Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved method and device for a genetic amplification
and/or a rapid detection of an analyte, possibly present in a fluid sample, especially
to a disposable flow chip device, comprising a chip for carrying a microfluidic assay
and an interface which is capable, in use, to be easily connected to an external pumping
system. The invention is also related to an apparatus comprising the external pumping
system.
State of the Art
[0002] Lab-on-chip which is able to automatically operate a biological sample processing
has been developed in many countries in the world. In these chips, the microfluidic
driving system that drives a fluid that contains samples of biochemical agents, DNAs
or proteins for example, inside microfluidic channels is one of the most important
equipment. The question of how to easily control fluid movement and avoid the cross
contamination of the sample or the biochemical agents with the driving system, has
become a question of interest.
[0003] Microfluidic driving systems that are known to the public may be divided into three
classes: on-chip mechanical micro-pumps, on-chip electro kinetic micro-pumps and pump
systems which are external to the chip.
[0004] On-chip mechanical micro-pumps present the drawback of being embedded mechanical
micro-pumps prepared directly in a chip with the micromachining technology. Generally,
such devices comprise moveable parts in the chip and comprise a pressure chamber.
An intermittent electrostatic driving force is generated between the two-layer structure
of the pressure chamber and the two one-way passive check valves positioned in the
microfluidic channel are driven in turn. Such an operation generates a pumping force
to the fluid.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,018 discloses a micro peristaltic pump, wherein a series of flexible conductive strips
are provided along the inner wall of the micro-channel provided in the chip. When
voltage pulses pass over the micro-channel, the flexible conductive strips are pulled
upward by electrostatic force generated in turn. A peristaltic phenomenon takes thus
place. The fluid in the micro-channel is driven by the driving force of the strips.
[0006] In such a mechanical microfluidic driving system provided with moveable elements
and with a complicated structure, it is very difficult to clean up all residuals of
samples or biochemical reagents of another experiment. As a result, most microfluidic
driving systems for the chips shall be disposable. However, both the embedded rotational
micro-pump and the embedded peristaltic micro-pump have complicated process of manufacture
and expensive customer design components, which make the preparation costs of the
micro-pump relatively high and moreover the micro-pump is not reusable. Such a micro-pump
is not suited in disposable chips.
[0007] In addition to that, the mechanical micro-pumps are generally prepared with membranes,
valves or gears which are driven by relatively higher powers, such as electric, magnetic
or thermal powers. Such a requirement involves complicated structure, complicated
operations and higher costs. Furthermore, it is even more difficult to prepare a pump
or pump module that provides driving forces back and forth in the micro-channel.
[0008] On-chip electro kinetic micro-pumps are non-mechanical micro-pumps. Inside the pumps,
there are no moveable elements. Operations of such a micro-pump may be carried out
by electro-osmosis, electro-hydrodynamic or electrophoresis.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,876 discloses an apparatus and methods for controlling fluid flow in micro-channels employing
the combination of the electro-osmosis power and the electro-hydrodynamic power. The
apparatus comprises a micro-channel provided in a chip and two pairs of electrodes,
four in total, are arranged in the micro-channel in turn. A pair of electrodes is
deeply put in the micro-channel. When high voltage is applied to the electrodes, fluid
adjacent to the electrodes will be carried in a direction reverse to the direction
of the electrical current. An electro-hydrodynamic pumping is thus accomplished.
[0010] An electrode micro-pump is simple in structure, low in manufacture cost but limited
in application. First, inside the micro-channel, solvent must be filled before anything
may be driven. It is not possible to introduce samples or reagents into empty channels.
Secondly, the distance over which an electro-hydrodynamic pump can drive a fluid is
limited. The electro-hydrodynamic pump can only be applied to non-polar organic solvents,
while the electro-osmosis pump and the electrophoresis pump can only be applied to
polar solvents. The driving efficiency of the pumps is highly influenced by the concentration
of ions in the solution. When the ion concentration of the solution varies during
the reaction, the driving of the solution will become more difficult to control.
