Device and method for contacting picoliter volumes of fluid
AssigneeThe General Hospital Corporation
InventorsDaniel Irimia, Mehmet Toner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention features devices for mixing fluids, e.g., for lysing cells, and methods of use thereof. One device is based on the ability to control the flow of fluids, e.g., by contact angle and channel size. Fluids in this device can be divided to form segments of controlled volume, which are then brought together to initiate midxing. An exemplary use of the device is for the lysis of single cells. Another device is based on the ability to two mix two fluids in a channel and affinity capture of analytes. The devices can be integrated on the same chip with other devices, for example, for cell handling or analysis of DNA, rnRNA, and proteins released from the lysis of a cell.
Claims32
A device for contacting two volumes of fluid, the device comprising:
- (a) a first channel having a fluid inlet and a first fluid divider for dividing the fluid in the first channel into discrete segments;
- (b) a second channel having a fluid inlet and a second fluid divider for dividing the fluid in the second channel into discrete segments;
- and
- (c) a third channel connecting the first and second channels.
A method of contacting two fluids, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a device comprising:
- (i) a first channel having a fluid inlet and a first fluid divider for dividing the fluid in the first channel into discrete segments;
- (ii) a second channel having a fluid inlet and a second fluid divider for dividing the fluid in the second channel into discrete segments;
- and
- (iii) a third channel connecting the first and second channels;
- (b) pumping a first fluid through the inlet into the first channel and pumping a second fluid through the inlet into the second channel;
- (c) employing the first fluid divider to divide the first fluid into a plurality of segments to form a first segment connected to the third channel;
- (d) employing the second fluid divider to divide the second fluid into a plurality of segments to form a second segment connected to the third channel;
- and
- (e) contacting the first and second segments via the third channel.
A method for capturing an analyte, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a device comprising a channel having a first and a second inlet and a region containing an affinity capture agent;
- (b) introducing a first fluid into said channel via said first inlet;
- (c) introducing a second fluid into said channel via said second inlet;
- (d) allowing said first and second fluids to come into contact to effect the release or production of said analyte;
- and
- (e) capturing at least a portion of said analyte on said affinity capture agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.