fluidic system may be regulated to allow the requisite degree of mixing and/or incubation to be achieved. In some embodiments, the controlled incubation and/or mixing of assay components in an incubation channel, as described herein, may allow for improved assay performance.
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Citations
65 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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introducing a sample comprising a sample component into a sample collector; connecting the sample connector to a sample inlet port of an article, wherein the article comprises first and second sides, wherein the first side comprises an incubation channel, and wherein the first side and/or second side comprises a detection channel in fluid communication with the incubation channel, and wherein the sample inlet port is in fluid communication with the incubation channel; flowing, at a first flow rate, at least a portion of the sample from the sample collector to the incubation channel; reducing the flow rate of the sample to a second flow rate, wherein the second flow rate is less than the first flow rate and/or is zero to allow incubation of the sample in the incubation channel; modulating the flow rate of the sample to a third flow rate which is greater than or less than the second flow rate; and flowing the sample through the detection channel. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 33, 34, 35, 63, 64, 65)
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2. A method, comprising:
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introducing a sample comprising a sample component into a sample collector; connecting the sample connector to a sample inlet port of an article, wherein the article comprises first and second sides, wherein the first side comprises an incubation channel, and wherein the first side and/or second side comprises a detection channel in fluid communication with the incubation channel, and wherein the sample inlet port is in fluid communication with the incubation channel; flowing, at a first flow rate, at least a portion of the sample from the sample collector to the incubation channel; flowing at least a portion of the sample into a part, but not all, of the detection channel; reducing the flow rate of the sample to a second flow rate, wherein the second flow rate is less than the first flow rate and/or is zero; modulating the flow rate of the sample to a third flow rate which is greater than or less than the second flow rate; and flowing the sample through the detection channel.
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3-4. -4. (canceled)
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14-20. -20. (canceled)
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24-32. -32. (canceled)
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36-43. -43. (canceled)
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44. A fluidic system comprising:
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an article comprising first and second sides, wherein the first side comprises an incubation channel, and wherein the first side and/or second side comprises a detection channel in fluid communication with the incubation channel; wherein the incubation channel has a width of at least about 100 microns and less than or equal to about 2 mm, a height of at least about 50 microns and less than or equal to about 2 mm, and a volume of at least 5 μ
L;wherein the detection channel has a width of at least about 50 microns and less than or equal to about 300 microns, and a height of at least about 10 microns and less than or equal to about 300 microns, the detection channel comprising a reagent deposited on a surface of the detection channel; wherein a ratio of heights of the incubation channel to the detection channel is at least 2;
1,a sample inlet port in fluid communication with the incubation channel; an outlet port in fluid communication with the detection channel; and a sample collector adapted and arranged to be connected to the sample inlet port of the article.
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45-62. -62. (canceled)
Specification