[0011] In pump systems wherein the pump is external to the chip, there is no need to provide
any active element in the chip containing the micro-channel to drive the fluid. Such
a chip is easily prepared under a lower cost. The pump system external to the chip
is not directly connected to the samples or the reagents and may be used repeatedly
and possibly simultaneously upon numerous chips. This type of external pump is connected
to the chip through an interface.
[0012] WO 2014/005969 discloses a flow chip wherein a dynamic constant flow in a closed circuit is applied
using an external peristaltic pump or roller pump. The chip comprises two reservoirs,
one containing the sample and the other containing a migration buffer. After the introduction
of the fluids into the chip, the two reservoirs are connected by a flexible tube forming
a loop and adapted to come into contact with one or more rollers of a peristaltic
pump. This tube is the interface such that its contact with rollers of the peristaltic
pump ensures constant flow dynamics of the sample and buffer in the channel of the
flow chip.
[0013] One problem of the device disclosed in
WO 2014/005969 is the interface between the pump and the chip. The use of a flexible tube presents
several drawbacks having an impact on the flow dynamics within the chip, drawbacks
such as the difficulties encountered by the end user to connect the chip and the pump.
Furthermore, in such device, the sample and its analyte can be contaminated by the
environment or may comprise gas (air) introduced while introducing the sample in the
device, leading to unwanted and possibly harmful internal pressure increase.
[0014] FR 2 672 301 A1 discloses a method of detection of one or more analyte(s), possibly present in a
biological sample with a disposable flow chip device comprising a microfluidic chip
with two reservoirs being in fluidic communication with a micro-channel and with one
or more detection zone (s) and with connectors; as well as a pump cartridge comprising
a pipe being able to be in contact with one or more roller(s) of an external peristaltic
pump and hermetic connectors, this pipe being in fluid communication with the reservoirs
of the microfluidic chip. Therefore, there is a need to improve the interface between
a disposable flow chip and its external pumping system.
Aims of the Invention
[0015] The present invention aims to provide a method and a disposable flow chip device
that do not have the drawbacks of the prior art. It particularly aims to provide a
flow chip device remaining hermetically closed after the introduction of the fluid
sample(s) and allowing gas or air release, which are possibly present in the microfluidic
elements of the flow chips before introduction of the fluid sample(s), and therefore
avoiding or reducing any interference in the fluids flow inside the device. Another
aim of the invention is to propose a suitable interface for connecting efficiently
this flow chip device to an external pump.
Summary of the Invention
[0016] The present invention discloses a disposable flow chip device comprising a microfluidic
chip comprising two or more reservoirs being in fluidic communication with a micro-channel,
with one or more detection zone(s) and with connectors, preferably luers, a pump cartridge
comprising a pipe able to be in contact, , with one or more roller(s) of an external
peristaltic pump, and hermetic connectors, preferably luer connectors, complementary
to the microfluidic chip connectors, wherein the pipe is in fluid communication with
the reservoirs of the microfluidic chip; wherein the reservoirs are connected by means
of venting channels to venting holes that are sealed by a lid.
[0017] The specific embodiments of the invention include at least one of, or a suitable
combination of, the following features:
- the pipe of the pump cartridge is in fluid communication with the reservoirs of the
microfluidic chip by means of the hermetic connectors, especially luer connectors,
connecting hermetically each end of the pipe to connectors (luers) of the microfluidic
chip,
- the pump cartridge comprises at least two pins plugged into complementary holes of
the microfluidic chip,
- the pin is a snap fit pin,
- the pipe of the pump cartridge is made of a material selected from the group consisting
of silicone or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM),
- the microfluidic chip comprises a micro-channel having a diameter comprised between
10 µm and 900 µm, a sheet-like chromatographic device in fluidic communication with
the micro-channel, the chromatographic device comprising an application region, one
or more detection region(s), wherein the detection region comprises at least one capture
reagent specifically recognizing a labelled polynucleotide sequence or a labelled
polypeptide to generate a specific signal,
- the micro-channel comprises multiple loops crossing at least two, preferably three,
different temperature zones, each zone having a constant temperature and wherein said
loops are configured for multiple amplification cycles of a PCR.
