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US 8,337,777 B2Granted
Sample distribution devices and methods
AssigneeApplied Biosystems, LLC
InventorsJames C. Nurse, Douglas P. Greiner, Nigel P. Beard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device and methods for sample distribution through a channel in which an expandable valve provides a mechanism to regulate flow through the channel. The valve may be configured to exert a force on a membrane layer so as to substantially block a portion of the channel to retain the sample in a desired location and prevent flow past the valve mechanism between the channel and a chamber.
Claims47
A device for distribution of a biological sample, the device comprising:
- a substrate comprising a base, an additional layer and a membrane layer, the substrate defining at least one sample chamber and at least one sample channel, the at least one sample chamber and the at least one sample channel being in flow communication to flow a biological sample therebetween;
- wherein the membrane layer is disposed between the base and the additional layer;
- at least one valve mechanism configured to expand from a first position to a second position, the at least one valve mechanism being an expandable material contained in the additional layer;
- a supply channel configured to receive a substance for expanding the expandable material, the expandable material disposed between the at least one sample channel and the supply channel;
- wherein, in the first position, the at least one valve mechanism permits flow communication between the at least one sample channel and the at least one sample chamber;
- and
- wherein, in the second position, the expandable material exerts a force on the membrane layer to seal the at least one sample channel.
4 more elements
A method for distributing a biological sample, the method comprising:
- supplying the biological sample to a substrate comprising a base, an additional layer and a membrane layer, the substrate defining at least one sample chamber and at least one sample channel, the at least one sample chamber and the at least one sample channel being in flow communication to flow biological sample therebetween, wherein the additional layer defines at least one reservoir configured to contain the expandable material and at least one additional channel in flow communication with the at least one reservoir, and flowing the substance into contact with the expandable material comprises flowing the substance via the at least one additional channel;
- flowing a substance through a supply channel;
- bringing the substance into contact with a material disposed within at least one valve mechanism in the additional layer;
- upon contact of the substance with the material, expanding the material such that the at least one valve mechanism moves from a first position, wherein the valve mechanism permits flow communication between the at least one sample channel and the at least one sample chamber, to a second position, wherein the at least one valve mechanism is configured to exert a force on the membrane layer so as to substantially block a portion of the at least one sample channel to prevent the biological sample from flowing past the valve mechanism.
1 more element
A device for distribution of a biological sample, the device comprising:
- a first substrate comprising a base and a membrane layer, the base and the membrane layer defining at least one sample chamber connected to at least one sample channel;
- a second substrate defining a reservoir;
- an expandable material disposed within the reservoir;
- a supply channel configured to receive a substance for expanding the expandable material, the supply channel being void of the expandable material;
- a first material condition in which the expandable material allows flow communication between the at least one sample chamber and the at least one sample channel;
- and
- a second material condition in which the expandable material exerts a force against the membrane to seal the at least one sample channel.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.