MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTRODUCING REAGENTS AND BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES TO SUCH DEVICES

• US 20160367986A1
• Filed: 02/20/2015
• Published: 12/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions Operations UK Ltd. (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: GE Healthcare UK Limited (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Tatnell, Peter James, Horton, Jeffrey Kenneth, Seymour, Geraint
• Granted Patent: US 10,252,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/041 Connecting closures to device or container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/06 Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/123 Flexible; Elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/286 involving mechanical work, e.g. chopping, disintegrating, compacting, homogenising microtomes G01N1/06; pulverising in general B02C; mixing in general B01F
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/288 Filter punches

Abstract

A microfluidic device 100 is disclosed comprising a body112 including a biological sample S and/or reagent R receiving slot 122. The sample and reagent are carried on a solid support 10. The device 100 includes two punch assemblies 130 for removing portions of the solid support 10 and delivering them, together with the sample and/or reagent(s), to a receiving chamber 126 for subsequent processing. The device can be used for various assays including those which require just the addition of water in the reaction chamber with no pre-treatment of sample prior delivery into the chamber.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device comprising a body including a receiving area for receiving a biological sample and/or one or more reagents, carried on a solid support, said device further including a means for removing a portion of the solid support and delivering said portion, together with the sample and/or reagent(s), to a receiving chamber at the receiving area.

2. A microfluidic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for removing a portion includes at least one punch assembly for punching the portion for the solid support and for delivering the portion to said chamber.

3. A microfluidic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said punch assembly is manually operable.

4. A microfluidic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each assembly includes a punch member, a die co-operable with the punch member, said punch member and die being relatively moveable to cut the portion from the support and to provide the delivery of the portion.

5. A microfluidic device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the device further includes at least one flexible cover member covering, the or each punch assembly and allowing said manual operation of the assembly.

6. A microfluidic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cover member/s is/are clamped to said body at the receiving area thereby providing a seal around the or each punch assembly.

7. A microfluidic device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the body at the receiving area includes a slot for accepting a solid support, wherein the or each punch member is mounted to the body at one side of the slot and is slidable in a path which extends through the slot, and wherein the die is formed by an aperture in the body on an opposing side of the slot in the path of the punch member.

8. A microfluidic device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the punch assembly further includes a return spring reacting between the body and a flattened head of the punch member.

9. A microfluidic device as claimed in claim 1 further including a solid support, optionally insertable or inserted in said slot, said solid support being formed from fibrous material, for example a cellulose fibre material, or a glass fibre/microfibre material or alternatively being formed from a porous polymer, for example porous membrane material such as polyester, polyether sulfone (PES), polyamide (Nylon), polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polycarbonate, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, aluminium oxide, or a polysaccharide such as an alginate, cellulose or modified cellulose.

10. A microfluidic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the support surface is impregnated with chemicals, said chemicals including a weak base, a chelating agent, an anionic surfactant, and/or a chaotropic agent.

11. A microfluidic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the support includes a biological sample comprising or consisting of dried:

blood;

blood plasma, or other blood components;

urine;

cerebral culture media;

cell samples;

cell culture;

or tissue exudate.

12. A microfluidic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the support holds at least one dry reagent at a first location, and a dry biological sample material(s) at a second location separate from the first location.

14. A method according to claim 12 further including the steps of:

a) providing on the support, or on a further solid support, a reagent or reagents in a dried or lyophilised state, for performing the assay;

b) removing a portion of the support which carries at least a portion of the reagent(s);

c) delivering the removed portion carrying the reagent(s) to the reaction chamber; and

wherein step d) includes hydrating the solid support in the chamber now containing the sample and the reagent(s), or introducing a solution into the chamber, in order to perform said assay.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the reagent includes a sequestrant, such as cyclodextrin, for example α

-cyclodextrin.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein said assay includes amplification of nucleic acids carried on said portion, in the reaction chamber with no intervening steps between delivery and said amplification.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein said assay includes detection or measurement of drugs, proteins or enzymes from the biological sample carried on said portion in the reaction chamber with no intervening steps between delivery and said detection or measurement.

13. A method of using a microfluidic device to provide an assay, the method for including the following steps in any suitable order:

a) providing a microfluidic device, having at least one receiving area for receiving a solid support carrying a biological sample, said device including a means for removing a portion of the support;

b) removing a portion of the support which carries at least a portion of the sample;

c) delivering the support portion carrying the sample to a receiving chamber; and

d) operating the microfluidic device to process said portion according to the requirements of the assay.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein the means for removing a portion of the support is manually operable, for example one or more manually operable punches to remove said portions and to deliver the portions to the chamber using the force transmitted by the punch during operation.

19. A microfluidic device or a method of operating the same, substantially as described herein, optionally with reference to the drawings.