Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc.

Canon U.s.a., Inc.

Caliper Life Sciences, Inc.

University of Utah Research Foundation

Ivor T Knight

Hiroshi Inoue

Deborah John Boles

Kenton C Hasson

Michael R Knapp

Steven A Sundberg

Edward P Donlon

Wesley Bryan Dong

Aaron J Rulison

Weidong Cao

Robert John Moti

Takayoshi Hanagata

Michael Slater

Andrew Fabans

Brian P Murphy

Allen R Boronkay

Gregory A Dale

Ben Lane

Alex K Flamm

Scott Corey

Conrad Laskowski

Rita R Colwell

Eric D Schneider

Johnathan Stuart Coursey

Shulin Zeng

Gregory H Owen

Hongye Liang

Sami Kanderian

Brian Bean

Scott O Sundberg

Ying-Xin Wang

Franklin Regan

Carl Thomas Wittwer

Robert Andrew Palais

Jeanette Yang Paek

Deborah J Boyles

Chris Felice

Ronald Kurz

Kazuhiko Hasegawa

Ralph McCann

Jason Clemons

Robert J Pryor

Joseph T Myrick

Robert A Palais

Deborah J Boles

Edward Dolon

Allen Borankay

A method and system have been provided to perform high speed nucleic acid melting analysis while still obtaining accurate melting curve sufficient for genotyping. This rapid ability to interrogate DNA should be useful whenever time to result is important, such as in molecular point of care testing. Specifically, microfluidics enables genotyping by melting analysis at rates up to 50&#xb0; C./s, requiring less than is to acquire an entire melting curve. High speed melting reduces the time for melting analysis, decreases errors, and improves genotype discrimination of small amplicons.

High speed nucleic acid melting analysis

The present invention provides novel methods and devices that employ microfluidic technology to generate molecular melt curves. In particular, the devices and methods in accordance with the invention are useful in providing for the analysis of PCR amplification products.

Method and apparatus for generating thermal melting curves in a microfluidic device

At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a molecular diagnostic device that comprises a cartridge configured to eject samples comprising genomic material into a microfluidic chip that comprises an amplification area, a detection area, and a matrix analysis area.

Method and molecular diagnostic device for detection, analysis and identification of genomic DNA

The present invention relates to systems and methods for the real time processing of nucleic acid during polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and thermal melt applications. According to an aspect of the invention, a system for the rapid serial processing of multiple nucleic acid assays is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes, but is not limited to: a microfluidic cartridge having microfluidic (flow-through) channels, a fluorescence imaging system, a temperature measurement and control system; a pressure measurement and control system for applying variable pneumatic pressures to the microfluidic cartridge; a storage device for holding multiple reagents (e.g., a well-plate); a liquid handling system comprising at least one robotic pipettor for aspirating, mixing, and dispensing reagent mixtures to the microfluidic cartridge; systems for data storage, processing, and output; and a system controller to coordinate the various devices and functions.

System and method for serial processing of multiple nucleic acid assays

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for ensuring that multiple components of a mixture are fully mixed in a continuous flow microfluidic system while ensuring that mixing between segments flowing through the chip is minimized. In some embodiments, the present invention includes mixing fluids in a droplet maintained at the tip of a pipette before the mixture is introduced to the microfluidic device. In another aspect, the present invention provides a pipette tip having a ratio of an outside diameter to an inside diameter that provides sufficient surface area for a droplet comprising up to the entire volume of the liquid to suspend from the pipette tip intact. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for delivering a reaction mixture to a microfluidic chip comprising a docking receptacle, an access tube and a reservoir.

Methods, devices, and systems for fluid mixing and chip interface

The present invention provides a method for performing thermal melt analysis using a microfluidic device, the method comprising providing a microfluidic device having at least one microfluidic channel, introducing fluid comprising into the at least one microfluidic channel, continuously flowing the fluid through the at least one microfluidic channel while varying the temperature of the entire fluid stream as it moves through the at least one microfluidic channel by uniformly heating the entire fluid stream, and measuring, while continuously flowing the fluid through the at least one microfluidic channel, a detectable property emanating from the fluid.

Method and apparatus for applying continuous flow and uniform temperature to generate thermal melting curves in a microfluidic device

Cartridge assembly

An assembly for performing micro-fluidic assays includes a micro-fluidic chip with access ports and micro-channels in communication with the access ports and a fluid cartridge having internal, fluid-containable chambers and a nozzle associated with each internal chamber that is configured to be coupled with an access port. Reaction fluids, such as sample material, buffer, and/or reagent, contained within the cartridge are dispensed from the cartridge into the access ports and micro-channels of the micro-fluidic chip. Embodiments of the invention include a cartridge which includes a waste compartment for receiving used DNA and other reaction fluids from the micro-channel at the conclusion of the assay.

Chip and cartridge design configuration for performing micro-fluidic assays

A method and device for digital multiplex PCR assays employ a microfluidic chip for performing real-time, continuous flow PCR within microchannels of the chip. A stream of sample material is introduced into each microchannel and alternating boluses of assay-specific reagents and buffer are introduced into the stream to form sequentially configured test boluses. A PCR procedure is performed on the test boluses followed by a thermal melt procedure. During the thermal melt procedure, fluorescent output is detected and fluorescence vs temperature data is collected and compared to expected normal correlations. The results, positive or negative, are converted to digital format, with positive results designated as '1' and negative results designated as '0', or vice versa.

Device and method for digital multiplex PCR assays

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, VA, United States of America

Ivor T Knight