US 11,940,443 B2
Assaying cells and non-cell analytes in a sample in parallel
Stephen Y. Chou, Princeton, NJ (US); Wei Ding, East Windsor, NJ (US); Ji Li, Princeton, NJ (US); and Yufan Zhang, Monmouth Junction, NJ (US)
Assigned to Essenlix Corporation, Monmouth Junction, NJ (US)
Appl. No. 16/964,870
Filed by Essenlix Corporation, Monmouth Junction, NJ (US)
PCT Filed Jan. 25, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/015309
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 24, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/148054, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 1, 2019.
Application 16/964,870 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2019/013388, filed on Jan. 11, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/621,761, filed on Jan. 25, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0011001 A1, Jan. 14, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 33/543 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 21/29 (2006.01); G01N 33/50 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 33/54313 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502746 (2013.01); G01N 21/29 (2013.01); G01N 33/5005 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0816 (2013.01)] 106 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for assaying a target cell and a non-cell analyte in a sample, comprising:
a first plate, a second plate, a plurality of spacers, a plurality of particles, and a capture agent, wherein:
a) the first and second plates are movable relative to each other into different configurations, including an open configuration and a closed configuration;
b) each of the plates has, on its respective surface, a sample contact area for contacting a sample that contains or is suspected of containing one or more target cells and a non-cell analyte;
c) the spacers comprise an array of pillars that have a predetermined inter-spacer distance and a uniform height of 150 μm or less and are fixed on the first plate;
d) the particles have a size of 0.2 μm to 100 μm, are equal to or less than the height of the spacers, and are, in an open configuration, distributed in one of the sample contact areas; and
e) the capture agent is attached on the particles, wherein the capture agent binds the non-cell analyte;
wherein in the open configuration, the two plates are separated apart, and the sample is deposited on one or both plates;
wherein in the closed configuration, which is configured after a sample is deposited in the open configuration, a relevant sample volume is compressed by the first and second plates into a layer of substantially uniform thickness and is substantially stagnant relative to the first and second plates, and the thickness of the layer is confined by the first and second plates and is regulated by the first and second plates and the spacers;
wherein the relevant sample volume is a portion of the sample containing or suspected of containing the non-cell analyte and the target cells to be analyzed; and
wherein the height of the spacers and the geometry of the particles are configured to make, in the closed configuration, no significant overlaps between the one or more target cells, between the particles, and between the target cells and the particles.