Flow-thru chip cartridge, chip holder, system & method thereof

Abstract

A system for performing hybridization assays comprises a cartridge for housing a flow through device, where the cartridge includes a test fluid chamber for facilitating a substantially uniform flow of a test fluid mixture through the flow through device, and a fluidics station to deliver the test fluid mixture to the cartridge. The cartridge has a chip holder that holds the flow-through device, which has an array of microchannel passages. The chip holder has a support for placement of the flow though device, the test fluid chamber for directing a substantially uniform flow of a test fluid mixture through the array of microchannel passages of the flow through device, and a first port that receives the test fluid mixture. The cartridge has a sealing system for preventing the leakage of the test fluid around the flow through device. The test fluid chamber is defined in part by a spade-like surface having an inlet for the test fluid mixture.

Description

[0001]The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 171,510, filed on Dec. 22, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]Microfabrication technology has revolutionized the electronics industry. This unleashed numerous industrial applications in miniaturization and automation of manufacturing processes. The impact of microfabrication technology in biomedical research can be seen in the growing presence of microprocessor-controlled analytical instrumentation and robotics in the laboratory, which is particularly evident in laboratories engaged in high throughput genome mapping and sequencing. One area of particular interest is the development and use of microfabricated genosensor devices for biomolecule analysis, such as a FLOW-THRU CHIP™ (“FTC”).[0003]Microfabricated genosensor devices are compact, but with a high density of components. Known microfabricated binding devices typically are recta...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The system achieves uniform fluid distribution and controlled flow rates, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of hybridization assays by preventing leakage and ensuring consistent fluid flow through microchannels.

Problems solved by technology

Microfabricated genosensor devices are compact, but with a high density of components.

As in membrane hybridization, the detection limit for hybridization on flat-surface genosensors is limited by the quantity of DNA that can be bound to a two dimensional area.

Another limitation of these approaches is the fact that a flat surface design introduces a rate-limiting step in the hybridization reaction, i.e., diffusion of target molecules over relatively long distances before encountering complementary probes on the surface.

This characteristic distinguishes the FTCs from other three-dimensional arrays, such as porous aluminum oxide, which utilizes non-uniform hole sizes (and thus variable surface areas) and prevents straightforward normalization of results.

In practice, however, a conventional technique of holding and utilizing FTCs has led to several problems.

This technique, however, leads to substantial leakage problems.

While initial capillary action draws fluid into the microchannels, blockage problems can quickly decrease the flow rate.

Further, utilizing this technique is disadvantageous in that the flow rate is not selectively controllable.

In other words, this conventional cartridge does not facilitate uniform flow during the passage of fluid through the flow-through device.

Therefore, this type of conventional design is inadequate to address fluid flow and leakage issues.

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