Patent Grant
9802199
The technology described herein generally relates to systems for detecting polynucleotides in samples, particularly from biological samples. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides.
The medical diagnostics industry is a critical element of today's healthcare infrastructure. At present, however, diagnostic analyses no matter how routine have become a bottleneck in patient care. There are several reasons for this. First, many diagnostic analyses can only be done with highly specialist equipment that is both expensive and only operable by trained clinicians. Such equipment is found in only a few locations—often just one in any given urban area. This means that most hospitals are required to send out samples for analyses to these locations, thereby incurring shipping costs and transportation delays, and possibly even sample loss. Second, the equipment in question is typically not available ‘on-demand’ but instead runs in batches, thereby delaying the processing time for many samples because they must wait for a machine to fill up before they can be run.
Understanding that sample flow breaks down into several key steps, it would be desirable to consider ways to automate as many of these as possible. For example, a biological sample, once extracted from a patient, must be put in a form suitable for a processing regime that typically involves using PCR to amplify a vector of interest. Once amplified, the presence of a nucleotide of interest from the sample needs to be determined unambiguously. Sample preparation is a process that is susceptible to automation but is also relatively routinely carried out in almost any location. By contrast, steps such as PCR and nucleotide detection have customarily only been within the compass of specially trained individuals having access to specialist equipment.
There is a need for a method and apparatus of carrying out PCR and detection on prepared biological samples, and preferably with high throughput. In particular there is a need for an easy-to-use device that can deliver a diagnostic result on several samples in a short time.
The discussion of the background to the technology herein is included to explain the context of the technology. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.
Throughout the description and claims of the specification the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprising” and “comprises”, is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.
The present technology addresses systems for detecting polynucleotides in samples, particularly from biological samples. In particular, the technology relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides.
The present technology provides for a fluorescent detector, comprising: a LED emitting light of a specified color that excites a probe associated with one or more polynucleotides contained within a microfluidic channel; and a photodiode configured to collect emitted light of the specified color, wherein the photodiode is connected to a pre-amplifier circuit having a time-constant of less than about 1 s.
A diagnostic apparatus, comprising: one or more microfluidic channels configured to amplify one or more polynucleotides; and one or more fluorescence detectors configured to detect presence of the one or more polynucleotides in the one or more channels by detecting fluorescent light emitted from a probe associated with the one or more polynucleotides, wherein the one or more detectors each comprise: a first LED emitting light of a first color; a second LED emitting light of a second color; a first photodiode configured to collect emitted light of the first color; a second photodiode configured to collect emitted light of the second color; and wherein the first and second photodiodes are each connected to a pre-amplifier circuit having a time-constant of less than of about 1 second. In certain embodiments, the time constant is 50-100 ms.
In certain other embodiments, the pre-amplifier circuit further comprises a resistor having a resistance in excess of 0.5 GΩ.
The detector can be configured to detect fluorescence from one or more microfluidic channels in a removable microfluidic cartridge, such as disposed within a receiving bay in the apparatus.
The technology further provides for a diagnostic apparatus, comprising: one or more microfluidic channels configured to amplify one or more polynucleotides; and one or more fluorescence detectors configured to detect presence of the one or more polynucleotides in the one or more channels by detecting fluorescent light emitted from a probe associated with the one or more polynucleotides, wherein the one or more detectors each comprise: a LED emitting light of a specified color that excites the probe; a photodiode configured to collect emitted light of the specified color; and wherein the photodiode is connected to a pre-amplifier circuit having a time-constant of less than about 1 s.
The technology further provides for a diagnostic apparatus, comprising: one or more microfluidic channels configured to amplify one or more polynucleotides; and one or more fluorescence detectors configured to detect presence of the one or more polynucleotides in the one or more channels by detecting fluorescent light emitted from a probe associated with the one or more polynucleotides, wherein the one or more detectors each comprise: a first LED emitting light of a first color; a second LED emitting light of a second color; a first photodiode configured to collect emitted light of the first color; a second photodiode configured to collect emitted light of the second color; and wherein the first and second photodiodes are each connected to a pre-amplifier circuit having a Gain of about 109.
The details of one or more embodiments of the technology are set forth in the accompanying drawings and further description herein. Other features, objects, and advantages of the technology will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Overview
One aspect of the present technology relates to a fluorescence detection system for use with a microfluidic-based diagnostic system. In particular, the detection system described herein is configured to detect presence of a nucleotide amplified by, e.g., a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in a microfluidic channel. It is to be understood that, unless specifically made clear to the contrary, where the term PCR is used herein, any variant of PCR including but not limited to real-time and quantitative, and any other form of polynucleotide amplification is intended to be encompassed.
As further described herein, a microfluidic channel, within which presence of an analyte is detected by the detection system, is typically a chamber or a reactor, such as a PCR reactor, wherein a sample is subjected to a temperature protocol that causes one or more reactions to occur.
Channels of a microfluidic network in a lane of a microfluidic substrate, such as in a cartridge, typically have at least one sub-millimeter cross-sectional dimension. For example, channels of such a network may have a width and/or a depth of about 1 mm or less (e.g., about 750 microns or less, about 500 microns, or less, about 250 microns or less).
By microfluidic, as used herein, is meant that volumes of sample, and/or reagent, and/or amplified polynucleotide are from about 0.1 Tl to about 999 Tl, such as from 1-100 Tl, or from 2-25 Tl. Similarly, as applied to a cartridge, the term microfluidic means that various components and channels of the cartridge, as further described herein, are configured to accept, and/or retain, and/or facilitate passage of microfluidic volumes of sample, reagent, or amplified polynucleotide.
Furthermore, the detection system can be configured to simultaneously detect presence of several nucleotides, distributed amongst several microfluidic channels. The microfluidic channel or channels may be in, for example, a microfluidic substrate, such as found in a microfluidic cartridge, with which the detector is in communication. In particular, the detection system is configured to detect very weak signals as are characteristic of samples having very small effective amounts of the analyte (e.g., polynucleotide) whose presence is being determined. The detector is typically mounted within an apparatus that controls the progress of the amplification reaction in the one or more microfluidic channels, such as by controlled selective application of localized heat to the one or more channels, wherein the apparatus is also typically able to accept user instructions as input, and to provide the result of detection as an output. Other characteristics of such an apparatus are described further herein.
Embodiments of the optical system described herein are configured to measure fluorescence from a real-time PCR reaction but it would be understood that the principles involved could be transferred to monitoring other reactions on the same or similar scales. The process amplifies a single copy of target DNA into millions or billions of copies depending on the number of PCR cycles performed in the reaction. As most of the real-time PCR reaction systems such as Taqman or Scorpion chemistries involve one to one correspondence between the number of target DNA copies and the number of fluorescent probes, the amount of fluorescence emanating from a reaction volume should be detectable by a sensitive fluorescent detection system, as is described herein. Assuming the PCR reaction is 100% efficient, the sensitivity of the PCR system is proportional to the detection volume seen by the photodetector. However, as DNA molecules will diffuse approximately a millimeter over a time of 14-20 minutes (the typical total time required to perform 45 cycles of PCR according to methods described herein) and the probe molecules may diffuse an even greater distance than DNA (probe molecules are much smaller than template DNA molecules), the detection volume can be slightly smaller than the full reaction volume in order to detect each and every copy of DNA initially present in the reactor at the start of the reaction. The detection volume may thus be 80% of, or as low as 50% of, the reaction volume.
The microfluidic PCR reactor used herein is typically a straight microchannel, 0.3 mm deep and 1.5 mm wide. Depending on the required reaction volume, the length of the reactor can be from 10 mm to 20 mm. The width of the channel can be varied from 100 microns to 3 mm to be able to use the same geometry of PCR heaters to maintain desired temperature uniformity and speed of heating (which depends on effective thermal mass heated by the heaters). The depth of the channel can also be increased to 350 microns or 400 microns without incurring loss of uniformity of temperature.
