Micro fluidics manifold apparatus

Abstract

A manifold device is provided for use with a valve assembly, an aspiration source and a dispensing source to transfer fluid from at least one of a plurality of fluid reservoirs to at least one test site on a substrate surface. The manifold device includes a manifold body that defines a plurality of fluid aspiration conduits, for fluid aspiration in an aspiration position, and a plurality of fluid dispensing conduits to selectively dispense at least one droplet of the corresponding liquid sample slug, in a dispensing position. In the aspiration position, the respective sample paths are out of fluid communication with the dispensing source and, in the dispensing position, the respective sample paths are out of fluid communication with the aspiration source.

1 . A manifold device for use with a valve assembly, an aspiration source and a dispensing source to transfer fluid from at least one of a plurality of fluid reservoirs to at least one test site on a substrate surface, said valve assembly including a rotor face defining a plurality of discrete communication channels each movable as a unit between an aspiration condition and a dispensing condition as the valve assembly rotates relative its rotational axis, said manifold device comprising:
 a manifold body defining a plurality of fluid aspiration conduits each having a first aspiration port in fluid communication with the aspiration source, and a second aspiration port in selective fluid communication with a corresponding communication channel of the valve assembly to aspirate a respective liquid sample slug from a corresponding reservoir of sample fluid into discrete sample paths when the valve assembly is in the aspiration condition, said manifold body further defining a plurality of fluid dispensing conduits each having a respective first dispensing port in fluid communication with the dispensing source, and a second dispensing port in selective fluid communication with a corresponding communication channel of the valve assembly to selectively dispense at least one droplet of the corresponding liquid sample slug from the corresponding sample path when the valve assembly is in the dispensing condition,   wherein, in the aspiration condition, said respective sample paths are out of fluid communication with the dispensing source and, in the dispensing condition, said respective sample paths are out of fluid communication with the aspiration source.   
     
     
         2 . The manifold device as defined by  claim 1 , wherein
 said manifold body includes a stator face containing the second aspiration ports and the second dispensing ports, and formed for rotational sliding contact with the rotor face at a rotor-stator interface for sliding sealed contact between
 the aspiration condition, fluidly coupling the corresponding second aspiration port to the corresponding sample path, and 
 the dispensing condition, fluidly coupling the corresponding second dispensing port to the corresponding sample path. 
   
     
     
         3 . The manifold device as defined by  claim 2 , wherein
 said stator face is substantially planar.   
     
     
         4 . The manifold device as defined by  claim 2 , wherein
 said manifold body includes a plurality of primary passages each having an upper communication port terminating at the stator face such that said respective communication channel fluidly couples the corresponding primary passage to the aspiration source in the aspiration condition, and fluidly couples the respective primary passage to the dispensing source in the dispensing condition.   
     
     
         5 . The manifold device as defined by  claim 4 , further including:
 a plurality of removable nozzle members mounted to said manifold body, and each having one end fluidly coupled to a corresponding primary passage and an opposite end terminating at a dispensing orifice configured to dispense a respective droplet.   
     
     
         6 . The manifold device as defined by  claim 1 , wherein
 said manifold body includes at least two plate members fixedly mounted together in a manner cooperatively defining at least one of said aspiration conduits and said dispensing conduits.   
     
     
         7 . The manifold device as defined by  claim 6 , wherein
 said at least two plate members includes a first plate member having a bottomside surface and a second plate member having an opposed topside surface fixedly joined therebetween at a first interface, at least one of said bottomside surface and said topside surface defining a plurality of first grooves which cooperate with the other of the topside surface of the second plate member and the bottomside surface of the first plate member to define at least one of the aspiration conduits or the dispensing conduits.   
     
     
         8 . The manifold device as defined by  claim 7 , wherein
 each said second aspiration port and said second dispensing port terminates at a stator face of the first plate member which is oriented opposite the bottomside surface thereof, said stator face being configured for rotational sliding contact with the rotor face at a rotor-stator interface.   
     
     
         9 . The manifold device as defined by  claim 8 , wherein
 said manifold body includes a plurality of primary passages each having an upper communication port terminating at the stator face such that said respective sample channel fluidly couples the corresponding primary passage to the aspiration source in the aspiration condition, and fluidly couples the respective primary passage to the dispensing source in the dispensing condition.   
     
     
         10 . The manifold device as defined by  claim 7 , wherein
 said topside surface and said bottomside surface are substantially planar.   
     
     
         11 . The manifold device as defined by  claim 7 , wherein,
 said second plate member includes a bottomside surface positioned opposite said topside surface thereof, and further including:   a third plate member having a topside fixedly joined to the bottomside surface of the second plate member at a second interface, at least one of said bottomside surface of the second plate member and the topside surface of the third plate member defining a plurality of second grooves which cooperate with the other of the topside surface of the third plate member and the bottomside surface of the second plate member to define at least the other of the aspiration conduits or the dispensing conduits.   
     
     
         12 . The manifold device as defined by  claim 11 , wherein
 each said second aspiration port and said second dispensing port terminates at a stator face of the first plate member which is oriented opposite the first interface surface, said stator face being configured for rotational sliding contact with the rotor face at a rotor-stator interface.