MICROFLUIDIC METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR FLUID MIXING AND VALVING

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an apparatus and method for delivering one or more fluids to a microfluidic channel is provided. A microfluidic channel is provided in communication with a first conduit for delivering fluids to the microfluidic channel. Further, the apparatus and method can include a first fluid freeze valve connected to the first conduit and operable to reduce the temperature of the first conduit for freezing fluid in the first conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the first conduit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to microfluidic processing of reagents and analysis of reaction products. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to microfluidic sample preparation and analysis by establishing smooth, continuous reagent flows and continuously variable concentration gradients therein.

BACKGROUND ART

Biochemical and biological assays are a primary tool utilized in many aspects of drug discovery, including fundamental research in biochemistry and biology to describe novel phenomena, analysis of large numbers of compounds, screening of compounds, clinical tests applied during clinical trials, and ultimately diagnostic tests during administration of drugs. Many biological and biochemical assays require measurement of the response of a biological or biochemical system to different concentrations of one reagent, such as an inhibitor, a substrate, or an enzyme. Typically, discrete steps of biochemical concentration are mixed within a proscribed range. The number of concentrations measured is limited by the number of dilution steps, which are limited in practice by the time and effort required to make the discrete dilutions, by the time and effort to process the resulting individual reactions, by reagent consumption as the number of reactions increases, and more strictly by pipetting errors that limit the resolution of discrete steps.

As technology advances in drug development, miniaturization and automation are active areas of innovation, with primary drivers being decreased cost (through decreased reagent use and decreased manpower) and improved data quality (through finer process control and increased process reliability). Improvements in data quality and automation frequently convey additional advantages that permit new scientific approaches to questions. Automation, if sufficiently extensive, can include software that permits automatic work scheduling to improve efficiency or statistical process control for process improvement. Again, these improvements achieve greater reliability, use less manpower, and improve throughput.

Microfluidic systems, including labs-on-a-chip (LoCs) and micro-total analysis systems (μ-TAS), are currently being explored as an alternative to conventional approaches that use microtiter plates. The miniaturization afforded by microfluidic systems has the potential to greatly reduce the amount of reagent needed to conduct high-throughput screening. Thus far, commercial microfluidic systems have shown some promise in performing point measurements, but have not been employed to mix concentration gradients and particularly continuous gradients due to technologic limitations. In particular, several challenges remain in the design of industry-acceptable microfluidic systems. Apart from cost and manufacture related issues, many sources of such challenges relate to the fact that, in a micro-scale or sub-micro-scale environment, certain fluid characteristics such as viscosity, surface tension, shear resistance, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, molecular diffusivity, and the like, take on a much more dominant role than other, more easily manageable factors such as weight and gravity. In addition, controlling the signal-to-noise ratio becomes much more challenging when working with nano-scale volumes and flow rates, as certain sources of noise that typically are inconsequential in macroscopic applications now become more noticeable and thus deleterious to the accuracy of data acquisition instruments.

One consideration when employing a microfluidic system to acquire data is minimizing carry-over in experiments that perform sequential analysis of liquids. The sequential analysis of liquids is central to the application of most analytical systems. For example, a microfluidic system that measures the potency of chemical inhibitors of an enzyme typically adds a sequence of different inhibitory compounds. Further, for example, a microfluidic system performing diagnostic tests on blood must sequentially add different blood samples. Injection loops and automatic pipetting robots have been developed to permit sequential addition of liquids into an analytical system. An automatic pipetting robot can be used to add predefined volumes of fluid into a reaction vessel, sometimes including many parallel reaction vessels, such as microtiter plates. The pipetting portion of the robot can pick up one fluid and then another, adding each to its respective reaction vessel.

An injection loop can be used when the analysis must occur inside a closed system, such as a system of tubing. An injection loop works similar to a segment of pipe that can be removed from a piping system and then reconnected. The injection loop is removed, filled with the liquid, and then reconnected. When flow through the pipe resumes, the liquid in the injection loop then is flushed into the analytical system. Injection loops are commonly used for applications such as liquid chromatography. Injection loops are available from a variety of manufacturers including Valco Instruments Co. Inc. of Houston, Tex.

When liquids are sequentially analyzed, each liquid should be thoroughly removed from the system before subsequent liquids are added. The residual amount of a preceding liquid in the subsequent analysis is known as “carry-over”. The degree to which carry-over can be tolerated in the analytical system depends on the application. For chemical reactions, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), carry-over is not acceptable because this reaction is used to amplify the number of copies of DNA, and contaminating DNA will be faithfully amplified. For determining the potency of inhibitors of an enzymatic reaction, the carry-over can limit the dynamic range of the analytical system. Thus, if the carry-over is 1%, the dynamic range of the system is 100-fold (i.e., it can only measure inhibitors with potencies that range from an IC₅₀ of X to an IC₅₀ of 100×). If the system handles an inhibitor with an IC₅₀ of X (i.e., it is a potent inhibitor because it inhibits at low concentration), then even a non-inhibiting compound next in the sequence will appear to have an IC₅₀ of 100× (i.e., carryover of a potent inhibitor will make the next compound appear like a weaker inhibitor, even if the next compound is a non-inhibitor).

Reduction of carry-over has been attempted in different ways for different systems. For pipetting robots, the pipettors have been equipped with removable tips that can be disposed before the pipettors handle a different type of liquid. Injection loops have been equipped with auxiliary systems to flush the injection loop, and all tubes or pipes that handle liquids leading to the injection loop, with large volumes of inert liquid or cleaning fluids, such as detergents and solvents. The reduction of carry-over can be particularly problematic, especially for microfluidic systems in which flows are extremely small—sometimes as low as a few nanoliters per minute. Thus, it is desired to have improved systems and methods for reducing carry-over.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, an apparatus for delivering one or more fluids to a microfluidic channel is provided. The apparatus can include a microfluidic channel in communication with a first conduit for delivering fluids to the microfluidic channel. Further, the apparatus can include a first fluid freeze valve connected to the first conduit and operable to reduce the temperature of the first conduit for freezing fluid in the first conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the first conduit.

According to a second embodiment, an apparatus for mixing different fluids is provided. The apparatus can include a microfluidic chip comprising a first and second input channel fluidly communicating at a merge location. The microfluidic chip can also include a mixing channel communicating with the first and second input channels at the merge location. The apparatus can also include a first conduit communicating with the merge location for delivering fluids to the merge location. Further, the apparatus can include a first fluid freeze valve connected to the first conduit and operable to reduce the temperature of the first conduit for freezing fluid in the first conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the first conduit.

According to a third embodiment, an apparatus for delivering one or more fluids to a microfluidic channel is provided. The apparatus can include a microfluidic channel in communication with a first conduit for delivering fluids to the microfluidic channel. Further, the apparatus can include a first fluid freeze valve connected to the first conduit and operable to reduce the temperature of the first conduit for freezing fluid in the first conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the first conduit. The first fluid freeze valve can include a movable component for holding the first conduit adjacent to the thermo-electric cooler.

According to a fourth embodiment, an apparatus for mixing different fluids is provided. The apparatus can include a microfluidic chip comprising a first and second input channel fluidly communicating at a merge location. The microfluidic chip can also include a mixing channel communicating with the first and second input channels at the merge location. The apparatus can also include an injection loop comprising a first and second end, the first end communicating with the merge location. Further, the apparatus can include a first conduit communicating with the second end of the injection loop for delivering fluids to the injection loop. The apparatus can also include a first fluid freeze valve connected to the first conduit and operable to reduce the temperature of the first conduit for freezing fluid in the first conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the first conduit. Additionally, the apparatus can include a waste unit communicating with the mixing channel via a second conduit. The apparatus can also include a second fluid freeze valve connected to the second conduit and operable to reduce the temperature of the second conduit for freezing fluid in the second conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the second conduit.

According to a fifth embodiment, a method for delivering one or more fluids to a microfluidic channel is provided. The method can include a step for providing a microfluidic channel. The method can also include a step for providing a first conduit communicating with the microfluidic channel for delivering fluids to the microfluidic channel. Further, the method can include a step for reducing the temperature of the first conduit for freezing fluid in the first conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the first conduit.

According to a sixth embodiment, a method for mixing different fluids is provided. The method can include a step for providing a microfluidic chip comprising a first and second input channel fluidly communicating at a merge location. The microfluidic chip also comprises a mixing channel communicating with the first and second input channels at the merge location. The method can also include a step for providing a first conduit communicating with the merge location for delivering fluids to the merge location. Further, the method can include a step for reducing the temperature of the first conduit for freezing fluid in the first conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the first conduit.

According to a seventh embodiment, an apparatus for mixing different fluids is provided. The apparatus can include a first and second pump and a microfluidic chip. The microfluidic chip can include a first and second input channel communicating together at a merge location and communicating with the first and second pumps, respectively. The microfluidic chip can also include an injection loop communicating with the merge location for providing different fluids to one of the first and second pumps for subsequent advancement through one of the first and second input channels to the merge location.

According to an eighth embodiment, a method for mixing different fluids is provided. The method can include a step for providing a first and second pump and a microfluidic chip. The microfluidic chip can include a first and second input channel communicating together at a merge location and communicating with the first and second pumps, respectively. The microfluidic chip can also include an injection loop communicating with the merge location. The method can also include a step for advancing a fluid to the injection loop for delivery to one of the first and second pumps for subsequent advancement through one of the first and second input channels to the merge location.

According to a ninth embodiment, an apparatus for mixing different fluids is provided. The apparatus can include a microfluidic chip including a first and second input channel communicating at a merge location. The microfluidic chip can also include a mixing channel communicating with the first and second input channels at the merge location. The apparatus can also include an injection loop communicating with at least one of the first and second input channels for providing different fluids to one of the first and second pumps for subsequent advancement through one of the first and second input channels. Further, the apparatus can include a temperature controller connected to the injection loop and operable to change the temperature of the injection loop for maintaining fluid in the injection loop at a different temperature than the fluid in the first or second input channels.

According to a tenth embodiment, a method for mixing different fluids is provided. The method can include a step for providing a microfluidic chip comprising a first and second input channel fluidly communicating at a merge location. The microfluidic chip can also include a mixing channel communicating with the first and second input channels at the merge location. The method can also include a step for providing an injection loop communicating with at least one of the first and second input channels for providing different fluids to one of the first and second pumps for subsequent advancement through one of the first and second input channels. Further, the method can include a step for changing the temperature of the injection loop for maintaining fluid in the injection loop at a different temperature than the fluid in the first or second input channels.

Therefore, it is an object to provide microfluidic methods and apparatuses for fluid mixing and valving.

An object having been stated hereinabove, and which is achieved in whole or in part by the present disclosure, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings as best described hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a sample processing apparatus including a pump assembly and a microfluidic chip provided in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of a linear displacement pump provided in the sample processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a plot of step gradients generated by two pumps, each containing a different fluorophore, and controlled to create steps of 0.1 nl/min ranging from 0.0 to 1.0 nl/min;

FIG. 3B is a plot of pump-driven flow velocity profiles superimposed over a plot of a measured concentration value resulting from the combination of reagent input streams in accordance with the flow velocity profiles according to embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a sample processing apparatus with sample measurement components integrated therein according to embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a fluorescence measurement apparatus provided in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of system control software provided in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective front and rear views, respectively, of a pump assembly provided in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 7C is a side elevation cut-away view of the pump assembly illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a coupling device provided with the pump assembly illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B and/or 7C in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a temperature regulating element provided in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 10A is a schematic view of temperature regulating circuitry provided in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 10B is a schematic view of a thermally-controlled pump assembly according to embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional exploded and assembled views, respectively, of a microfluidic pump interconnect provided in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional exploded view of a microfluidic pump interconnect provided in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective unassembled and assembled views, respectively, of a microfluidic chip encapsulated within a temperature regulating device in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of an upper portion of the temperature regulating device illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B;

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of a lower portion of the temperature regulating device illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B; and

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C are respective schematic diagrams of examples of three alternative liquid handling systems that can be integrated with the embodiments of the sample processing apparatus disclosed herein;

FIG. 16 is another microfluidic chip that can be used according to one embodiment;

FIG. 17A is a graph showing the fluorescence measured according to one carry-over process;

FIG. 17B is a graph showing that small gradients are visible in one carry-over process;

FIG. 18 is a graph showing a gradient of “buffer only”;

FIG. 19A is a top perspective view of a fluid freeze valve;

FIG. 19B is a side cross-sectional view of a movable top plate, thermo-electric cooler, and capillary of the fluid freeze valve shown in FIG. 19A wherein the thermo-electric cooler is not energized such that a fluid can flow through lumen of capillary in the “on” state;

FIG. 19C is a side cross-sectional view of a movable top plate, thermo-electric cooler, and capillary of the fluid freeze valve shown in FIGS. 19B and 19C wherein thermo-electric cooler is energized for reducing the temperature of capillary such that fluid reaches a solid or nearly solid state to stop fluid flow through lumen of capillary in the “off” state;

FIGS. 20A-20C are top, front and side views of another fluid freeze valve applied to a fluid-carrying capillary;

FIG. 21A is a top plan view of a microfluidic system with fluid freeze valves in a state for filling an injection loop with a fluid from one of the wells of a multi-well plate;

FIG. 21B is a top plan view of the microfluidic system shown in FIG. 21A with the fluid freeze valves in a state for running a gradient;

FIG. 21C is a top plan view of the microfluidic system shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B with the fluid freeze valves in a state for rinsing the injection loop;

FIG. 21D is a top plan view of the microfluidic system shown in FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 21C with the fluid freeze valves in a state for rinsing the aging loop;

FIG. 21E is a top plan view of another exemplary microfluidic chip

FIG. 22A is a graph showing the results of a carry-over experiment conducted with the microfluidic system shown in FIGS. 21A-21D;

FIG. 22B is a graph showing a detail of the graph shown in FIG. 22A;

FIG. 23 is a side cross-sectional view of an automated liquid handling system for making a reversible, pressure-tight seal between a multi-well plate and an input capillary;

FIG. 24A is another side cross-sectional view of an automated liquid handling system for making a reversible, pressure-tight seal between a multi-well plate and an input capillary;

FIG. 24B is another side cross-sectional view of an automated liquid handling system for making a reversible, pressure-tight seal between a multi-well plate and an input capillary;

FIG. 25 is cross-sectional view of a configuration for forming a seal in the automated liquid handling system shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26A is a cross-sectional view of a configuration for forming a seal in an automated liquid handling system;

FIG. 26B is a cross-sectional view of a configuration for forming another seal in an automated liquid handling system;

FIG. 26C is a cross-sectional view of another configuration for forming a seal in an automated liquid handling system;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate configuration for forming a seal between an elastomeric gasket and a multi-well plate;

FIG. 28A is a schematic view of a microfluidic system for maintaining fluids in an injection loop and aging loop at different temperatures;

FIG. 28B is a schematic view of another microfluidic system for maintaining fluids in an injection loop and aging loop at different temperatures;

FIG. 29 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of an analysis channel disclosed herein and upstream fluidly communicating microscale channels;

FIG. 30A is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of analysis channel disclosed herein and upstream fluidly communicating microscale channel; and

FIG. 30B shows schematic cross-sectional cuts at A-A and B-B of the analysis channel of FIG. 30A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Microfluidic chips, systems, and related methods are described herein which incorporate improvements for reducing or eliminating noise in the fluid mix concentration. These microfluidic chips, systems, and methods are described with regard to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that the drawings do not constitute limitations on the scope of the disclosed microfluidic chips, systems, and methods.

As used herein, the term “microfluidic chip,” “microfluidic system,” or “microfluidic device” generally refers to a chip, system, or device which can incorporate a plurality of interconnected channels or chambers, through which materials, and particularly fluid borne materials can be transported to effect one or more preparative or analytical manipulations on those materials. A microfluidic chip is typically a device comprising structural or functional features dimensioned on the order of mm-scale or less, and which is capable of manipulating a fluid at a flow rate on the order of μl/min or less. Typically, such channels or chambers include at least one cross-sectional dimension that is in a range of from about 1 μm to about 500 μm. The use of dimensions on this order allows the incorporation of a greater number of channels or chambers in a smaller area, and utilizes smaller volumes of reagents, samples, and other fluids for performing the preparative or analytical manipulation of the sample that is desired.

Microfluidic systems are capable of broad application and can generally be used in the performance of biological and biochemical analysis and detection methods. The systems described herein can be employed in research, diagnosis, environmental assessment and the like. In particular, these systems, with their micron scales, nanoliter volumetric fluid control systems, and integratability, can generally be designed to perform a variety of fluidic operations where these traits are desirable or even required. In addition, these systems can be used in performing a large number of specific assays that are routinely performed at a much larger scale and at a much greater cost.

A microfluidic device or chip can exist alone or may be a part of a microfluidic system which, for example and without limitation, can include: pumps for introducing fluids, e.g., samples, reagents, buffers and the like, into the system and/or through the system; detection equipment or systems; data storage systems; and control systems for controlling fluid transport and/or direction within the device, monitoring and controlling environmental conditions to which fluids in the device are subjected, e.g., temperature, current and the like.

As used herein, the term “channel” or “microfluidic channel” can mean a cavity formed in a material by any suitable material removing technique, or can mean a cavity in combination with any suitable fluid-conducting structure mounted in the cavity such as a tube, capillary, or the like.

As used herein, the term “reagent” generally means any flowable composition or chemistry. The result of two reagents merging or combining together is not limited to any particular response, whether a biological response or biochemical reaction, a dilution, or otherwise.

In referring to the use of a microfluidic chip for handling the containment or movement of fluid, the terms “in”, “on”, “into”, “onto”, “through”, and “across” the chip generally have equivalent meanings.