Fluorescence Detection System, Including Lenses and Filters, and Multiple Parallel Detection for a Multi-Lane Cartridge
The detection system herein is configured to monitor fluorescence coming from one or more species involved in a biochemical reaction. The system can be, for example, an optical detector having a light source that selectively emits light in an absorption band of a fluorescent dye, and a light detector that selectively detects light in an emission band of the fluorescent dye, wherein the fluorescent dye corresponds to a fluorescent polynucleotide probe or a fragment thereof, as further described elsewhere herein. Alternatively, the optical detector can include a bandpass-filtered diode that selectively emits light in the absorption band of the fluorescent dye and a bandpass filtered photodiode that selectively detects light in the emission band of the fluorescent dye. For example, the optical detector can be configured to independently detect a plurality of fluorescent dyes having different fluorescent emission spectra, wherein each fluorescent dye corresponds to a fluorescent polynucleotide probe or a fragment thereof. For example, the optical detector can be configured to independently detect a plurality of fluorescent dyes at a plurality of different locations of, for example, a microfluidic substrate, wherein each fluorescent dye corresponds to a fluorescent polynucleotide probe or a fragment thereof. The detector further has potential for 2, 3 or 4 color detection and is controlled by software, preferably custom software, configured to sample information from the detector.
The detection system described herein is capable of detecting a fluorescence signal from nanoliter scale PCR reactions. Advantageously, the detector is formed from inexpensive components, having no moving parts. The detector can be configured to couple to a microfluidic cartridge as further described herein, and can also be part of a pressure application system, such as a sliding lid on an apparatus in which the detector is situated, that keeps the cartridge in place.
Each of the detection systems multiplexed in the assembly of
Detection Sensitivity, Time Constant and Gain
A typical circuit that includes a detector as described herein includes, in series, a preamplifier, a buffer/inverter, a filter, and a digitizer. Sensitivity is important so that high gain is very desirable. In one embodiment of the preamplifier, a very large, for example 100 GΩ, resistor is placed in parallel with the diode. Other values of a resistor would be consistent with the technology herein: such values typically fall in the range 0.5-100 GΩ, such as 1-50 GΩ, or 2-10 GΩ. An exemplary pre-amplifier circuit configured in this way is shown in
The
A resistor-capacitor circuit in
As the resistance value for R25 is very high (˜100 GΩ), the manner of assembly of this resistor on the optics board is important for the overall efficiency of the circuit. Effective cleaning of the circuit during assembly and before use is important to achieve an optimal time-constant and gain for the optics circuit.
It is also important to test each photo-diode that is used, because many do not perform according to specification.
Sensitivity and Aperturing
The LED light passes through a filter before passing through the sample in the micro-fluidic channel (as described herein, typically 300 T deep). This is a very small optical path-length for the light in the sample. The generated fluorescence then also goes through a second filter, and into a photo-detector. Ultimately, then, the detector must be capable of detecting very little fluorescence. Various aspects of the detector configuration can improve sensitivity, however.
The illumination optics can be designed so that the excitation light falling on the PCR reactor is incident along an area that is similar to the shape of the reactor. As the reactor is typically long and narrow, the illumination spot should be long and narrow, i.e., extended, as well. The length of the spot can be adjusted by altering a number of factors, including: the diameter of the bore where the LED is placed (the tube that holds the filter and lens has an aperturing effect); the distance of the LED from the PCR reactor; and the use of proper lens at the right distance in between. As the width of the beam incident on the reactor is determined by the bore of the optical element (approximately 6 mm in diameter), it is typical to use an aperture (a slit having a width approximately equal to the width of the reactor, and a length equal to the length of the detection volume) to make an optimal illumination spot. A typical spot, then, is commensurate with the dimensions of a PCR reaction chamber, for example 1.5 mm wide by 7 mm long.
The optimal spot size and intensity is importantly dependent on the ability to maintain the correct position of the LED's with respect to the center of the optical axis. Special alignment procedures and checks can be utilized to optimize this. The different illuminations can also be normalized with respect to each other by adjusting the power current through each of the LED's or adjusting the fluorescence collection time (the duration for which the photodetector is on before measuring the voltage) for each detection spot. It is also important to align the detectors with the axis of the micro-channels.
The aperturing is also important for successful fluorescence detection because as the cross-sectional area of the incident beam increases in size, so the background fluorescence increases, and the fluorescence attributable only to the molecules of interest (PCR probes) gets masked. Thus, as the beam area increases, the use of an aperture increases the proportion of collected fluorescence that originates only from the PCR reactor. Note that the aperture used in the detector herein not only helps collect fluorescence only from the reaction volume but it correspondingly adjusts the excitation light to mostly excite the reaction volume. The excitation and emission aperture is, of course, the same.
Based on a typical geometry of the optical excitation and emission system and aperturing, show spot sizes as small as 0.5 mm by 0.5 mm and as long as 8 mm×1.5 mm have been found to be effective. By using a long detector (having an active area 6 mm by 1 mm) and proper lensing, the aperture design can extend the detection spot to as long as 15-20 mm, while maintaining a width of 1-2 mm using an aperture. Correspondingly, the background fluorescence decreases as the spot size is decreased, thereby increasing the detection sensitivity.
Use of Detection System to Measure/Detect Fluid in PCR Chamber
The fluorescence detector is sensitive enough to be able to collect fluorescence light from a PCR chamber of a microfluidic substrate. The detector can also be used to detect the presence of liquid in the chamber, a measurement that provides a determination of whether or not to carry out a PCR cycle for that chamber. For example, in a multi-sample cartridge, not all chambers will have been loaded with sample; for those that are not, it would be unnecessary to apply a heating protocol thereto. One way to determine presence or absence of a liquid is as follows. A background reading is taken prior to filling the chamber with liquid. Another reading is taken after microfluidic operations have been performed that should result in filling the PCR chamber with liquid. The presence of liquid alters the fluorescence reading from the chamber. A programmable threshold value can be used to tune an algorithm programmed into a processor that controls operation of the apparatus as further described herein (for example, the second reading has to exceed the first reading by 20%). If the two readings do not differ beyond the programmed margin, the liquid is deemed to not have entered the chamber, and a PCR cycle is not initiated for that chamber. Instead, a warning is issued to a user.
Microfluidic Cartridge
Where the microfluidic channels that contain analytes detected by the detection system are situated in a microfluidic cartridge, the cartridge typically has attributes as follows. The microfluidic cartridge is designed so that it receives thermal energy from one or more heating elements present in the heater unit described elsewhere herein when it is in thermal communication therewith. The heater unit may be part of an apparatus, configured to receive the cartridge, and comprising other features such as control circuitry, user interface, and detector, as well as still other features. An exemplary such apparatus is further described herein; additional embodiments of such a apparatus are found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/985,577, entitled “Microfluidic System for Amplifying and Detecting Polynucleotides in Parallel”, and filed on even date herewith, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
By cartridge is meant a unit that may be disposable, or reusable in whole or in part, and that is configured to be used in conjunction with some other apparatus that has been suitably and complementarily configured to receive and operate on (such as deliver energy to via a heater module as described herein) the cartridge.
One aspect of the present technology relates to a detector that is configured to selectively detect analytes in a microfluidic cartridge having two or more sample lanes arranged so that analyses can be carried out in two or more of the lanes in parallel, for example simultaneously, and wherein each lane is independently associated with a given sample.
A sample lane, as found in a microfluidic cartridge, is an independently controllable set of elements by which a sample can be analyzed, for example by carrying out PCR on a sample in which the presence or absence of one or more polynucleotides is to be determined, according to methods described in, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/940,310, entitled “Microfluidic Cartridge and Method of Making Same”, and filed on even date herewith. A sample lane comprises at least a sample inlet, and a microfluidic network having one or more microfluidic components, as further described herein.
In various embodiments, a sample lane of a microfluidic cartridge can include a sample inlet port or valve, and a microfluidic network that comprises, in fluidic communication one or more components selected from the group consisting of: at least one thermally actuated valve, a bubble removal vent, at least one gate, at least one thermally actuated pump, a downstream thermally actuated valve, mixing channels, one or more positioning elements, and a PCR reaction zone. The detector described herein can be configured to detect light emitted from any one of the foregoing microfluidic components, but is typically configured to detect light from a reaction chamber.
