Fluid processing device comprising radial channels

Abstract

The present invention provides, in one aspect, an apparatus that comprises a disc-shaped substrate defining (1) a central reservoir region, (2) a plurality of channels in fluid communication with, and emanating substantially radially from, the central reservoir region, the channels being coplanar with each other, and each channel having (i) a proximal end which is linked to the reservoir region, and (ii) a distal end, and preferably (3) for each channel, at least one chamber, and preferably three chambers, linked by a passageway in fluid communication with the distal end of that channel. Preferably, each passageway leads from each chamber in a direction that is initially away from the central reservoir region, whereby centrifugation of the substrate about a central axis that is perpendicular to the channels is effective to disperse liquid from the central reservoir region into the channels and chambers, such that any air bubbles in the chambers, channels, and passageways are forced towards the axis of rotation, when such liquid is present in the central reservoir region.

1 . A method of performing polymerase chain reaction in a microfluidic device having a central axis of rotation, a central reservoir, one or more radially-arranged channels, and one or more detection chambers in fluid communication with a respective one of the one or more radially-arranged channels, the method comprising: 
 loading a liquid containing a sample into the central reservoir of the microfluidic device;    spinning the microfluidic device about the central axis of rotation, thereby filling the one or more radially-arranged detection chambers with the liquid; and    heating and cooling a portion of the microfluidic device, thereby performing polymerase chain reaction in the detection chambers.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises surfaces and the portion comprises one or more of the surfaces.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portion comprises the one or more detection chambers.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises a substrate and the substrate comprises copper.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises a substrate and the substrate comprises silicon.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises a substrate and the substrate comprises aluminum.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises a substrate, the substrate comprises two or more laminated layers, and the two or more laminated layers comprise an adhesive-backed tape or membrane layer.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spinning comprises spinning the microfluidic device at a speed and for a time sufficient to remove substantially all bubbles from the one or more radially-arranged channels.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises carrying out a fluorescence-based assay using the microfluidic device.  
     
     
         10 . A method of performing polymerase chain reaction in a microfluidic device having a central axis of rotation, a central reservoir, one or more radially-arranged channels, and one or more distal chambers in fluid communication with a respective one of the one or more radially-arranged channels, the method comprising: 
 loading a liquid containing a sample into the central reservoir of the microfluidic device;    spinning the microfluidic device about the central axis of rotation, thereby filling the one or more radially-arranged distal chambers with the liquid; and    heating and cooling a portion of the microfluidic device, thereby performing polymerase chain reaction in the distal chambers.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises surfaces and the portion comprises one or more of the surfaces.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the portion comprises the one or more distal chambers.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises a substrate and the substrate comprises copper.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises a substrate and the substrate comprises silicon.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises a substrate and the substrate comprises aluminum.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises a substrate, the substrate comprises two or more laminated layers, and the two or more laminated layers comprise an adhesive-backed tape or membrane layer.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the spinning comprises spinning the microfluidic device at a speed and for a time sufficient to remove substantially all bubbles from the one or more radially-arranged channels.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises carrying out a fluorescence-based assay using the microfluidic device.