Microfluidic device for simultaneous detection of multiple conditions in a patient

Abstract

A microfluidic device for simultaneous detection of multiple conditions in a patient, the microfluidic device having an inlet for receiving a sample of biological material drawn from the patient, a microsystems technologies (MST) layer with a detection section having an array of probes for reaction with target molecules in the sample to form probe-target complexes, the target molecules being indicative of medical conditions in the patient, and, a photosensor for detecting the probe-target complexes, wherein, the array of probes has more than 1000 probes.

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]Electrochemiluminescence has the advantage of efficient light generation at controlled locations in microfluidic environments. Furthermore, synchronisation with sensors is facilitated in comparison to techniques such as fluorescence. This LOC device has the advantage of less complex design and fabrication requirements, which will result in simpler, more reliable fabrication. This enables more sensitive, and more specific, detection of target DNA.

[1977]The easily usable, mass-producible, inexpensive, and portable diagnostic test module accepts a biological sample and processes and analyzes the sample, detecting and identifying combinations of diseases and conditions. The diagnostic capabilities of the test module provides reliability and speed of diagnosing diseases and there combinations, ease of use, and very low cost of diagnostics.

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