In various embodiments, the microfluidic network can be configured to couple heat from an external heat source, such as provided by a heater unit described elsewhere herein, to a sample mixture comprising PCR reagent and neutralized polynucleotide sample under thermal cycling conditions suitable for creating PCR amplicons from the neutralized polynucleotide sample.
A multi-lane cartridge is typically configured to accept a number of samples in series or in parallel, in particular embodiments 12 samples and in other embodiments 24, or 48 samples, wherein the samples include at least a first sample and a second sample, wherein the first sample and the second sample each contain one or more polynucleotides in a form suitable for amplification. The polynucleotides in question may be the same as, or different from one another, in different samples and hence in different lanes of the cartridge. The cartridge typically processes each sample by increasing the concentration of a polynucleotide to be determined and/or by reducing the concentration of inhibitors relative to the concentration of polynucleotide to be determined.
Exemplary Microfluidic Cartridges
A multi-sample cartridge comprises at least a first microfluidic network and a second microfluidic network, adjacent to one another, wherein each of the first microfluidic network and the second microfluidic network is as elsewhere described herein, and wherein the first microfluidic network accepts the first sample, and wherein the second microfluidic network accepts the second sample.
In some embodiments, the multi-sample cartridge has a size substantially the same as that of a 96-well plate as is customarily used in the art. Advantageously, then, the cartridge may be used with plate handlers used elsewhere in the art.
The sample inlets of adjacent sample lanes in a multi-sample cartridge are reasonably spaced apart from one another to prevent any contamination of one sample inlet from another sample when a user introduces a sample into any one cartridge. In an embodiment, the sample inlets are configured so as to prevent subsequent inadvertent introduction of sample into a given lane after a sample has already been introduced into that lane. Thus, the elements of the detector described herein are engineered to be compatible with the overall cartridge size and the separation between the respective lanes.
In other embodiments, the multi-sample cartridge is designed so that a spacing between the centroids of sample inlets is 9 mm, which is an industry-recognized standard. This means that, in certain embodiments the center-to-center distance between inlet holes in the cartridge that accept samples from PCR tubes, as further described herein, is 9 mm. The inlet holes are manufactured conical in shape with an appropriate conical angle so that industry-standard pipette tips (2 μl, 20 μl, 200 μl, volumes, etc.) fit snugly. The apparatus herein may be adapted to suit other, later-arising, industry standards not otherwise described herein.
In use, cartridge 200 is typically thermally associated with an array of heat sources configured to operate the components (e.g., valves, gates, actuators, and processing region 210) of the device. Particular components of exemplary microfluidic networks are further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/940,310, entitled “Microfluidic Cartridge and Method of Making Same” and filed on even date herewith.
The cartridge can further include a heat sealable laminate layer (typically between about 100 and about 125 microns thick) attached to the bottom surface of a microfluidic substrate using, for example, heat bonding. The cartridge can further include a thermal interface material layer (typically about 125 microns thick), attached to the bottom of the heat sealable laminate layer using, for example, pressure sensitive adhesive. This layer can be compressible and have a higher thermal conductivity than common plastics, thereby serving to transfer heat across the membrane more efficiently to the components of the microfluidic network.
The application of pressure to contact the cartridge to the heater unit assists in achieving better thermal contact between the heater and the heat-receivable parts of the cartridge, and also prevents the bottom laminate structure—where present—from expanding, as would happen if the PCR channel was partially filled with liquid so that the entrapped air would be thermally expanded during thermocycling.
Further aspects of a microfluidic cartridge that adapt it to carrying out PCR efficiently are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/940,310, entitled “Microfluidic Cartridge and Method of Making Same” and filed on even date herewith, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Microfluidic cartridge 200 can be fabricated as desired, for example, according to methods described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/940,310, entitled “Microfluidic Cartridge and Method of Making Same” and filed on even date herewith.
Highly Multiplexed Cartridge Embodiments
Embodiments of the apparatus and cartridge described herein may be constructed that have high-density microfluidic circuitry on a single cartridge that thereby permit processing of multiple samples in parallel, or in sequence, on a single cartridge. Preferred numbers of such multiple samples include 24, 36, 40, 48, 50, 60, 64, 72, 80, 84, 96, and 100, but it would be understood that still other numbers are consistent with the apparatus and cartridge herein, where deemed convenient and practical.
Accordingly, different configurations of lanes, sample inlets, and associated heater networks are contemplated that can facilitate processing such numbers of samples on a single cartridge are within the scope of the instant disclosure. Similarly, alternative configurations of detectors and heating elements for use in conjunction with such a highly multiplexed cartridge are also within the scope of the description herein.
It is also to be understood that the microfluidic cartridges and substrates described herein are not to be limited to rectangular configurations, but can include cartridges having circular, elliptical, triangular, rhombohedral, square, and other shapes. Such shapes may also be adapted to include some irregularity, such as a cut-out, to facilitate placement in a complementary apparatus as further described elsewhere herein.
In an exemplary embodiment, a highly multiplexed cartridge has 48 sample lanes, and permits independent control of each valve in each lane, with 2 banks of thermocycling protocols per lane, as shown in
The various embodiments shown in
In another preferred embodiment (not shown in the FIGS.), a cartridge and apparatus is configured so that the read-head does not cover the sample inlets, thereby permitting loading of separate samples while other samples are undergoing PCR thermocycling.
PCR Reagent Mixtures
PCR reagent mixes, and methods of preparation and use thereof, are generally known in the art. Herein, general aspects of such methods are described, as they can be used with the apparatus and detection system. In various embodiments, the sample for introduction into a lane of the cartridge can include a PCR reagent mixture comprising a polymerase enzyme and a plurality of nucleotides, and at least one probe that selectively emits light detected by the detection system herein.
In various embodiments, preparation of a PCR-ready sample for use with an apparatus and cartridge as described herein can include contacting a neutralized polynucleotide sample with a PCR reagent mixture comprising a polymerase enzyme and a plurality of nucleotides (in some embodiments, the PCR reagent mixture can further include a positive control plasmid and a fluorogenic hybridization probe selective for at least a portion of the plasmid). Other aspects of suitable PCR reagent mixture, for example lyophilized formulations, are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/940,310, entitled “Microfluidic Cartridge and Method of Making Same”, filed on even date herewith.
In various embodiments, the PCR-ready sample can include at least one probe that is selective for a polynucleotide sequence, e.g., the polynucleotide sequence that is characteristic of a pathogen selected from the group consisting of gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria, yeast, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. Steps by which such a PCR-ready sample is prepared involve contacting the neutralized polynucleotide sample or a PCR amplicon thereof with the probe. The probe can be a fluorogenic hybridization probe. The fluorogenic hybridization probe can include a polynucleotide sequence coupled to a fluorescent reporter dye and a fluorescence quencher dye.
In various embodiments, the PCR-ready sample further includes a sample buffer.
In various embodiments, the PCR reagent mixture can further include a polymerase enzyme, a positive control plasmid and a fluorogenic hybridization probe selective for at least a portion of the plasmid.
It is envisaged that the detection system herein is operable with any probe suitable for use in detecting a particular polynucleotide. The choice and use of a suitable probe is within the capability of one skilled in the art. In various embodiments, the probe can be selective for a polynucleotide sequence that is characteristic of an organism, for example any organism that employs deoxyribonucleic acid or ribonucleic acid polynucleotides. Thus, the probe can be selective for any organism. Suitable organisms include mammals (including humans), birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, domesticated animals, wild animals, extinct organisms, bacteria, fungi, viruses, plants, and the like. The probe can also be selective for components of organisms that employ their own polynucleotides, for example mitochondria. In some embodiments, the probe is selective for microorganisms, for example, organisms used in food production (for example, yeasts employed in fermented products, molds or bacteria employed in cheeses, and the like) or pathogens (e.g., of humans, domesticated or wild mammals, domesticated or wild birds, and the like). In some embodiments, the probe is selective for organisms selected from the group consisting of gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria, yeast, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.
