Life Technologies Corporation

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The General Hospital Corporation

Other

Colin J H Brenan

Tanya S Kanigan

Ian W Hunter

John R Linton

R Rox Anderson

Keng Hui Lim

Robert A Hess

Karl Yoder

Elizabeth Sebern

Thomas B Morrison

Leila Hasan

Namyong Kim

Arrin Katz

Javier Garcia

Steve Smith

Jamie Cho

Shailesh Srivastava

Tom Morrison

Elizabeth Sebem

An interface is provided for storing microfluidic samples in a nanoliter sample chip. A fluid access structure provides a fluid access region to a selected subset of sample wells from an array of sample wells. A fluid introduction mechanism introduces a sample fluid to the fluid access region so that the sample wells in the selected subset are populated with the sample fluid without the unselected sample wells being populated with the sample fluid.

Nanoliter array loading

A differentially coated device for conducting a plurality of nano-volume specified reactions, the device comprising a platen having at least one exterior surface modified to a specified physicochemical property, a plurality of nano-volume channels, each nano-volume channel having at least one interior surface in communication with the at least one exterior surface that is selectively coated with an optionally dissolvable coating agent physisorbed to at least one interior surface, wherein the optionally dissolvable coating agent comprises a coating agent and a first component for the plurality of specified reactions. Methods for preparing and using such devices are also provided, as well as a method of registering a location of a dispenser array in relation to a microfluidic array. A first one of the dispenser array and the microfluidic array is movable in relation to the frame, and the other of the first one of the dispenser array and the microfluidic array is fixed relative to the frame. Quantities related to a vector displacement from the alignment position to a fixed position on the one of the dispenser array and the microfluidic array is determined. The quantities thus determined are used to guide positioning of the dispenser array relative to the microfluidic array.

Coating process for microfluidic sample arrays

One aspect of the invention provides container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a conductive member for heating the interior volume. Another aspect of the invention provides container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a plurality of conductive members for heating an interior volume. Another aspect of the invention provides a container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a first conductive member located in the interior volume and adapted to contact a first end of the microfluidic array.

Devices and methods for thermally-mediated chemical reactions

A platform Smart Scalpel system using rapid real-time feedback for effecting laser treatment. The platform system includes an imaging system for rapid real-time detection of tissue characteristics, a processing system for processing the detected characteristics, and a treatment system for effecting treatment in accordance with results of the processing. The platform system provides for preprogramming and real-time inputting conditions and parameters for diagnosis using the imaging system and/or treatment using the treatment system.

Apparatus and method for laser treatment with spectroscopic feedback

A liquid dispenser for a microfluidic assay system is described. The dispenser includes at least one transfer pin for transferring a microfluidic sample of liquid to a target receptacle. A pin tip at one end of the transfer pin is structured to cooperate with an opening in the target receptacle. The tip uses capillary action to transfer the sample from the pin to the receptacle.

Microfluidic transfer pin

A liquid dispenser for a microfluidic assay system is described. The dispenser includes at least one transfer pin for transferring a microfluidic sample of liquid to a target receptacle. A pin tip at one end of the transfer pin is structured to cooperate with an opening in the target receptacle. The tip uses a high voltage potential to transfer the sample from the pin to the receptacle.

Systems for filling sample array by droplet dragging are provided. One aspect of the invention provides an array filling system for filling a platen having a platen surface and an array of receptacles, the receptacles having an internal surface and the receptacles separated by the platen surface, the system comprising: a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid; and a controller configured to position the liquid transfer device in proximity to the platen surface and to move the liquid transfer device across the surface and over the receptacles to be filled so as to cause sequential communication of liquid in the liquid transfer device with the interior surface of each receptacle.

Systems for filling a sample array by droplet dragging

A method and an array filling system for loading a plurality of disparate sample containers, the sample containers comprising an integral structure. Each receptacle is characterized by a hydrophilic surface, and the receptacles are separated by a hydrophobic surface. The system has a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid and adapted for motion to cause sequential communication of liquid held in the liquid transfer device with successive receptacles of the array by dragging the liquid across the hydrophobic surface.

Methods for filing a sample array by droplet dragging

Methods for manufacturing and using an apparatus for manipulating and analyzing a large number of microscopic samples of a liquid or materials, including cells, in liquid suspension. Parallel through-holes are formed in a platen and loaded with a liquid. Loading may be performed in such a way as to create a gradient, with respect to the position of the through-holes, of the concentration of a particular substance or of another quantity. Mixing of the contents of through-holes may be obtained by bringing filled microwell arrays into contact with each other with registration of individual through-holes.

Growing community of inventors

Marblehead, MA, United States of America

Colin J H Brenan