Microfluidic devices

Abstract

Methods and devices for the interfacing of microchips to various types of modules are disclosed. The technology disclosed can be used as sample preparation and analysis systems for various applications, such as DNA sequencing and genotyping, proteomics, pathogen detection, diagnostics and biodefense.

1 . A modular system, comprising: 
 a first module comprising means for capturing and purifying a target analyte and means for introducing said target analyte into a microfluidic device, and    a second module comprising said microfluidic device, wherein said microfluidic device is suitable for detecting or analyzing said target analyte.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said target analyte is selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a virus, a spore, a eukaryotic cell, or a nucleic acid.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said bacterium is  Bacillus anthracis.    
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said spore is a  Bacillus anthracis  spore.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said cell is a cancer cell.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said nucleic acid is DNA.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said analyzing comprises sequencing said DNA.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said analyzing comprises amplifying said DNA.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said microfluidic device is the microfluidic device of  claim 32 .  
     
     
         10 . A traveling magnetic wave flowthrough device, comprising: 
 a rotating pole piece;    a flowthrough tube; and    a magnetic fixed piece,    wherein said rotating pole piece, said tube and said fixed pole piece are arranged in a manner and comprise materials suitable for producing a traveling magnetic wave in said flowthrough tube upon rotation of said pole piece.    
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the rotation of said pole piece is at least about 100 Hz.  
     
     
         12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a bead positioned in the lumen of said tube.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said bead is magnetic bead.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , in which a target analyte is attached to said magnetic bead.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said target analyte is affinity captured to said magnetic bead.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said target analyte is selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a spore, a virus, a eukaryotic cell, and a nucleic acid.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said flowthrough tube feeds into a microfluidic device.  
     
     
         19 . A method of lysing or disrupting a target analyte, comprising: 
 (a) introducing a target analyte and a magnetic bead into the flowthrough tube of the traveling magnetic wave device of  claim 10;  and    (b) rotating the pole piece of said device at a frequency suitable for accelerating said magnetic bead in one or more directions within said tube,    whereby said bead lyses or disrupts said target analyte.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said target analyte is selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a spore, a virus, a eukaryotic cell, and a nucleic acid.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said rotating is at least about 100 Hz.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said target analyte is attached to said magnetic bead.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said target analyte is affinity captured to said magnetic bead.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said flowthrough tube is fluidically connected to a microfluidic device.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said target analyte is a nucleic acid and said microfluidic device is suitable for amplifying a sequence of said nucleic acid.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said target analyte is a nucleic acid and said microfluidic device is suitable for sequencing said nucleic acid.  
     
     
         27 . A flowthrough sonicator, comprising: 
 a chamber suitable for containing aerosols; and    a sonicator probe,    wherein said chamber comprises a sample entry and sample exit, and said probe is positioned in said chamber in a manner suitable to sonicate sample positioned between said sample entry and sample exit.    
     
     
         28 . The sonicator of  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 a fluid sample,    wherein said sample is flowing through said chamber.    
     
     
         29 . The sonicator of  claim 27 , wherein said sample exit is fluidically connected to a microfluidic device.  
     
     
         30 . A method of lysing or disrupting a target analyte, comprising: 
 activating the probe of the flowthrough sonicator of  claim 27  as a sample comprising a target analyte is resident within the chamber of said sonicator,    whereby said target analyte is sonicated.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said target analyte is selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a spore, a virus, a eukaryotic cell, and a nucleic acid.  
     
     
         32 . A microfluidic device comprising: 
 a loading reservoir that is fluidically connected to two affinity capture chambers, wherein said capture chambers are each fluidically connected to a separation channel,    electrodes suitable for electrophoresing a sample comprising forward and reverse nucleic acid sequencing products from said reservoir to said affinity capture chambers, wherein said capture chambers comprise affinity capture matrices suitable for capturing either said forward or reverse sequencing products; and    means for temperature control of said affinity capture chambers.