Analysis instrument for treating microfluid device

Abstract

The invention relates to an analysis instrument for processing a microiluidic device, comprising sample storage means, a microfluidic device holder, sample loading means for loading sample into a microfluidic device disposed in the holder, processing means for enabling a reaction in a microfluidic device, and detection means for detecting and/or measuring the reaction, characterised in that the microfluidic device holder is adapted to hold the microfluidic device comprising or including a tape in position for processing and/or detection. The invention further relates to a microfluidic processing device, comprising a reaction chamber, a sample loading chamber into which a sample is injectable, the reaction chamber being operatively connected to the sample loading chamber, a cover that extends across at least part of the sample loading chamber, the cover and the reaction chamber comprising pierceable material and being separated by an overspill cavity configured to accept any overspill of an injected sample. Finally, the invention concerns a kit comprising an analysis instrument and a microfluidic processing device as described above.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an analytical instrument for determining properties of biological and / or biochemical samples using a variety of techniques including immunoassays, cell-based assays and PCR. In particular, the invention relates to the analysis of samples comprising RNA, DNA or proteins using electrophoretic methods. Background technique [0002] Many analytical instruments and equipment are utilized. The analysis of biological samples is performed on a large scale, extensively and continuously, and often requires a large number of processing steps. [0003] One of the most widely used analytical techniques in life science laboratories is the electrophoresis-based gel bath. This method enables the separation of complex mixtures of charged molecules, such as nucleic acids or proteins, based on their electrophoretic mobility. Following this approach, the relative molecular weights and molecular numbers of the constituent molecules can b...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0022] "E-gel TM "The system suffers from the inconvenience and additional cost of manually loading samples and requires the use of a separate image capture station for analysis

This stain has the disadvantage that an ultraviolet (UV) light source is required to induce the fluorescence upon which electrophoretic imaging relies.

However, the system is not fully automated and samples are processed in a sequential fashion (as opposed to a parallel fashion)

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