In various embodiments, the probe can be selective for a polynucleotide sequence that is characteristic of an organism selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus spp., e.g., S. epidermidis, S. aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus; Streptococcus(e.g., α, β or γ-hemolytic, Group A, B, C, D or G) such as S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae; E. faecalis, E. durans, and E. faecium (formerly S. faecalis, S. durans, S. faecium); nonenterococcal group D streptococci, e.g., S. bovis and S. equines; Streptococci viridans, e.g., S. mutans, S. sanguis, S. salivarius, S. mitior, A. milleri, S. constellatus, S. intermedius, and S. anginosus; S. iniae; S. pneumoniae; Neisseria, e.g., N. meningitides, N. gonorrhoeae, saprophytic Neisseria sp; Erysipelothrix, e.g., E. rhusiopathiae; Listeria spp., e.g., L. monocytogenes, rarely L. ivanovii and L. seeligeri; Bacillus, e.g., B. anthracis, B. cereus, B. subtilis, B. subtilis niger, B. thuringiensis; Nocardia asteroids; Legionella, e.g., L. pneumophila, Pneumocystis, e.g., P. carinii; Enterobacteriaceae such as Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia (e.g., E. coli, E. coliO157:H7); Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, Proteus, Morganella, Providencia, Yersinia, and the like, e.g., Salmonella, e.g., S. typhi S. paratyphi A, B (S. schottmuelleri), and C (S. hirschfeldii), S. dublin S. choleraesuis, S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium, S. heidelberg, S. newport, S. infantis, S. agona, S. montevideo, and S. saint-paul; Shigella e.g., subgroups: A, B, C, and D, such as S. flexneri, S. sonnei, S. boydii, S. dysenteriae; Proteus (P. mirabilis, P. vulgaris, and P. myxofaciens), Morganella (M. morganii); Providencia (P. rettgeri, P. alcalifaciens, and P. stuartii); Yersinia, e.g., Y. pestis, Y. enterocolitica; Haemophilus, e.g., H. influenzae, H. parainfluenzae H. aphrophilus, H. ducreyi; Brucella, e.g., B. abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis, B. canis; Francisella, e.g., F. tularensis; Pseudomonas, e.g., P. aeruginosa, P. paucimobilis, P. putida, P. fluorescens, P. acidovorans, Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) pseudomallei, Burkholderia mallei, Burkholderia cepacia and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia; Campylobacter, e.g., C. fetus fetus, C. jejuni, C. pylori (Helicobacter pylori); Vibrio, e.g., V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. mimicus, V. alginolyticus, V. hollisae, V. vulnificus, and the nonagglutinable vibrios; Clostridia, e.g., C. perfringens, C. tetani, C. difficile, C. botulinum; Actinomyces, e.g., A. israelii; Bacteroides, e.g., B. fragilis, B. thetaiotaomicron, B. distasonis, B. vulgatus, B. ovatus, B. caccae, and B. merdae; Prevotella, e.g., P. melaninogenica; genus Fusobacterium; Treponema, e.g. T. pallidum subspecies endemicum, T. pallidum subspecies pertenue, T. carateum, and T. pallidum subspecies pallidum; genus Borrelia, e.g., B burgdorferi; genus Leptospira; Streptobacillus, e.g., S. moniliformis; Spirillum, e.g., S. minus; Mycobacterium, e.g., M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, M. avium M. intracellulare, M. kansasii, M. xenopi, M. marinum, M. ulcerans, the M. fortuitum complex (M. fortuitum and M. chelonae), M. leprae, M. asiaticum, M. chelonae subsp. abscessus, M. fallax, M. fortuitum, M. malmoense, M. shimoidei, M. simiae, M. szulgai, M. xenopi; Mycoplasma, e.g., M. hominis, M. orale, M. salivarium, M. fermentans, M. pneumoniae, M. bovis, M. tuberculosis, M. avium, M. leprae; Mycoplasma, e.g., M. genitalium; Ureaplasma, e.g., U. urealyticum; Trichomonas, e.g., T. vaginalis; Cryptococcus, e.g., C. neoformans; Histoplasma, e.g., H. capsulatum; Candida, e.g., C. albicans; Aspergillus sp; Coccidioides, e.g., C. immitis; Blastomyces, e.g. B. dermatitidis; Paracoccidioides, e.g., P. brasiliensis; Penicillium, e.g., P. marneffei; Sporothrix, e.g., S. schenckii; Rhizopus, Rhizomucor, Absidia, and Basidiobolus; diseases caused by Bipolaris, Cladophialophora, Cladosporium, Drechslera, Exophiala, Fonsecaea, Phialophora, Xylohypha, Ochroconis, Rhinocladiella, Scolecobasidium, and Wangiella; Trichosporon, e.g., T. beigelii; Blastoschizomyces, e.g., B. capitatus; Plasmodium, e.g., P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae; Babesia sp; protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma, e.g., T. cruzi; Leishmania, e.g., L. donovani, L. major L. tropica, L. mexicana, L. braziliensis, L. viannia braziliensis; Toxoplasma, e.g., T. gondii; Amoebas of the genera Naegleria or Acanthamoeba; Entamoeba histolytica; Giardia lamblia; genus Cryptosporidium, e.g., C. parvum; Isospora belli; Cyclospora cayetanensis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Trichuris trichiura; Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus; Strongyloides stercoralis Toxocara, e.g., T. canis, T. cati; Baylisascaris, e.g., B. procyonis; Trichinella, e.g., T. spiralis; Dracunculus, e.g., D. medinensis; genus Filarioidea; Wuchereria bancrofti; Brugia, e.g., B. malayi, or B. timori; Onchocerca volvulus; Loa loa; Dirofilaria immitis; genus Schistosoma, e.g., S. japonicum, S. mansoni, S. mekongi, S. intercalatum, S. haematobium; Paragonimus, e.g., P. Westermani, P. Skrjabini; Clonorchis sinensis; Fasciola hepatica; Opisthorchis sp; Fasciolopsis buski; Diphyllobothrium latum; Taenia, e.g., T. saginata, T. solium; Echinococcus, e.g., E. granulosus, E. multilocularis; Picornaviruses, rhinoviruses echoviruses, coxsackieviruses, influenza virus; paramyxoviruses, e.g., types 1, 2, 3, and 4; adenoviruses; Herpesviruses, e.g., HSV-1 and HSV-2; varicella-zoster virus; human T-lymphotropicvirus (type I and type II); Arboviruses and Arenaviruses; Togaviridae, Flaviviridae, Bunyaviridae, Reoviridae; Flavivirus; Hantavirus; Viral encephalitis (alphaviruses [e.g., Venezuelan equine encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis]); Viral hemorrhagic fevers (filoviruses [e.g., Ebola, Marburg] and arenaviruses [e.g., Lassa, Machupo]); Smallpox (variola); retroviruses e.g., human immunodeficiency viruses 1 and 2; human papillomavirus [HPV] types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, and 35.
In various embodiments, the probe can be selective for a polynucleotide sequence that is characteristic of an organisms selected from the group consisting of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter Baumannii, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterococcus faecium, vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), Streptococcus viridans, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus Group B, Streptococcus Group C, Streptococcus Group G, Streptococcus Group F, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Micrococcus sps., Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Salmonella sps., Chlamydia trachomatis, Peptostreptococcus productus, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Lactobacillus fermentum, Eubacterium lentum, Candida glabrata, Candida albicans, Chlamydia spp., Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., smallpox (variola major), Yersinia Pestis, Herpes Simplex Virus I (HSV I), and Herpes Simplex Virus II (HSV II).
In various embodiments, the probe can be selective for a polynucleotide sequence that is characteristic of Group B Streptococcus.
In various embodiments, a method of carrying out PCR on a sample can further include one or more of the following steps: heating the biological sample in a microfluidic channel; pressurizing the biological sample in the microfluidic channel at a pressure differential compared to ambient pressure of between about 20 kilopascals and 200 kilopascals, or in some embodiments between about 70 kilopascals and 110 kilopascals.
