Handheld and portable microfluidic device to automatically prepare nucleic acids for analysis
AssigneeMicroFluidic Systems, Inc.
InventorsBob Yuan, Nima Aflaatooni
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A handheld and portable extraction device is directed to a microfluidic-based system to be used in the field to extract and purify an analyte, preferably a nucleic acid, from a fluid-based sample. Preferably, the fluid-based sample is water-based. The fluid-based sample can also be a biological fluid sample. The handheld and portable extraction device includes a syringe-like device coupled to a purification chip. The purification chip is preferably included within a chip block which is removable from the remaining portion of the handheld and portable extraction device. The analyte collected within the purification chip can be later removed and collected for analysis.
Claims28
A handheld and portable device comprising:
- a. a device input opening to the handheld and portable device, the device input opening is configured to provide external access and to input an external fluid-based sample into the handheld and portable device;
- b. a single syringe-like apparatus, wherein the syringe-like apparatus is configured for drawing the fluid-based sample into the device, wherein the syringe-like apparatus includes means for storing the sample input into the device;
- c. first means for directing coupled to the device input opening and to the means for storing, wherein the first means for directing is configured to transport the sample from the device input opening to the means for storing to input the sample into the means for storing;
- d. means for extracting and purifying an analyte from the sample, wherein the means for extracting and purifying includes a purification chip having a plurality of pillars, each pillar coated with silicon oxide;
- e. second means for directing coupled to the means for storing and to the means for extracting and purifying, wherein the second means for directing is configured to transport the sample from the means for storing into the means for extracting and purifying, further wherein the first means for directing, the means for storing, the second means for directing, and the means for extracting and purifying are configured to transport the sample into the means for storing prior to the sample entering the means for extracting and purifying;
- and
- f. means for regulating coupled to the means for storing, wherein the means for regulating is configured to regulate a fluid flow rate of the sample through the means for extracting and purifying.
A handheld and portable device comprising:
- a. a device input opening to the handheld and portable device, the device input opening is configured to provide external access and to input an external fluid-based sample into the handheld and portable device;
- b. a syringe-like device to draw the fluid-based sample into the device, wherein the syringe-like device includes a sample collection chamber to store the sample;
- c. a first fluidic pathway coupled to the device input opening and to the sample collection chamber to transport the sample from the device input opening into the sample collection chamber, wherein the first fluidic pathway includes a first check valve;
- d. a purification chip to extract and purify an analyte from the sample;
- e. a second fluidic pathway coupled to the sample collection chamber and to the purification chip to transport the sample from the sample collection chamber into the purification chip, wherein the first fluidic pathway, the sample collection chamber, the second fluidic pathway, and the purification chip are configured to transport the sample into the sample collection chamber prior to the sample entering the purification chip, wherein the second fluidic pathway includes a second check valve;
- and
- f. a fluid flow regulator coupled to the syringe-like device to regulate a fluid flow rate of the sample through the purification chip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.