As used herein, the term “communicate” (e.g., a first component “communicates with” or “is in communication with” a second component) and grammatical variations thereof are used herein to indicate a structural, functional, mechanical, electrical, optical, or fluidic relationship, or any combination thereof, between two or more components or elements. As such, the fact that one component is said to communicate with a second component is not intended to exclude the possibility that additional components may be present between, and/or operatively associated or engaged with, the first and second components.

As used herein, the terms “measurement”, “sensing”, and “detection” and grammatical variations thereof have interchangeable meanings; for the purpose of the present disclosure, no particular distinction among these terms is intended.

Embodiments disclosed herein comprise hardware and/or software components for controlling liquid flows in microfluidic devices and measuring the progress of miniaturized biochemical reactions occurring in such microfluidic devices. As the description proceeds, it will become evident that the various embodiments disclosed herein can be combined according to various configurations to create a technologic system or platform for implementing micro-scale or sub-micro-scale analytical functions. One or more of these embodiments can contribute to or attain one or more advantages over prior art technology, including: (1) 1000-fold reduction in the amount of reagent needed for a given assay or experiment; (2) elimination of the need for disposable assay plates; (3) fast, serial processing of independent reactions; (4) data readout in real-time; (5) improved data quality; (6) more fully integrated software and hardware, permitting more extensive automation of instrument function, 24/7 operation, automatic quality control and repeat of failed experiments or bad gradients, automatic configuration of new experimental conditions, and automatic testing of multiple hypotheses; (7) fewer moving parts and consequently greater robustness and reliability; and (8) simpler human-instrument interface. As the description proceeds, other advantages may be recognized by persons skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a sample processing apparatus, generally designated SPA, is illustrated according to certain embodiments. Generally, sample processing apparatus SPA can be utilized for precisely generating and mixing continuous concentration gradients of reagents in the nl/min to μl/min range, particularly for initiating a biological response or biochemical reaction from which results can be read after a set period of time. Sample processing apparatus SPA generally comprises a reagent introduction device advantageously provided in the form of a pump assembly, generally designated PA, and a microfluidic chip MFC. Pump assembly PA comprises one or more linear displacement pumps such as syringe pumps or the like. For mixing two or more reagents, pump assembly PA comprises at least two or more pumps. In the illustrated embodiment in which three reagents can be processed (e.g., reagent R_A, R_B, and R_C), sample processing apparatus SPA includes a first pump P_A, a second pump P_B, and a third pump P_C. Sample processing apparatus SPA is configured such that pumps P_A, P_B and P_C are disposed off-chip but inject their respective reagents R_A, R_B and R_C directly into microfluidic chip MFC via separate input lines IL_A, IL_B and IL_C such as fused silica capillaries, polyetheretherketone (such as PEEK® available from Upchurch Scientific of Oak Harbor, Wash.) tubing, or the like. In some embodiments, the outside diameter of input lines IL_A, IL_B and IL_C can range from approximately 50-650 μm. In some embodiments, each pump P_A, P_B and P_C interfaces with its corresponding input line IL_A, IL_B and IL_C through a pump interconnect PI_A, PI_B and PI_C designed for minimizing dead volume and bubble formation, and with replaceable parts that are prone to degradation or wear. Pump interconnects PI_A, PI_B and PI_C according to some embodiments are described in more detail hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B.

Referring to FIG. 2, an example of a suitable linear displacement pump, generally designated P, is diagrammatically illustrated. Pump P includes a servo motor 12 that is energized and controlled through its connection with any suitable electrical circuitry, which could comprise computer hardware and/or software, via electrical leads L. Alternatively, pump P can include any suitable motor for driving the components of a linear displacement pump. For example, pump P can be a stepper motor. Servo motor 12 drives a rotatable lead screw 14 through a gear reduction device 16. Lead screw 14 engages a linearly translatable pump stage 18. A piston or plunger 20 is coupled to pump stage 18 for linear translation within a pump barrel 22 that stores and contains a reagent R to be introduced into microfluidic chip MFC (FIG. 1). Typically, plunger 20 comprises a head portion 20A, an elongate portion or stem 20B, and a distal end or movable boundary 20C. In operation, reagent R is pushed by movable boundary 20C through pump interconnect PI and into input line IL. The structure of each pump P according to advantageous embodiments is further described hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 7A-9.

In one exemplary yet non-limiting embodiment, pump barrel 22 is a gas-tight micro-syringe type, having a volume ranging from approximately 10-250 μl. The thread pitch of lead screw 14 can be approximately 80 threads per inch. Gear reduction device 16 produces a gear reduction of 1024:1 or thereabouts. Servo motor 12 and gear reduction device 16 can have an outside diameter of 10 mm or thereabouts. Servo motor 12 uses a 10-position magnetic encoder with quadrature encoding that provides forty encoder counts per revolution, and the resolution is such that each encoder count is equivalent to 0.0077 μm of linear displacement. The foregoing specifications for the components of pump P can be changed without departing from the scope of the embodiment.

In some embodiments for which a plurality of pumps are provided (e.g., pumps P_A-P_C in FIG. 1), the respective operations of pumps P_A-P_C and thus the volumetric flow rates produced thereby are individually controllable according to individual, pre-programmable fluid velocity profiles. The use of pumps P_A-P_C driven by servo motors 12 can be advantageous in that smooth, truly continuous (i.e., non-pulsatile and non-discrete) flows can be processed in a stable manner. In some embodiments, pumps P_A-P_C are capable of producing flow rates permitting flow grading between about 0 and 500 nl/min, with a precision of 0.1 nl/min in a stable, controllable manner. Optionally, pumps P_A-P_C can produce flow rates permitting flow grading from 0 to as little as 5 nl/min. FIG. 3A is a plot of step gradients generated by two pumps, each containing a different fluorophore, and controlled to create steps of 0.1 nl/min ranging from 0.0 to 1.0 nl/min. The flow in the two pumps were merged in a microfluidic chip and the resulting fluorescence signals were measured to determine the ratio of the mix. The combined flow rate of the two pumps was 1 nl/min, with steps of 0.1 nl/min being made to demonstrate the precision of the flow rate—continuously varying flows also are possible, as described hereinbelow. Moreover, the operation of each servo motor 12 (e.g., the angular velocity of its rotor) can be continuously varied in direct proportion to the magnitude of the electrical control signal applied thereto. In this manner, the ratio of two or more converging streams of reagents (e.g, reagents R_A-R_C in FIG. 1) can be continuously varied over time to produce continuous concentration gradients in microfluidic chip MFC. Thus, the number of discrete measurements that can be taken from the resulting concentration gradient is limited only by the sampling rate of the measurement system employed and the noise in the concentration gradient. Moreover, excellent data can be acquired using a minimal amount of reagent. For instance, in the practice of the present embodiment, high-quality data has been obtained from concentration gradients that consumed only 10 nl of reagent (total volume) from three simultaneous flows of reagents R_A-R_C.

The ability to produce very low flow-rate, stable displacement flows to generate concentration gradients, believed to be 3-4 orders of magnitude slower than that heretofore attainable, provides a number of advantages. Chips can be fabricated from any material, and surface chemistry does not need to be carefully controlled, as with electro-osmotic pumping. Any fluid can be pumped, including fluids that would be problematic for electro-osmotic flows (full range of pH, full range of ionic strength, high protein concentrations) and for pressure driven flows (variable viscosities, non-Newtonian fluids), greatly simplifying the development of new assays. Variations in channel diameters, either from manufacture variability or from clogging, do not affect flow rates, unlike electro-osmotic or pressure flows. Computer control and implementation of control (sensors and actuators) are simpler than for pressure flows, which require sensors and actuators at both ends of the channel. Displacement-driven flows provide the most-straightforward means for implementing variable flows to generate concentration gradients.

The ability to pump at ultra-low flow rates (nl/min) provides a number of advantages in the operation of certain embodiments of microfluidic chip MFC and related methods disclosed herein. These low flow rates enable the use of microfluidic channels with very small cross-sections. Higher, more conventional flow rates require the use of longer channels in order to have equivalent residence times (required to allow many biochemical reactions or biological responses to proceed) or channels with larger cross-sectional areas (which can greatly slow mixing by diffusion and increase dispersion of concentration gradients). In addition, reagent use is decreased because, all other parameters being equal, decreasing the flow rate by half halves the reagent use. Smaller channel dimensions (e.g., 5-30 μm) in the directions required for diffusional mixing of reagents permits even large molecules to rapidly mix in the microfluidic channels.

Referring back to FIG. 1, microfluidic chip MFC comprises a body of material in which channels are formed for conducting, merging, and mixing reagents R_A-R_C for reaction, dilution or other purposes. Microfluidic chip MFC can be structured and fabricated according to any suitable techniques, and using any suitable materials, now known or later developed. In advantageous embodiments, the channels of microfluidic chip MFC are formed within its body to prevent evaporation, contamination, or other undesired interaction with or influence from the ambient environment.

Suitable examples of such a microfluidic chip MFC are disclosed in co-pending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Applications entitled MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING DIFFUSION AND COMPLIANCE EFFECTS AT A FLUID MIXING REGION, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,220 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/3/1); MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING NOISE GENERATED BY MECHANICAL INSTABILITIES, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,245 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/3/2); MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING BACKGROUND AUTOFLUORESCENCE AND THE EFFECTS THEREOF, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,386 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/3/3); and MICROFLUIDIC CHIP APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS HAVING FLUIDIC AND FIBER OPTIC INTERCONNECTIONS, U.S. Provisional Application No: 60/707,246 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/4/2), the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entireties. As discussed therein, to provide internal channels, microfluidic chip MFC can comprise two body portions such as plates or layers, with one body portion serving as a substrate or base on which features such as channels are formed and the other body portion serving as a cover. The two body portions can be bonded together by any means appropriate for the materials chosen for the body portions. Non-limiting examples of bonding techniques include thermal bonding, anodic bonding, glass frit bonding, adhesive bonding, and the like. Non-limiting examples of materials used for the body portions include various structurally stable polymers such as polystyrene, metal oxides such as sapphire (Al₂O₃), silicon, and oxides, nitrides or oxynitrides of silicon (e.g., Si_xN_y, glasses such as SiO₂, or the like). In advantageous embodiments, the materials are chemically inert and biocompatible relative to the reagents to be processed, or include surfaces, films, coatings or are otherwise treated so as to be rendered inert and/or biocompatible. The body portions can be constructed from the same or different materials. To enable optics-based data encoding of analytes processed by microfluidic chip MFC, one or both body portions can be optically transmissive or include windows at desired locations. The channels can be formed by any suitable micro-fabricating techniques appropriate for the materials used, such as the various etching, masking, photolithography, ablation, and micro-drilling techniques available. The channels can be formed, for example, according to the methods disclosed in a co-pending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Application entitled MICROFLUIDIC CHIP APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS HAVING FLUIDIC AND FIBER OPTIC INTERCONNECTIONS, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,246 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/4/2), the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In some embodiments, the size of the channels can range from approximately 5 to 500 μm in cross-sectional area.

As shown in FIG. 1, as one exemplary fluidic architecture, the channels of microfluidic chip MFC include a first input or pre-mixing channel IC_A, a second input or pre-mixing channel IC_B, and a third input or pre-mixing channel IC_C. Input channels IC_A, IC_B and IC_C fluidly communicate with corresponding pumps P_A, P_B, and P_C via input lines IL_A, IL_B, and IL_C. In some embodiments, input channels IC_A, IC_B and IC_C interface with input lines IL_A, IL_B, and IL_C through respective chip interconnects CI_A, CI_B and CI_C. Chip interconnects CI_A, CI_B and CI_C can be provided in accordance with embodiments disclosed in a co-pending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Application entitled MICROFLUIDIC CHIP APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS HAVING FLUIDIC AND FIBER OPTIC INTERCONNECTIONS, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,246 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/4/2), the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In addition to introducing separate reagent streams into microfluidic chip MFC, first and second input channels IC_A and IC_B can serve as temperature-equilibrating channels in which their respective reagents R_A and R_B to be mixed are equilibrated to a given surrounding temperature.

First input channel IC_A and second input channel IC_B terminate or meet at a first T-junction or merging point MP₁. From first merging point MP₁, a first mixing channel MC₁ traverses through microfluidic chip MFC over a distance sufficient to enable passive mixing of reagents R_A and R_B introduced by first input channel IC_A and second input channel IC_B. In some embodiments, the mechanism for passive mixing is thermal or molecular diffusion that depends on flow velocity (e.g. time of flight) and distance of travel. Accordingly, microfabricated active mixers, which can be a source of noise, complexity, unreliability and cost are not required but could be provided. In the present exemplary embodiment, third input channel IC_C and first mixing channel MC₁ terminate or meet at a second T-junction or merging point MP₂, from which a second mixing channel MC₂ traverses through microfluidic chip MFC over a distance sufficient for mixing.

Second mixing channel MC₂ communicates with a process/reaction channel or aging loop AL. Aging loop AL has a length sufficient for prosecuting a reaction or other interaction between reagents after the reagents have been introduced in two or more of first input channel IC_A, second input channel IC_B and/or third input channel IC_C, merged at first mixing point MP₁ and/or second mixing point MP₂, and thereafter mixed in first mixing channel MC₁ and/or second mixing channel MC₂. For a given area of microfluidic chip MFC, the length of aging loop AL can be increased by providing a folded or serpentine configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1. For many processes contemplated herein, the length of aging loop AL and the linear velocity of the fluid flowing therethrough determines the time over which a reaction can proceed. A longer aging loop AL or a slower linear velocity permits longer reactions. The length of aging loop AL can be tailored to a specific reaction or set or reactions, such that the reaction or reactions have time to proceed to completion over the length of aging loop AL. Conversely, a long aging loop AL can be used in conjunction with measuring shorter reaction times by taking measurements closer to second mixing channel MC₂.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, a detection location or point DP is defined in microfluidic chip MFC at an arbitrary point along the flow path of the reagent mixture, e.g., at a desired point along aging loop AL. More than one detection point DP can be defined so as to enable multi-point measurements and thus permit, for example, the measurement of a reaction product at multiple points along aging loop AL and hence analysis of time-dependent phenomena or automatic localization of the optimum measurement point (e.g., finding a point yielding a sufficient yet not saturating analytical signal). In some methods as further described hereinbelow, however, only a single detection point DP is needed. Detection point DP represents a site of microfluidic chip MFC at which any suitable measurement (e.g., concentration) of the reagent mixture can be taken by any suitable encoding and data acquisition technique. As one example, an optical signal can be propagated though microfluidic chip MFC at detection point DP, such as through its thickness (e.g., into or out from the sheet of FIG. 1) or across its plane (e.g., toward a side of the sheet of FIG. 1), to derive an analytical signal for subsequent off-chip processing. Hence, microfluidic chip MFC at detection point DP can serve as a virtual, micro-scale flow cell as part of a sample analysis instrument.

After an experiment has been run and data have been acquired, the reaction products flow from aging loop AL to any suitable off-chip waste site or receptacle W. Additional architectural details and features of microfluidic chip MFC are disclosed in co-pending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Applications entitled MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING DIFFUSION AND COMPLIANCE EFFECTS AT A FLUID MIXING REGION, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,220 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/3/1); MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING NOISE GENERATED BY MECHANICAL INSTABILITIES, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,245 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/3/2); MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING BACKGROUND AUTOFLUORESCENCE AND THE EFFECTS THEREOF, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,386 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/3/3); MICROFLUIDIC CHIP APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS HAVING FLUIDIC AND FIBER OPTIC INTERCONNECTIONS, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,246 (Attorney Docket No. 447/9914/2); and U.S. Provisional Application entitled BIOCHEMICAL ASSAY METHODS, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,374 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/10), the contents of which are incorporated in their entireties.

An example of a method for generating and mixing concentration gradients using sample processing apparatus SPA illustrated in FIG. 1 will now be described. The respective pump barrels 22 (FIG. 2) of two or more of pumps P_A-P_C are filled with different reagents R_A-R_C and installed in pump assembly PA (FIG. 1). It will be understood, however, that one or more of pumps P_A-P_C could be placed in communication with an automated or non-automated liquid handling system to selectively supply reagents R_A-R_C as well as buffers, solvents, and the like. Examples of automated liquid handling systems are described hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 15A-15C. Microfluidic chip MFC, typically with input lines IL_A, IL_B and IL_C attached, is mounted to any suitable holder such as a microscope stage as described hereinbelow in conjunction with one particular embodiment. The proximal (upstream) ends of input lines IL_A, IL_B and IL_C are attached to the corresponding distal (downstream) ends of pump barrels 22 (FIG. 2), such as by using pump interconnects PI_A-PI_C according to certain embodiments disclosed herein. Any suitable method can then be performed to purge the channels of microfluidic chip MFC to remove any contaminants, as well as bubbles or any other compressible fluids affecting flow rates and subsequent concentration gradients. For instance, prior to loading reagents R_A-R_C into pump assembly PA, pump assembly PA can be used to run a solvent through microfluidic chip MFC. Any configuration and calibration of the equipment used for detection/measurement can also be performed at this point, including the selection and/or alignment of optical equipment such as the optics described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 5.

Once sample processing apparatus SPA has been prepared, concentration gradients can be run through microfluidic chip MFC. Two or more of pumps P_A, P_B and/or P_C are activated to establish separate flows of different reagents R_A, R_B and/or R_C into microfluidic chip MFC for combination, mixing, reaction, and measurement. A variety of combining strategies can be employed, depending on the number of inputs into microfluidic chip MFC and the corresponding number of pumps P_A-P_C, on their sequence of mixing determined by the geometry of fluidic channels in microfluidic chip MFC, and on the sequence of control commands sent to the pumps P_A-P_C. Using a microfluidic chip MFC with three inputs as illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, three reagents (reagents R_A, R_B and R_C) can be input into microfluidic chip MFC, and concentration gradients of reagents R_A versus R_B can then be run against a constant concentration of reagent R_C. For another example, by using a four-input microfluidic chip MFC, concentration gradients of reagents R_A and R_B can be run with fixed concentrations of reagent R_C and an additional reagent R_D. Due to the small size of the channels of microfluidic chip MFC, reagents R_A, R_B and/or R_C mix quickly (e.g., less than one second) in mixing channels MC₁ and/or MC₂ due to passive diffusion.

