US 10,589,268 B2Granted

Method and device for processing tissues and cells

AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California

InventorsAhmed Zobi, Justin Stovner, Hugo Salas, David Duarte, Jered Haun, Alan Widgerow, Derek Banyard

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Abstract

Provided herein are devices and methods of processing a sample that include, in several embodiments, rotating one or more microfluidic chips that are mounted on a support plate using a motor driven rotational chuck. By spinning one or more of the microfluidic chips about a common center of rotation in a controlled manner, high flow rates (and high shear forces) are imparted to the sample in a controlled manner. Each microfluidic chip can be rotated 180° on the support plate so that the sample can be run back-and-forth through the microfluidic devices. Because the support plate can be driven at relatively high RPMs, high flow rates are generated within the microfluidic chips. This increases the shear forces on the sample and also decreases the processing time involved as the sample can quickly pass through the shear-inducing features of the microfluidic chip(s).

Claims18

Dependent claims

A system for processing biological samples comprising:

a support plate comprising:
a central portion comprising a receiving element,
wherein the receiving element is configured to reversibly interact with a drive shaft of a motor, the motor configured to apply centrifugal movement to the support plate,
wherein the central portion lies in a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the drive shaft of the motor;
a lateral portion comprising a plurality of interacting regions, each configured to reversibly interact with one of a plurality of carriages,
wherein the lateral portion extends radially from the central portion and at least partially lies within a plane parallel to the plane of the central portion,
a plurality of carriages, wherein each of the plurality of carriages is configured to be operatively coupled to the lateral portion of the support plate,
each of the plurality of carriages comprising:
a first end and a second end and a base portion extending between the first and second ends,
a receiving region configured to reversibly interact with a microfluidic chip that is fluidically coupled to at least one sample chamber configured to receive a sample for processing, wherein the sample chamber is configured to be removable from the microfluidic chip, and wherein the sample for processing is configured to flow bidirectionally between the microfluidic chip and the at least one sample chamber;
a post extending orthogonally from the base portion and configured to interact with one of the plurality of interacting regions of the lateral portion;
wherein a primary axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft of the motor,
wherein each of the plurality of carriages is positioned about one of a plurality of secondary axes, wherein during operation each of the plurality of secondary axes is substantially parallel to the primary axis, and
wherein each of the plurality of carriages is at least intermittently rotatable about one of the plurality of axes through an arc of about 180 degrees.

11 more elements

A system for processing samples comprising:

a support plate including a plurality of arms, wherein each of the plurality of arms extends radially from the support plate;
a motor, coupled to the support plate and configured to rotate the support plate;
and
a plurality of carriages,
wherein each of the plurality of carriages is arranged on one of the plurality of arms on the support plate, wherein a primary axis of rotation extends perpendicularly from the arm that the carriage is arranged on,
wherein each of the plurality of carriages is positioned about one of a plurality of secondary axes, wherein each of the plurality of carriages is substantially parallel to the primary axis of rotation,
wherein each of the plurality of carriages is configured to receive:
(i) a microfluidic chip, (ii) a first sample chamber, and (iii) a second sample chamber for receiving a sample for processing, the first sample chamber includes an opening that is fluidly connected to a first inlet on a first end of the microfluidic chip and is configured to be removable from the first inlet of the microfluidic chip, and the second sample chamber includes an opening that is fluidly connected to a second inlet on a second end of the microfluidic chip and is configured to be removable from the second inlet of the microfluidic chip, and
wherein the respective fluidic connections between the microfluidic chip and the first and second sample chambers allow for bidirectional flow of the sample through the microfluidic chip, and
wherein each of the plurality of carriages is rotatable about one of the plurality of axes.

7 more elements

A system for processing samples comprising:

a support plate including a plurality of arms, wherein each of the plurality of arms extends radially from the support plate;
a plurality of carriages,
wherein each of the plurality of carriages is arranged on one of the plurality of arms on the support plate, wherein a primary axis of rotation extends perpendicularly from the arm that the carriage is arranged on,
wherein each of the plurality of carriages is positioned about one of a plurality of secondary axes, wherein each of the plurality of carriages is substantially parallel to the primary axis of rotation,
wherein each of the plurality of carriages is configured to reversibly receive a microfluidic chip and at least one sample chamber for receiving a sample for processing, wherein the at least one sample chamber includes an opening that is fluidly connected to the microfluidic chip and the at least one sample chamber is external to the microfluidic chip, thereby allowing bidirectional flow between the microfluidic chip and the at least one sample chamber, and
wherein each of the plurality of carriages is rotatable about one of the plurality of axes.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/101,254Filed 10 Aug 2018 · continuation
Priority: 8 Jun 2016
Published: US 2018/0361382 A120 Dec 2018
Granted: 17 Mar 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification23 codes

B01L 3/502715
By integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g.…
B01L 3/50273
By integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g.…
B01L 9/527
Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips: for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
B04B 5/0407
Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers: for liquids contained in receptacles