Microfluidic device with dialysis device, loc and interconnecting cap

Abstract

A microfluidic device for processing a sample fluid containing target molecules, the microfluidic device having a dialysis device for receiving the sample and concentrating the target molecules in a portion of the sample, a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) for analyzing the target molecules, and, a cap overlaying the LOC and the dialysis device for establishing fluid communication between the LOC and the dialysis device.

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

[0088]The easily usable, mass-producible, and inexpensive microfluidic multichip assembly accepts a biochemical sample, uses a dialysis chip for separating the cells of different dimensions, and separately processes the nucleic acid content of the cells separated based on their dimensions. The dialysis chip functionality extract additional information from the sample and increases the sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and dynamic range of the assay system.

[0089]The microfluidic multichip assembly provides for higher modularity. Surface-micromachined chips in the assembly would each be much smaller and disproportionately cheaper that a monolithic chip capable of providing the total functionality of the assembly. Alternatively a large yet cost-effective dialysis chip can provide a high level of dialysis capacity providing for further increased sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and dynamic range for the assay system.

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.

Images