Single use microfluidic device with photosensor for electrochemiluminescent detection of targets

Abstract

A microfluidic device for detecting target molecules in a fluid, the microfluidic device having an array of electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for reaction with the target molecules to form a probe-target complexes, electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse, the probe-target complexes being configured to emit a photon of light when excited by current between the electrodes, and, a photosensor for detecting the light emitted by the probes, wherein during use, addition of the fluid to the probes prevents subsequent addition of other fluid to the 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

[0093]The easily usable, mass-producible, inexpensive, compact, and light microfluidic device accepts a biological sample, identifies the sample's nucleic acid sequences via probe hybridization using its integral image sensor, and provides the results electronically at its output pads.

[0094]The electrochemiluminescence-based assay target detection o

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

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