[0018] The present invention further discloses a method to detect and/or quantify one or
more analyte(s) possibly present in a biological sample, the method comprising the
steps of providing the disposable flow chip device according to the invention, providing
one or more analyte(s) comprising a target polynucleotide sequence or polypeptide
specific of the said analyte(s), filling the reservoir of the disposable flow chip
device with the one or more analyte(s) and submitting the one or more analyte(s) to
a fluid flow within the disposable flow chip device.
[0019] The present invention further discloses an apparatus to detect and/or quantify one
or more analyte(s) possibly present in a biological sample, the apparatus comprising
one or more disposable flow chip device(s) according to the invention, a holder for
holding the disposable flow chip device(s), a peristaltic pump comprising multiple
rollers intended to contact the pipe of the pump cartridge, a heating device providing
different temperature zones to the disposable flow chip device, a detector for measuring
a signal generated on the disposable flow chip device.
[0020] The present invention will be described in detail in the following description in
reference to the enclosed figures presented as non-limiting embodiments of the present
invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0021]
Fig. 1 is representing a bottom view in perspective of a disposable flow chip device
of the invention.
Fig. 2 is representing a top view in perspective of the disposable flow chip device
of figure 1.
Fig. 3A is representing a bottom perspective view of the pump cartridge being part
of the disposable flow chip device of the invention.
Fig. 3B is representing a perspective view of the pump cartridge without the pump
pipe and the fluid connectors.
Fig. 3C is representing a cross section view of the pump pipe and fluid connectors
that are present in the pump cartridge.
Fig. 4A, 4B and 4C represent different microfluidic designs being part of the disposable
flow chip device of figure 1.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0022] An example of the disposable flow chip device 1 according to the invention is represented
in figure 1 (bottom view) and figure 2 (top view). It comprises two parts, a microfluidic
chip 2 and a pump cartridge 3, which are assembled by connection means, preferably
connectors, more preferably connectors hermetic to fluids and/or gas or air, for example
luers 12 and luer connectors 10. The disposable flow chip device 1 is thus hermetically
closed when these two parts are assembled. Furthermore, having hermetic connectors
10 and 12 presents the advantage of reducing or eliminating the sample contamination
risks during the use of the device.
[0023] The pump cartridge 3 comprises a pipe 9 (visible in figure 3A) intended to be, in
use, in contact with one or more roller(s) 27 of an external peristaltic pump 4. Therefore,
the pipe 9 is in fluid communication with the reservoirs 13 and 14 of the microfluidic
chip 2 so that, when the external pump 4 is running, the fluid can flow through the
pipe 9 (i.e. through contact between the rollers applied upon the pipe 9) in a continuous
manner between the chip 2 and the pump cartridge 3, by means of the action of the
rollers of the external pump on the (flexible) pipe 9.
[0024] Having the pipe 9 being part of the pump cartridge 3 avoid the problem encountered
by the end user to connect the chip and the pump, leading to a device more easy to
use.
[0025] Preferably, the pipe 9 is a tubing, more preferably a flexible tubing.
[0026] Preferably, the pump cartridge 3 has a U shape comprising a bridge section and two
legs interconnected by the bridge section. In this embodiment, the pipe 9 is preferably
provided in the plan formed by the pump cartridge 3, from one leg to the other. Preferably,
the pump cartridge 3 is assembled, connected, to the microfluidic chip 2 by means
of the bridge section.
[0027] As shown in figure 3B, the pump cartridge 3 preferably comprises one or more pins
7 for plugging the pump cartridge 3 into the microfluidic chip 2 which have complementary
holes, or recess, 15, 16, having a size and a shape suitable to receive said pins
7.
[0028] The pump cartridge 3 preferably comprises one or more cavities 5 suitable to receive
one or more connectors, for example luer connectors 10, and at least one cavity 6
suitable to receive a lid 11.