In accordance with one embodiment of the method, the total or combined volumetric flow rate established by the active pumps P_A, P_B and/or P_C can be maintained at a constant value during the run, in which case the transit time from mixing to measurement is constant and, consequently, the duration of reaction is held constant. In addition, the ratio of the individual flow rates established by respective pumps P_A, P_B and/or P_C can be varied over time by individually controlling their respective servo motors 12, thereby causing the resulting concentration gradient of the mixture in aging loop AL to vary with time (i.e. concentration varies with distance along aging loop AL). The concentration gradient of interest is that of the analyte relative to the other components of the mixture. The analyte can be any molecule of interest, and can be any form of reagent or component. Non-limiting examples include inhibitors, substrates, enzymes, fluorophores or other tags, and the like. As the reaction product passes through detection point DP with a varying concentration gradient, the detection equipment samples the reaction product flowing through according to any predetermined interval (e.g., 100 times per second). The measurements taken of the mixture passing through detection point DP can be temporally correlated with the flow ratio produced by pumps P_A, P_B and/or P_C, and a response can be plotted as a function of time or concentration.

Referring to FIG. 3B, an exemplary plot of varying flow velocity profiles programmed for two pumps (e.g., pumps P_A and P_B) is given as a function of time, along with the resulting reagent concentration over time. As can be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the flow velocity profiles can be derived from information generated by encoders typically provided with pumps P_A, P_B and P_C that, for example, transduce the angular velocities of their respective servo motors 12 by magnetic coupling or by counting a reflective indicator such as a notch or hash mark. Similarly, a linear encoder can directly measure the movement of plunger 20 or parts that translate with plunger 20. It can be seen that the total volumetric flow rate can be kept constant even while varying concentration gradients over time, by decreasing the flow rate of pump P_A while increasing the flow rate of pump P_B. For instance, at time t=0, the flow rate associated with pump P_A has the relative value of 100% of the total volumetric flow rate, and the flow rate associated with pump P_B has the relative value of 0%. As the flow rate of pump P_A is ramped down and the flow rate of pump P_B is ramped up, their respective profile lines cross at time t=x, where each flow rate is 50%. As shown in FIG. 3B, each flow rate can be oscillated between 0% and 100%. The resulting plot of concentration can be obtained, for example, through the use of a photodetector that counts photons per second, although other suitable detectors could be utilized as described hereinbelow. Similarly, non-linear concentration gradients and more complex concentration gradients of reagents R_A, R_B and R_C can be generated through appropriate command of the pumps P_A, P_B and P_C. The trace of fluorescence in FIG. 3B includes apparent steps of “shoulders” SH at the beginning of each increasing gradient and each decreasing gradient. These can arise from such phenomena as stiction in the pump or associated parts, inertia of the motor, poor encoder resolution at rotational velocities near zero, or compliance upstream of a merge point. Shoulders SH are systematic errors in the gradient, and means to minimize these errors are disclosed in co-pending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Application entitled MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING DIFFUSION AND COMPLIANCE EFFECTS AT A FLUID MIXING REGION, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,220 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/3/1); and MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING NOISE GENERATED BY MECHANICAL INSTABILITIES, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,245 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/3/2), the contents of which are incorporated in their entireties.

Sample processing apparatus SPA is useful for a wide variety of applications, due at least in part to the simplicity of the technique for concentration gradient mixing described hereinabove and the ubiquity of concentration gradients in assays. Non-limiting examples of applications include enzyme kinetics, clinical diagnostics for neo-natal care (e.g., blood enzyme diagnostics with microliter samples), toxicity studies for drug development (e.g., P450 assays or S9 fraction assays), flow cytometry, cell-based assays, and gradient elution for mass spectrometry.

Also provided is a method for characterizing a biochemical reaction. In some embodiments, the method comprises contacting a first reagent and a second reagent under conditions where the concentration of at least one of the first and second reagents continuously varies with time and determining an outcome of the contacting of the first and second reagents to characterize the biochemical reaction. In some embodiments the method is performed utilizing sample processing apparatus SPA, although it is not required that the method be performed with sample processing apparatus SPA.

In some embodiments, characterizing the biochemical reaction comprises determining:

(1) steady-state kinetic constants, such as Michaelis constants for substrates (K_m), maximum velocity (V_max), and the resultant specificity constant (V_max/K_m or k_cat/K_m);

(2) binding constants for ligands (K_d) and capacity of receptor binding (B_max);

(3) kinetic mechanisms of a bi- or multi-substrate enzyme reactions;

(4) effect of buffer components, such as salts, metals and any inorganic/organic solvents and solutes on enzyme activity and receptor binding;

(5) kinetic isotope effect on enzyme catalyzed reactions;

(6) effect of pH on enzyme catalysis and binding;

(7) dose-responses of inhibitors or activators on enzyme or receptor activity (IC₅₀ and EC₅₀ values);

(8) mechanisms of inhibition of enzyme catalyzed reactions and associated inhibition constants (slope inhibition constant (K_is) and intercept inhibition constant (K_ii));

(9) binding constants (K_d);

(10) binding stoichiometry; or

(11) combinations thereof.

In some embodiments of the method, the first reagent is an enzyme or a receptor and the second reagent is a substrate or a ligand of the first reagent. Further, in some embodiments, the first reagent and/or the second reagent are isotopically labeled. Further, in some embodiments where the reagent is isotopically labeled, the reagent is a solvent of the biochemical reaction.

In some embodiments of the method, first reagent flows within a first fluid stream and the second reagent flows within a second fluid stream. Further, contacting the first and second reagents comprises flowing the first fluid stream into contact with the second fluid stream so as to merge the first and second fluid streams into a merged fluid stream. Further, in some embodiments, continuously varying the concentration of at least one of the first and second reagents comprises varying volumetric flow rates of the first and second fluid streams within a continuous-flow reaction system. Additionally, in some embodiments, varying the volumetric flow rates of the first and second fluid streams comprises controlling speeds of a first pump and a second pump which individually drive first and second fluid streams, respectively. The pumps can be in some embodiments displacement pumps. In some embodiments, the first and second pumps are synchronized to maintain overall constant volumetric flow rate while varying individual volumetric flow rates of the first and second fluid streams.

Still further, in some embodiments of the method, the continuous-flow reaction system is a fluidic system comprising a network of tubing in flow communication and wherein characterizing the biochemical reaction comprises determining: dose-responses of inhibitors or activators on enzyme or receptor activity (IC₅₀ and EC₅₀ value); mechanisms of inhibition of an enzyme catalyzed reaction and associated inhibition constants (slope inhibition constant (K_is) and intercept inhibition constant (K_ii)); kinetic mechanisms of multi-substrate enzyme reactions; capacity of receptor binding (B_max); pH effects on enzyme catalysis; pH effects on enzyme binding; binding constants (K_d); binding stoichiometry; or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments of the method, the continuous-flow reaction system is a fluidic system, wherein the first and second fluid streams are merged via a same fluidic input. In some embodiments, the continuous-flow reaction system is a microfluidic device and in some embodiments, the first and second fluid streams flow within channels on a microfluidic chip, such as for example a microfluidic chip as described herein, including a microfluidic chip as encompassed by sample processing apparatus SPA described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, in particular. For example, in some embodiments first fluid stream flows within a first input channel and the second fluid stream flows within a second input channel, and the contacting between the first and second fluid streams to form the merged fluid stream occurs at a merge region where the first and second channels intersect.

In other embodiments of the method, the method further comprises contacting a third reagent with the first and second reagents, wherein the concentration of at least one of the first, second, and third reagents continuously varies with time. In some embodiments, the third reagent is a second substrate or ligand of the first reagent, whereas in other embodiments the third reagent is a proton, and in others, the third reagent is a reaction component varied to determine optimal reaction conditions.

In still further embodiments of the method wherein a third reagent is present, the first reagent flows within a first fluid stream, the second reagent flows within a second fluid stream, and the third reagent flows within a third fluid stream and contacting the first and second reagents comprises flowing the first fluid stream into contact with the second fluid stream so as to merge the first and second fluid streams into a first merged fluid stream and contacting the third reagent with the first and second reagents comprises flowing the third fluid stream into contact with the first merged fluid stream so as to merge the third fluid stream and the first merged fluid stream into a second merged fluid stream.

In some embodiments wherein a third reagent is present, continuously varying the concentration of at least one of the first, second, and third reagents comprises varying volumetric flow rates of the first, second, and third fluid streams within a continuous-flow reaction system. Further, in some embodiments, varying the volumetric flow rates of the first, second, and third fluid streams comprises controlling speeds of a first pump, a second pump, and a third pump which individually drive first, second, and third fluid streams, respectively. The first, second, and third pumps can be in some embodiments displacement pumps. The first and second pumps can be synchronized to maintain an overall constant volumetric flow rate of the first merged fluid stream while varying individual volumetric flow rates of the first and second fluid streams. The third pump can also be synchronized with the first and second pumps to produce an overall constant volumetric flow rate of the second merged fluid stream.

In still further embodiments wherein a third reagent is present, the continuous-flow reaction system can be a fluidic system comprising a network of tubing in flow communication, wherein characterizing the biochemical reaction comprises determining: dose-responses of inhibitors or activators on enzyme or receptor activity (IC₅₀ and EC₅₀ value); mechanisms of inhibition of an enzyme catalyzed reaction and associated inhibition constants (slope inhibition constant (K_is) and intercept inhibition constant (K_ii)); kinetic mechanisms of multi-substrate enzyme reactions; capacity of receptor binding (B_max); pH effects on enzyme catalysis; pH effects on enzyme binding; binding constants (K_d); binding stoichiometry; or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments wherein a third reagent is present, the continuous-flow reaction system is a microfluidic device and the first, second, and third fluid streams flow within channels on a microfluidic chip, including for example, a microfluidic chip as encompassed by sample processing apparatus SPA described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, in particular. For example, in some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first fluid stream flows within a first input channel, the second fluid stream flows within a second input channel, and the third fluid stream flows within a third input channel of the microfluidic chip, and the contacting between the first and second fluid streams to form the first merged fluid stream occurs at a first merge region where the first and second channels intersect and the contacting between the third fluid stream and the first merged fluid stream to form the second merged fluid stream occurs at a second merge region where the third channel intersects the second merge region.

The sample processing apparatuses and methods described herein can also be utilized for biochemical assays and, in particular, to the assessment of the effect that a compound (e.g. an inhibitor or an activator) has on the activity of a target. For example, the sample processing apparatuses and methods described herein can be used in determining properties of inhibitors and/or activators and, in particular, inhibitory concentration values (IC_x) and/or effective concentration values (EC_x), where x is a percentage of target activity. Advantageous embodiments of biochemical assay methods and systems are further disclosed in a co-pending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Application entitled BIOCHEMICAL ASSAY METHODS, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,374 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/10), the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

The amount of data points and accuracy of collection for the above noted exemplary applications, when performed using the sample processing apparatus SPA described herein, are superior to that observed in any heretofore known data collection techniques. In particular, the sample processing apparatus SPA provides directly measurable continuous concentration gradients by accurately varying the volumetric flow rates of multiple reagent streams simultaneously by a precisely known amount. Therefore, it is known by direct observation what the expected concentration gradients are, rather than having to calculate the gradients indirectly. This allows for more accurate data collection than is possible with previously described devices for the applications listed above and others. The pump mechanisms described herein facilitate the use of continuous concentration gradients, in that in one embodiment, the pump mechanisms operate by flow displacement, which provides more precise volume control.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a generalized schematic of sample processing apparatus SPA is illustrated to show by way of example the integration of other useful components for analytical testing and data acquisition according to spectroscopic, spectrographic, spectrometric, or spectrophotometric techniques, and particularly UV or visible molecular absorption spectroscopy and molecular luminescence spectrometry (including fluorescence, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence). In addition to pump assembly PA and microfluidic chip MFC, which at detection point DP (FIG. 1) could be considered as serving as a data encoding or analytical signal generating virtual sample cell or cuvette, sample processing apparatus SPA can include an excitation source ES, one or more wavelength selectors WS₁ and WS₂ or similar devices, a radiation detector RD, and a signal processing and readout device SPR. The particular types of these components and their inclusion with sample processing apparatus SPA can depend on, for example, the type of measurement to be made and the type of analytes to be measured/detected. In some embodiments, sample processing apparatus SPA additionally comprises a thermal control unit or circuitry TCU that communicates with a pump temperature regulating device TRD₁ integrated with pump assembly PA for regulating the temperature of the reagents residing in pumps P_A-P_C, and/or a chip temperature regulating device TRD₂ in which microfluidic chip MFC can be enclosed for regulating the temperature of reagents and mixtures flowing therein. Details of these temperature regulating components according to specific embodiments are given hereinbelow. Additionally, a chip holder CH can be provided as a platform for mounting and positioning microfluidic chip MFC, with repeatable precision if desired, especially one that is positionally adjustable to allow the user to view selected regions of microfluidic chip MFC and/or align microfluidic chip MFC (e.g., detection point DP thereof) with associated optics.

Generally, excitation source ES can be any suitable continuum or line source or combination of sources for providing a continuous or pulsed input of initial electromagnetic energy (hv)₀ to detection point DP (FIG. 1) of microfluidic chip MFC. Non-limiting examples include lasers, such as visible light lasers including green HeNe lasers, red diode lasers, and frequency-doubled Nd:YAG lasers or diode pumped solid state (DPSS) lasers (532 nm); hollow cathode lamps; deuterium, helium, xenon, mercury and argon arc lamps; xenon flash lamps; quartz halogen filament lamps; and tungsten filament lamps. Broad wavelength emitting light sources can include a wavelength selector WS₁ as appropriate for the analytical technique being implemented, which can comprise one or more filters or monochromators that isolate a restricted region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Upon irradiation of the sample at detection point DP, a responsive analytical signal having an attenuated or modulated energy (hv)₁ is emitted from microfluidic chip MFC and received by radiation detector RD. Any suitable light-guiding technology can be used to direct the electromagnetic energy from excitation source ES, through microfluidic chip MFC, and to the remaining components of the measurement instrumentation. In some embodiments, optical fibers are employed. The interfacing of optical fibers with microfluidic chip MFC according to advantageous embodiments is disclosed in a co-pending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Application entitled MICROFLUIDIC CHIP APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS HAVING FLUIDIC AND FIBER OPTIC INTERCONNECTIONS, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,246 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/4/2), the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In some embodiments, a miniaturized dip probe can be employed at detection point DP, in which both the optical sending and returning fibers enter the same side of microfluidic chip MFC and a reflective element routes the optical signal down the sending fiber back through the microfluidic channel to the returning fiber. Similarly a single fiber can be used both to introduce the light and to collect the optical signal and return it to a detector. For example, the excitation light for a fluorophore can be introduced into the microfluidic chip by an optical fiber, and the fluorescent light emitted by the sample in the microfluidic chip can be collected by that same fiber and transmitted to a photodetector, with appropriate wavelength selectors permitting rejection of excitation light at the photodetector.

Wavelength selector WS₂ is utilized as appropriate for the analytical technique being implemented, and can comprise one or more filters or monochromators that isolate a restricted region of the electromagnetic spectrum and provide a filtered signal (hv)₂ for subsequent processing. Radiation detector RD can be any appropriate photoelectric transducer that converts the radiant energy of filtered analytical signal (hv)₂ into an electrical signal I suitable for use by signal processing and readout device SPR. Non-limiting examples include photocells, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), avalanche photodiodes (APDs), photodiode arrays (PDAs), and charge-coupled devices (CCDs). In particular, for fluorescence measurements, a PMT or APD can be operated in a photon counting mode to increase sensitivity or yield improved signal-to-noise ratios. Advantageously, radiation detector RD is enclosed in an insulated and opaque box to guard against thermal fluctuations in the ambient environment and keep out light.

Signal processing and readout device SPR can perform a number of different functions as necessary to condition the electrical signal for display in a human-readable form, such as amplification (i.e., multiplication of the signal by a constant greater than unity), phase shifting, logarithmic amplification, ratioing, attenuation (i.e., multiplication of the signal by a constant smaller than unity), integration, differentiation, addition, subtraction, exponential increase, conversion to AC, rectification to DC, comparison of the transduced signal with one from a standard source, and/or transformation of the electrical signal from a current to a voltage (or the converse of this operation). In addition, signal processing and readout device SPR can perform any suitable readout function for displaying the transduced and processed signal, and thus can include a moving-coil meter, a strip-chart recorder, a digital display unit such as a digital voltmeter or CRT terminal, a printer, or a similarly related device. Finally, signal processing and readout device SPR can control one or more other components of sample processing apparatus SPA as necessary to automate the mixing, sampling/measurement, and/or temperature regulation processes of the methods disclosed herein. For instance, signal processing and readout device SPR can be placed in communication with excitation source ES, pumps P_A-P_C and thermal control unit TCU via suitable electrical lines to control and synchronize their respective operations, as well as receive feedback from the encoders typically provided with pumps P_A-P_C.

As appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the signal processing, readout, and system control functions can be implemented in individual devices—or integrated into a single device, and can be implemented using hardware (e.g., a PC computer), firmware (e.g., application-specific chips), software, or combinations thereof. The computer can be a general-purpose computer that includes a memory for storing computer program instructions for carrying out processing and control operations. The computer can also include a disk drive, a compact disk drive, or other suitable component for reading instructions contained on a computer-readable medium for carrying out such operations. In addition to output peripherals such as a display and printer, the computer can contain input peripherals such as a mouse, keyboard, barcode scanner, light pen, or other suitable component known to persons skilled in the art for enabling a user to input information into the computer.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a specific embodiment of sample processing apparatus SPA is illustrated in the form of a fluorescence measurement apparatus, generally designated FMA, which can be used to measure/detect fluorescence intensity, fluorescence polarization, or time-resolved fluorescence. A microscope, and particularly a fluorescence microscope, can be employed for a number of functions. Microfluidic chip MFC can be mounted on a microscope stage ST typically provided with the microscope. In some embodiments, microscope stage ST can be controllably actuated in X-Y or X-Y-Z space to align microfluidic chip MFC with an objective O of the microscope as well as other associated optics. In addition to enabling a selected area of microfluidic chip MFC to be viewed, objective O can focus or direct incoming light supplied from excitation source ES. Light-guiding optical components can be employed, including a dichroic mirror M₁ for reflecting the light from excitation source ES and transmitting the fluorescence signal from microfluidic chip MFC, and an additional mirror M₂ if needed for reflecting the attenuated signal to wavelength selector WS.

Fluorescence measuring apparatus FMA can be configured such that multiple excitation wavelengths are simultaneously introduced into a sample containing multiple signal fluorophores inside microfluidic chip MFC. This can be done by using a multiple bandpass filter as a wavelength selector WS₁ or by using multiple lasers as excitation light sources. Similarly multiple bandpass dichroic mirrors and multiple wavelength selectors WS₂ can be used to transmit the fluorescence from individual fluorophores to multiple signal processing and readout devices SPR.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, mirror M₁ is a shortpass dichroic reflector that reflects light from excitation source ES and transmits fluorescent light collected from microfluidic chip MFC by objective O back toward radiation detector RD. Wavelength selector WS is a barrier filter appropriate for use in conjunction with a radiation detector RD provided in the form of a photon counter. As further illustrated in FIG. 5, the signal processing and readout device SPR is provided in the form of any suitable computer PC. A suitable computer program, developed for instance using LABVIEW® software, available from National Instruments Corporation, Austin, Tex., can be stored and/or loaded into computer PC to enable computer PC to be specifically programmed to control the operation of fluorescence measurement apparatus FMA.

Referring to FIG. 6, an advantageous system control program SCP is depicted for controlling sample processing apparatus SPA generally illustrated in FIG. 4, according to any specific embodiment thereof such as fluorescence measurement apparatus FMA illustrated in FIG. 5. System control program SCP can include five software modules or routines: a configuration module 52, a thermal control module 54, a manual or debug module 56, chip navigating module 58, and a run or data acquisition module 60. As can be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, system control program SCP can be provided as a computer program product, especially one compatible with a graphical user interface (GUI), comprising computer-executable instructions and/or data embodied in a computer-readable medium.

Configuration module 52 enables a user to create individual volumetric flow profiles (see, e.g., FIG. 3B) by which respective pumps P_A-P_C of pump assembly PA (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 4) are to be controlled for a given experiment. For example, the user can create flow velocity profiles as percentages of a defined total flow rate, as shown in FIG. 3B. Configuration module 52 can include a flag that alerts the user when the individual flow rates do not add up to the total flow rate (i.e., 100%).

Thermal control module 54 controls the operation of thermal control unit TCU (FIG. 4) and thus pump temperature regulating device TRD₁ and/or chip temperature regulating device TRD₂. Thermal control module 54 can be used, for example, for dictating whether pump temperature regulating device TRD₁ and/or chip temperature regulating device TRD₂ are to be active during the experiment, providing the set point temperature for pump temperature regulating device TRD₁ and/or chip temperature regulating device TRD₂, and logging instantaneous temperatures sensed by pump temperature regulating device TRD₁ and/or chip temperature regulating device TRD₂ to a data file at a user-defined temperature sampling rate.

Manual or debug module 56 can be used to manually control (including, for instance, overriding certain automated functions on an as-needed basis) any aspect of sample processing apparatus SPA. As examples, the user can control the flow rate of each pump P_A, P_B and P_C individually, adjust the temperature settings of pumps P_A-P_C and microfluidic chip MFC, view in real time the values read by radiation detector RD, monitor any peripheral analog input devices such as photodiodes or thermistors, and the like.

Chip navigation module 58 is a tool for controlling the user's view of microfluidic chip MFC and events occurring therein during an experiment. For instance, chip navigation module 58 can allow the user to define an exact point or region of interest on microfluidic chip MFC and repeatably return to that point or region with the click of a button on the user interface, even after microfluidic chip MFC has been removed from and placed back on chip positioning or mounting stage (FIG. 4) such as microscope stage ST (FIG. 5). The user can automatically cycle through different detection spots if desired. As appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the user's view of microfluidic chip MFC can be effected by any suitable means, such as via a peripheral display device (e.g., CRT screen) provided with computer PC and using a CCD camera incorporated with the system for viewing microfluidic chip MFC. The views made by the user during an experiment can be recorded into a data file if desired to add a visual component to the analytical process.

Finally, run or data acquisition module actually executes the experiment according to the various user-defined parameters, including the flow velocity profiles designed using configuration module 52 and set point data inputted using thermal control module 54. Moreover, run or data acquisition module 60 can provide a display of information yielded during the course of the experiment, such as flow velocities and responses as described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 3B. The user can watch in real time as data are collected from radiation detector RD, the encoders provided with pumps P_A-P_C, pump temperature regulating device TRD₁, chip temperature regulating device TRD₂, and any other analog or digital data-generating devices provided with sample processing apparatus SPA. It will be understood that some of the data can be acquired according to respective, user-defined sampling rates, while other data can be acquired continuously or on-demand.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C, one exemplary embodiment of pump assembly PA is illustrated that is capable of precisely delivering liquids into microfluidic chip MFC at nl/min-scale, smooth, non-pulsatile flow rates as described hereinabove. Pump assembly PA can include one or more pumps, such as four pumps P_A-P_D as illustrated. The various components of each pump P_A-P_D, described hereinabove and schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, are supported in a pump housing 102 with pump barrels 22 (FIG. 2) being mounted in recesses 152A in a barrel holder 152. Pump housing 102 can be constructed from any suitable material, with non-limiting examples being polyoxymethylene, aluminum, steel, DELRIN® material, or polyvinylchloride. Pump housing 102 can include a stand portion 104 for mounting pump P at a desired angle relative to the vertical to reduce the footprint of pump assembly PA and protect servo motors 12 from condensation resulting from cooling as described hereinbelow. Pump housing 102 can also include a mounting portion 106 such as a bracket for affixing pump assembly PA in place. Preferably, a drip cup 107 is included to catch condensation and serve as a windscreen to prevent input lines IL (see, e.g., FIG. 2) from blowing around, especially when a cooling fan 158 (FIGS. 7B and 7C) is provided to remove heat from a Peltier device or other temperature regulating element TRE₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 7C) that cools pump housing 102. Pump housing 102 can include a hinged door 108 to provide access to pump barrels 22 mounted in recesses 152A for replacement or cleaning, or manual loading of reagents therein. The lower portions of pump housing 102 surrounding pump barrels 22, including the inside of door 108 and surrounding barrel holder 152, can be provided with insulation 110 to thermally isolate pump barrels 22 and their contents. To accommodate different positions of plunger 20, the axial positions of pump stages 18 relative to their respective pump barrels 22 (not depicted here, but mounted in recesses 152A in barrel holder 152) can be adjusted through the use of thumb screws 112 or other appropriate fastening or tightening means. Manipulation of thumb screws 112 can release their respective pump stages 18 to allow servo motors 12 to slide up and down while the positions of the pump barrels are fixed by recesses 152A in barrel holder 152.

Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, each plunger 20 (shown in FIG. 7A) is coupled to its respective pump stage 18 for linear translation therewith by means of a coupling device, generally designated CD. Coupling device CD comprises a plunger clasp 122, a tightening plate 124, and a set screw 126. Plunger clasp 122 is secured to pump stage 18, and includes a cavity 122A and an aperture or recess 122B through which plunger 20 extends. Head portion 20A of plunger 20, which typically has a greater diameter than its stem 20B, is removably disposed in cavity 122A. Set screw 126 extends through a hole of tightening plate 124 and is threaded into pump stage 18. Tightening plate 124 resides in cavity 122A and can be adjusted via set screw 126 to secure head portion 20A of plunger 20 between tightening plate 124 and an inside surface of cavity, thereby effecting a coupling relation between pump stage 18 and plunger 20 with minimal mechanical loss and minimal lateral motion of plunger 20.

In advantageous embodiments, pump assembly PA provides temperature-control functionality. While both heating and cooling can be effected, the ability to cool pump assembly PA is particularly advantageous as it enables thermally labile reagents to be cooled in-situ to prevent their degradation, thereby eliminating the need for ex-situ or on-chip refrigeration. Proteins, for example, can denature at room temperatures in a matter of hours. Thus, cooling is particularly important when lengthy run times are contemplated. For example, if a 10-μl barrel is used, approximately 8 hours of run time is possible at a flow rate of 20 nl/min. In one embodiment, pump assembly PA can maintain a reagent temperature ranging from approximately −4° C. to 70° C. to within 0.05° C. of accuracy. Moreover, thermal control of pump assembly PA provides the flow stability and noise reduction needed when operating at flow rates in the nl/min range. A change in room temperature can cause thermal expansion of the components of pump assembly PA that interact with the liquids being conveyed, thereby causing a thermal pumping effect. For example, when pumping at a low flow rate such as a few nl/min, a 1-nl change in the volume of the system (i.e., 0.01 percent of total volume for a 10 μl syringe pump) over one minute will be noticeable. Similarly, a 1° C. change in the temperature of the stainless steel plunger of some microsyringes causes the plunger to change length by 2 μm, changing the volume inside the microsyringe by 0.3 nl. Because room temperature is a disturbance, thermal pumping appears as noise in the output of the pumps of pump assembly PA. Hence, controlling the temperature of pump assembly PA reduces this noise. Finally, with regard to the multi-pump configuration illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, the ability to regulate all pumps P_A-P_D at the same temperature reduces any disparity in any temperature gradients respectively existing between each pump P_A-P_D. Otherwise, the existence of different temperature gradients between pumps P_A-P_D can cause pumps P_A-P_D to thermally pump out of phase with each other, which can also contribute to signal noise.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, pump assembly PA can include a pump temperature regulating device TRD₁ (FIG. 4) comprising, in addition to insulated pump housing 102: a barrel holder 152 (FIG. 7A); one or more temperature sensing devices 154 (FIG. 7A); a temperature regulating element, generally designated TRE₁ (FIG. 7C); a heat sink 156 (FIGS. 7B and 7C); and a cooling fan 158 (FIGS. 7B and 7C). Barrel holder 152 is mounted within pump housing 102 to support pump barrels 22. To maximize thermal contact between barrel holder 152 and pump barrels 22, elongate recesses 152A are formed in barrel holder 152 that generally conform to the outer profiles of pump barrels 22 for maximum surface contact. Barrel holder 152 can be constructed from any suitably efficient thermally conductive material such as aluminum, copper, or the like. Temperature sensing device 154 is embedded or otherwise placed in thermal contact with barrel holder 152 by any securement means such as thermally conductive epoxy, thermally conducting grease, or simply by direct contact. Temperature sensing device 154 provides real-time temperature feedback for thermal control unit TCU (FIG. 4). Thus, temperature sensing device 154 can be any suitable device such as a thermistor. Heat sink 156 is mounted to pump housing 102 or to barrel holder 152, or is otherwise in thermal contact with the side of barrel holder 152 opposite to pump barrels 22. Heat sink 156 can be employed to dissipate heat during cooling operations, and thus can include cooling fins to maximize the surface area available for heat transfer as appreciated by persons skilled in the art. Additional cooling can be effected through the use of cooling fan 158 if desired or needed. In the illustrated embodiment, cooling fan 158 is mounted at the side of heat sink 156 opposite to barrel holder 152. Similarly, heat can be removed by a water-filled heat exchanger in communication with an external water bath. For instance, heat sink 156 can be configured for circulating water or another suitable heat transfer medium therethrough.

Temperature regulating element TRE₁ is mounted between barrel holder 152 and heat sink 156 for either transferring heat to barrel holder 152 (and thus barrel and its fluid contents) or transferring heat away from barrel holder 152 to heat sink 156. In advantageous embodiments, temperature regulating element TRE₁ is a thermoelectric device such as a Peltier device, as illustrated in FIG. 9, which includes adjoining metals 162A and 162B of different compositions sandwiched between a cold-side plate 164 adjacent to heat sink 156 plate and a hot-side plate 166 adjacent to barrel holder 152. Cold-side plate 164 and hot-side plate 166 are typically of ceramic construction. As appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the passage of current in a reversible direction across the junction of differing metals 162A and 162B, across which a Peltier voltage exists, causes either an evolution or absorption of heat. More specifically, when current is forced across the junction against the direction of the Peltier voltage, active heating occurs. When current is forced in the opposite direction, i.e., in the same direction as the Peltier voltage, active cooling occurs. This current can be controlled by thermal control unit TCU (FIG. 4). Temperature regulating element TRE₁ can be employed to regulate the entire interior of pump assembly PA so as to regulate other components such as coupling device CD, pump stage 18, plunger 20, and pump interconnect PI. Thermal expansion of any of these components can generate undesirable thermal pumping.

Referring to FIG. 10A, a general schematic of the temperature control circuitry for implementing temperature regulation of pump assembly PA is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment. To control the current in temperature regulating element TRE₁, the temperature control circuitry can include a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) based thermoelectric module temperature controller 172, such as is commercially available from Oven Industries, Inc., Mechanicsburg, Pa., as Model No. 5C7-361. Temperature controller 172 communicates with a suitable power supply 174 as well as temperature regulating element TRE₁, and receives temperature measurement signals from temperature sensing device 154. In addition, temperature controller 172 communicates with signal processing and readout device SPR (see also FIG. 4 and computer PC in FIG. 5) to provide temperature data thereto and/or receive commands therefrom. If appropriate, temperature controller 172 communicates with signal processing and readout device SPR via a communications module 176 such as an RS-232 to RS-485 converter. Temperature controller 172, power supply 174, and communications module 176 can be integrated as thermal control unit TCU illustrated in FIG. 4. In operation, temperature controller 172 regulates the duty cycle of temperature regulating element TRE₁ to maintain a user-selected set point temperature based on the feedback from temperature sensing device 154. According to various embodiments, set point values are either inputted into signal processing and readout device SPR using for example a graphical user interface and sent to temperature controller 172, or directly inputted into temperature controller 172 with user interface hardware (e.g., potentiometers) provided with thermal control unit TCU.

FIG. 10B is a schematic view of a thermally-controlled pump assembly, generally designated PA. Two compartments C_A and C_B that house the components of pump assembly PA. Compartments C_A and C_B can be made of thermal mass material TMM comprising the walls, floor, and lid of compartments C_A and C_B. Thermal mass material TMM can have large thermal mass, and is typically rigid to provide mechanical integrity to the walls, such as steel, brass, or other metal. Compartments C_A and C_B are insulated with insulating material IM that wraps compartments C_A and C_B and separates compartment C_A from compartment C_B. Insulating material IM is a material of low thermal conductivity such as rigid foam. A lid (not shown) made of thermal mass material TMM insulated with insulating material IM encloses compartments C_A and C_B. Compartments C_A houses pumps P_A-P_D and switching valves SV₁ and SV₂. Pump lines PL_A-PL_D connect, respectively, pumps P_A-P_D to switching valves SV₁ and SV₂. Switching valves SV₁ and SV₂ thereby switchably connect PL_A-PL_D to fill lines FL_A-FL_D to or to hydraulic lines FL_A-FL_D, and pumps P_A-P_D can move in reverse to fill with hydraulic fluid HF from refill reservoir RR or switching valves SV₁ and SV₂ can connect pumps P_A-P_D to hydraulic lines HL_A-HL_D whereby they pump fluid through unions U_A-U_D and into reagent cartridges RC_A-RC_D, thereby forcing reagent from reagent cartridges RC_A-RC_D through chip unions CU_A-CU_D and into a microfluidic chip via interconnect lines (such as interconnect lines IL_A-IL_D shown in FIG. 1). This embodiment provides several advantages over the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. Reagent cartridges RC_A-RC_D can have a volume greater than pumps P_A-P_D to extend the life of a pump before reagents have to be replenished. Pumps P_A-P_D, having smaller volume, should be refilled periodically with hydraulic fluid HF, which can be achieved through switching valves SV₁ and SV₂, which permit intermittent connection to refill reservoir RR through fill lines FL_A-FL_D. Hydraulic fluid HF is a chemically inert fluid that will transmit pressure to the solutions in reagent cartridges RC_A-RC_D and on through to the microfluidic chip. Compartment C_A housing the pumps can either be thermally controlled by a thermal regulating element TRE (FIG. 4) as described for FIG. 7 or it can be allowed to remain at ambient. The large thermal mass provided by thermal mass material TMM in concert with thermal isolation provided by insulating material IM can prevent contents of compartment C_A from changing appreciably, reducing thermal pumping. Because pumps P_A-P_D are entirely enclosed in compartment C_A then thermal pumping caused by thermal expansion of components, such as plungers 20 (FIG. 2), exposed in the pump in FIG. 7 is reduced. Similarly, the contents of reagent cartridges RC_A-RC_D can be thermally regulated by regulating the temperature of compartment C_B via thermal regulating element TRE (FIG. 4) as described for FIG. 7. This permits refrigeration of temperature labile reagents, and the large thermal mass provided by thermal mass material TMM in concert with thermal isolation provided by insulating material IM can hold the contents of compartment C_B at constant temperature, reducing thermal pumping.

