Abstract: A device for lysing components (e.g., cells, spores, or microorganisms) of a fluid sample comprises a cartridge having a lysing chamber for receiving the sample and having at least one solid phase in the lysing chamber for capturing the sample components to be lysed. An ultrasonic transducer is coupled to a wall of the lysing chamber to transfer ultrasonic energy to the captured sample components.

Abstract: A method for extracting nucleic acid from a fluid sample comprises the steps of introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample flow path and a lysing chamber in the sample flow path. The lysing chamber contains at least one filter for separating cells or viruses from the sample. The sample is forced to flow through the lysing chamber to capture the cells or viruses with the filter, while used sample fluid flows to waste. The captured cells or viruses are disrupted to release their nucleic acid, the nucleic acid is eluted from the lysing chamber, and optionally the nucleic acid is amplified and detected in a reaction chamber of the cartridge.

Abstract: An optical microswitch for use with a laser beam that extends along a path comprising a body having an inlet port adapted to receive the laser beam and a plurality of outlet ports. A plurality of mirrors coupled to a plurality of micromotors carried by the body. The micromotors selectively move the mirrors from a first position out of the path of the laser beam to a second position into the path of the laser beam to direct the laser beam to one of the outlet ports. Each of the micromotors has at least one electrostatically-driven comb drive assembly therein for moving the respective mirror to one of the first and second positions. A controller is electrically coupled to the micromotors for providing control signals to the micromotors.

Abstract: A device for conducting a chemical reaction comprises a body having at least first and second channels formed therein. A reaction vessel extends from the body. The reaction vessel has a reaction chamber, an inlet port connected to the reaction chamber via an inlet channel, and an outlet port connected to the reaction chamber via an outlet channel. The inlet port of the vessel is connected to the first channel in the body, and the outlet port of the vessel is connected to the second channel in the body.

Abstract: An optical head utilizes a micro-machined element in combination with a light source and a lens to write and read data onto a storage disk. The micro-machined element may include a steerable micro-machined mirror or a micro-actuator. A beam of laser light transmitted from the light source to the optical head and a reflected light from the storage disk is altered by a movement of the micro-machined element. In this manner a focused optical spot is scanned back and forth in a direction which is approximately parallel to the radial direction of the storage disk.

Abstract: A system for controlling the temperature of a reaction mixture comprises at least one heating device for heating the mixture and a power regulator for regulating the amount of power supplied to the heating device. A controller in communication with the power regulator includes program instructions for heating the reaction mixture by setting a variable target temperature that initially exceeds a desired setpoint temperature for the mixture. When the heating device reaches a threshold temperature, the variable target temperature is decreased to the desired setpoint temperature. In another embodiment, the controller includes an adaptive control program for dynamically adjusting the duration or intensity of power pulses provided to the heating device.

Abstract: A device for separating an analyte from a fluid sample comprises a cartridge incorporating a flow-through microfluidic chip. The microfluidic chip includes an extraction chamber having an array of microstructures for capturing the analyte and for subsequently releasing the captured analyte into an elution fluid. Each of the microstructures has an aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The cartridge also includes channels and at least one low controller (e.g., one or more valves) for directing the flow of the sample and elution fluid through the microfluidic chip. The cartridge may optionally include a lysing region for lysing sample components (e.g., cells spores, or microorganisms), a waste chamber for storing waste fluid, and reaction or detection chambers for amplifying or detecting the analyte.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for performing heat-exchanging chemical reactions, such as nucleic acid amplification. The apparatus includes a reaction vessel having a chamber for holding a sample for chemical reaction and optical detection. The vessel has a rigid frame defining the side walls of the chamber, and flexible sheets attached to opposite sides of the frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber. The frame further includes a port and a channel connecting the port to the chamber. The temperature of the sample is controlled by opposing plates positioned to receive the chamber of the vessel between them. The apparatus also includes a plunger which is inserted into the channel of the vessel to seal the port and increase pressure in the chamber. The increased pressure forces the flexible major walls of the chamber to contact and conform to the surfaces of the plates, thus ensuring optimal thermal conductance between the plates and the chamber.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides semiconductor sensor which includes a first single crystal silicon wafer layer. A single crystal silicon structure is formed in the first wafer layer. The structure includes two oppositely disposed substantially vertical major surfaces and two oppositely disposed generally horizontal minor surfaces. The aspect ratio of major surface to minor surface is at least 5:1. A carrier which includes a recessed region is secured to the first wafer layer such that said structure is suspended opposite the recessed region.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for rapidly heating and/or cooling a sample in a reaction vessel. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes optics for the efficient detection of a reaction product in the vessel. The invention also provides a reaction vessel having a reaction chamber designed for optimal thermal conductance and for efficient optical viewing of reaction products in the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reaction vessel and apparatus for performing heat-exchanging reactions. The vessel has a chamber for holding a sample, the chamber being defined by a plurality of walls, at least two of the walls being light transmissive to provide optical windows to the chamber. The apparatus comprises at least one heating surface for contacting at least one of the plurality of walls, a heat source for heating the surface, and optics positioned to optically interrogate the chamber while the heating surface is in contact with at least one of the plurality of walls. The optics include at least one light source for transmitting light to the chamber through a first one of the light transmissive walls and at least one detector for detecting light exiting the chamber through a second one of the light transmissive walls.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for the manipulation of materials (e.g., particles, cells, macromolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids or other moieties) in a fluid sample. The device comprises a substrate having a plurality of microstructures and an insulator film on the structures. Application of a voltage to the structures induces separation of materials in the sample. The device and method are useful for a wide variety of applications such as dielectrophoresis (DEP) or the separation of a target material from other material in a fluid sample.