[0029] The connectors 10 are, in shape and size, complementary to the microfluidic chip
connectors 12 (visible on figures 4A, B and C) and allow hermetic connection between
the pump cartridge 3 to the microfluidic chip 2. The venting holes 17 present on the
microfluidic chip 2 (visible on figures 4A, B and C) allow a gas, for example air,
to be released from the microfluidic elements of the microfluidic chip when the reservoirs
13, 14 are filled, allowing thus a better filling of the reservoirs 13 and 14 and
also allowing a more constant flow of the fluid within the channel of the chip. Preferably,
in the assembled disposable flow chip device of the invention, the venting holes 17
are hermetically closed by a lid 11 provided on the pump cartridge 3 allowing to have
a device hermetically closed and less subject to contaminations.
[0030] A cross section view of the pump pipe 9 and the connectors 10 is shown in figure
3C.
[0031] Figures 4A, 4B and 4C represent different embodiments of the microfluidic chip 2.
[0032] In a first embodiment (figure 4A), the microfluidic chip 2 is suitable for amplification
and rapid detection of target nucleotide sequences possibly present in a sample. It
may combine continuous-flow genetic amplification (PCR) with oligo-chromatography
detection by capillary action on a test strip. In this embodiment, the chip 2 comprises
a first part comprising means for the genetic amplification of nucleic acid sequences
specific of an analyte to be detected and possibly present in a fluid sample, submitted
thereafter to constant dynamic fluid flow therein, combined with a second part comprising
means for the detection of the amplified nucleic acid sequences on a (one or more)
sheet-like chromatographic test strip 26 (being in fluidic communication with the
channel 18) and allowing thereafter an identification of the corresponding analyte
present in the sample submitted to analysis. The two parts are in fluidic communication
by means of a connection channel 19.
[0033] The first part of the microfluidic chip 2 is suitable for genetic amplification (PCR)
of one or more target sequence(s) to be detected. It comprises a micro-channel 18
(having a section comprised between about 10 µm and about 900 µm) in a serpentine
configuration comprising a plurality of loops capable of performing different steps
of the genetic amplification process, these loops being in contact, in use, with an
external heating means at different zones (or areas) of the loops, preferably two,
more preferably three different temperature zones, each zone having a constant temperature.
Preferably, heating means consist of Peltier devices or heating resistances or heating
blocks in aluminium and adequate sensors. The micro-channel 18 has a coil configuration,
a length and dimensions that may vary, but comprises a certain number of loops able
to carry out the different steps required for a suitable genetic amplification (by
PCR).
[0034] The second part of the microfluidic chip 2 comprises a sheet-like chromatographic
strip 26 incorporating three zones or regions. These three zones consist of one or
more porous membranes allowing the migration by capillary action of a fluid and its
components, i.e. the solution comprising the amplified sequences, from a proximal
region 20 to a distal region 21. The three zones comprise an application region 22,
a detection region 23 and an absorption region 24.
[0035] Preferably, the membrane of the application zone 22 comprises or consists of glass
fibres or polyester, the membrane of the detection zone 23 comprises or consists of
nitrocellulose and the absorption region 24 comprises or consists of cellulose. Other
structures and materials used by a skilled person in the art to improve migration
by capillary action in the chromatographic strip 26 or to improve the integration
of elements used for the detection on the strip are possible.
[0036] Preferably, the microfluidic chip 2 is made of a material selected from the group
consisting of glass, quartz or plastic, in particular in polycarbonate or in cyclo
olefin polymer, and is obtained by injection molding. The microstructures of the micro-channel
are preferably performed by photolithography. The aperture of the micro-channel 18
is optionally adapted for facilitating introduction and preliminary treatment of the
sample to be tested and optionally diluted.
[0037] In a second embodiment (figure 4B), the microfluidic chip 2 is suitable for the amplification
and rapid detection of target nucleotide sequences specific of the analyte present
in the fluid sample. It combines continuous-flow genetic amplification (PCR) with
oligo-chromatography detection by capillary action on two or more (separated) test
strips for multiplexing the number of target nucleotide sequences detected simultaneously
and thus for multiplexing the identification of analytes potentially simultaneously
present in the fluid sample submitted to analysis.