Referring back to FIG. 4, in embodiments that include pump temperature regulating device TRD₁, and where pump temperature regulating device TRD₁ is employed for preserving (i.e., cooling) reagents in pump assembly PA, it will be noted that such reagents can be rapidly brought to reaction temperature upon their introduction into microfluidic chip MFC. This facility can be due at least in part to the small volume of the fluid relative to microfluidic chip MFC and the large surface area to volume ratio of the fluid. Additionally, the reaction temperature can be attained through the use of chip temperature regulating device TRD₂, described in detail hereinbelow. The provision of pump temperature regulating device TRD₁ eliminates the need for on-chip storage of reagents. The thermal conductance on small microfluidic devices (especially those constructed from glass and silicon) does not easily permit different temperature compartments on one chip. Also eliminated is the need for on-chip heat exchangers, which add cost and complexity to the chip design.

Referring now to the respective exploded and assembly views of FIGS. 11A and 11B, one advantageous embodiment of a pump interconnect, generally designated PI (e.g., pump interconnect PI_A, PI_B or PI_C of FIG. 1) is illustrated. Pump interconnect PI can comprise an assembly of collinearly and coaxially interfaced components providing a reliable, fluidly sealed macroscopic-to-microscopic connection with minimal dead volume. In one exemplary embodiment, the dead volume is as low as approximately 70 nl. Moreover, many of the components utilized, particularly those prone to wear or other degradation, are easily removable from the assembly and replaceable. Other components can be bonded to each other by using epoxy adhesive or any other suitable technique.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, pump interconnect PI comprises a first annular member 202, a second annular member 204, a third annular member 206, a hollow gasket 208, a female fitting 210, a male fitting 212, and a sleeve 214. These components can be made of any suitable biocompatible, inert material such as stainless steel or various polymers. In some embodiments, female fitting 210, male fitting 212, and sleeve 214 are taken from the NANOPORT™ assembly commercially available from Upchurch Scientific (a division of Scivex), Oak Harbor, Wash. In some embodiments, barrel 22 and first annular member 202 are preassembled pieces belonging to a GASTIGHT microsyringe available from Hamilton Company of Reno, Nev., U.S.A.

First annular member 202 has a bore 202A large enough to receive pump barrel 22. Hollow gasket 208 is sized to effect a fluid seal between pump barrel 22 and female fitting 210 when inserted into bore 202A of first annular member 202. Hollow gasket 208 is inserted far enough to abut the distal end of pump barrel 22, and has a bore 208A fluidly communicating with that of pump barrel 22 and aperture 210C of female fitting 210. In some embodiments, hollow gasket 208 is constructed from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Second annular member 204 is coaxially disposed about first annular member 202, and is removably secured thereto such as by providing mating threads on an outside surface 202B of first annular member 202 and an inside surface 204A of second annular member 204. Female fitting 210 is disposed within a cavity 206A of third annular member 206 and extends through a bore 206B of third annular member 206. The proximal end of female fitting 210, which can be defined by a flanged portion thereof, abuts the distal end of hollow gasket 208 and may abut the distal ends of first annular member 202 and/or second annular member 204. Female fitting 210 has a bore 210B beginning at a proximal aperture 210C disposed in axial alignment with bore 208A of hollow gasket 208. In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of bore 210B of female fitting 210 is tapered, and this tapered profile is complementary to a tapered profile presented by an outside surface 212A of male fitting 212 to effect a removable seal interface.

Third annular member 206 is coaxially disposed about second annular member 204, and is removably secured thereto such as by providing mating threads on an outside surface 204B of second annular member 204 and an inside surface 206C of third annular member 206. This feature enables third annular member 206 to be axially adjustable relative to second annular member 204 so as to bias hollow gasket 208 toward pump barrel 22, thereby improving the sealing interface of hollow gasket 208 between female fitting 210 and pump barrel 22. A sealing member 216, such as an annular gasket or o-ring, can be disposed in cavity 206A of third annular member 206 and is compressed between flanged portion of female fitting 210 and an inside surface 206D of cavity 206A, thereby improving the seal between the inside space of pump interconnect PI and the ambient environment by ensuring that the assembly of female fitting 210 and male fitting 212 sits flat against hollow gasket 208.

Male fitting 212 is inserted into bore 210B of female fitting 210, and has a bore 212B that is axially aligned with proximal aperture 210C of female fitting 210. In some embodiments, male fitting 212 is removably secured to female fitting 210 by providing mating threads on an outside surface 212C of male fitting 212 and an inside surface 210D of bore 210B of female fitting 210. Input line IL, provided for connection with microfluidic chip MFC as described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 1, is inserted through bore 212B of male fitting 212 to extend through proximal aperture 210C in fluid communication with bore 208A of hollow gasket 208. In some embodiments, a sleeve 214 is inserted through bore 212B of male fitting 212 coaxially around input line IL.

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional exploded view of a microfluidic pump interconnect, generally designated PI. Pump interconnect PI comprises a first annular member 222, a second annular member 206, a female fitting 220, a male fitting 212, and a sleeve 214. According to one embodiment, female fitting 220, male fitting 212, and sleeve 214 are components of the NANOPORT™ available from Upchurch Scientific. In addition, according to one embodiment, barrel 22 is a GASTIGHT® microsyringe available from Hamilton Company. Female fitting 220 can be identical to female fitting 210 shown in FIG. 11A, however, the side of female fitting 220 containing aperture 220B may be machined back to produce a nipple 220C that directly seals against the glass surface of barrel 22.

Referring to FIG. 11C, annular member 222 has a bore 222A large enough to receive pump barrel 22, and these two parts are glued together with epoxy such that a front face 22A of barrel 22 extends slightly beyond front face 222B of first annular member 222. Second annular member 206 is then screwed onto first annular member 222 engaging flanges 220A of female fitting 222 and forcing nipple 220C against the front face 22A of barrel 22 such that aperture 220B is in fluid communication with barrel bore 22B, and nipple 220C forms a pressure tight seal against front face 22A of barrel 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, an advantageous embodiment of chip temperature regulating device TRD₂ is illustrated. Microfluidic chip MFC can be encapsulated within chip temperature regulating device TRD₂ to thermally isolate microfluidic chip MFC from ambient temperature fluctuations, stabilize fluid flow, control the temperature of a biochemical reaction proceeding in or on microfluidic chip MFC, and/or stabilize the position of microfluidic chip MFC and its alignment with other components such as excitation source ES (FIGS. 4 and 5) by minimizing thermally induced motions of one or more components of microfluidic chip MFC, any or all of which can contribute to reducing thermal noise and consequently improving the quality of measurement data acquired during concentration gradient runs. In one specific embodiment, chip temperature regulating device TRD₂ can control chip temperature within a range of approximately −4° C. to 70° C. to within 0.1° C. of accuracy. Thus, the temperature of microfluidic chip MFC, and/or one component thereof or associated therewith, and/or the liquid processed by microfluidic chip MFC, can be controlled.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, microfluidic chip MFC can be encapsulated between a first thermally conductive body or top plate 252 and a second thermally conductive body or bottom plate 254. First and second bodies 252 and 254 can be constructed from any suitably efficient thermally conductive material, one non-limiting example being aluminum, and bonded together by any suitable means. As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, first and second bodies 252 and 254, if constructed from a light-scattering and/or an insufficiently light-transmissive material, can each include an optically clear window 256 and 258, respectively, to enable microfluidic chip MFC to be optically interrogated from either the top or the bottom. In one exemplary embodiment, first and second bodies 252 and 254 are each approximately 0.25 inch thick and have a planar area of approximately 3×5 inches, with their respective windows 256 and 258 having an area of approximately 25×50 mm.

Referring specifically to FIG. 13, one or more temperature regulating elements TRE₂ are attached to first thermally conductive body 252 by any suitable means to provide active heating and/or cooling. In advantageous embodiments, each temperature regulating element TRE₂ is a thermoelectric device such as a Peltier device, which is described hereinabove and illustrated in FIG. 9. To remove heat generated by temperature regulating elements TRE₂ during operation, a heat sink 262 can be attached to each temperature regulating element TRE₂ as shown in FIG. 12B. Additional cooling means can be provided for cooling heat sink 262 if desired, such as cooling fans 264 shown in FIG. 12B or by circulating a suitable heat transfer medium such as water through heat sinks 262. As shown in FIG. 13, a suitable temperature measuring or sensing device 266 such as a thermistor is embedded or otherwise placed in thermal contact with first body 252 (or, alternatively, second body 254) to provide real-time temperature feedback for thermal control unit TCU (FIG. 4). In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, temperature sensing device 266 is inserted into a cavity 252A formed in first body 252 and secured using a thermally conductive epoxy 268. Alternatively, temperature sensing device 266 can be embedded in, or otherwise placed in thermal contact with, microfluidic chip MFC itself. As a further alternative, temperature sensing device 266 thus built into microfluidic chip MFC can be in contact with the liquid residing or flowing in one or more of the channels of microfluidic chip MFC.

In other advantageous embodiments, if cooling of microfluidic chip MFC is not necessary, temperature regulating element or elements TRE₂ comprise resistive heating elements, which are readily commercially available and appreciated by persons skilled in the art. These can eliminate the need for heat sinks 262 and cooling fans 264. In one specific exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, the resistive heating element can be provided in the form of a transparent, conductive coating that is applied to first body 252 (not shown) and/or second body 254 or portions thereof. In a more specific example, the transparent, conductive coating is composed of a metal oxide such as indium oxide, tin oxide, or indium tin oxide (ITO). Particularly when the resistive heating element is based on a metal oxide, first body 252 and second body 254 can be constructed from a glass-based material, or the metal oxide can be on windows 256 and 258. This has the added advantage of providing a uniform heating source across the plane of microfluidic chip MFC, eliminating thermal gradients from the center of windows 256 and 258 to the edge of the window which are difficult to avoid if heating is from the edge of windows 256 and 258 and especially if windows 256 and 258 should be thin to accommodate optical access.

Second thermally conductive body 254 can serve passively as a large thermal mass to limit temperature fluctuations and isolate microfluidic chip MFC from ambient air currents. The lower periphery of second body 254 can include an insulating layer 270 to thermally isolate second body 254 from any chip holder CH (FIG. 4) such as microscope stage ST (FIG. 5) to which the encapsulated microfluidic chip MFC is to be mounted.

First body 252 is attached directly to second body 254 by any suitable means. Accordingly, thermal management of microfluidic chip MFC can be accomplished by operating temperature regulating devices to create temperature gradients directed either from first body 252 toward second body 254 (i.e., heating) or from second body 254 toward first body 252 (i.e., cooling), but should permit sufficient thermal contact between first body 252 and second body 254 to permit rapid dissipation of thermal gradients between the two, creating a nearly homogenous thermal environment for microfluidic chip MFC. The operation of chip temperature regulating device TRD₂ can be controlled as described hereinabove regarding pump temperature regulating device TRD₁, using the temperature control circuitry illustrated in FIG. 10A.

An alternate embodiment of the temperature regulating device TRD₂ includes only a heat-producing device, comprising, for example, one or more heating elements mounted directly to or otherwise in thermal contact with microfluidic chip MFC, that is used to heat microfluidic chip MFC above ambient temperature. This permits microfluidic chip MFC to operate at the physiological range of many enzymes (e.g. 37° C.) and also accelerates the rate of enzyme action. In this embodiment, the ambient environment removes heat from the temperature regulating device TRD₂ obviating any need for specialized heat dissipating components.

Connection of external pumps P_A-P_D to microfluidic chip MFC and to external components, such as switching valves and plate handlers as discussed below, requires the use of tubes or other conduits. These should be of minimal internal volume for efficient use of reagents, and their walls should have minimal compliance to avoid their behaving like a pressure “capacitor” in which the walls expand (and thus the internal volume increases) as pressure increases to drive fluid flows. Materials such as fused silica can be readily obtained as microcapillaries with small internal diameters and rigid walls. Additionally, the capillaries should be shielded from thermal fluctuations because thermal expansion of the capillaries will cause them to behave like thermal pumps, and oscillations in temperature will result in noise in the flows through these capillaries. Such shielding can be either as an insulative wrap around the capillaries, or all components of the system, including the capillaries, can be housed in a single temperature-controlled enclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 15A-15C, non-limiting examples of liquid handling systems are illustrated. These systems can be implemented with pump assembly PA in accordance with any of the embodiments of sample processing apparatus SPA disclosed herein. The automation provided by these systems offers many advantages. First, the automation can allow unattended refill of reagents in pumps P_A-P_D, thus enabling the system to run unattended without operator intervention for days at a time. Second, the automation can allow automatic change of reagent in pumps P_A-P_D, and thus allow the system to test a series of reagents such as in screening pharmaceutical compounds, as well as the automatic reconfiguration of loaded reagents to automatically test the network of hypotheses for automated assay development and automatic hypothesis testing with intelligent systems. The automation also reduce's the frequency that operators need to make and break fluidic interconnects. Thus, contamination and air bubbles in the system can be reduced, and the service life of the fluidic interconnects extended. These systems can incorporate an automated liquid handler that can be computer controlled via integrated computer software as part of any embodiment of the microfluidic systems disclosed herein. Managing the microfluidic system with a single software package enables real time decision-making and feedback control, thereby giving the system unprecedented flexibility and run time. This approach has not heretofore been practicable for displacement flows, because of the absence of displacement pumps that pump slowly enough for microfluidic systems as discussed hereinabove. An example of a suitable automated liquid handling system is the FAMOS™ micro autosampler available from LC Packings, Sunnyvale, Calif. This system provides for automated sample injection of any volume ranging from 50 nl up to 25 μl from 96- and 384-well plates. The device can include a sample tray that is equipped with Peltier cooling to avoid degradation of thermally labile samples.

Referring to FIG. 15A, addition of reagent to one or more of pumps P_A-P_D can be achieved through inclusion of a switching valve SV located between one or more pumps P_A-P_D and an external reagent reservoir RR (connection to pump P_A is shown in FIG. 15A). An example of a suitable switching valve SV is a multi-port valve having a number of ports A-F available through which fluid can be selectively conducted. As appreciated by persons skilled in the art, a multi-port valve typically has a rotatable internal body containing internal passages. Through actuation of the internal body, either manually or via programmable control, each internal passage can be aligned with a pair of ports in order to selectively define one or more fluid flow paths through the valve. Switching valve SV can switch such that its associated pump P_A, P_B, P_C or P_D communicates alternately between microfluidic chip MFC (the first position schematically illustrated in FIG. 15A, where the switching valve is designated SV) and external reagent reservoir RR (the second position in FIG. 15A, where the switching valve is designated SV′). Pumps like syringe pumps contain a finite reservoir (e.g. the barrel of a gastight syringe may only contain 10 μl). When used in pumps P_A-P_D, the pumps can run out of reagent, and switching valve SV can switch such that the pump is in communication with external reagent reservoir RR, and then the pump can work in reverse, pumping reagent back into barrel 22 of the pump whereby the pump is reloaded with reagent. This permits extended runs of the system without human intervention. Refrigeration of external reagent reservoir RR permits extended storage of temperature-labile reagents.

Referring to FIG. 15B, switching valve SV can also be used in combination with one or more of pumps P_A-P_D and an automated plate handler to perform automated addition of reagent or wash buffers from a multi-well plate MWP (e.g. a 96-well or 384-well plate). According to one embodiment, switching valve SV can be equipped with an injection loop having a volume of 1.0 microliter. Switching valve SV can include injection loop INL having fused silica lined PEEK® tubing. Multi-well plate MWP can be refrigerated to preserve temperature-labile reagents. This configuration enables serial addition of different reagents, for example, to screen inhibitors against an enzyme or to test multiple reagents for optimization of a biochemical reaction, or to provide wash buffers or rinsing fluids.

In this embodiment, switching valve SV again has two positions (SV and SV′) and 6 or another number of ports as needed. Switching valve SV can permit the addition of only small amounts of reagent (sub-microliter) into a capillary 272 in between a pump P_A, P_B, P_C or P_D and microfluidic chip MFC, obviating the need to flush the pump P_A, P_B, P_C or P_D in between reagent changes. Reagents from multi-well plate MWP can be aspirated into a capillary 274 connected to switching valve SV. As appreciated by persons skilled in the art of automated liquid handling, the tip of capillary 274 can be carried on a motorized, programmable X-Y or X-Y-Z carriage or other robotic-type effector, permitting removal of reagent from any well in multi-well plate MWP. This capillary tip can be fitted with an independently actuated needle for piercing foil, plastic film or other types of septa used to seal the wells of multi-well plate MWP. Multi-well plate MWP can include 96 wells or another suitable number of wells. When injection loop INL is to be filled, the capillary 274 can be lowered into a well containing the fluid to be injected.

As shown in FIG. 15B, a syringe pump SP can be employed to implement the movement of reagents. Syringe pump SP can be provided as part of a suitable, commercially available automated liquid handling system as noted hereinabove. Syringe pump SP can be a larger liquid movement instrument (e.g., 25 μl) in comparison with pumps P_A-P_D, with coarser control and more rapid flow rates, thereby permitting rapid change of reagents and flushing of reagents from injection loop INL. Syringe pump SP can pull reagent from a selected well of multi-well plate MWP and into injection loop INL. Before stopping, syringe pump SP can pull sufficient volume from the selected well to fill capillary 274, injection loop INL, and excess to further flush injection loop INL with the fluid. While injection loop INL is being filled in position 1, one of pumps P_A, P_B, P_C and P_D can be used to push solvent through capillaries I_A, I_B, I_C and I_D, respectively, for flushing capillaries I_A, I_B, I_C and I_D and microfluidic chip MFC. When switching valve SV is switched back to position SV′ in position 2, injection loop INL becomes placed in line with pump P_A allowing pump P_A to push the fluid in injection loop INL into microfluidic chip MFC.

