US 12,458,972 B2
Fluorescence detector for microfluidic diagnostic system
Kalyan Handique, Ypsilanti, MI (US); and Sundaresh N. Brahmasandra, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Assigned to HANDYLAB, INC., Franklin Lakes, NJ (US)
Filed by HANDYLAB, INC., Franklin Lakes, NJ (US)
Filed on Nov. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/499,676.
Application 18/499,676 is a continuation of application No. 17/496,182, filed on Oct. 7, 2021, granted, now 11,806,718.
Application 17/496,182 is a continuation of application No. 17/085,320, filed on Oct. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,141,734, issued on Oct. 12, 2021.
Application 17/085,320 is a continuation of application No. 16/910,850, filed on Jun. 24, 2020, granted, now 10,821,446, issued on Nov. 3, 2020.
Application 16/910,850 is a continuation of application No. 15/795,842, filed on Oct. 27, 2017, granted, now 10,695,764, issued on Jun. 30, 2020.
Application 15/795,842 is a continuation of application No. 14/537,517, filed on Nov. 10, 2014, granted, now 9,802,199, issued on Oct. 31, 2017.
Application 14/537,517 is a continuation of application No. 11/940,321, filed on Nov. 14, 2007, granted, now 8,883,490, issued on Nov. 11, 2014.
Application 11/940,321 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/728,964, filed on Mar. 26, 2007, granted, now 9,040,288, issued on May 26, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/959,437, filed on Jul. 13, 2007.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/859,284, filed on Nov. 14, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/786,007, filed on Mar. 24, 2006.
Prior Publication US 2024/0326057 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01L 7/00 (2006.01); B01L 9/00 (2006.01); C12Q 1/686 (2018.01); G01N 21/00 (2006.01); G01N 21/64 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 7/52 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502715 (2013.01); B01L 3/502723 (2013.01); B01L 9/527 (2013.01); C12Q 1/686 (2013.01); G01N 21/6428 (2013.01); B01L 3/502738 (2013.01); B01L 2200/025 (2013.01); B01L 2200/027 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0684 (2013.01); B01L 2300/021 (2013.01); B01L 2300/022 (2013.01); B01L 2300/045 (2013.01); B01L 2300/046 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0861 (2013.01); B01L 2300/1805 (2013.01); B01L 2300/1822 (2013.01); B01L 2300/1827 (2013.01); B01L 2300/1838 (2013.01); B01L 2300/1861 (2013.01); G01N 2021/6419 (2013.01); Y10S 435/808 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
positioning a consumable microfluidic cartridge above a plurality of amplification heaters, wherein the plurality of amplification heaters are arranged along an amplification heater axis, the plurality of amplification heaters comprising at least a first amplification heater and a second amplification heater, the consumable microfluidic cartridge comprising a plurality of detection regions, the plurality of detection regions comprising at least a first detection region and a second detection region, the plurality of detection regions arranged along a first cartridge axis, wherein the amplification heater axis and the first cartridge axis are substantially parallel when the consumable microfluidic cartridge is positioned above the plurality of heaters;
amplifying one or more polynucleotides in the first detection region by directing heat toward the first detection region with the first amplification heater when the consumable microfluidic cartridge is positioned above the plurality of amplification heaters, and amplifying one or more polynucleotides in the second detection region by directing heat toward the second detection region with the second amplification heater when the consumable microfluidic cartridge is positioned above the plurality of amplification heaters;
positioning a fluorescence detector above the consumable microfluidic cartridge, the fluorescence detector comprising a plurality of detectors arranged along a first detection axis, the plurality of detectors comprising a first detector and a second detector, wherein the first cartridge axis and the first detection axis are substantially parallel when the fluorescence detector is positioned above the consumable microfluidic cartridge; and
detecting the presence of one or more polynucleotides in the first detection region of the consumable microfluidic cartridge by transmitting light onto the first detection region and receiving light emitted from the first detection region by the first detector of the fluorescence detector, and detecting the presence of one or more polynucleotides in the second detection region of the consumable microfluidic cartridge by transmitting light onto the second detection region and receiving light emitted from the second detection region by the second detector of the fluorescence detector, and
disposing the consumable microfluidic cartridge and reusing the plurality of amplification heaters and the fluorescence detector by positioning a second consumable microfluidic cartridge above the plurality of amplification heaters and positioning the fluorescence detector above the second consumable microfluidic cartridge.