Fluidic connectors and microfluidic systems
AssigneeOPKO Diagnostics, LLC
InventorsVincent Linder, David Steinmiller, Samuel K. Sia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analyses (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use.
Claims3
A method comprising:
- providing a microfluidic system comprising a first microfluidic channel including at least one inlet and one outlet and a second microfluidic channel including at least one inlet and one outlet,
- wherein the first microfluidic channel contains a first reagent disposed therein,
- wherein the second microfluidic channel contains a second reagent disposed therein, and
- to wherein a seal covers the inlet of the first microfluidic channel and a seal covers the outlet of the first microfluidic channel so as to store the first reagent in the first microfluidic channel;
- connecting a fluidic connector to the microfluidic system to cause fluid communication between the first and second microfluidic channels,
- wherein the first and second microfluidic channels are not in fluid communication with one another absent connection via the fluidic connector.
A method of storing reagents comprising:
- providing a microfluidic system comprising a first microfluidic channel including at least one inlet and one outlet and a second microfluidic channel including at least one inlet and one outlet;
- disposing a first reagent in the first microfluidic channel;
- disposing a second reagent in the second microfluidic channel;
- and
- sealing the at least one inlet and outlet of the first microfluidic channel so as to store the first reagent in the first microfluidic channel,
- wherein the first and second microfluidic channels are not in fluid communication with one another after the sealing step.
A device comprising:
- a microfluidic system comprising a first microfluidic channel including at least one inlet and one outlet and a second microfluidic channel including at least one inlet and one outlet;
- and
- a fluidic connector that can be connected to the microfluidic system, wherein the fluidic connector comprises a fluid path including a fluid path inlet and a fluid path outlet, wherein the fluid path includes a first volume, wherein upon connection of the fluidic connector to the microfluidic system, the fluid path inlet connects to the outlet of the first microfluidic channel to allow fluid communication between the fluid path and the first microfluidic channel, and the fluid path outlet connects to the inlet of the second microfluidic channel to allow fluid communication between the fluid path and the second microfluidic channel, and
- wherein the fluid path further comprises a volume control element that can allow introduction of a controlled volume of fluid less than the first volume into the fluid path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.