[0038] In a third embodiment (figure 4C), the microfluidic chip 2 is suitable for the rapid
detection of a target analyte, for example any biological analyte, such as an antigenic
structure to be detected by immunochromatography, possibly present in a fluid sample
without previous genetic amplification (PCR). It combines continuous-flow of a sample
solution with immunochromatography detection by capillary action on a test strip.
[0039] The principle of the analysis of a biological sample is the following. The reservoir
13 of the microfluidic chip 2 is filled with a fluid sample reagent and the reservoir
14 is filled with a buffer. During this filling process, the gas, i.e. air, which
is displaced by the fluids, the liquid samples, is escaping, released outside the
device, via the venting channels 25 to the venting holes 17.
[0040] The pump cartridge 3 is manually or mechanically plugged into the microfluidic chip
2 by means of complementary connectors 10 and 12. The pump cartridge 3 comprises pins
7 and/or snap fit pins 8 that are complementary to holes 15 and 16 present in proximity
of the connectors 12 of the microfluidic chip 2. When the pump cartridge 3 is positioned
over the microfluidic chip 2, and that the pins and snap fit pins 7 and 8 are pressed
into their complementary holes, these pins 7 and 8 clamp the pump cartridge 3 against
the microfluidic chip 2. This action also clamps the hermetic connectors 10 into the
connectors 12 of the microfluidic chip 2, and closes the venting holes 17 by the adequate
presence of the lid 11. In the assembled device, the pipe 9 of the pump cartridge
3 is thus in fluid communication with the reservoirs 13 and 14 of the microfluidic
chip 2, and the whole microfluidic circuit is hermetically closed.
[0041] The assembled disposable flow chip device of the invention is ready for activation
of the fluids to detect and/or quantify one or more analyte(s) present in a biological
sample. The pipe 9 of the pump cartridge 3 is brought into contact with one or more
roller(s) 27 of the external peristaltic pump 4 in the analyzer. The sample reagent
is pumped into the micro-channel 18 and is processed by continuous dynamic flow until
it is detected in the detection zone 23 of the microfluidic chip 2.
Numeral references of the drawings
[0042]
- 1. Disposable flow chip device
- 2. Microfluidic chip
- 3. Pump cartridge
- 4. Peristaltic pump with rollers
- 5. Cavity for the pump pipe connector 10
- 6. Cavity for the venting holes lid 11
- 7. Pin
- 8. Snap fit pin
- 9. Pump pipe
- 10. Pump pipe connector
- 11. Venting holes lid
- 12. Connector complementary to the pump pipe connector 10
- 13. Sample reservoir
- 14. Buffer reservoir
- 15. Hole complementary to the pin
- 16. Hole complementary to the snap fit pin
- 17. Venting holes
- 18. Micro-channel
- 19. Connection channel
- 20. Proximal region
- 21. Distal region
- 22. Application region
- 23. Detection region
- 24. Absorption region
- 25. Venting channel
- 26. Sheet-like chromatographic strip
- 27. Pump rollers
1. Disposable flow chip device (1) comprising:
- a microfluidic chip (2) comprising two reservoirs (13, 14) being in fluidic communication
with a micro-channel (18), with one or more detection zone(s) (23) and with connectors
(12);
- a pump cartridge (3) comprising a pipe (9) able to be in contact, with one or more
roller(s) (27) of an external peristaltic pump (4), and hermetic connectors (10) complementary
to the microfluidic chip connectors (12); and wherein said pipe (9) is in fluid communication
with the reservoirs (13, 14) of the microfluidic chip (2), wherein the said reservoirs
(13, 14) are connected by means of venting channels (25) to venting holes (17) that
are hermetically sealed by a lid (11).
