APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING MICROFLUIDIC-BASED BIOCHEMICAL ASSAYS
An apparatus for performing microfluidic-based biochemical assays, the apparatus includes a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises at least a microfluidic feature comprising at least a reservoir configured to contain at least a fluid, and at least an alignment feature for positioning and attaching a sensor device, wherein the at least an alignment feature is not contacting the at least a microfluidic feature, at least a sensor device configured to be in sensed communication with the at least a fluid and detect at least a sensed property, and at least a flow component fluidically connected to the at least a microfluidic feature configured to flow the at least a fluid through the at least a sensor device.
1 . An apparatus for performing microfluidic-based biochemical assays, the apparatus comprises:
a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises:
a microfluidic feature comprising a reservoir configured to contain at least a fluid; and
an alignment feature for positioning and attaching a sensor device;
a sensor device, wherein the sensor device is configured to detect a sensed property; and
an active flow component fluidically connected to the microfluidic feature, wherein:
the active fluid component further comprises a plunger in a barrel and an actuator configured to receive an electronic control signal and move the plunger within the barrel; and
the active flow component is configured to flow the at least a fluid through the sensor device.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the alignment feature comprises:
a housing; and
a flat facet located on the housing configured to constrain the sensor device.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the alignment feature comprises a sealer.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor device comprises an optical device configured to detect an optical property.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flow component configured to mix a first fluid with a second fluid.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the flow component further comprises a serpentine.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flow component is further configured to:
mix a first fluid with a second fluid, wherein:
the first fluid comprises a sample with a conjugate reagent; and
the second fluid comprises a buffer fluid.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least a sensor is further configured to communicate with an external device the at least a sensed property.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bubble trap fluidically connected to the microfluidic feature.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a conjugate pad fluidically connected to the microfluidic feature.
11 . A method of performing microfluidic-based biochemical assays, the method comprises:
positioning, using an alignment feature of a microfluidic device, a sensor device, wherein the microfluidic device further comprises a microfluidic feature comprising at least a reservoir configured to contain a fluid;
flowing, using an active fluid component fluidically connected to the at least a microfluidic feature, the at least a fluid through the at least a sensor device, wherein:
the active fluid component further comprises a plunger in a barrel and an actuator configured to receive an electronic control signal and move the plunger within the barrel; and
the active flow component is configured to flow the at least a fluid through the sensor device; and
detecting, using the at least a sensor device configured to be in sensed communication with the at least a fluid, at least a sensed property.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the alignment feature comprises:
a housing; and
a flat facet located on the housing configured to constrain the sensor device.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the alignment feature comprises a sealer.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the sensor device comprises an optical device configured to detect an optical property.
15 . The method of claim 11 further comprising a flow component configured to mix a first fluid with a second fluid.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the flow component further comprises a serpentine.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the flow component is further configured to:
mix a first fluid with a second fluid, wherein:
the first fluid comprises a sample with a conjugate reagent; and
the second fluid comprises a buffer fluid.
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least a sensor is further configured to communicate with an external device the at least a sensed property.
19 . The method of claim 11 further comprising a bubble trap fluidically connected to the microfluidic feature.
20 . The method of claim 11 further comprising a conjugate pad fluidically connected to the microfluidic feature.