Miniaturized Fluid Delivery and Analysis System

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for combining a fluid delivery system with an analysis system for performing immunological or other chemical of biological assays. The method comprises a miniature plastic fluidic cartridge containing a reaction chamber with a plurality of immobilized species, a capillary channel, and a pump structure along with an external linear actuator corresponding to the pump structure to provide force for the fluid delivery. The plastic fluidic cartridge can be configured in a variety of ways to affect the performance and complexity of the assay performed.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of performing immunological assay of a fluid sample, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) pumping said fluid sample from a fluid reservoir, where said fluid sample is placed therein, to a reaction chamber, wherein said fluid reservoir and said reaction chamber are defined in a fluidic cartridge and said reaction chamber comprises therein a plurality of immobilized species; (b) allowing said fluid sample to react with said plurality of immobilized species for a predetermined reaction time; and (c) excluding said fluid sample from said reaction chamber through an exit port. 
     
     
         13 . The method, as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: (d) placing an antibody solution containing a specific secondary antibody conjugated with a detectable molecule into a fluid reservoir; (e) pumping said antibody solution from said fluid reservoir to said reaction chamber; (f) pumping said antibody solution out through an exit port after a predetermined reaction time; and (g) providing a detectable signal. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising at least a washing step of pumping a wash buffer placed in a fluid reservoir through said reaction chamber and out an exit port. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , after step (c) and step (f), each further comprising a washing step of pumping a wash buffer placed in a fluid reservoir through said reaction chamber and out said exit port. 
     
     
         16 . The method, as recited in  claim 12  or  14 , wherein said fluid sample contains a plurality of different antibodies. 
     
     
         17 . The method, as recited in  claim 12 ,  13  or  15 , wherein said detectable molecule is selected from the group consisting of peroxidase enzyme, alkaline phosphatase enzyme and fluorescent tag. 
     
     
         18 . The method, as recited in  claim 17 , after step (c), further comprising a step of pumping a substrate buffer placed in said fluid reservoir to said reaction chamber to allow a substrate in said substrate buffer to react with any enzyme captured in step (b) with said immobilized species providing a detectable signal. 
     
     
         19 . The method, as recited in  claim 17 , after step (f), further comprising a step of pumping a substrate buffer placed in said fluid reservoir to said reaction chamber to allow a substrate in said substrate buffer to react with any enzyme captured in step (e). 
     
     
         20 . The method, as recited in  claim 12  or  14 , wherein said fluid reservoir, said reaction chamber and said exit port are connected by one or more channels of capillary dimensions, wherein said fluidic cartridge includes a first substrate, a second substrate and an flexible intermediate interlayer sealedly interfaced between said first substrate and said second substrate to form therein said fluid reservoir, said one or more channels, said reaction chamber, and said exit port, and wherein said fluidic cartridge further provides a fluid flow controlling structure therein to restrict a flow of said fluid sample through said reaction chamber via said one or more channels in one direction only. 
     
     
         21 . The method, as recited in  claim 13  or  15 , wherein said fluid reservoir, said reaction chamber and said exit port are connected by one or more channels of capillary dimensions, wherein said fluidic cartridge includes a first substrate, a second substrate and an flexible intermediate interlayer sealedly interfaced between said first substrate and said second substrate to form therein said fluid reservoir, said one or more channels, said reaction chamber, and said exit port, and wherein said fluidic cartridge further provides a fluid flow controlling structure therein to restrict a flow of said fluid sample and said antibody solution through said reaction chamber via said one or more channels in one direction only. 
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said fluid sample comprises a plurality of bio-molecules at unknown concentrations or an analyte conjugated with a detectable molecule. 
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said immobilized species comprises a protein, an antibody, a nucleic acid, a DNA, a compound, or a combination thereof.