Microfluidics apparatus and methods of use therefor

Abstract

A microfluidics device includes a plurality of interaction cells and fluid control means including i) means for providing to the interaction cells a preparation fluid, and ii) means for providing to the interaction cells a sample fluid, wherein each interaction cell receives a different sample fluid. A plurality of microcantilevers may be disposed in each of the interaction cells, wherein each of the plurality of microcantilevers configured to deflect in response to an interaction involving a component of the sample fluid.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . A method for identifying an analyte in a plurality of sample fluids, the method comprising: 
 causing a preparation solution to flow into one or more of a plurality of interaction cells, each of the interaction cells including a plurality of microcantilevers, the preparation solution including a ligand that binds to the microcantilever and has affinity for the analyte;    causing at least one sample fluid to flow into the one or more interaction cells; and    detecting a deflection of the microcantilevers in each sample fluid containing the analyte.    
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein causing a preparation solution to flow into one or more of the plurality of interaction cells includes causing a linker solution to flow into one or more of the interaction cells, the linker capable of binding the ligand to the microcantilevers.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein causing a preparation solution to flow into one or more of the plurality of interaction cells includes causing a wash solution to flow into one or more of the interaction cells.  
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein causing a preparation solution to flow into one or more of the plurality of interaction cells includes causing a receptor solution to flow into one or more of the interaction cells.  
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein causing a preparation solution to flow into one or more of the plurality of interaction cells includes causing a buffer solution to flow into one or more of the interaction cells.  
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the number of sample fluids equals the number of interaction cells.  
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the number of sample fluids is less than the number of interaction cells.  
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the ligand is selected from a group consisting of a protein and a nucleic acid.  
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the nucleic acid is RNA.  
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the nucleic acid is DNA.  
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the protein is an epitope.  
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the protein is an enzyme.  
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the protein is a polypeptide.  
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the analyte is selected from a group consisting of all or a portion of a nucleic acid and a protein.  
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the analyte is a hormone.  
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the hormone is selected from a group consisting of a steroid and a polypeptide.  
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein each of the ligand and the analyte is selected from a group consisting of an antibody and an antigen.  
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 28 , further comprising mounting the interaction cells on a temperature-controlled platform.  
     
     
         46 - 47 . (canceled)  
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of interaction cells is four interaction cells.  
     
     
         49 . A method for identifying a presence of an analyte in each of a plurality of sample fluids, the method comprising: 
 providing one or more of a plurality of interaction cells, wherein each of the interaction cells including a plurality of microcantilevers, wherein the microcantilevers within each interaction cell are identically configured to include a ligand bound to the microcantilever, wherein the ligand has affinity for the analyte;    causing at least one sample fluid to flow into at least one interaction cell; and    detecting the presence of the analyte in the sample fluid by detecting a deflection of the microcantilevers in the interaction cell containing the sample containing the analyte.    
     
     
         50 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the interaction cells are within a housing.  
     
     
         51 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the plurality of interaction cells is at least four interaction cells.  
     
     
         52 . A method according to  claim 51 , wherein the plurality of microcantilevers in each interaction cell is at least four.  
     
     
         53 . A method according to  claim 49 , further comprising prior to detecting the presence of the analyte, mounting the interaction cells on a temperature-controlled platform.  
     
     
         54 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the ligand is selected a group consisting of a protein and a nucleic acid.  
     
     
         55 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the analyte is selected from a group consisting of a hormone, an enzyme, an antibody and an antigen.  
     
     
         56 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein causing at least one sample solution to flow into the interaction cell is receiving fluid from a fluid delivery device.  
     
     
         57 . A method according to  claim 56 , wherein the fluid delivery device comprises fluid pump lines.  
     
     
         58 . A method for identifying a presence of an analyte in sample fluids, the method comprising: 
 providing a cartridge comprising a housing having four interaction cells and fluid pump lines connecting a fluid delivery device to each of the interaction cells, the housing configured for mounting on a temperature-controlled platform, and wherein each of the interaction cells including a plurality of microcantilevers, wherein the microcantilevers within each interaction cell are identically configured to include a ligand bound to the microcantilever, the ligand having affinity for the analyte;    causing at least one sample fluid to flow into at least one interaction cell; and    detecting the presence of the analyte in the sample fluid by detecting a deflection of the microcantilevers in the interaction cell containing the sample containing the analyte.