In some embodiments, the method for sampling a polynucleotide can include the steps of: placing a microfluidic cartridge containing a PCR-ready sample in a receiving bay of a suitably configured apparatus; carrying out PCR on the sample under thermal cycling conditions suitable for creating PCR amplicons from the neutralized polynucleotide in the sample, the PCR-ready sample comprising a polymerase enzyme, a positive control plasmid, a fluorogenic hybridization probe selective for at least a portion of the plasmid, and a plurality of nucleotides; contacting the neutralized polynucleotide sample or a PCR amplicon thereof with the at least one fluorogenic probe that is selective for a polynucleotide sequence, wherein the probe is selective for a polynucleotide sequence that is characteristic of an organism selected from the group consisting of gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria, yeast, fungi, protozoa, and viruses; and detecting the fluorogenic probe, the presence of the organism for which the one fluorogenic probe is selective is determined.
Carrying out PCR on a PCR-ready sample can additionally include: independently contacting each of the neutralized polynucleotide sample and a negative control polynucleotide with the PCR reagent mixture under thermal cycling conditions suitable for independently creating PCR amplicons of the neutralized polynucleotide sample and PCR amplicons of the negative control polynucleotide; and/or contacting the neutralized polynucleotide sample or a PCR amplicon thereof and the negative control polynucleotide or a PCR amplicon thereof with at least one probe that is selective for a polynucleotide sequence.
In various embodiments, a method of using the apparatus and detection system described herein can further include one or more of the following steps: determining the presence of a polynucleotide sequence in the biological sample, the polynucleotide sequence corresponding to the probe, if the probe is detected in the neutralized polynucleotide sample or a PCR amplicon thereof; determining that the sample was contaminated if the probe is detected in the negative control polynucleotide or a PCR amplicon thereof; and/or in some embodiments, wherein the PCR reagent mixture further comprises a positive control plasmid and a plasmid probe selective for at least a portion of the plasmid, the method further including determining that a PCR amplification has occurred if the plasmid probe is detected.
Heater Configurations to Ensure Uniform Heating of a Region
In general, the microfluidic channels in which the presence or absence of one or more analytes is determined by the detection system described herein are disposed in thermal contact with a dedicated heater unit. For example, the microfluidic cartridges described herein are typically configured to position in a complementary receiving bay in an apparatus that contains a heater unit. The heater unit is configured to deliver heat to specific microfluidic channels, such as specific regions of the cartridge, including but not limited to one or more microfluidic components, at specific times. For example, the heat source is configured so that particular heating elements are situated adjacent to specific components of a microfluidic network. In certain embodiments, the apparatus uniformly controls the heating of a region of a microfluidic network. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple heaters can be configured to simultaneously and uniformly heat a region, such as the PCR reaction chamber, of a microfluidic network.
Generally, the heating of microfluidic components, such as a PCR reaction chamber, is controlled by passing currents through suitably configured microfabricated heaters. Under control of suitable circuitry, the lanes of a multi-lane cartridge can then be controlled independently of one another. This can lead to a greater energy efficiency of the apparatus, because not all heaters are heating at the same time, and a given heater is receiving current for only that fraction of the time when it is required to heat. Control systems and methods of controllably heating various heating elements are further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/940,315, filed Nov. 14, 2007 and entitled “Heater Unit for Microfluidic Diagnostic System”.
An exemplary such heater array is shown in
Referring to
The configuration for uniform heating, shown in
Alignment of microheaters in the heater module with corresponding heat-requiring microcomponents (such as valves, pumps, gates, reaction chambers, etc). The microheaters can be designed to be slightly bigger than the heat requiring microfluidic components so that even though the cartridge may be off-centered from the heater, the individual components can still function effectively.
In other embodiments, as further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/940,315, filed Nov. 14, 2007 and entitled “Heater Unit for Microfluidic Diagnostic System”, the heaters may have an associated temperature sensor, or may themselves function as sensors.
Exemplary Electronics and Software
In the exemplary embodiment, the Card Engine electronics module 2116 is a commercial, off the shelf “single board computer” containing a processor, memory, and flash memory for operating system storage.
The LCD+ Touchscreen electronics module 2110 is a user interface, for example, driven through a 640 pixel by 480 pixel 8 inch LCD and 5-wire touchscreen.
The Compact Flash electronics module 2118 is a 256 megabyte commercial, off the shelf, compact flash module for application and data storage. Other media are alternatively usable, such as USB-drive, smart media card, memory stick, and smart data-card having the same or other storage capacities.
The Backplane electronics module 2112 is a point of connection for the removable heater assembly 2102. Bare PC boards with two connectors are sufficient to provide the necessary level of connectivity.
The Control Board electronics module 2114 supports peripherals to the Card Engine electronics module 2116. In the exemplary embodiment, the peripherals include such devices as a USB host+slave or hub, a USB CDROM interface, serial ports, and ethernet ports. The Control Board 2114 can include a power monitor with a dedicated processor. The Control Board may also include a real time clock. The Control Board may further include a speaker. The Control Board 2114 also includes a CPLD to provide SPI access to all other modules and programming access to all other modules. The Control Board includes a programmable high voltage power supply. The Control Board includes a Serializer-Deserializer interface to the LCD+Touchscreen electronics module 2110 and to the Optical Detection Unit electronics module 2108. The Control Board also includes module connectors.
In the exemplary embodiment, the optical detection unit electronics module 2108 contains a dedicated processor. The optical detection unit 2108 contains a serializer-deserializer interface. The optical detection unit 2108 contains LED drivers. The optical detection unit also contains high gain-low noise photodiode amplifiers. The optical detection unit preferably has power monitoring capability. The optical detection unit is remotely reprogrammable.
The Heater Board electronics module 2104 is preferably a glass heater board. The Heater Board has PCB with bonding pads for glass heater board and high density connectors.
In the exemplary embodiment, the heater mux (multiplex′) board electronics module 2106 has 24 high-speed ADC, 24 precision current sources, and 96 optically isolated current drivers for heating. The heater mux board has the ability to time-multiplex heating/measurement. The heater mux board has multiplexer banks to multiplex inputs to ADC, and to multiplex current source outputs. The heater mux board has a FPGA with a soft processor core and SDRAM. The heater mux board has a Power Monitor with a dedicated processor. The Heater Mux Board is preferably remotely reprogrammable.
Certain software can be executed in each electronics module. The Control Board Electronics Module executes, for example, Control Board Power Monitor software. The Card Engine electronics module executes an operating system, graphical user interface (GUI) software, an analyzer module, and an application program interface (api). The Optical Detection Unit electronics module executes an optics software module. The Heater Mux Board electronics module executes dedicated Heater Mux software, and Heater Mux Power Monitor software. Each of the separate instances of software can be modular and under a unified control of, for example, driver software.
The exemplary electronics can use Linux, UNIX, Windows, or MacOS, including any version thereof, as the operating system. The operating system is preferably loaded with drivers for USB, Ethernet, LCD, touchscreen, and removable media devices such as compact flash. Miscellaneous programs for configuring the Ethernet interface, managing USB connections, and updating via CD-ROM can also be included.
In the embodiment of
The API provides uniform access to the analyzer module driver. The API is responsible for error trapping, and interrupt handling. The API is typically programmed to be thread safe.
The GUI software can be based on a commercial, off-the-shelf PEG graphics library. The GUI can use the API to coordinate the self-test of optical detection unit and heater assembly. The GUI starts, stops, and monitors test progress. The GUI can also implement an algorithm to arrive at a diagnosis from fluorescence data. Such an algorithm can rely on numerical analysis principles known in the art. The GUI provides access control to the apparatus has and may have an HIS/LIS interface.
The Control Board Power Monitor software monitors power supplies, current and voltage, and signals error in case of a fault.
The Optics Software performs fluorescence detection which is precisely timed to turn on/off of LED with synchronous digitization of the photodetector outputs. The Optics Software can also monitor power supply voltages. The Optics Software can also have self test ability.
The Heater Mux Module software implements a “protocol player” which executes series of defined “steps” where each “step” can turn on sets of heaters to implement a desired microfluidic action. The Heater Mux Module software also has self test ability. The Heater Mux Module software contains a fuzzy logic temperature control algorithm.
