Back to results
US 12,448,618 B2Granted
Microfluidic apparatus and methods of use thereof
AssigneeNutcracker Therapeutics, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin Eldridge, Ximiao Wen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods are described herein for processing polynucleotides in a sealed path environment. The apparatuses include optical sensors to monitor operations and to track material usage for good manufacturing practice.
Claims20
A microfluidic apparatus for forming a therapeutic polynucleotide, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) at least one microfluidic path device;
- (b) a plurality of fluid containers;
- (c) a seating mount removably holding the at least one microfluidic path device;
- (d) a plurality of pressure lines, each pressure line being operable to provide pneumatic pressure to the at least one microfluidic path device held in the seating mount;
- (e) a plurality of fluidic lines coupled with the plurality of fluid containers, each fluidic line being operable to provide fluid to the at least one microfluidic path device held in the seating mount such that the plurality of fluidic lines, the plurality of fluid containers, and the at least one microfluidic path device collectively form a closed fluid path so that fluid within the closed fluid path is isolated from atmosphere;
- and
- (f) a controller comprising one or more processors, the one or more processors programmed to:
- (i) control application of pressure through the pressure lines to thereby apply pneumatic pressure to the at least one microfluidic path device held in the seating mount, and
- (ii) control communication of one or more fluids through the plurality of fluidic lines to thereby provide one or more of the following:
- (A) synthesis of a synthetic template in the at least one microfluidic path device held in the seating mount,
- (B) an in vitro transcription (IVT) reaction using the template to form a therapeutic polynucleotide in the at least one microfluidic path device held in the seating mount, or
- (C) purify the therapeutic polynucleotide in the at least one microfluidic path device held in the seating mount.
9 more elements
A microfluidic apparatus for forming a therapeutic polynucleotide, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a seating mount for removably holding a microfluidic path device;
- (b) a plurality of pressure lines, each pressure line being operable to provide pneumatic pressure to a microfluidic path device held in the seating mount;
- (c) a plurality of fluidic lines, each fluidic line being operable to provide fluid to a microfluidic path device held in the seating mount to form a closed fluid path;
- (d) a controller comprising one or more processors, the one or more processors programmed to:
- (i) control application of pressure through the pressure lines to thereby apply pneumatic pressure to a microfluidic path device held in the seating mount, and
- (ii) control communication of one or more fluids through the plurality of fluidic lines to thereby provide one or more of the following:
- (A) synthesis of a synthetic template in one or more microfluidic path devices held in the seating mount,
- (B) an in vitro transcription (IVT) reaction using the template to form a therapeutic polynucleotide in one or more microfluidic path devices held in the seating mount, or
- (C) purify the therapeutic polynucleotide in one or more microfluidic path devices held in the seating mount;
- (e) one or more optical sensors positionable to optically sense one or more regions of a microfluidic path device held in the seating mount;
- and
- (f) an optical sensor drive operable to move at least one of the one or more optical sensors relative to a microfluidic path device held in the seating mount.
9 more elements
A microfluidic apparatus for forming a therapeutic polynucleotide, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a seating mount for removably holding a microfluidic path device;
- (b) a fluid interface assembly having a central opening, the fluid interface assembly comprising:
- (i) a plurality of pressure lines, each pressure line being operable to provide pneumatic pressure to a microfluidic path device held in the seating mount, and
- (ii) a plurality of fluidic lines, each fluidic line being operable to provide fluid to a microfluidic path device held in the seating mount to form a closed fluid path;
- and
- (c) a controller comprising one or more processors, the one or more processors programmed to:
- (i) control application of pressure through the pressure lines to thereby apply pneumatic pressure to a microfluidic path device held in the seating mount, and
- (ii) control communication of one or more fluids through the plurality of fluidic lines to thereby provide one or more of the following:
- (A) synthesis of a synthetic template in one or more microfluidic path devices held in the seating mount,
- (B) an in vitro transcription (IVT) reaction using the template to form a therapeutic polynucleotide in one or more microfluidic path devices held in the seating mount, or
- (C) purify the therapeutic polynucleotide in one or more microfluidic path devices held in the seating mount;
- each pressure line of the plurality of pressure lines and each fluidic line of the plurality of fluidic lines having a respective sealing end arranged around a periphery of the central opening.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.