2. The disposable flow chip device (1) of claim 1, wherein the pipe (9) of the pump cartridge
(3) is in fluid communication with the reservoirs (13, 14) of the microfluidic chip
(2) by means of the hermetic connectors (10) which connect hermetically each end of
the pipe (9) to connectors (12) of the microfluidic chip (2).
3. The disposable flow chip of claim 1 or 2, wherein the microfluidic chip connectors
(12) are luers.
4. The disposable flow chip device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
pump cartridge (3) is manually or mechanically plugged into the microfluidic chip
(2) by means of complementary connectors (7, 8, 15, and 16).
5. The disposable flow chip device (1) of claim 4, wherein the pump cartridge (3) comprises
at least two pins (7, 8) plugged into complementary holes (15, 16) of the microfluidic
chip (2).
6. The disposable flow chip device (1) of claim 5, wherein the pin is a snap fit pin
(8).
7. The disposable flow chip device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
pipe (9) of the pump cartridge (3) is made of a material selected from the group consisting
of silicone or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM).
8. The disposable flow chip device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
micro-channel (18) has a diameter comprised between 10 µm and 900 µm.
9. The disposable flow chip device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
microfluidic chip (2) comprises:
- a sheet-like chromatographic device (26) in fluidic communication with the micro-channel
(18), said chromatographic device (26) comprising an application region (22), one
or more detection region(s) (23), wherein said detection region (23) comprises at
least one capture reagent specifically recognizing a labelled polynucleotide sequence
or a labelled polypeptide to generate a specific signal.
10. The disposable flow chip device (1) of claim 9, wherein the micro-channel (18) comprises
multiple loops crossing at least two different temperature zones, each zone having
a constant temperature and wherein said loops are configured for multiple amplification
cycles of a PCR.
11. The disposable flow chip device (1) of claim 10, wherein the micro-channel (18) comprises
multiple loops crossing three different temperature zones.
12. A method to detect and/or quantify one or more analyte(s) possibly present in a biological
sample, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing the disposable flow chip device (1) according to any of the claims 1 to
11,
- providing one or more analyte(s) comprising a target polynucleotide sequence or
polypeptide specific of the said analyte(s),
- filling the reservoir (13) of said disposable flow chip device (1) with said one
or more analyte(s),
- submitting said one or more analyte(s) to a fluid flow within said disposable flow
chip device (1).
13. An apparatus to detect and/or quantify one or more analyte(s) possibly present in
a biological sample comprising:
- one or more disposable flow chip device(s) (1) according to any of the claims 1
to 11;
- a holder for holding said one or more disposable flow chip device(s) (1);
- a peristaltic pump (4) comprising multiple rollers (27) intended to contact the
pipe (9) of the pump cartridge (3);
- a heating device providing different temperature zones to the disposable flow chip
device (1);
- a detector for measuring a signal generated on the disposable flow chip device (1).
1. Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1), umfassend:
- einen Mikrofluidik-Chip (2), umfassend zwei Behälter (13, 14), die mit einem Mikrokanal
(18) in fluidischer Verbindung stehen, mit mindestens einem Erkennungsbereich (23)
und mit Verbindern (12);
- eine Pumpkartusche (3), umfassend ein Rohr (9), das mindestens eine Walze (27) einer
externen Schlauchpumpe (4) kontaktieren kann, und hermetische Verbindungen (10), die
die Verbinder (12) des Mikrofluidik-Chips ergänzen, und wobei das besagte Rohr (9)
mit den Behältern (13, 14) des Mikrofluidik-Chips (2) in fluidischer Verbindung steht,
wobei die besagten Behälter (13, 14) über Ablasskanäle (25) an Ablassöffnungen (17)
angeschlossen sind, die von einem Deckel (11) hermetisch verschlossen sind.
2. Die Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Rohr (9) der Pumpkartusche
(3) mit den Behältern (13, 14) des Mikrofluidik-Chips (2) über die hermetischen Verbindungen
(10), die jedes Ende des Rohrs (9) mit Verbindern (12) des Mikrofluidik-Chips (2)
hermetisch verbinden, in fluidischer Verbindung steht.