The Heater Mux Power Monitor software monitors voltage and current levels. The Heater Mux Power Monitor software can participate in self-test, synchronous, monitoring of the current levels while turning on different heaters.
Overview of an Apparatus for Detecting Fluorescence from an Analyte in a Microfluidic Channel
The present technology relates to a cartridge, complementary apparatus, and related methods for amplifying, and carrying out diagnostic analyses on, nucleotides from biological samples. The technology includes a disposable or reusable microfluidic cartridge containing multiple sample lanes capable of processing samples in parallel as further described herein, and a reusable apparatus that is configured to selectively actuate on-cartridge operations, to detect and analyze the products of the PCR amplification in each of the lanes separately, in all simultaneously, or in groups simultaneously, and, optionally, can display the progression of analyses and results thereof on a graphical user interface. Such a reusable apparatus is further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/985,577, entitled “Microfluidic System for Amplifying And Detecting Polynucleotides In Parallel” and filed on Nov. 14, 2007, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a receiving bay configured to selectively receive a microfluidic cartridge as described herein; at least one heat source thermally coupled to the receiving bay; and a processor coupled to the heat source, wherein the heat source is configured to selectively heat individual regions of individual sample lanes in the cartridge, and the processor is configured to control application of heat to the individual sample lanes, separately, in all simultaneously, or in groups simultaneously; at least one detector configured to detect one or more polynucleotides or a probe thereof in a sample in one or more of the individual sample lanes, separately or simultaneously; and a processor coupled to the detector to control the detector and to receive signals from the detector.
The receiving bay is a portion of the apparatus that is configured to selectively receive the microfluidic cartridge. For example, the receiving bay and the microfluidic cartridge can be complementary in shape so that the microfluidic cartridge is selectively received in, e.g., a single orientation. The microfluidic cartridge can have a registration member that fits into a complementary feature of the receiving bay. The registration member can be, for example, a cut-out on an edge of the cartridge, such as a corner that is cut-off, or one or more notches that are made on one or more of the sides in a distinctive pattern that prevents a cartridge from being loaded into the bay in more than one distinct orientation. By selectively receiving the cartridge, the receiving bay can help a user to place the cartridge so that the apparatus can properly operate on the cartridge. The cartridge can be designed to be slightly smaller than the dimensions of the receiving bay by approximately 200-300 microns for easy placement and removal of the cartridge.
The receiving bay can also be configured so that various components of the apparatus that operate on the microfluidic cartridge (heat sources, detectors, force members, and the like) are positioned to properly operate thereon. For example, a contact heat source can be positioned in the receiving bay such that it can be thermally coupled to one or more distinct locations on a microfluidic cartridge that is selectively received in the bay. Alignment of microheaters in the heater module with corresponding heat-requiring microcomponents (such as valves, pumps, gates, reaction chambers, etc). The microheaters can be designed to be slightly bigger than the heat requiring microfluidic components so that even though the cartridge may be off-centered from the heater, the individual components can still function effectively.
The lower surface of the cartridge can have a layer of mechanically compliant heat transfer laminate that can enable thermal contact between the microfluidic substrate and the microheater substrate of the heater module. A minimal pressure of 1 psi can be employed for reliable operation of the thermal valves, gates and pumps present in the microfluidic cartridge.
In various embodiments of the apparatus, the apparatus can further include a sensor coupled to the processor, the sensor configured to sense whether the microfluidic cartridge is selectively received.
The detector can be, for example, an optical detector as further described elsewhere herein. For example, the detector can include a light source that selectively emits light in an absorption band of a fluorescent dye, and a light detector that selectively detects light in an emission band of the fluorescent dye, wherein the fluorescent dye corresponds to a fluorescent polynucleotide probe or a fragment thereof. Alternatively, for example, the optical detector can include a bandpass-filtered diode that selectively emits light in the absorption band of the fluorescent dye and a bandpass filtered photodiode that selectively detects light in the emission band of the fluorescent dye; or for example, the optical detector can be configured to independently detect a plurality of fluorescent dyes having different fluorescent emission spectra, wherein each fluorescent dye corresponds to a fluorescent polynucleotide probe or a fragment thereof; or for example, the optical detector can be configured to independently detect a plurality of fluorescent dyes at a plurality of different locations on a microfluidic cartridge, wherein each fluorescent dye corresponds to a fluorescent polynucleotide probe or a fragment thereof in a different sample. The detector can also be configured to detect the presence or absence of sample in a PCR reaction chamber in a given sample lane, and to condition initiation of thermocycling upon affirmative detection of presence of the sample.
In various embodiments, the apparatus can further include an analysis port. The analysis port can be configured to allow an external sample analyzer to analyze a sample in the microfluidic cartridge. For example, the analysis port can be a hole or window in the apparatus which can accept an optical detection probe that can analyze a sample or progress of PCR in situ in the microfluidic cartridge. In some embodiments, the analysis port can be configured to direct a sample from the microfluidic cartridge to an external sample analyzer; for example, the analysis port can include a conduit in fluid communication with the microfluidic cartridge that directs a liquid sample containing an amplified polynucleotide to a chromatography apparatus, an optical spectrometer, a mass spectrometer, or the like.
The heat source can be, for example, a heat source such as a resistive heater or network of resistive heaters, and the like.
In preferred embodiments, the at least one heat source can be a contact heat source selected from a resistive heater (or network thereof), a radiator, a fluidic heat exchanger and a Peltier device. The contact heat source can be configured at the receiving bay to be thermally coupled to one or more distinct locations of a microfluidic cartridge received in the receiving bay, whereby the distinct locations are selectively heated. The contact heat source typically includes a plurality of contact heat sources, each configured at the receiving bay to be independently thermally coupled to a different distinct location in a microfluidic cartridge received therein, whereby the distinct locations are independently heated. The contact heat sources can be configured to be in direct physical contact with one or more distinct locations of a microfluidic cartridge received in the bay. In various embodiments, each contact source heater can be configured to heat a distinct location having an average diameter in 2 dimensions from about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 15 mm (typically about 1 mm to about 10 mm), or a distinct location having a surface area of between about 1 mm2 about 225 mm2 (typically between about 1 mm2 and about 100 mm2, or in some embodiments between about 5 mm2 and about 50 mm2). Various configurations of heat sources are further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/940,315, entitled “Heater Unit for Microfluidic Diagnostic System” and filed on even date herewith.
In various embodiments, the heat source is disposed in a heating module that is configured to be removable from the apparatus.
In various embodiments, the apparatus can include a compliant layer at the contact heat source configured to thermally couple the contact heat source with at least a portion of a microfluidic cartridge received in the receiving bay. The compliant layer can have a thickness of between about 0.05 and about 2 millimeters and a Shore hardness of between about 25 and about 100.
In various embodiments, the apparatus can further include one or more force members configured to apply force to at least a portion of a microfluidic cartridge received in the receiving bay. The one or more force members are configured to apply force to thermally couple the at least one heat source to at least a portion of the microfluidic cartridge. The application of force is important to ensure consistent thermal contact between the heater wafer and the PCR reactor and microvalves in the microfluidic cartridge.
In various embodiments, the apparatus can further include a lid at the receiving bay, the lid being operable to at least partially exclude ambient light from the receiving bay.
The apparatus preferably also includes a processor comprising microprocessor circuitry, in communication with, for example, the input device and a display, that accepts a user's instructions and controls analysis of samples.
In various embodiments, the apparatus can further include at least one input device coupled to the processor, the input device being selected from the group consisting of a keyboard, a touch-sensitive surface, a microphone, and a mouse.
In various embodiments, the apparatus can further include at least one sample identifier coupled to the processor, the sample identifier being selected from an optical scanner such as an optical character reader, a bar code reader, or a radio frequency tag reader. For example, the sample identifier can be a handheld bar code reader.
In various embodiments, the apparatus can further include at least one data storage medium coupled to the processor, the medium selected from: a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, or one or more removable storage media such as a CD-R, CD-RW, USB-drive, or flash memory card.
In various embodiments, the apparatus can further include at least one output coupled to the processor, the output being selected from a display, a printer, and a speaker, the coupling being either directly through a directly dedicated printer cable, or wirelessly, or via a network connection.