When switching valve SV switches to position 2, one of pumps P_A, P_B, P_C and P_D can be connected through injection loop INL to microfluidic chip MFC. One of pumps P_A, P_B, P_C and P_D can advance fluid from injection loop INL through a corresponding capillary I_A, I_B, I_C and I_D into microfluidic chip MFC. Simultaneously, the carriage can move capillary 274 to a well of multi-well plate

MWP having a rinsing fluid. Syringe pump SP can then repeatedly pull fluid into and then expel fluid from capillary 274 to rinse it clean.

Furthermore, syringe pump SP can be placed in communication with a three-way valve TWV, an external buffer reservoir BR, and a buffer loop BL (if additional buffer volume is needed or desired) to enable syringe pump SP to flush injection loop INL with buffer. Three-way valve TWV can permit refilling of syringe pump SP from buffer reservoir BR, preventing contamination of syringe pump SP and associated lines with any fluid from injection loop INL and the alternate fluid connection with buffer loop BL.

Referring to FIG. 15B, when it is time to advance the next fluid in sequence into microfluidic chip MFC, one of pumps P_A, P_B, P_C and P_D can stop and switching valve SV can move to position 1. Syringe pump SP can then pull rinsing fluid through injection loop INL to flush it clean or it can push fluid from buffer reservoir BR to flush injection loop INL clean. Next, capillary 274 can be moved to the next well of multi-well plate MWP and the process repeated.

Referring to FIG. 15C, multiple combinations of switching valves and three-way valves can also be used in combination with one or more of pumps P_A-P_D and an automated plate handler to realize more complex schemes, such as to permit addition of multiple reagents and refill of the buffer used as a hydraulic fluid in syringe pump that pumps through injection loop. For instance, one or more pairs of multi-port switching valves SV₁ and SV₂ can be interposed in the liquid circuit between microfluidic chip MFC and one or more corresponding pumps P_A-P_D. One of the ports of first switching valve SV₁ communicates with external reagent reservoir RR, and another of its ports communicates with pump P_A, P_B, P_C or P_D and its input line IL_A, IL_B, IL_C or IL_D, and another port communicates with a port of second switching valve SV₂ via a transfer line 276. Another port of second switching valve SV₂ communicates with microfluidic chip MFC, thus providing fluidic communication with pump P_A, P_B, P_C or P_D and microfluidic chip MFC. Other ports of second switching valve SV₂ communicate with capillary 272 and buffer loop BL, respectively. Injection loop INL is connected to second switching valve SV₂.

In the present, exemplary configuration, first switching valve SV₁ has two primary positions (the first position designated SV₁ and the second position designated SV′₁) and second switching valve SV₂ likewise has two primary positions (the first position designated SV₂ and the second position designated SV′₂). When both switching valves SV₁ and SV₂ are in their respective first positions, their corresponding pump of pump assembly (pump P_D in the illustrated embodiment) fluidly communicates with an input of microfluidic chip MFC. At its second position, first switching valve SV′₁ permits pump P_D to draw additional reagent from reagent reservoir RR for refilling purposes. At its first position, second switching valve SV₂ can fill injection loop INL with a reagent selected from multi-well plate MWP, or flush injection loop INL with buffer from the system comprising syringe pump SP, three-way valve TWV, external buffer reservoir BR, and buffer loop BL, as described hereinabove. At its second position, second switching valve SV′₂ brings injection loop INL into fluid communication between pump assembly PA and microfluidic chip MFC, allowing the selected reagent residing in injection loop INL to be supplied to microfluidic chip MFC under the fine, precise control of the associated pump of pump assembly PA (pump P_D in the illustration).

As described hereinabove, each component of the systems illustrated in FIGS. 15A-15C can be individually thermally insulated, or the entire system can be disposed in a thermally insulated or regulated enclosure.

Carry-over can occur as different fluids are added into a microfluidic chip, such as microfluidic chip MFC shown in FIGS. 15A-15C. Carry-over can become greater as the volumetric flow rate through the microfluidic chip decreases, and can become extremely problematic at the very low flow rates desired for microfluidic systems, such as 30 nl/min. This is because the volumes displaced through the system are small relative to the volumes contained in the system. For example, the internal volume (sometimes referred to as “dead space”) of the smallest commercially available switching valve is 28 nl-Model CN2 switching valve from Valco Instrument Company of Houston, Tex., U.S.A. Thus, any void volumes or sources of contamination, which would be insignificant for faster flows that displace larger volumes per unit time, are now significant and, frequently, debilitating.

To illustrate this carryover, experiments were conducted in which concentration gradients of fluorescent compounds were run against non-fluorescent buffer in a microfluidic chip MFC shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 16 depicts another exemplary microfluidic chip MFC according to one embodiment, which can include input channels (IC1, IC2, and IC3), an output channel (O1), fiducial marks (F1, F2, and F3) for automated alignment, and a serpentine channel SC having 11 turns. Input channels IC1, IC2, and IC3 can be connected to pumps P_A, P_B, and P_C via input lines IL_A, IL_B and IL_C, respectively. In this embodiment, microfluidic chip MFC is about 22×21 millimeters.

For this experiment, the autosampling system depicted in FIG. 15B was used. The switching valve was a Model CN2 switching valve from Valco Instrument Company of Houston, Tex., U.S.A. Only three of the pumps were used, P_B, P_C, and P_D connecting to input channels IL_B, IL_C and IL_D, respectively, connecting to input channels IC₃, IC₂, and IC₁, respectively, on microfluidic chip MFC in FIG. 16. Initially, the entire system (all pumps P_A, P_B, and P_C, input lines IL_A, IL_B and IL_C, capillary 272, microfluidic chip MFC, capillary 274, injection loop INL, buffer loop BL, three-way valve TWV, syringe pump SP, and buffer reservoir BR) were filled with non-fluorescent buffer (50 mM HEPES with 0.1% CHAPS, pH 7.0). One well of the multi-well plate (MWP) was filled with an aqueous solution of fluorescent dye (containing both 0.5 μM resorufin (available from Molecular Probes, Inc. of Eugene, Oreg.) in 50 mM HEPES with 0.1% CHAPS, pH 7.0). Another well contained only buffer (50 mM HEPES with 0.1% CHAPS, pH 7.0).

The switching valve SV was placed into Position 1 and capillary 274 was moved to the well containing the fluorescent solution. The injection loop INL was then filled with fluorescent solution by syringe pump SP, as described above. The switching valve SV was then changed to Position 2, placing the fluorescent solution-filled injection loop INL in line with pump P_D. The flow from microfluidic pumps P_B, P_C, and P_D was as follows:

20-140 seconds: Pump P_D=0 nl/minute, Pump P_C=15 nl/minute

140-260 seconds: Pump P_D increases linearly to 15 nl/minute,

• • Pump P_C decreases linearly to 0 nl/minute

260-380 seconds: Pump P_D=15 nl/minute, Pump P_C=0 nl/minute

Pump P_B flowed at a constant 10 nl/minute throughout.

Next, this flow was repeated, creating two gradients of fluorescent solution. Fluorescence was measured at the end of serpentine loop SL using a fluorescence detection system (such as sample processing apparatus SPA shown in FIG. 1). The fluorescence measured by the system is shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B which show the fluorescence intensity (normalized to peak fluorescence) for the concentration gradient of resorufin. The gradient of fluorescent compound is depicted by the solid line in FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B. FIG. 17B shows an expanded Y-axis.

After the gradient of fluorophores was run, the injection loop INL and capillary 274 were thoroughly rinsed by syringe pump SP. Capillary 272 and microfluidic chip MFC were flushed with buffer from all three microfluidic pumps P_B, P_C, and P_D. For all flushes, a volume minimally equivalent to 4 times the system volume were flushed through the respective portions of the system. All pumps stopped, and capillary 274 was moved to the buffer-only well on the multiwell plate (MWP), and the injection loop INL was filled with buffer. Gradients were then again run, identical to the ones above. Given the thorough flushing of the system, there should have been no fluorophore remaining anywhere in the system. Any fluorescence detected is, therefore, fluorescent compound carryover. The fluorescence measured by the system is shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B which show the fluorescence intensity (normalized to peak fluorescence) for the concentration gradient of resorufin. The gradient of fluorescent compound for this “buffer only” run is depicted by the dashed line in FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B. FIG. 17B shows an expanded Y-axis, and it is clear that a fluorescence equal to about 6% of the previous signal is present, indicating a 6% carryover. The fact that the fluorescence returns to baseline in the regions where pump P_C is flowing at 15 nl/minute and pump P_D is flowing at 0 nl/minute indicates that the contaminating fluid is coming only from pump P_D or the switching valve SV. Experiments with longer rinses produced smaller carry-over, but rinses of 30 minutes (minimally equaling 20 volumes) still had carry-over of about 4%. Thus, although very long rinses might reduce carry-over to acceptable levels, the duration of the rinses can be unacceptably long.

FIG. 18 shows a graph of a similar gradient of “buffer only” generated by techniques to those similar above. Here, however, another problem with carryover, unique to running concentration gradients in this fashion, is shown. When the microfluidic pump P_D has pushed a volume equivalent to the volume of capillary 272 through the microfluidic chip MFC, then a bolus of fluid enters the microfluidic chip MFC that had been sitting in the switching valve SV during the first portion of generating the gradient, i.e. during the first 120 seconds when pump P_D is flowing at 0 nl/min. This demonstrates that a significant portion of the carryover comes from the switching valve SV. Apparently, while the fluid sits in the switching valve SV, it is contaminated by the valve, the result being that it has a much higher fluorescence, as evident by the large spike it generates when entering the chip; in this case rising to 10% of the original maximal fluorescence.

Carry-over in this system is believed to be generated by several factors: (1) large dead volumes in the switching valve SV (about 28 nl for the valves used), (2) large void or “unswept” volumes—outpockets from which contaminants enter or exit primarily by diffusion, and (3) moving parts which become “painted” by contaminating chemicals which only diffuse away very slowly. Thus, carry-over can be greatly reduced by removing moving parts, dead volumes, and void volumes from the fluidic system.

Carry-over can be eliminated or substantially reduced by utilizing the system described below including: (a) an on/off fluid freeze valve that has minimal dead volume, zero void volume, and no moving parts and, (b) an injection loop connected to the rest of the microfluidic system with interconnects having minimal dead volume and minimum void volume. According to one embodiment of a fluid freeze valve, the fluid freeze valve can change a capillary to an “off” state by lowering the temperature of fluid in the capillary such that the fluid reaches a solid or nearly solid state for stopping or substantially reducing the fluid flow through the capillary. Additionally, the system can increase the temperature of the frozen or nearly frozen fluid to return the capillary to an “on” state such that the fluid returns to a liquid state for allowing fluid flow through the capillary.

FIGS. 19A-19C illustrate different views of a fluid freeze valve, generally designated FFVS, applied to a fluid-carrying capillary IL. Referring specifically to FIG. 19A, a top perspective view of fluid freeze valve FFVS is illustrated. Fluid freeze valve FFVS can include a movable top plate MTP and a thermo-electric cooler TEC (such as the Peltier Temperature Controller available from Stable Micro Systems Ltd. of London, England). Movable top plate MTP can be rotatably movable with respect to thermo-electric cooler TEC such that capillary IL can be positioned between movable top plate MTP and thermo-electric cooler TEC. FIG. 19B illustrates a side cross-sectional view of movable top plate MTP, thermo-electric cooler TEC, and capillary IL wherein thermo-electric cooler TEC is not energized such that fluid F can flow through lumen L of capillary IL in the “on” state. Movable top plate MTP can be made of a material having low thermal mass, low thermal conductivity, and does not absorb water. Movable top plate MTP can form an airtight seal around thermo-electric cooler TEC, or the assembly can be placed in an air-tight, low humidity chamber, such that water from the atmosphere does not condense onto thermo-electric cooler TEC, thereby adding thermal mass. FIG. 19C illustrates a side cross-sectional view of movable top plate MTP, thermo-electric cooler TEC, and capillary IL wherein thermo-electric cooler TEC is energized for reducing the temperature of capillary IL such that fluid F reaches a solid or nearly solid state to stop fluid flow through lumen L of capillary IL in the “off” state. Thermo-electric cooler TEC can also apply heat to capillary IL such that fluid F in a frozen or nearly frozen state can rapidly thaw, thereby returning the fluid freeze valve FFVS to the “on” state.

FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C illustrates a top, front and side view, respectively, of another fluid freeze valve, generally designated FFVS, applied to a fluid-carrying capillary IL. Fluid freeze valve FFVS can include a thermo-electric cooler TEC for application to a capillary IL. Thermo-electric cooler TEC can be attached to a heat sink HS containing a circulating water heat exchanger for removing heat from thermo-electric cooler TEC. Heat sink HS can also include tubes T1 and T2 for delivering and returning fluid to a liquid chiller (not shown), Tubes T1 and T2 can be connected to heat sink HS via quick-connects QC1 and QC2, respectively. The assembly can be mounted into a mounting plate MP for mounting to external supports.

Referring to FIG. 20A, fluid freeze valve FFVS can include an insulated housing surrounding thermo-electric cooler TEC comprising a removable top plate RTP lined on its internal surface with a conformal thermal insulation CTI that both pushes capillary IL against the surface of thermo-electric cooler TEC and thermally isolates capillary IL and thermo-electric cooler TEC from oscillations in ambient temperature. Similarly, the sides of thermo-electric cooler TEC can be surrounded by thermal insulation TI to further thermally isolate capillary IL and thermo-electric cooler TEC. Insulation can be important when a freeze valve is used to control low flow rates, such as of the nanoliter/minute scale. This can be important because water increases with volume when it freezes. For example, a thermo-electric cooler (such as thermo-electric cooler TEC shown in FIG. 20) of about 2 centimeters across can freeze about 2 centimeters of fluid in a capillary. If the capillary has an internal diameter of 50 micrometers, two centimeters of this capillary confines about 20 nanoliters. A length of 1 millimeter encloses about 2.0 nanoliters. Water increases volume about 9% when it freezes. If the edges of the frozen volume of fluid move 1 millimeter due to oscillations of ambient temperature that can affect either the temperature of the capillary or the temperature of thermo-electric cooler TEC, then the fluid adjacent to the frozen plug of fluid will change volume by about 0.18 nanoliters. For example, for flows of about 15 nanoliters/minute, such a 1 mm thaw over 1 minute represents a variation of more than 1%. Note that a capillary IL having a larger internal diameter can have a larger volume per unit length, so in the case where the fluid thaws over a fixed length, then a capillary having a larger diameter may introduce more noise to the flow.

Fluid freeze valves (such as fluid freeze valves FFVS shown in FIGS. 19A-19C and 20A-20C) can be applied to the systems described herein for stopping flow in a capillary attached to a microfluidic chip. For example, a fluid freeze valve can be applied to a capillary connecting a-microsyringe pump and a microfluidic chip, a capillary connecting a microsyringe pump and an outside reservoir, or a capillary connecting a microfluidic chip and an outside multi-well plate or reservoir. It is important that the connection between the capillary and the microfluidic chip have minimal dead volume and minimal void volume, or carry-over may be increased.

FIGS. 21A-21D illustrate top plan views of different stages in a sample process run by a microfluidic system, generally designated MS. Microfluidic system MS can include a microfluidic chip MFC having injection loop INL and a plurality of fluid freeze valves VS1, VS2, and VS3. Injection loop INL can comprise a microchannel etched in microfluidic chip MFC having dimensions of about 150 micrometers wide, 150 micrometers deep, and 2 centimeters long for yielding a volume of 450 nanoliter. Alternatively, microchannel can have other suitable dimensions for achieving a desired volume. Microfluidic chip MFC can include a first and second input channel CH1 and CH2 for fluidly connecting or communicating at a merge point ML for combining fluids advanced therein from microsyringe pumps MP1 and MP2, respectively. Injection loop INL can be fluidly connected at one end to capillary CP1 and at an opposing end to capillary CP2. Capillaries CP1 and CP2 can be made of fused silica with 150 micrometers outside diameter and 75 micrometers inside diameter, respectively, available from Polymicro Technologies LLC. of Phoenix, Ariz. Capillaries can be connected to chips in accordance with embodiments disclosed in co-pending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Application entitled MICROFLUIDIC CHIP APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS HAVING FLUIDIC AND FIBER OPTIC INTERCONNECTIONS, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,246 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/4/2), the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

Referring to FIGS. 21A-21D, microfluidic system MS includes an aging loop AL or mixing channel communicating at one end to merge location ML. Merge location ML can also communicate with microsyringe pumps MP1 and MP2. Aging loop AL can also communicate at another end to a waste unit 2100 via a capillary CP3. According to one embodiment, injection loop INL can be filled, aging loop AL can be rinsed, and reactions can be run in microfluidic system MS through aging loop AL. Fluid freeze valve VS1 can be positioned on capillary CP3 for controlling fluid flow between aging loop AL and waste container 2100. Fluid freeze valves VS2 and VS3 can be positioned on capillaries CP1 and CP2, respectively, for controlling fluid flow between another waste unit 2102 and multi-well plate MWP, respectively. Microfluidic system MS can also include microsyringe pump MP3 connected to injection loop INL. Injection loop INL can be filled with different fluids from multi-well plate MWP for sequentially adding reagents in-line with pump MP3 as needed.

