Modular droplet actuator drive
AssigneesAdvanced Liquid Logic, Inc., Duke University
InventorsMichael G. Pollack, Philip Paik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A droplet actuator drive including a detection apparatus for sensing a property of a droplet on a droplet actuator; circuitry for controlling the detection apparatus electronically coupled to the detection apparatus; a droplet actuator cartridge connector arranged so that when a droplet actuator cartridge electronically is coupled thereto: the droplet actuator cartridge is aligned with the detection apparatus; and the detection apparatus can sense the property of the droplet on a droplet actuator; circuitry for controlling a droplet actuator coupled to the droplet actuator connector; and the droplet actuator circuitry may be coupled to a processor.
Claims15
A kit comprising:
- a. a droplet actuator cartridge comprising:
- i. a droplet actuator;
- and
- ii. means for coupling the droplet actuator cartridge to a droplet actuator drive;
- and
- b. beads for conducting an assay using the droplet actuator cartridge;
- and
- c. instructions for using the droplet actuator cartridge.
A method of conducting an assay, the method comprising:
- a. providing a droplet actuator drive comprising:
- i. a detection apparatus for sensing a property of a droplet on a droplet actuator;
- ii. circuitry for controlling the detection apparatus electronically coupled to the detection apparatus;
- iii. a droplet actuator cartridge connector arranged so that when a droplet actuator cartridge electronically coupled thereto:
- 1. the droplet actuator cartridge is aligned with the detection apparatus;
- and
- 2. the detection apparatus can sense the property of the droplet on a droplet actuator;
- iv. circuitry for controlling a droplet actuator coupled to the droplet actuator connector;
- v. means for coupling the droplet actuator circuitry to a processor;
- and
- b. electronically coupling the droplet actuator drive to a computer processor;
- c. coupling a droplet actuator cartridge to a droplet actuator cartridge connector, the cartridge comprising reagent sample for an assay protocol;
- d. executing software using the computer processor to effect steps comprising:
- i. executing steps in the assay protocol, the steps comprising conducting one or more dispensing or splitting droplet operations using droplets comprising beads;
- ii. sensing a property of an assay droplet;
- and
- iii. displaying an output indicative of the property of the assay droplet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.