US 12,275,009 B2
Microfluidic cartridge
Yann Marcy, Marseilles (FR); Marc Artigue, Noisy Sur Ecole (FR); Quentin Le Masne, Grenoble (FR); and Kevin Marq, Boulogne-Billancourt (FR)
Assigned to GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by Gen-Probe Incorporated, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/482,796.
Application 18/482,796 is a continuation of application No. 16/845,631, filed on Apr. 10, 2020, granted, now 11,813,609.
Application 16/845,631 is a continuation of application No. 15/039,860, granted, now 10,654,039, issued on May 19, 2020, previously published as PCT/EP2014/075868, filed on Nov. 27, 2014.
Claims priority of application No. 13306643 (EP), filed on Nov. 29, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2024/0131511 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
Prior Publication US 2024/0226883 A9, Jul. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01L 9/00 (2006.01); C12Q 1/6844 (2018.01)
CPC B01L 3/502715 (2013.01) [B01L 3/50273 (2013.01); B01L 3/502738 (2013.01); B01L 9/527 (2013.01); C12Q 1/6844 (2013.01); B01L 2200/027 (2013.01); B01L 2200/16 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0654 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0819 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0848 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0864 (2013.01); B01L 2300/087 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0887 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0478 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0487 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0622 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0638 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0644 (2013.01); B01L 2400/065 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0655 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A microfluidic cartridge configured to detect at least one nucleic acid of a sample, the microfluidic cartridge comprising:
a cartridge plate comprising a substrate having a first face and a second face;
a cartridge body connected with the cartridge plate at the second face of the substrate of the cartridge plate;
one central distribution hub configured to pump, inject, and distribute fluids, the central distribution hub comprising a hub body disposed within the cartridge body and connected to the cartridge plate, the central distribution hub being configured to be connected to a system providing pressure or depressurization within the hub body to pump, inject and distribute fluids;
a plurality of chambers defined within the cartridge body or within the cartridge plate and configured to hold fluids;
a network of fluidic microchannels formed in the cartridge plate and comprising at least three hub-connected microchannels connected with the one central distribution hub, a first set of chambers of the plurality of chambers being fluidly connected to the one central distribution hub by a corresponding one of the hub-connected microchannels, the central distribution hub being configured to pump and inject the fluids from at least one chamber of the first set of chambers to at least one other chamber of the first set of chambers; and
a plurality of valves each located on a respective one of the fluidic microchannels, each of the valves comprising a deformable membrane and a valve seat formed by a recess in the cartridge plate opposite the deformable membrane, the deformable membranes being configured to deform in relation to the cartridge plate to control distribution of the fluids between at least the first set of chambers.
 
18. A microfluidic cartridge system comprising:
a microfluidic cartridge configured to detect at least one nucleic acid of a sample, the microfluidic cartridge comprising:
a cartridge plate comprising a substrate having a first face and a second face,
a cartridge body connected with the cartridge plate at the second face of the substrate of the cartridge plate,
one central distribution hub configured to pump, inject, and distribute fluids, the central distribution hub comprising a hub body disposed within the cartridge body and connected to the cartridge plate, the central distribution hub being configured to be connected to a system providing pressure or depressurization within the hub body to pump, inject and distribute fluids,
a plurality of chambers defined within the cartridge body or within the cartridge plate and configured to hold fluids,
a network of fluidic microchannels formed in the cartridge plate and comprising at least three hub-connected microchannels connected with the one central distribution hub, each chamber of a first set of chambers of the plurality of chambers being fluidly connected to the one central distribution hub by a corresponding one of the hub-connected microchannels, the central distribution hub being configured to pump and inject the fluids from at least one of the first set of chambers to at least another of the first set of chambers, and
a plurality of valves each located on a respective one of the fluidic microchannels, each of the valves comprising a deformable membrane and a valve seat formed by a recess in the cartridge plate opposite the deformable membrane, the deformable membranes being configured to deform in relation to the cartridge plate to control distribution of the fluids between at least the first set of chambers; and
a docking station configured to receive the microfluidic cartridge, the docking station comprising a cam-driven actuator configured to mechanically actuate the valves of the hub-connected microchannels.