FIG. 21A illustrates the state of fluid freeze valves VS1, VS2, and VS3 of microfluidic system MS for filling injection loop INL with a fluid from one of the wells of multi-well plate MWP. Fluid freeze valve VS1 can be set to the “off” state for reducing the temperature of the fluid in capillary CP3. Fluid freeze valve VS1 can reduce the fluid temperature such that the flow of the fluid in capillary CP3 is stopped. Next, capillary CP2 can be lowered into a well of multi-well plate MWP having a desired fluid. Fluid freeze valves VS2 and VS3 are set to the “on” state to thaw, if necessary, the fluids in capillaries CP1 and CP2, respectively, for allowing fluids to flow through capillaries CP1 and CP2. Next, multi-well plate MWP can be pressurized, or its waste unit 2100 can be put under vacuum, for generating a pressure difference across injection loop INL to force fluid through injection loop INL. Microsyringe pumps MP1, MP2, and MP3 can be static during this stage and, due to the incompressability of water, flow in capillaries attached to microsyringe pumps MP1, MP2, and MP3 is zero. Alternatively, additional freeze values can valve the flow from microfluidic chip MFC and microsyringe pumps MP1, MP2, and MP3 to prevent the backflow from microfluidic chip MFC to microsyringe pumps MP1, MP2, and MP3.

FIG. 21B illustrates a stage following the stage shown in FIG. 21A wherein microfluidic system MS runs a gradient. Fluid freeze valve VS1 is set to the “on” state to open capillary CP3 such that fluid can flow from aging loop AL to waste unit 2100. Fluid freeze valves VS2 and VS3 are set to the “off” state to close capillaries CP1 and CP2, respectively, such that fluid does not flow through injection loop INL. Next, microsyringe pumps MP1, MP2, and MP3 can advance fluids through aging loop AL and other suitable microchannels of microfluidic chip MFC to achieve the desired function of the microfluidic chip MFC.

FIG. 21C illustrates a stage following the stage shown in FIG. 21B wherein injection loop INL can be rinsed. Injection loop INL of microfluidic chip MFC can be rinsed by moving capillary CP2 to a well of multi-well plate MWP containing rinse fluid. Next, fluid freeze valve VS1 can be set “off” and microsyringe pumps MP1, MP2, and MP3 held in position for preventing fluids from flowing through aging loop AL. Fluid freeze valves VS2 and VS3 can be set “on” to allow fluid to flow through injection loop INL from a rinse-containing well of multi-well plate MWP to waste unit 2102. Multi-well plate MWP can then be pressurized for moving the rinse fluid from multi-well plate MWP and through injection loop INL and then into waste unit 2102. Microsyringe pump MP3 also can be advanced a short amount to purge the end of its line during this wash step.

FIG. 21D illustrates a stage following the stage shown in FIG. 21C wherein aging loop AL can be rinsed. Fluid freeze valve VS2 can be set “off” to prevent fluid from flowing into waste unit 2102. Fluid freeze valve VS1 can be set “on” for allowing fluid to flow from the rinse-containing well of multi-well plate MWP through aging loop AL and into waste unit 2100. Multi-well plate MWP can then be pressurized for moving the rinse fluid from multi-well plate MWP through aging loop AL and then into waste unit 2100. Microsyringe pumps MP1 and MP2 can also be advanced a short amount to purge the ends of their lines during this wash step. Next, the process can be repeated.

FIG. 21E is a top plan view of another exemplary microfluidic chip, generally designated MFC, having an injection loop INL; interconnect channels IC1, IC2, and IC3 for connecting to capillaries that connect to microsyringe pumps MP1, MP2, and MP3, respectively (shown in FIGS. 21A-21D); an interconnect channel IC_CP3 that can connect to output capillary CP3 (shown in FIGS. 21A-21D); interconnect channels IC_CP1 and IC_CP2 that can connect to capillaries CP1 and CP2, respectively (shown in FIGS. 21A-21D); an aging loop AL; and fiducial marks (F1, F2, and F3) for automated alignment.

The collective resistance to flow generated by capillaries CP1, CP2, and CP3 and injection loop INL, combined with the pressure difference from the inlet to outlet of microfluidic chip MFC, can determine the volumetric flow rate. Thus, higher pressures can be generated at the inlet (capillary CP2) to increase volumetric flow rates. Driving flow by application of a vacuum to capillary CP1 during fluid changes in injection loop INL or to capillary CP3 during washes of the aging loop can limit the pressure difference to 15 pounds per square inch (p.s.i.) due to bubble formation via out-gassing of dissolved gases and cavitation of the fluid due to boiling at zero absolute pressure. Driving flow by pressurizing the inlet can generate higher pressure difference. In either case, flow metering device FMD on capillary CP1 can be used to meter the flow through capillary CP1 and, thus, injection loop INL, and this measurement can be used to determine when to turn off the pressure or vacuum to stop flow through the injection loop INL. Conversely, the flow rate through injection loop INL can be calculated, and the application of pressure or vacuum can be timed to control the volume that flows through injection loop INL. Placement of flow metering device FMD after on-chip injection loop INL removes any carry-over associated with metering device FMD from injection loop INL while still permitting accurate measurement of flow rates through injection loop INL.

Larger internal diameters for capillaries CP1, CP2, and CP3 can be used to decrease resistance and thus increase flow rates. Larger capillary diameters can also increase the volume of capillaries CP1, CP2, and CP3 which results in unwanted fluid waste. Additionally, larger capillary internal diameters can make the system more prone to noise in the flow rate introduced by fluctuating freeze-thaw at the edges of the freeze-valve as discussed above. Thus, increasing the pressure difference can generate more rapid flows and prevent unwanted increases in capillary diameters and noise. For the dimensions given above for capillaries CP1 and CP2 and for injection loop INL, with capillaries approximately 60 cm long, pressures up to 125 p.s.i. can be used to generate flow rates of 50 microliters/minute that push a volume equal to that of injection loop INL and capillary CP2 through injection loop INL in about 3 seconds for permitting rapid fluid exchanges. Higher pressures can permit more rapid fluid exchanges.

Pressurizing an inlet can increase the pressure through microfluidic system MS. If the entire system can withstand the increased pressure, then the higher pressures convey several advantages. Bubbles can sometimes be accidentally introduced into a microfluidic system, and pressurizing the inlet facilitates the removal of these bubbles. A higher pressure compresses bubbles, making it easier to flush the bubbles out of injection loop INL. The higher pressure can also increase the gas-carrying capacity of the fluid, accelerating the rate at which bubbles dissolve into the fluid and, thereby, more quickly removing bubbles that will not flush out.

FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate graphs showing the results of a carry-over experiment, similar to those presented in FIGS. 17A and 17B, but conducted with microfluidic system MS shown in FIGS. 21A-21D. FIG. 22B shows an enlarged Y-axis of FIG. 22A. Here, carry-over is now undetectable, that is, no gradient is visible in the “buffer-only” gradient (indicated by dashed lines).

Pressure-tight fittings can be utilized to create a seal around a multi-well plate (such as multi-well plate MWP shown in FIGS. 21A-21D) for driving fluid through an injection loop (such as injection loop INL shown in FIGS. 21A-21D) and an aging loop (such as aging loop AL shown in FIGS. 21A-21D). FIGS. 23, 24A, and 24B illustrate side cross-sectional views of an automated liquid handling system, generally designated 2300, for making a reversible, pressure-tight seal between a multi-well plate MWP and an input capillary IC. Liquid handling system 2300 can be a modified FAMOS™ micro autosampler available from LC Packings, Sunnyvale, Calif. Multi-well plate MWP can include a well W containing a fluid F. Well W can be sealed with a rubber septum RS. Handling system 2300 can include a hollow piercing needle PN for piercing rubber septum RS. Input capillary IC can pass through the center of piercing needle PN into well W. Piercing needle PN can be connected to an air pressure manifold APM. Air pressure manifold APM can also be connected to an air tube AT that supplies pressurized air from an air compressor (not shown).

Referring again to FIG. 23, air pressure manifold APM can be mounted or otherwise attached to a first vertical translation stage VTS1. First vertical translation stage VTS1 can be motorized and controlled by a computer (not shown) of handling system 2300. The computer of handling system 2300 can direct first vertical translation stage VTS1 to move vertically to desired locations. Input capillary IC can be affixed to a second vertical translation stage VTS2. Second vertical translation stage VTS2 can be mounted onto first vertical translation stage VTS1. Thus, movement of second vertical translation stage VTS2 can move input capillary IC vertically with respect to piercing needle PN for allowing input capillary IC to retract into piercing needle PN to avoid damaging input capillary IC when piercing needle PN pierces septum RS. Vertical translation stages VTS1 and VTS2 and piercing needle PN can be positioned over well W for piercing rubber septum RS with a robotic arm (not shown).

Handling system 2300 can include pressure-tight seals at the following two locations: (1) a seal S1 can be positioned between input capillary IC and air pressure manifold APM for providing sealing as capillary IC moves within manifold APM; and (2) a seal S2 can be positioned between piercing needle PN and multi-well plate MWP. Seal S1 can be created by an air-lock nut ALN that can be a threaded screw through which a hole is drilled. The diameter of the hole in nut ALN can match the diameter of input capillary IC such that only a small gap remains for allowing capillary IC to slide through the air-lock nut ALN as second vertical translation stage VTS2 moves vertically. Seal S2 can be created by forcing needle PN into septum RS.

Referring to FIG. 23, handling system 2300 can include a spring loaded foot SLF mounted by two foot posts FP1 and FP2 with return springs RS1 and RS2, respectively, for preventing seal S2 from lifting up while piercing needle PN moves vertically. Foot posts FP1 and FP2 can be fixed to foot SLF and slide in and out of vertical translation stage VTS1, thus return springs RS1 and RS2 push multi-well plate MWP downward as piercing needle PN moves upward.

FIG. 24A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of air pressure manifold APM and vertical translation stages VTS1 and VTS2. According to one embodiment, input capillary IC can be made of fused silica having an outside diameter of 150 micrometers and an inside diameter of 75 micrometers. The end (not shown) of input capillary IC that extends into the fluid can have its polyimide jacket stripped to reduce the possibility of carryover of fluid in any gap that may form between the silica wall and its polymide jacket. Manifold APM can include an air-lock nut ALN and a stainless steel tubing SST providing mechanical rigidity to input capillary IC to form a seal S1 whereby stainless steel tube SST, with input capillary IC contained within, moves with respect to air pressure manifold APM. Stainless steel tubing SST can be rigidly mounted to second vertical translation stage VTS2 by fixing a union U to second vertical translation stage VTS2. Union U can be a MICROTIGHT® union available from Upchurch Scientific. A coned nut CN can be used to bind tubing SST to union U. Coned nut CN1 can be a NANOPORT® coned nut (PN F-126S) available from Upchurch Scientific. Another coned nut CN2 can affix capillary IC via plastic sleeve PS to union U and capillary IC for forming a pressure-tight seal. Plastic sleeve PS can be a MICROTIGHT® tubing sleeve (Part No. F-372) available from Upchurch Scientific. This configuration of sleeve PS, union U, tubing SST, and coned nuts CN1 and CN2 form a pressure-tight seal between capillary IC and the upper end of tubing SST for withstanding a pressure up to about 200 pounds per square inch. Capillary IC can range between an outside diameter of 90 and 360 micrometers. This assembly permits capillary IC to be inserted into the stainless steel tube with a pressure-tight seal being formed by tightening coned nut CN2. Furthermore, capillary IC can be changed by releasing coned nut CN2, threading another capillary IC through a sleeve PS and then through union U, and tightening coned nut CN2. This permits readily changing capillary IC and its associated microfluidic chip MFC with another.

Referring to FIG. 24A, air lock nut ALN can form a seal S1 between manifold APM and tubing SST. Air lock nut ALN can be formed by drilling a 1/32″ hole through the center of a plastic screw. The diameter of the drilled hole can closely match the outer diameter of tubing SST. Grease can be used to lubricate any gap between the drilled hole and tubing SST. Tubing SST can also be small enough to pass into the inner bore of piercing needle PN. The gap between tubing SST and air-lock nut ALN can be sufficiently small that very little pressurized gas can pass. Tubing SST can be sufficiently rigid that it can be easily pushed through the tight gap in air-lock nut ALN. The gap between tubing SST and the inner bore of piercing needle PN can leave enough clearance for gas to flow freely from manifold APM through piercing needle PN into multi-well plate MWP, permitting rapid pressurization of a well in multi-well plate MWP.

Referring to FIG. 24A, the configuration shown can create a nearly pressure-tight seal whereby input capillary IC can move vertically with respect to piercing needle PN to create seal S1 between capillary IC and manifold APM. Alternatively, seal S1 can be formed as depicted in FIG. 24B. An o-ring OR compressed by air lock nut ALN forms the seal between air pressure manifold APM and stainless steel tube SST.

FIGS. 25, 26A, 26B, and 26C illustrate cross-sectional views of different configurations for forming seals S1 and S2 shown in FIG. 23. Referring to FIG. 25, a cross-sectional view of a configuration for forming seal S2 is illustrated. Seal S2 can be formed when rubber septum RS is positioned to cover well W of multi-well plate MWP. According to one embodiment, foot SLF is a circular foot that presses uniformly onto septum RS such that seal S2 between septum RS and multi-well plate MWP can withstand the pressure. Seal S2 between septum RS and needle PN can be formed by the action of needle PN piercing septum RS. Thus, seal S2 can be formed by septum RS that is pushed by foot SLF.

Referring to FIG. 26A, a cross-sectional view of a configuration for forming a seal S3 between an elastomeric gasket EG and a multi-well plate MWP is illustrated. As opposed to the configuration shown in FIGS. 23-25, seal S can be formed without utilizing a rubber septum (such as rubber septum RS shown in FIGS. 23-25). Elastomeric gasket EG can be held against the top of multi-well plate MWP with a foot FO, foot posts FP1 and FP2, and return springs RS1 and RS2. Gasket EG can include a small hole at about its center through which a piercing needle PN can pass with no gap for forming seal S between the top of multi-well plate MWP and piercing needle PN via gasket EG. Thus, seal S between piercing needle PN and multi-well plate MWP can be formed by gasket EG that is depressed downward by foot FO. Optionally, a foil or thin plastic film can be used to seal multi-well plate MWP, for example, to prevent evaporation of water from the solutions in the wells of multi-well plate MWP. FIG. 26B illustrates a bottom view of foot FO, gasket EG, piercing needle PN, and capillary IC.

Alternatively, seal S2 can be formed as depicted in FIG. 26C. An o-ring OR compressed by foot lock nut FLN forms the seal between foot F and the piercing needle PN. A gasket EG forms the seal between foot FO and the top of multi-well plate MWP. Thus, seal S between piercing needle PN and multi-well plate MWP can be formed by o-ring OR, foot FO, and gasket EG that is depressed downward by foot FO. Again, a foil can be placed over the top of the wells W on multi-well plate MWP to prevent evaporation of samples during handling, and the piercing needle pierces this foil to permit access by input capillary IC.

FIG. 27 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternate configuration for forming a seal S4 between an elastomeric gasket EG and a multi-well plate MWP. This configuration can provide sufficient force to always withstand the applied pressure. The configuration can include a foot FO and an elastomeric gasket EG. Elastomeric gasket EG can be suspended by a return spring RS affixed to a stop plate SP that is bonded to a piercing needle PN for allowing foot FO to automatically level as it touches the top of multi-well plate MWP. A vertical translation stage (such as second vertical translation stage VTS2 shown in FIG. 26A) can push piercing needle PN downward. As the vertical translation stage pushes piercing needle PN downward, foot FO pushes upward on return spring RS which pushes against a stop plate SP bonded to piercing needle PN. Thus, the force of foot FO being pushed against multiwell plate MWP is transmitted to piercing needle PN which is mounted to a through-hole load cell LS. Load cell LC can be a load cell (PN LC8100-200-10) available from Omega Engineering Inc. of Stamford, Conn., U.S.A. Alternatively, foot FO can be directly bonded to piercing needle PN such that the force on the foot is directly transmitted to load cell LC. The internal electrical resistance of load cell LC varies with load on the cell. This resistance can be measured by applying an excitation voltage and then measuring the resultant electrical current with a current-measuring device, such as model DP25B from Omega Engineering Inc. A computer (not shown) can monitor the signal from the load cell to measure the force on foot FO, and use this as a feedback signal to indicate that the vertical translation stage can stop when a pre-determined force is reached. An o-ring OR can be used to compressively seal cone nut CN2 against air pressure module APM. According to one embodiment, well W can be one of 384 circular wells in multi-well plate MWP and the diameter of the opening of well W can be about 0.15 inches. Therefore, the area of the opening of well W in this embodiment is about 0.0177 inches, so a pressure of 200 pounds per square inch can be contained with a holding force of about 3.5 pounds.

Referring again to FIG. 25, the configuration can include an off-board compressed gas supply GS, or a suitable compressed gas cylinder or air compressor as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Pressure can be controlled by a pressure regulator PR that can feed an electrically-actuated switch valve SV. Switching valve SV can be connected to a 24-Volt power supply.

According to some exemplary experiments, flows have been generated of 75 microliters per minute through the injection loop with pressures of 125 pounds per square inch in the multi-well plate. As described herein, the flow rate through the microfluidic chip is determined by the combined resistance to flow in the capillaries and microchannels. The total volume of flow through the system, which determines the degree of rinsing of the injection loop and the aging loop is then controlled by either modulating the pressure, modulating the total time that pressure is applied, or both. It is also possible to measure the flow through the outlet capillary (capillary CP1 in FIG. 21B) using a flow measuring device (flow measuring device FMD in FIG. 21B) capable of measuring flows of ˜100 nanoliter/min, such as the SLG1430 available from Sensirion, Inc. of Zurich, Switzerland. Thus, the electrically-actuated switching valve can be switched off when the desired volume has flown through the injection loop.

