Microfluidic analysis system

Abstract

A biological sample analysis system including a sample preparation system forming droplets of segmented sample separated by a carrier fluid immiscible with the sample. The droplets include reaction mixtures for amplification of at least one target nucleic acid. A thermal cycling device having a sample block having a plurality of controlled thermal zones, and a containment structure in thermal communication with the plurality of controlled thermal zones. The containment structure receives and contains the droplets of segmented sample separated by the immiscible carrier fluid from the sample preparation system. A controller for controlling a temperature in each thermal zone of the sample block. A detection system detects electromagnetic radiation emitted from each of the droplets individually from the queue of droplets as they flow past the detection system. A positioning system to facilitate moving a queue of the droplets in the thermal cycling device relative to the detection system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A microfluidic analysis system comprising a thermal cycling device, the device having a plurality of fixed thermal zones and a fixed conduit passing through the thermal zones, a controller for maintaining each thermal zone including its section of conduit at a constant temperature, means for flowing a series of droplets through the conduit so that each droplet is thermally cycled, and a detection system for detecting electromagnetic radiation from droplets at a plurality of said thermal cycles.