Method and apparatus for performing assays

摘要

An apparatus is provided for performing an chemical, biochemical, or biological assay on a sample comprising: a microfluidic assay cartridge (1) that contains at least one sample inlet well (2) configured to receive a sample; and a microfluidic sub-unit (3) associated with the microfluidic assay cartridge (1) and comprising microfluidic channels (8), micro-valves (4, 4a, 9) and at least one separate and fluidicly-isolated isolation channel (5), and at least one hollow element (14); the at least one hollow element (14) being functionalized with a capture moiety or molecules (15) so as to form at least one reaction vessel (19); the microfluidic channels (8) and micro-valves (4, 4a, 9) configured to respond to signaling containing information about performing the assay and to controllably receive the sample and at least one reagent in the at least one reaction vessel (19), and to provide from the at least one reaction vessel (19) light containing information about the assay performed on the sample inside the at least one reaction vessel (19) as a result of said at least one reagent.

主权项

1. An apparatus for performing an assay, including a chemical biological or biochemical assay, on a sample comprising:
a microfluidic assay cartridge or device that contains at least one sample inlet well configured to receive a sample; a microfluidic sub-unit associated with the microfluidic assay cartridge or device comprising microfluidic channels, micro-valves and at least one hollow element, the at least one hollow element being disposed within a channel and being functionalized on its inside surface with a capture moiety or molecules so as to form at least one reaction vessel; the microfluidic channels and micro-valves configured to respond to signaling containing information about performing the assay and to controllably receive the sample and at least one reagent through the at least one reaction vessel, and to provide from the at least one reaction vessel light containing information about the assay performed on the sample inside the at least one reaction vessel as a result of said at least one reagent; wherein the hollow element forming the reaction vessel is a section of long strands of hollow glass tubing of 100 to 500 microns in length, the reaction vessels having been functionalized on their inside surface in a batch process in which a plurality of the reaction vessels are coated at once with the same solution of the capture moiety; wherein free space exists between the outside of the hollow element forming the reaction vessel and the walls of the microfluidic channels; and wherein the assay cartridge contains the at least one hollow element within a channel having a piston associated with micro-valves forming a pump.