Microfluidic device with reagent mixing proportions determined by number of active outlet valves

Abstract

A microfluidic device for testing a fluid, the microfluidic device having an inlet for receiving the fluid, a reservoir containing a reagent, a flow-path extending from the inlet, a plurality of outlet valves for fluid communication between the flow-path and the reservoir, each of the outlet valves having an actuator for opening the outlet valve in response to an activation signal, wherein during use, a number of the outlet valves are selectively opened such that the reagent flows into the flow-path to combine with the fluid from the inlet to produce a combined flow having a proportion of the reagent, the proportion of the reagent in the combined flow being determined by the number of the outlet valves opened.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to diagnostic devices that use microsystems technologies (MST). In particular, the invention relates to microfluidic and biochemical processing and analysis for molecular diagnostics.CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS[0002]The following applications have been filed by the Applicant which relate to the present application:GBS001USGBS002USGBS003USGBS005USGBS006USGSR001USGSR002USGAS001USGAS002USGAS003USGAS004USGAS006USGAS007USGAS008USGAS009USGAS010USGAS012USGAS013USGAS014USGAS015USGAS016USGAS017USGAS018USGAS019USGAS020USGAS021USGAS022USGAS023USGAS024USGAS025USGAS026USGAS027USGAS028USGAS030USGAS031USGAS032USGAS033USGAS034USGAS035USGAS036USGAS037USGAS038USGAS039USGAS040USGAS041USGAS042USGAS043USGAS044USGAS045USGAS046USGAS047USGAS048USGAS049USGAS050USGAS054USGAS055USGAS056USGAS057USGAS058USGAS059USGAS060USGAS061USGAS062USGAS063USGAS065USGAS066USGAS067USGAS068USGAS069USGAS070USGAS080USGAS081USGAS082USGAS083USGAS084USGAS085USGAS086USGAS087USGAS...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0116]The easily usable, mass-producible, and inexpensive microfluidic device accepts a liquid for processing and analysis, utilizing the reagents stored in the device's reagent reservoirs, with the reagents being added to the liquid, as required, by active valves. The reagent reservoirs, being integral to the device, provide for self-contained reagent storage, which in turn provides for the low system component-count and simple manufacturing procedures, leading into an inexpensive assay system.

[0145]The easily usable, mass-producible, and inexpensive microfluidic device accepts a liquid sample for processing and analysis, utilizing the reagents stored in the device's reagent reservoirs, with the reagents being added to the liquid, as required, by a number of active valves.

Problems solved by technology

Insufficient stringency can result in a high degree of nonspecific binding.

Excessive stringency can lead to a failure of appropriate binding, which results in diminished sensitivity.

Despite the advantages that molecular diagnostic tests offer, the growth of this type of testing in the clinical laboratory has been slower than expected and remains a minor part of the practice of laboratory medicine.

This is primarily due to the complexity and costs associated with nucleic acid testing compared with tests based on methods not involving nucleic acids.

However, controlling fluid flow through the LOC device, adding reagents, controlling reaction conditions and so on necessitate bulky external plumbing and electronics.

Connecting a LOC device to these external devices effectively restricts the use of LOC devices for molecular diagnostics to the laboratory setting.

The cost of the external equipment and complexity of its operation precludes LOC-based molecular diagnostics as a practical option for point-of-care settings.

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