The apparatus further optionally comprises a display that communicates information to a user of the system. Such information includes but is not limited to: the current status of the system; progress of PCR thermocycling; and a warning message in case of malfunction of either system or cartridge. The display is preferably used in conjunction with an external input device as elsewhere described herein, through which a user may communicate instructions to apparatus 100. A suitable input device may further comprise a reader of formatted electronic media, such as, but not limited to, a flash memory card, memory stick, USB-stick, CD, or floppy diskette. An input device may further comprise a security feature such as a fingerprint reader, retinal scanner, magnetic strip reader, or barcode reader, for ensuring that a user of the system is in fact authorized to do so, according to pre-loaded identifying characteristics of authorized users. An input device may additionally—and simultaneously—function as an output device for writing data in connection with sample analysis. For example, if an input device is a reader of formatted electronic media, it may also be a writer of such media. Data that may be written to such media by such a device includes, but is not limited to, environmental information, such as temperature or humidity, pertaining to an analysis, as well as a diagnostic result, and identifying data for the sample in question.
The apparatus may further include a computer network connection that permits extraction of data to a remote location, such as a personal computer, personal digital assistant, or network storage device such as computer server or disk farm. The network connection can be a communications interface selected from the group consisting of: a serial connection, a parallel connection, a wireless network connection, and a wired network connection such as an ethernet or cable connection, wherein the communications interface is in communication with at least the processor. The computer network connection may utilize, e.g., ethernet, firewire, or USB connectivity. The apparatus may further be configured to permit a user to e-mail results of an analysis directly to some other party, such as a healthcare provider, or a diagnostic facility, or a patient.
In various embodiments, there is an associated computer program product includes computer readable instructions thereon for operating the apparatus and for accepting instructions from a user.
Apparatus 100 may optionally comprise one or more stabilizing feet that cause the body of the device to be elevated above a surface on which system 100 is disposed, thereby permitting ventilation underneath system 100, and also providing a user with an improved ability to lift system 100.
In another preferred embodiment (not shown in the FIGS. herein), a cartridge and apparatus are configured so that the read-head does not cover the sample inlets, thereby permitting loading of separate samples while other samples are undergoing PCR thermocycling.
An Analyzer unit can contain typical hardware/firmware that can be employed to drive and monitor the operations on the cartridges as well as software to interpret, communicate and store the results. The unit currently weighs about 20 lbs. and is approximately 10″ wide by 16″ deep by 13″ high. Typical components of the Analyzer can include: (a) Control Electronics (DAQ), (b) Heater/Sensor Module, (c) Fluorescent Detection Module, (d) Mechanical Fixtures, (e) Software and (f) User Interface (LCD/Touch screen) (g) Peripherals (CD-ROM, USB/Serial/Ethernet communication ports, barcode scanner, optional keyboard). An exemplary embodiment is shown in
Control electronics can be spread over four different circuit board assemblies. These include the Main, MUX, LCD, and Detector boards.
MAIN board: Can serve as the hub of the Analyzer control electronics and manages communication and control of the other various electronic sub-assemblies. The main board can also serve as the electrical and communications interface with the external world. An external power supply (12V DC/10 A; UL certified) can be used to power the system. The unit can communicate via 5 USB ports, a serial port and an Ethernet port. Finally, the main board can incorporate several diagnostic/safety features to ensure safe and robust operation of the Analyzer.
MUX Board: Upon instruction from the main board, the MUX board can perform all the functions typically used for accurate temperature control of the heaters and can coordinate the collection of fluorescence data from the detector board.
LCD Board: Can contain the typical control elements to light up the LCD panel and interpret the signals from the touch sensitive screen. The LCD/touch screen combination can serve as a mode of interaction with the user via a Graphical User Interface.
Detector Board: Can house typical control and processing circuitry that can be employed to collect, digitize, filter, and transmit the data from the fluorescence detection modules.
This non-limiting example describes pictorially, various embodiments of a detection system integrated into a force member, in an apparatus for carrying out diagnostics on microfluidic samples. An exploded view is shown in
Thermal interface: the cartridge bottom can have a layer of mechanically compliant heat transfer laminate that can enable thermal contact between the microfluidic substrate and the microheater substrate of the heater module. A minimal pressure of 1 psi can be employed for reliable operation of the thermal valves, gate and pumps present in the microfluidic cartridge.
Mechanicals and assembly: the Analyzer can have a simple mechanical frame to hold the various modules in alignment. The optics module can be placed in rails for easy opening and placement of cartridges in the Analyzer and error-free alignment of the optics upon closing. The heater/sensor module can be also placed on rails or similar guiding members for easy removal and insertion of the assembly.
Slider: the slider of the Analyzer can house the optical detection system as well as the mechanical assembly that can enables the optics jig to press down on the cartridge when the handle of the slider is turned down onto the analyzer. The optics jig can be suspended from the case of the slider at 4 points. Upon closing the slider and turning the handle of the analyzer down, 4 cams can turn to push down a plate that presses on 4 springs. On compression, the springs can deliver approximately 50 lb on the optical block. See
The bottom surface of the optics block can be made flat to within 100 microns, typically within 25 microns, and this flat surface can press upon the compliant (shore hardness approximately 50-70) label (approximately 1.5 mm thick under no compression) of the cartridge making the pressure more or less uniform over the cartridge. An optional lock-in mechanism can also be incorporated to prevent the slider from being accidentally knocked-off while in use.
In an exemplary embodiment, an assembly comprising a detector on an optical chassis and a force member that can exert pressure is housed in a plastic enclosure (slider) that can be positioned to cover a multi-lane microfluidic cartridge. The slider has a handle that can be easily grasped (between 4″ and 5″ width) by a user and drawn towards the front of the instrument using less than 11 pounds of force. The slider is guided for smooth and easy pushing and pulling with a handle, which also serves as a pressure-locking device. The slider's horizontal position is sensed in both the all-open (fully away from the user) and in the all-forward position, and reported to controlling software. Once properly located over a microfluidic cartridge, the slider will be locked in a “down” pressured position, and the user will be required to apply no more than seven pounds of upward force normal to the handle to release the pressure. Accidental unlocking of the slider mechanism is thereby prevented. The slider and optical chassis pressure assembly registers with a heater cassette module positioned underneath a microfluidic cartridge to within 0.010″. A close fit is important for proper heater/cartridge interface connections.
The slider aligns with the control chip on the heater unit when it is in the full back position. The height is the same as the distance between the read head bottom and the read area on the cartridge. The slider does not come in contact with the control chip but it is positioned such that the center of the control chip is in the focal plane of the optic system (±0.005″). The slider assembly does not degrade in performance over a life of 10,000 cycles, where a cycle is defined as: beginning with the slider in the back position, and sliding forward then locking the handle down on a cartridge, unlocking the handle and returning it to the original back position. All optical path parts should be non-reflective (anodized, painted, molded, etc.) and do not lose this feature for 10,000 cycles. The optics unit is unaffected by a light intensity of <=9,000 foot-candles from a source placed 12″ from the instrument at angles where light penetration is most likely to occur. No degradation of performance is measured at the photo-detector after 10,000 cycles.
A single channel is made that houses two LED sources (blue and amber) and two additional channels that will house one photodiode detector each (four total bored holes). The two paired channels (source and detector) are oriented 43° from each other, measured from the optical axis and are in—line with the other paired channels that are at the same 43° orientation. The holes bored in the optical chassis contain filters and lenses with appropriate spacers, the specifications of which are further described herein. The LEDs are held in place to prevent movement as the mechanical alignment is important for good source illumination. The LED's are preferably twisted until the two “hot spots” are aligned with the reading channels on the cartridge. This position must be maintained until the LED's cannot be moved.
The optical chassis is made of aluminum and is black anodized. The bottom pressure surface of the optical chassis is flat to ±0.001″ across the entire surface. The optical chassis is center-balanced such that the center of the optical chassis force is close to the center of the reagent cartridge. The pressure assembly (bottom of the optical chassis) provides uniform pressure of a minimum of 1 psi across all heater sections of the reagent cartridge. The optical assembly can be moved away from the reagent cartridge area for cartridge removal and placement. Appropriate grounding of the optical chassis is preferred to prevent spurious signals to emanate to the optic PCB.