Abstract: A reaction vessel has a reaction chamber, a loading reservoir connected to the reaction chamber via a first channel, and an aspiration port connected to the chamber via a second channel. To load the sample into the reaction chamber, the sample is dispensed into the loading reservoir and then drawn into the chamber by application of a vacuum to the aspiration port. A system for controlling the temperature of the sample in the reaction vessel includes one or more thermal elements for heating or cooling the sample and optionally optics for detecting one or more analytes in the sample.

Abstract: A cartridge (101) for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample includes a sample port (103) and a sample flow path extending from the port through the body of the cartridge. The sample flow path includes at least one flow-through component (122), e.g., filter paper or a microfabricated chip, for capturing the desired analyte from the sample as the sample flows through the cartridge. The cartridge also includes an elution flow path for carrying elution fluid through the component (122) to release captured analyte from the component into the elution fluid. The elution flow path diverges from the sample flow path after passing through the component (122). Flow controllers (41A) and (41B) direct the remaining fluid sample into a waste chamber (139) after the sample flows through the component (122) and direct the elution fluid and eluted analyte into a reagent chamber (141) and reaction chamber (143).

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally controlling and optically interrogating a reaction mixture includes a vessel [2] having a chamber [10] for holding the mixture. The apparatus also includes a heat-exchanging module [37] having a pair of opposing thermal plates [34A, 34B] for receiving the vessel [2] between them and for heating/and or cooling the mixture contained in the vessel. The module [37] also includes optical excitation and detection assemblies [46,48] positioned to optically interrogate the mixture. The excitation assembly [46] includes multiple light sources [100] and a set of filters for sequentially illuminating labeled analytes in the mixture with excitation beams in multiple excitation wavelength ranges. The detection assembly [48] includes multiple detectors [102] and a second set of filters for detecting light emitted from the chamber [10] in multiple emission wavelength ranges.

Abstract: The invention provides a reaction vessel and temperature control system for performing heat-exchanging chemical reactions, such as nucleic acid amplification. The vessel has a body defining a reaction chamber, and a loading structure extending from the body for loading a sample into the chamber. The loading structure has a loading reservoir, an aspiration port, and respective fluid channels connecting the loading reservoir and aspiration port to the chamber. To load the sample into the vessel, the sample is first dispensed into the loading reservoir and then drawn into the chamber by application of a vacuum to the aspiration port. The vessel also includes a seal aperture extending over the outer ends of the loading reservoir and aspiration port. A plug is inserted into the aperture after loading the sample into the chamber to simultaneously seal the chamber, loading reservoir, and aspiration port from the external environment.

Abstract: A cartridge for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample has a sample flow path and a lysing chamber in the sample flow path. The lysing chamber contains at least one filter for capturing cells or viruses from the sample as the sample flows through the lysing chamber. Beads are also disposed in the lysing chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses to release the analyte therefrom. An analyte flow path extends from the lysing chamber and diverges from the sample flow path. The analyte flow path preferably leads to a reaction chamber for chemically reacting and optically detecting the analyte. The cartridge also includes at least one flow controller (e.g., valves) for directing the sample into the waste chamber after the sample flows through the lysing chamber and for directing the analyte separated from the sample into the analyte flow path.

Abstract: A device for separating an analyte from a fluid sample comprises a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. A microfluidic chip is positioned in the first flow path. The microfluidic chip includes an extraction chamber having an array of microstructures for capturing the analyte from the sample as the sample flows through the extraction chamber and for subsequently releasing the captured analyte into an elution fluid as the elution fluid flows through the extraction chamber. Each of the microstructures has an aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The cartridge also includes a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the microfluidic chip, the second flow path diverging from the first flow path after passing through the chip. At least one flow controller directs the sample into the first flow path and the eluted analyte into the second flow path.

Abstract: A device for use with an ultrasonic transducer to lyse components of a fluid sample comprises a cartridge having a lysing chamber, an inlet port in fluid communication with the lysing chamber, and an outlet port for exit of the sample from the lysing chamber. The inlet and outlet ports are positioned to permit flow of the sample through the lysing chamber, and the chamber contains at least one solid phase for capturing the sample components to be lysed as the sample flows through the chamber. The lysing chamber is defined by at least one wall having an external surface for contacting the transducer to effect the transfer of ultrasonic energy to the chamber.

Abstract: An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber and into a waste chamber, thereby capturing the analyte with the solid support as the sample flows through the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the extraction chamber and along the second flow path.