SINGLE-LANE AMPLIFICATION CARTRIDGE
The technology described herein generally relates to microfluidic cartridges. The technology more particularly relates to a single-lane cartridge configured to carry out a single amplification reaction. The reaction chamber has a large volume with a thin-walled shape. A valve can be configured to simultaneously seal a fill channel and a vent channel leading from the reaction chamber.
1 . A microfluidic cartridge comprising:
an inlet;
a reaction chamber;
a vent;
a fill channel spanning between the inlet and the reaction chamber comprising a first lower channel, a first through channel, and a first upper channel;
a vent channel spanning between the reaction chamber and the vent comprising a second upper channel, a second through channel, and a second lower channel; and
a valve configured to simultaneously seal the fill channel and the vent channel along the first lower channel and the second lower channel.
2 . The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber is conical.
3 . The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber is trapezoidal.
4 . The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber has a volume between 50 μl and 100 μl.
5 . The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber has a volume between 100 μl and 150 μl.
6 . The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a top layer configured to seal the reaction chamber, the first upper channel, and the second upper channel.
7 . The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured to confine a fluid sample to the fill channel and the reaction chamber.
8 . The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a bottom layer configured to seal the first lower channel and the second lower channel.
9 . The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a bottom layer configured to seal valve channels of the valve.
10 . The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a first valve channel forming a junction with the first lower channel and a second valve channel forming a junction with the second lower channel.
11 . An assembly for amplification and detection comprising:
a cartridge comprising:
an inlet;
a reaction chamber;
a vent;
a fill channel spanning between the inlet and the reaction chamber comprising a first lower channel, a first through channel, and a first upper channel;
a vent channel spanning between the reaction chamber and the vent comprising a second upper channel, a second through channel, and a second lower channel;
a valve configured to seal the fill channel and the vent channel along the first lower channel and the second lower channel;
a heater assembly configured to apply heat to the reaction chamber and the valve; and
a detector configured to detect fluorescence from the reaction chamber.
12 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the heater assembly comprises a conductive element configured to receive the reaction chamber.
13 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the heater assembly is configured to heat a thermally responsive substance of the valve.
14 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the detector is configured for two-color detection.
15 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the detector is configured to detect a plurality of different fluorogenic probes for syndromic testing.
16 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the assembly is configured to receive a plurality of detectors.
17 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the assembly is configured to receive a plurality of cartridges.
18 . A method of amplifying and detecting comprising:
introducing an amplification-ready sample into a cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises a fill channel spanning between an inlet and a reaction chamber, the fill channel comprising a first lower channel, a first through channel, and a first upper channel, wherein the cartridge comprises a vent channel spanning between the reaction chamber and a vent, the vent channel comprising a second upper channel, a second through channel, and a second lower channel;
closing a valve to simultaneously seal the fill channel and the vent channel along the first lower channel and the second lower channel;
heating the reaction chamber; and
detecting fluorescence from the reaction chamber.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising performing syndromic testing by detecting multiple fluorogenic probes in a plurality of the cartridges.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein detecting fluorescence comprises detecting fluorescence from a sample volume between 50 μl and 150 μl.
21 .- 37 . (canceled)