Nanogen, Inc.

Michael K Krihak

Donald E Ackley

Edward L Sheldon

Michael James Heller

Ying Chi Huang

John R Havens

Daniel E Raymond

Robert W Haigis

Charles H Greef

Anita Forster

Karla Ewalt

This invention relates to devices and methods for performing active, multi-step molecular and biological sample preparation and diagnostic analyses employing immunochemical techniques. It relates generally to bioparticle separation, bioparticle enrichment, and electric field-mediated immunochemical detection on active electronic matrix devices utilizing AC and DC electric fields. More specifically, the invention relates to devices and methods for sample preparation/manipulation, immunoimmobilization, and immunoassays, all of which can be conducted on one or more active electronic chip devices within a single system. These manipulations are useful in a variety of applications, including, for example, detection of pathogenic bacteria and biological warfare agents, point-of-care diagnostics, food or medical product quality control assays, and other biological assays.

Dielectrophoretic separation and immunoassay methods on active electronic matrix devices

Methods and apparatus for use of a stacked, reconfigurable system is provided. The stacked, reconfigurable system includes an inlet for receipt of a sample, a first chamber defined by a bottom support, an intermediate member, and a first spacer, the first chamber being coupled to the inlet through the bottom support, the first chamber including an analysis system having electrodes for electrophoretic transport of material. A second chamber is stacked on top of the first chamber, the second chamber being defined by the intermediate member, a top member, and a second spacer, the second chamber being in fluid communication with the first chamber through at least one via formed in the intermediate member, the second chamber being electrically reconfigurable to permit action such as, for example, synthesis of a compound or specialized analysis. The apparatus can be used to perform analysis on charged biological materials.

Reconfigurable detection and analysis apparatus and method

Methods, apparatus, and applications for use of a stacked, reconfigurable system for electrophoretic transport are provided. In one embodiment, a system having a first chamber including at least a bottom support and an intermediate support, and a second chamber, said second chamber including a bottom support and a top member, the first and second chambers being coupled through a via. Electrophoretic, and optional electro-osmotic and thermal, transport is effected. In another aspect of this invention, three or more chambers are coupled by an electrophoretic buss. The electrophoretic buss includes driving electrodes and is adapted to receive fluid containing materials for transport. The chambers are coupled to the electrophoretic buss and serve as a tap from the buss for delivery of charged materials. In one embodiment, certain functions are performed in different chambers. For example, the first chamber may receive the sample and perform sample processing functions, the second chamber may perform amplification procedures, yet a third chamber may perform hybridization or other assays, and yet another chamber may perform immunoassays. By separating various functions to different chambers, speed and sensitivity may be improved. In yet another aspect of this invention, analysis from a earlier stage may be utilized in a subsequent stage to reconfigure the system for optimum use. In one application, analysis at a first level is utilized to determine an action at a second level, such as the synthesis of a compound. The synthesized compound in response to a biohazard may comprise vaccine or antidote.

Electrophoretic buss for transport of charged materials in a multi-chamber system

System including functionally separated regions in electrophoretic system

Stacked, reconfigurable system for electrophoretic transport of charged materials

The present invention pertains to a method of, and a device created by, depositing an inorganic permeation layer on a micro-electronic device for molecular biological reactions. The permeation layer is preferably sol-gel. The sol-gel permeation layer can be created with pre-defined porosity, pore size distribution, pore morphology, and surface area. The sol-gel permeation layer may also function as the attachment layer of the micro-electric device.

Inorganic permeation layer for micro-electric device

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Michael K Krihak