As described above, flow through the on-chip injection loop can be driven by a vacuum at the output rather than a pressure at the input. While this limits the pressure difference to 15 pounds per square inch, it obviates the need for all of the special pressure-tight seals described above. The only pressure-tight seal needed is the seal between the outlet capillary and the vacuum container, and this seal need not be interrupted at any time during use of the microfluidic chip. The vacuum need only be vented and reapplied, which can be easily implemented with electrically-actuated switching valves in communication with the vacuum container.

In some instances, fluid in an injection loop (such as injection loop INL shown in FIGS. 21A-21D) should be maintained at a temperature different than that of an aging loop (such as aging loop AL shown in FIGS. 21A-21D). For example, a biochemical assay should be run at 37° Celsius in the aging loop while the fluid in the injection loop should be stored at 4° Celsius until the fluid enters the aging loop. FIGS. 28A and 28B illustrate schematic views of different microfluidic systems, generally designated MS, for maintaining fluids in an injection loop INL and aging loop AL at different temperatures. Microfluidic system MS can include a microfluidic chip MFC, a waste unit WU, a vacuum unit VU, a multi-well plate MWP, microsyringe pumps MP1, MP2, and MP3, and an injection loop INL. Waste unit WU can be connected to aging loop AL via a capillary CP1. Vacuum unit VU and multi-well plate MWP can be connected to injection loop INL via capillaries CP2 and CP3, respectively. Microfluidic system MS can also include fluid freeze valves VS1, VS2, and VS3 connected to capillaries CP1, CP2, and CP3, respectively.

Referring specifically to FIG. 28A, injection loop INL can comprise channels CH1 and CH2 in microfluidic chip MFC and a capillary CP4. Channels CH1 and CH2 and capillary CP4 can form injection loop INL and fluidly connect microsyringe MP3 and multi-well plate MWP at one end of injection loop INL to vacuum unit VU, aging loop AL, waste unit WU, and microsyringe pumps MP1 and MP2 at an opposing end of injection loop INL. Microfluidic system MS can also include a temperature control device TCD (such as a Peltier thermoelectric device) connected to a portion of capillary CP4 for cooling the fluid in that portion of capillary CP4. Temperature control device TCD can maintain the fluid at a desired temperature such as a desired temperature lower than the fluid in aging loop AL. Capillaries can be connected to chips in accordance with embodiments disclosed in a co-pending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Application entitled MICROFLUIDIC CHIP APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS HAVING FLUIDIC AND FIBER OPTIC INTERCONNECTIONS, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,246 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/4/2), the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIG. 28B illustrates a schematic diagram of microfluidic chip MFC having a portion containing injection loop INL that extends into temperature control device TCD. In this embodiment, injection loop INL is contained entirely on-chip and is located to a side portion of microfluidic chip MFC attached to temperature control device TCD.

Adsorption of a molecule to the wall of a microfluidic channel can sometimes present a problem in microfluidic and other miniaturized systems in which the ratio of surface area to volume is many orders of magnitude larger than is found in more conventional approaches, such as for example, dispensing and mixing of solutions in microtiter plates. Adsorption of molecules in microfluidic systems and other miniaturized devices can be a major obstacle to miniaturization as the adsorption can affect molecule concentrations within fluids, thereby negatively impacting data collected from the microfluidic systems or other miniaturized devices. Adsorption driven changes in concentration can be especially problematic for microfluidic systems used to generate concentration gradients.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides apparatuses and methods for using the same that can decrease the interference of adsorption to concentration dependent measurements, such as in biochemistry reactions including IC₅₀ determinations, by altering the geometry of a microfluidic channel. Although adsorption may not be eliminated, the change in concentration caused by adsorption can be minimized. In general terms, the effects of adsorption on measurements can be minimized by reducing the ratio of channel surface area to fluid volume within the channel (S/V), which also increases diffusion distances. However, as a high surface area to volume ratio can be an unavoidable consequence of the miniaturization of microfluidics, the geometries provided by some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter to minimize adsorption consequences are most unexpected by persons in the field of microfluidics. The presently disclosed subject matter provides for, in some embodiments, using large channel diameters in regions of the microfluidic chip most affected by adsorption of reaction components, that is, in regions where a reaction proceeds and/or where measurements are taken. In some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, and with reference to the microfluidic chip embodiment shown in FIG. 1, large channel diameters at detection point DP can be provided to reduce adsorption effects, as a substitute for or in combination with aging loop AL (also referred to as a serpentine analysis channel).

Turning now to FIG. 29, an embodiment of a novel analysis channel of the presently disclosed subject matter is illustrated in a top view. FIG. 29 shows the direction of flow by arrows R1 and R2 of two fluid reagent streams, which can combine at a merge region or mixing point MP. After combining into a merged fluid stream, the reagents within the stream can flow in a direction indicated by arrow MR down a mixing channel MC that can be narrow to permit rapid diffusional mixing of the reagent streams, thereby creating a merged fluid reagent stream. The fluid stream of reagents can then pass into an analysis channel AC, at an inlet or inlet end IE that can have a channel diameter and a cross-sectional area equivalent to that of mixing channel MC. The merged fluid stream can then flow through an expansion region ER that can have a cross-sectional area that can gradually increase and where the surface area to volume ratio can thereby gradually decrease. The merged fluid stream can then continue into an analysis region AR of analysis channel AC with an enlarged cross-sectional area and a reduced surface area to volume ratio. A reaction can be initiated by mixing of the reagent streams at the mixing point MP. However, due to continuity of flow, the flow velocity slows dramatically in analysis region AR of analysis channel AC, and the majority of transit time between mixing point MP and a detection area DA is spent in the larger diameter analysis region AR. Measurements can be made inside this channel, such as with confocal optics, to achieve measurements at detection area DA, which can be located at a center axis CR of analysis region AR of analysis channel AC. Center analysis region CR can be a region equidistant from any channel wall W of analysis channel AC. Thus, the fluid at center analysis region CR of detection area DA can be effectively “insulated” from adsorption at channel walls W. That is, the amount of any reagents removed at channel wall W can be too small, due to the greatly decreased surface area, and the diffusion distance to channel wall W can be too long, due to the greatly increased diffusion distance from center analysis region CR to channel wall W, to greatly affect the concentration at centerline CL. The confocal optics, for example, can reject signal from nearer channel wall W of analysis region AR, permitting measurements to be made at center analysis region CR where the concentration is least affected by adsorption at channel wall W.

A consequence of increasing analysis channel AC cross-section by increasing channel diameter is that the ratio of channel surface area to fluid volume (S/V) within the channel is decreased, relative to a narrower channel. For example, to measure a reaction 3 minutes after mixing, with a volumetric flow rate of 30 nL/min, the reaction should be measured at a point in the channel such that a microfluidic channel section spanning from mixing point MP to detection area DA encloses 90 nL. For an analysis channel with a square cross-section and a diameter of 25 μm, this point is about 144 mm downstream from mix point MP. This channel has a surface area of 1.44×10⁻⁵ square meters, yielding a surface to volume ratio S/V equal to 1.6×10⁵ m⁻¹. For a channel with a diameter of 250 μm, the measurement is made 1.44 mm downstream from mix point MP. This wider channel has a surface area of 1.44×10⁻⁶ square meters, yielding a S/V equal to 1.6×10⁴ m⁻¹, which is 1/10^th the S/V of the narrower channel. This alone can decrease ten-fold the removal of compound per unit volume by adsorption.

This geometry change can also decrease the radial diffusive flux of compound. Flow in these small channels is at low Reynolds number, so diffusion from a point in the fluid is the only mechanism by which compound concentration changes radially in a microfluidic channel. Increasing the radius of the channel, thereby decreasing the radial diffusive flux, therefore, means that the concentration of compound at center analysis region CR of analysis region AR can be less affected by adsorption than in the smaller upstream channels.

Thus, increasing the cross-sectional area of analysis region AR of analysis channel AC can both decrease the amount of adsorption at the wall per unit volume and decrease the rate of flux of compound from center analysis region CR to any of channel walls W. Both together mean that the concentration at center analysis region CR can decrease more slowly due to adsorption of compound.

Further, in all embodiments, the surface area of all channels exposed to compounds, not just analysis channel AC, can preferably be kept minimal, especially those channels through which concentration gradients flow. This can be accomplished by making channels as short as practicable. Additionally, when the volume contained by a channel must be defined (e.g. where the channel must contain a volume of 50 nL), it is best to use larger diameters/shorter lengths wherever possible to reduce S/V.

Another benefit of increasing analysis channel AC cross-section by increasing channel diameter is that the length of the channel down which the fluid flows can be reduced. In the example given earlier, a channel with 25 μm diameter needed to be 144 mm long to enclose 90 nl whereas the channel with 250 μm diameter needed to be only 1.44 mm long. This shorter channel can be much easier to fabricate and has a much smaller footprint on a microfluidic chip.

Still another benefit of increasing analysis channel AC cross-section is that it will behave like an expansion channel, which filters noise out of chemical concentration gradients, as disclosed in co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Application entitled MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING NOISE GENERATED BY MECHANICAL INSTABILITIES, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,245 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/3/2), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The result is that signal to noise is larger in an analysis channel AC with larger cross-section.

FIG. 30A presents a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a microfluidic chip MFC comprising mixing channel MC and analysis channel AC depicted in FIG. 29. Microfluidic chip MFC shown in FIG. 30A can be constructed by machining channels into a bottom substrate BS and enclosing channels by bonding a top substrate TS to bottom substrate BS or otherwise forming channels within microfluidic chip MC with bottom substrate BS and top substrate TS being integral. In FIG. 30A, only the flow of merged reagent fluid stream having a flow direction indicated by arrow MR after mixing point MP is shown. Flow in a microfluidic channel can be at low Reynolds number, so the streamline of fluid that flows along center analysis region CR of the narrower mixing channel MC can travel at the mid-depth along entire mixing channel MC, becoming center analysis region CR of analysis region AR of analysis channel AC. Detection area DA can reside along center analysis region CR at a point sufficiently far downstream of mixing channel MC to permit the reaction to proceed to a desired degree.

Analysis channel AC can approximate a circular cross-section as closely as possible to produce the smallest ratio of surface area to volume, and also to produce the largest diffusion distance from centerline center analysis region CR to a channel wall W. However, microfluidic channels may not be circular in cross-section due to preferred manufacturing techniques. Rather, they can be more likely square in cross-section, with the exact shape depending on the technique used to form the channels. For such channels, a cross-section of analysis channel AC, particularly within analysis region AR, can have an aspect ratio as close to one as possible or, more precisely stated, the distance from center analysis region CR to channel wall W can be as nearly constant in all radial directions as possible.

FIG. 30B shows two different cross-sectional views along analysis channel AC as viewed along cutlines A-A and B-B. Both cross-sectional views illustrate an aspect ratio approximating one. That is, for cross-section A-A, height H₁ of mixing channel MC is approximately equal to width W₁ of mixing channel MC, such that H₁/W₁ approximately equals one. Comparably, for cross-section B-B, height H₂ of mixing channel MC is approximately equal to width W₂ of mixing channel MC, such that H₂/W₂ approximately equals one.

FIG. 30B further shows that the cross-sectional area (H₂×W₂) of analysis region AR at cutline B-B, which is located at detection area DA of analysis region AR, is significantly larger than the cross-sectional area (H₁×W₁) of input end IE at cutline A-A. In some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, the cross-sectional area at detection area DA can be at least twice the value of the cross-sectional area value at input end IE and further upstream, such as in mixing channel MC. Further, in some embodiments, the cross-sectional area at detection area DA can be between about two times and about ten times the value of the cross-sectional area value at input end IE. As shown in cutline B-B of FIG. 30B, detection area DA can be positioned along center analysis region CR approximately equidistant from each of walls W to provide maximal distance from walls W, and thereby minimize effects of molecule adsorption to walls W. It is clear from FIG. 30B that the larger cross-sectional area at cutline B-B can provide both greater distance from walls W and smaller S/V than the smaller cross-sectional area at cutline A-A, both of which can reduce adsorption effects on data analysis, as discussed herein. Although detection area DA is shown in the figures as a circle having a distinct diameter, the depiction in the drawings is not intended as a limitation to the size, shape, and/or location of detection area DA within the enlarged cross-sectional area of analysis region AR. Rather, detection area DA can be as large as necessary and shaped as necessary (e.g. circular, elongated oval or rectangle, etc.) to acquire the desired data, while minimizing size as much as possible to avoid deleterious adsorption effects on the data. Determination of the optimal balance of size, shape and location while minimizing adsorption effects is within the capabilities of one of ordinary skill in the art without requiring undue experimentation.

Additional details and features of analysis channel AC are disclosed in co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Application entitled METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR REDUCING EFFECTS OF MOLECULE ADSORPTION WITHIN MICROFLUIDIC CHANNELS, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,366 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/8), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides apparatuses and methods for making and using the same that can decrease the interference of adsorption to concentration dependent measurements, such as in biochemistry reactions (including IC₅₀ determinations), by reducing adsorption of molecules to microfluidic channel walls. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides microfluidic chips comprising channels and chambers with treated surfaces exhibiting reduced adsorption of molecules to channel walls, such as for example hydrophilic surfaces, and methods of preparing and using the same. In some embodiments, methods of preparing hydrophilic surfaces by treating hydrocarbon-based plastics, such as for example polycarbonate, with fluorine gas mixtures are provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the methods comprise contacting a mixture of fluorine gas and an inert gas with the surface to be treated, then flushing the surface with air. This treatment results in plastic surfaces of increased hydrophilicity (increased surface energy). Hydrophobic solutes, in particular known and potential drug compounds, in solutions in contact with these treated hydrophilic plastic surfaces are less likely to be adsorbed onto the more hydrophilic surfaces. Plastics comprising the treated surfaces are useful in providing many improved drug discovery and biochemical research devices for handling, storing, and testing solutions containing low concentrations of hydrophobic solutes.

Additional details and features of hydrophilic surfaces in microfluidic systems and methods of making and using the same are disclosed in co-pending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Application entitled PLASTIC SURFACES AND APPARATUSES FOR REDUCED ADSORPTION OF SOLUTES AND METHODS OF PREPARING THE SAME, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/707,288 (Attorney Docket No. 447/99/9).

Further, in some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, microfluidic systems are provided comprising an analysis channel with an enlarged cross-sectional area and a reduced surface area to volume ratio and further comprising channels and chambers with hydrophilic surfaces.

It will be understood that various details of the subject matter disclosed herein may be changed without departing from the scope of the subject matter. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering one or more fluids to a microfluidic channel, comprising: (a) a microfluidic channel;(b) a first conduit communicating with the microfluidic channel for delivering fluids to the microfluidic channel; and(c) a first fluid freeze valve connected to the first conduit and operable to reduce the temperature of the first conduit for freezing fluid in the first conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the first conduit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a second conduit communicating with the microfluidic channel for advancing fluids out of the microfluidic channel.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 comprising a second fluid freeze valve connected to the second conduit and operable to lower the temperature of the second conduit for freezing fluid in the second conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the second conduit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the microfluidic channel comprises an aging loop.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 comprising an injection loop comprising a first and second end, the first end communicating with the microfluidic channel and the second end communicating with the first conduit for receiving different fluids from the first conduit to advance to the microfluidic channel.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the injection loop comprises a microchannel etched in a microfluidic chip.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the injection loop comprises a volume between about 0.1 and 2.0 microliters.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5 comprising a first pump communicating with the injection loop for advancing fluid in the injection loop to the microfluidic channel.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first pump is operable to advance the fluid at a controlled, variable flow rate.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 comprising a second pump communicating with the first end of the injection loop and operable to receive fluid advanced from the injection loop.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the second pump is operable to advance fluid from the injection loop at a controlled, variable flow rate through the first input channel to the microfluidic channel.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 comprising a third pump communicating with the second end of the injection loop for advancing fluid through the injection loop.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the third pump is operable to advance fluid from the injection loop at a controlled, variable flow rate through the first input channel to the microfluidic channel.

14. The apparatus according to claim 5 comprising a first waste unit communicating with the first end of the injection loop for receiving fluid from the microfluidic channel.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the first waste unit is operable to receive fluid from the injection loop.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 comprising a second conduit communicating with the microfluidic channel for advancing fluids in the microfluidic channel out of the microfluidic channel.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 comprising a second fluid freeze valve connected to the second conduit and operable to lower the temperature of the second conduit for freezing fluid in the second conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the second conduit.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the microfluidic channel comprises an aging loop.

19. The apparatus according to claim 5 comprising a vacuum communicating with the first end of the injection loop for advancing a fluid through the injection loop.

20. The apparatus according to claim 16 comprising a second conduit for communicating fluid from the injection loop to the vacuum.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 comprising a second fluid freeze valve connected to the second conduit and operable to lower the temperature of the second conduit for freezing the fluid in the second conduit such that fluid is prevented from communicating through the second conduit.

22-83. (canceled)

84. A method for mixing different fluids, the method comprising: (a) providing a microfluidic chip comprising a first and second input channel fluidly communicating at a merge location, and a mixing channel communicating with the first and second input channels at the merge location;(b) providing a first conduit communicating with the merge location for delivering fluids to the merge location; and(c) reducing the temperature of the first conduit for freezing fluid in the first conduit such that fluid is prevented from advancing through the first conduit.

85-118. (canceled)

119. A method for mixing different fluids, the method comprising: (a) providing a microfluidic chip comprising a first and second input channel fluidly communicating at a merge location, and a mixing channel communicating with the first and second input channels at the merge location;(b) providing an injection loop comprising a microchannel etched in the microfluidic chip and communicating with at least one of the first and second input channels for providing different fluids to one of first and second pumps for subsequent advancement through one of the first and second input channels; and(c) changing the temperature of the injection loop for maintaining fluid in the injection loop at a different temperature than a temperature of the fluid in the first or second input channels.

120-152. (canceled)