Assay apparatus and method using microfluidic arrays

A method of conducting an assay on a plurality of samples, the method comprising:

• providing a microfluidic array, the array including a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces, each of the through-holes containing one of the samples and at least one reagent providing an optical effect for assay purposes;
• placing the array in a case, the case including
• a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom;
• a frame disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume for receiving the array;
• and
• one or more guide rails affixed to at least one of the (i) frame and (ii) at least one of the covers;
• wherein the case is substantially tight to liquids;
• permitting in each of the through-holes the corresponding sample to react with the at least one reagent therein;
• obtaining a measurement, through the top cover, for each through-hole, of the optical effect associated therewith and using the measurement to provide assay results for the corresponding sample therein.

A system for conducting an assay on a plurality of samples, the system comprising:

• a case having a fluid-tight cavity defining an interior volume, the case comprising:
• a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom;
• and
• a frame disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume, the frame and the covers associated with one another;
• wherein one or more positioning guide rails are affixed to at least one of (i) the frame and (ii) at least one of the covers;
• a microfluidic array disposed in the interior volume, the array including a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces, the through-holes containing at least one of a sample and a reagent;
• and
• a thermal cycler adapted to thermally contact the case;
• wherein one or more positioning guide rails are affixed to at least one of (i) the frame and (ii) at least one of the covers:
• a microfluidic array disposed in the interior volume, the array including a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces, the through-holes containing at least one of a sample and a reagent;
• and
• a thermal cycler adapted to thermally contact the case.

A system for holding at least one of sample and reagent for analysis, the system comprising:

• a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom;
• a frame disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume, the frame and the covers associated with one another to form a case, the case having a sealable opening, such opening when sealed rendering the case substantially tight to liquids;
• and
• a microfluidic array, disposed in the interior volume and removable via the opening, the array including a sheet of material having a plurality of sample sites, the sample sites containing at least one of sample and reagent;
• wherein one or more positioning guide rails are affixed to at least one of (i) the frame and (ii) at least one of the covers.

A system for holding at least one of sample and reagent for analysis, the system comprising:

• a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom;
• a frame disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume, the frame and the covers associated with one another to form a case, the case having a sealable opening, such opening when sealed rendering the case substantially tight to liquids;
• a UV curable sealant for sealing the sealable opening;
• and
• a microfluidic array disposed in the interior volume, the array including a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces, the through-holes containing at least one of sample and reagent,
• wherein one or more rositioning guide rails are affixed to at least one of (i) the frame and (ii) at least one of the covers.

A system for conducting an assay on a plurality of samples, the system comprising:

• a case having a fluid-tight cavity defining an interior volume, the case comprising:
• a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom;
• and
• a frame disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume, the frame and the covers associated with one another;
• wherein the case has a sealable opening, such opening when sealed rendering the case substantially tight to liquids;
• a UV curable sealant for sealing the sealable opening;
• a microfluidic array disposed in the interior volume, the array including a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces, the through-holes containing at least one of a sample and a reagent;
• and
• a thermal cycler adapted to thermally contact the case.

A system for holding at least one of sample and reagent for analysis, the system comprising:

• a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom;
• a frame disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume, the frame and the covers associated with one another to form a case, the case having a sealable opening, such opening when sealed rendering the case substantially tight to liquids;
• a UV curable sealant for sealing the sealable opening;
• and
• a microfluidic array, disposed in the interior volume and removable via the opening, the array including a sheet of material having a plurality of sample sites, the sample sites containing at least one of sample and reagent,
• wherein one or more positioning guide rails are affixed to at least one of (i) the frame and (ii) at least one of the covers.