3. Der Einweg-Fluss-Chip nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Verbinder (12) des Mikrofluidik-Chips
Luer-Konnektoren sind.
4. Die Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) nach irgendeinem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
wobei die Pumpkartusche (3) über komplementäre Verbinder (7, 8, 15 und 16) manuell
oder mechanisch in den Mikrofluidik-Chip (2) eingesteckt wird.
5. Die Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Pumpkartusche (3)
mindestens zwei Stifte (7, 8) umfasst, die in komplementäre Öffnungen (15, 16) des
Mikrofluidik-Chips (2) eingesteckt sind.
6. Die Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 5, wobei der Stift ein Einraststift
(8) ist.
7. Die Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) nach irgendeinem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
wobei das Rohr (9) der Pumpkartusche (3) aus einem aus der Gruppe von Silikon oder
Ethylenpropylendienmonomer (EPDM) gewählten Material besteht.
8. Die Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) nach irgendeinem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
wobei der Mikrokanal (18) einen Durchmesser zwischen 10 µm und 900 µm aufweist.
9. Die Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) nach irgendeinem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
wobei der Mikrofluidik-Chip (2) umfasst:
- eine flächige Chromatographievorrichtung (26), die mit dem Mikrokanal (18) in fluidischer
Verbindung steht, wobei die besagte Chromatographievorrichtung (26) einen Anwendungsbereich
(22), mindestens einen Erkennungsbereich (23) umfasst, wobei der besagte Erkennungsbereich
(23) mindestens ein Erfassungsreagenz umfasst, das eine markierte Polynukleotidsequenz
oder ein markiertes Polypeptid spezifisch erkennt, um ein spezifisches Signal zu erzeugen.
10. Die Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 9, wobei der Mikrokanal (18) mehrere
Schlaufen umfasst, die mindestens zwei unterschiedliche Temperaturbereiche durchqueren,
wobei jeder besagte Bereich eine konstante Temperatur aufweist und wobei die besagten
Schlaufen für mehrere Verstärkungszyklen einer PCR konfiguriert sind.
11. Die Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 10, wobei der Mikrokanal (18)
mehrere Schlaufen umfasst, die drei unterschiedliche Temperaturbereiche durchqueren.
12. Ein Verfahren zur Erkennung und/oder Quantifizierung mindestens eines Analyten, der
möglicherweise in einer biologischen Probe vorhanden ist, wobei das Verfahren die
Schritte umfasst:
- Vorsehen der Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1
- 11,
- Vorsehen mindestens eines Analyten, der eine Zielpolynukleotidsequenz oder ein für
den besagten mindestens einen Analyten spezifisches Polypeptid umfasst,
- Befüllen des Behälters (13) der Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) mit dem besagten
mindestens einen Analyten,
- Aussetzen des mindestens einen Analyten an einen Fluidfluss in der besagten Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung
(1).
13. Eine Vorrichtung zur Erkennung und/oder Quantifizierung mindestens eines Analyten,
der möglicherweise in einer biologischen Probe vorhanden ist, umfassend:
- mindestens eine Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 11,
- eine Halterung für des Halten der besagten mindestens einen Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung
(1);
- eine Schlauchpumpe (4), umfassend mehrere Walzen (27), die das Rohr (9) der Pumpkartusche
(3) kontaktieren sollen;
- einen Heizkörper, der die Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) mit mehreren unterschiedlichen
Temperaturbereichen versieht;
- einen Detektor zur Messung eines auf der Einweg-Fluss-Chip-Vorrichtung (1) erzeugten
Signals.
