Fluidic medical devices and uses thereof

Abstract

This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides fluidic systems having a plurality of reaction sites surrounded by optical barriers to reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between signals detected from various reaction sites. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing fluidic systems and methods of using the systems.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 678,801, filed May 9, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 705,489, filed Aug. 5, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 717,192, filed Sep. 16, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 721,097, filed Sep. 28, 2005 which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Point-of-Care (POC) testing systems and fluidic devices or cartridges are becoming more common because of the advancement in microfabrication technology such as MEMS technology, which enables the fabrication of reliable and inexpensive fluidic based cartridges. Generally, such systems use microvalves, micropumps, microneedles, etc. for moving the fluids through the fluidic system. A common system contains a reagent reservoir, a mixing chamber, an analytical chamber and waste chamber. Fluids must therefore be moved from one chamber to another. Some challenges in m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Current fluidic devices may experience optical cross-talk when there are multiple reaction sites adjacent to one another. When assays with different luminescent intensities are run in adjacent reaction wells or chambers, photons (representing the signal generated) can travel from one well to others comprising the accuracy of measurement from each well. The photons can travel through construction materials of the wells and through the fluidic channels that connect the wells. This problem may become worse the longer the incubation time of the assay. Thus, there remains a considerable need for new designs of fluidic cartridges with reduced optical interference from adjacent reaction sites. The present invention satisfies this need and provides related advantages as well.

[0008] The present inven...

Problems solved by technology

Some challenges in moving such fluids in a fluidic device include mixing the reagents with the sample, and washing unbound reagents from a detection site.

One of the common challenges is washing the unbound conjugates after the incubation period, particularly removing conjugates that remain stuck to the edges of the reaction site walls.

Such a device has several valves and pumps, even if the pumps are not driven by external electrical ene...

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