US 12,226,769 B2
Sample manipulation and assay with rapid temperature change
Stephen Y. Chou, Princeton, NJ (US); Wei Ding, East Windsor, NJ (US); Ji Qi, Skillman, NJ (US); Hua Tan, Princeton Junction, NJ (US); and Yufan Zhang, Princeton, NJ (US)
Assigned to Essenlix Corporation, Monmouth Junction, NJ (US)
Filed by Essenlix Corporation, Monmouth Junction, NJ (US)
Filed on Mar. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/121,534.
Application 18/121,534 is a continuation of application No. 16/772,396, granted, now 11,648,551, previously published as PCT/US2018/065297, filed on Dec. 12, 2018.
Application 16/772,396 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/034230, filed on May 23, 2018.
Application 16/772,396 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/018405, filed on Feb. 15, 2018.
Application 16/772,396 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/018108, filed on Feb. 14, 2018.
Application 16/772,396 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/017307, filed on Feb. 7, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/772,597, filed on Nov. 28, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/597,851, filed on Dec. 12, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0219084 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01L 7/00 (2006.01); C12Q 1/686 (2018.01)
CPC B01L 3/502715 (2013.01) [B01L 7/52 (2013.01); C12Q 1/686 (2013.01); B01L 2200/021 (2013.01); B01L 2200/10 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0816 (2013.01); B01L 2300/123 (2013.01); B01L 2300/1805 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for rapidly changing a temperature of a fluidic sample, comprising:
(a) obtaining a device, wherein the device comprises a first plate, a second plate, a plurality of spacers, and at least one clamp, wherein:
(i) the first plate and the second plate are movable relative to each other into different configurations, including an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein one or both of the first and second plates are flexible plates, wherein each of the first and second plates comprises, on its respective surface, a sample contact area for contacting a fluidic sample, and wherein at the closed configuration the first and second plates sandwich the fluidic sample into a layer of substantially uniform thickness of 200 μm or less;
(ii) the plurality of spacers has a predetermined substantially uniform height that is equal to or less than 200 microns, wherein at least one of the plurality of spacers is inside the sample contact area;
(iii) the at least one clamp comprises a top ring and a bottom ring, wherein the at least one clamp is configurable between:
(a) a non-active mode, wherein the top ring and the bottom ring of the at least one clamp is configured to not push the first plate and second plate together; and
(b) an active mode, wherein the top ring and the bottom ring of the at least one clamp are configured to exert a force to (i) squeeze the first plate and the second plate and deform an area of the flexible plates that is under a compression of the at least one clamp, and (ii) deform a portion of the plurality of spacers, wherein the portion of the plurality of spacers is under the compression of the at least one clamp, and the at least one clamp is configured to crush the portion of the plurality of spacers under the compression, thereby reducing the spacing between the two plates in the area of the flexible plates that is under the compression of the at least one clamp, and wherein the reduction of a spacing between the two plates is configured to reduce or prevent a fluidic flow between a sample portion encircled by the rings and a sample portion outside the rings,
wherein in the open configuration, the two plates are partially or completely separated apart, the spacing between the two plates is not regulated by the plurality of spacers, and the at least one clamp is in non-active mode, and the sample is deposited on one or both of the two plates; and
wherein in the closed configuration, the at least one clamp is in an active mode, at least a part of the sample deposited on the one or both of the first and second plates is compressed by the first and second plates to form the layer of substantially uniform thickness of 200 μm or less, wherein the two plates and plurality of spacers are configured to regulate the thickness of the layer;
(b) depositing a sample onto the sample contact area of at least one of the first and second plates of the device in the open configuration;
(c) closing the two plates into the closed configuration and placing the clamp in the active mode; and
(d) rapidly changing the temperature of the sample portion encircled by the rings.