1. Puce de débit jetable (1) comprenant :
- une puce microfluidique (2) comprenant deux réservoirs (13, 14) en communication
fluidique avec un micro-canal (18), avec une ou plusieurs zone (s) de détection (23)
et avec des connecteurs (12) ;
- une cartouche de pompe (3) comprenant un conduit (9) qui peut être en contact avec
un ou plusieurs galet (s) (27) d'une pompe péristaltique externe (4), et des connecteurs
hermétiques (10) complémentaires aux connecteurs de la puce microfluidique (12) ;
et dans laquelle ledit conduit (9) est en communication fluidique avec les réservoirs
(13, 14) de la puce microfluidique (2), dans laquelle lesdits réservoirs (13, 14)
sont reliés à l'aide de canaux d'aération (25) à des orifices d'aération (17) qui
sont fermés hermétiquement par un capot (11).
2. Puce de débit jetable (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le conduit (9) de
la cartouche de pompe (3) est en communication fluidique avec les réservoirs (13,
14) de la puce microfluidique (2) à l'aide des connecteurs hermétiques (10) qui relient
hermétiquement chaque extrémité du conduit (9) aux connecteurs (12) de la puce microfluidique
(2).
3. Puce de débit jetable (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle les connecteurs
de la puce microfluidique (12) sont des raccords Luer.
4. Puce de débit jetable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle la cartouche de pompe (3) est branchée manuellement ou mécaniquement sur
la puce microfluidique (2) à l'aide de connecteurs complémentaires (7, 8, 15 et 16).
5. Puce de débit jetable (1) selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle la cartouche de
pompe (3) comprend au moins deux broches (7, 8) branchées sur des orifices complémentaires
(15, 16) de la puce microfluidique (2).
6. Puce de débit jetable (1) selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle la broche est une
broche encliquetable.
7. Puce de débit jetable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle le conduit (9) de la cartouche de pompe (3) est composé d'un matériau choisi
parmi le groupe consistant en du silicone ou un monomère d'éthylènepropylène-diène
(EPDM).
8. Puce de débit jetable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle le micro-canal (18) possède un diamètre compris entre 10 µm et 900 µm.
9. Puce de débit jetable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle la puce microfluidique (2) comprend :
- un dispositif chromatographique en forme de tigette (26) en communication fluidique
avec le micro-canal (18), ledit dispositif chromatographique (26) comprenant une zone
d'application (22), une ou plusieurs zone(s) de détection (23), dans laquelle ladite
zone de détection (23) comprend au moins un réactif de capture qui reconnaît spécifiquement
une séquence de polynucléotide marqué ou un polypeptide marqué afin de générer un
signal spécifique.
10. Puce de débit jetable (1) selon la revendication 9, dans laquelle le micro-canal (18)
comprend plusieurs boucles qui croisent au moins deux zones de température différentes,
chaque zone ayant une température constante, et dans laquelle lesdites boucles sont
configurées pour des cycles multiples d'amplification d'une PCR.
11. Puce de débit jetable (1) selon la revendication 10, dans laquelle le micro-canal
(18) comprend plusieurs boucles qui croisent trois zones de température différentes.
12. Méthode pour détecter et/ou de quantifier un ou plusieurs analyte(s) possiblement
présent(s) dans un échantillon biologique, la méthode comprenant les étapes de:
- fournir la puce de débit jetable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1
à 11,
- fournir un ou plusieurs analyte(s) comprenant une séquence de polynucléotide cible
ou un polypeptide cible spécifique dudit/desdits analyte(s),
- remplir le réservoir (13) de ladite puce de débit jetable (1) avec ledit ou lesdits
analyte(s),
- soumettre ledit ou lesdits analyte(s) à un écoulement de fluide dans ladite puce
de débit jetable (1).
13. Appareil de détection et/ou de quantification d'un ou plusieurs analyte(s), possiblement
présent(s) dans un échantillon biologique comprenant :
- une ou plusieurs puce(s) de débit (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 11 ;
- un support destiné à tenir ladite ou lesdites puce(s) de débit jetable(s) (1) ;
- une pompe péristaltique (4) comprenant plusieurs galets (27) destinés à entrer en
contact avec le conduit (9) de la cartouche de pompe (3) ;
- un dispositif de chauffage qui fournit différentes zones de température à la puce
de débit jetable (1) ;
- un détecteur destiné à mesurer un signal généré sur la puce de débit jetable (1).