The LED light sources (amber and blue) are incident on a microfluidic cartridge through a band pass filter and a focusing lens. These LED light sources have a minimum output of 2800 millicandles (blue) and 5600 millicandles (Green), and the center wavelengths are 470 (blue) and 575 (amber) nanometers, with a half band width of no more than 75 nanometers.
The LED light excites at least one fluorescent molecule (initially attached to an oligonucleotide probe) in a single chamber on a cartridge, causing it to fluoresce. This fluorescence will normally be efficiently blocked by a closely spaced quencher molecule. DNA amplification via TAQ enzyme will separate the fluorescent and quenching molecules from the oligonucleotide probe, disabling the quenching. DNA amplification will only occur if the probe's target molecule (a DNA sequence) is present in the sample chamber. Fluorescence occurs when a certain wavelength strikes the target molecule. The emitted light is not the same as the incident light. Blue incident light is blocked from the detector by the green only emission filter. Green incident light similarly is blocked from the detector by the yellow emission filter. The fluorescent light is captured and travels via a pathway into a focusing lens, through a filter and onto a very sensitive photodiode. The amount of light detected increases as the amount of the DNA amplification increases. The signal will vary with fluorescent dye used, but background noise should be less than 1 mV peak-to-peak. The photo-detector, which can be permanently mounted to the optical chassis in a fixed position, should be stable for 5 years or 10,000 cycles, and should be sensitive to extremely low light levels, and have a dark value of no more than 60 mV. Additionally, the photo-detector must be commercially available for at least 10 years. The lenses are Plano-convex (6 mm detector, and 12 mm source focal length) with the flat side toward the test cartridge on both lenses. The filters should remain stable over normal operating humidity and temperature ranges.
The filters, e.g., supplied by Omega Optical (Brattleboro, Vt. 05301), are a substrate of optical glass with a surface quality of F/F per Mil-C-48497A. The individual filters have a diameter of 6.0±0.1 mm, a thickness of 6.0±0.1 mm, and the AOI and ½ cone AOI is 0 degrees and ±8 degrees, respectively. The clear aperture is >/=4 mm diameter and the edge treatment is blackened prior to mounting in a black, anodized metal ring.
The FITC exciter filter is supplied by, e.g., Omega Optical (PN 481AF30-RED-EXC). They have a cut-off frequency of 466±4 nm and a cut-on frequency of 496±4 nm. Transmission is >/=65% peak and blocking is: >/=OD8 in theory from 503 to 580 nm, >/=OD5 from 501-650 nm, >/=OD4 avg. over 651-1000 nm, and >/=OD4 UV-439 nm.
The FITC emitter filter is supplied by, e.g., Omega Optical (PN 534AF40-RED-EM). They have a cut-off frequency of 514±2 nm and a cut-on frequency of 554±4 nm. Transmission is >/=70% peak and blocking is: >/=OD8 in theory from 400 to 504 nm, >/=OD5 UV-507 nm, and >/=OD4 avg. 593-765 nm.
The amber exciter filters are supplied by, e.g., Omega Optical (PN 582AF25-RED-EXC). They have a cut-off frequency of 594±5 nm and a cut-on frequency of 569±5 nm. Transmission is >/=70% peak and blocking is: >/=OD8 in theory from 600 to 700 nm, >/=OD5 600-900 nm, and >/=OD4 UV-548 nm.
The amber emitter filters are supplied by, e.g., Omega Optical (PN 627AF30-RED-EM). They have a cut-off frequency of 642±5 nm and a cut-on frequency of 612±5 nm. Transmission is >/=70% peak and blocking is: >/=OD8 in theory from 550 to 600 nm, >/=OD5 UV-605 nm, and >/=OD5 avg. 667-900 nm.
The spacers should be inert and temperature stable throughout the entire operating range and should maintain the filters in strict position and alignment. The epoxy used should have optically black and opaque material and dry solid with no tacky residue. Additionally, it should have temperature and moisture stability, exert no pressure on the held components, and should mount the PCB in such a way that it is fixed and stable with no chances of rotation or vertical height changes. 50% of illumination shall fall on the sample plane within an area 0.1″ (2.5 mm) wide by 0.3″ (7.5 mm) along axis of the detection channel. Fluorescence of the control chip should not change more than 0.5% of the measured signal per 0.001″ of height though a region ±0.010 from the nominal height of the control chip.
An exemplary optics board is shown schematically in
The power board systems include: a +12V input; and +3.3V, +3.6V, +5V, and −5V outputs, configured as follows: the +3.3V output contains a linear regulator, is used to power the LVDS interface, should maintain a +/−5% accuracy, and supply an output current of 0.35 A; the +3.6V output contains a linear regulator, is used to power the MSP430, should maintain a +/−5% accuracy, and supply an output current of 0.35 A; the +5V output contains a linear regulator, is used to power the plus rail for op-amps, should maintain a +/−5% accuracy, and supply an output current of 0.35 A; the −5V output receives its power from the +5V supply, has a mV reference, is used to power the minus rail for op-amps and for the photo-detector bias, should maintain a +/−1% voltage accuracy, and supply an output current of 6.25 mA +/−10%. Additionally, the power board has an 80 ohm source resistance, and the main board software can enable/disable the regulator outputs.
The main board interface uses a single channel of the LVDS standard to communicate between boards. This takes place using SPI signaling over the LVDS interface which is connected to the main SPI port of the control processor. The interface also contains a serial port for in-system programming.
The optical detection system of
During assembly of the various components on to the PC board, such as may occur on a production line, there are the following considerations. The extremely high impedance of the photo-detection circuit means that a rigorous cleaning procedure must be employed. Such a procedure may include, for example: After surface mount components are installed, the boards are washed on a Wesclean and blow dried upon exiting conveyor. The belt speed can be set at 20-30. The boards are soaked in an alcohol bath for approximately 3 minutes, then their entire top and bottom surfaces are scrubbed using a clean, soft bristle brush. The boards are baked in a 105° F. (40° C.) oven for 30 minutes to dry out all components.
After all the components are installed: the soldered areas of the boards can be hand wash using deionized water and a soft bristle brush. The same soldered areas can be hand washed using alcohol and a soft bristle brush. The boards are allowed to air dry. Once the board is cleaned, the optical circuitry must be conformal coated to keep contaminates out.
A miniaturized, highly sensitive fluorescence detection system (see
Software: The software can include two broad parts—user interface and device firmware. The user interface software can allow for aspects of interaction with the user such as—entering patient/sample information, monitoring test progress, error warnings, printing test results, uploading of results to databases and updating software. The device firmware can be the low level software that actually runs the test. The firmware can have a generic portion that can be test independent and a portion specific to the test being performed. The test specific portion (“protocol”) can specify the microfluidic operations and their order to accomplish the test.
In one embodiment a detector is configured to scan over multiple lanes of a microfluidic substrate such as in a microfluidic cartridge, rather than remain stationary and require a separate detector instance dedicated to each lane. It is also an aspect of this embodiment that multiple detector units are stacked adjacent to one another thereby permitting simultaneous detection from multiple lanes, even as the detector is travelling over the microfluidic substrate. It is a further aspect of this embodiment that each detector unit is a 4-color system, or is a 1-color system, or is a 2-color system.
The optical detection blocks,
The optics block can be machined out of aluminum and anodized or injection molded using low fluorescence black plastic (
The foregoing description is intended to illustrate various aspects of the present technology. It is not intended that the examples presented herein limit the scope of the present technology. The technology now being fully described, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/940,321, filed Nov. 14, 2007, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/859,284, filed Nov. 14, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/959,437, filed Jul. 13, 2007. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/940,321 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/728,964, filed Mar. 26, 2007, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/786,007, filed Mar. 24, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/859,284, filed Nov. 14, 2006. The disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/940,321; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/859,284; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/959,437; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/728,964 are considered part of the disclosure of this application, and are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
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