EP3143379A1 - Microfluidic flow cell assemblies for imaging and method of use - Google Patents
Microfluidic flow cell assemblies for imaging and method of useInfo
- Publication number
- EP3143379A1 EP3143379A1 EP15792752.6A EP15792752A EP3143379A1 EP 3143379 A1 EP3143379 A1 EP 3143379A1 EP 15792752 A EP15792752 A EP 15792752A EP 3143379 A1 EP3143379 A1 EP 3143379A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- flow cell
- subassembly
- layer
- μιη
- range
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N21/03—Cuvette constructions
- G01N21/05—Flow-through cuvettes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
- B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
- B01L3/502707—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
- B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
- B01L3/502715—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/62—Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light
- G01N21/63—Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light optically excited
- G01N21/64—Fluorescence; Phosphorescence
- G01N21/645—Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
- G01N21/6452—Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/62—Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light
- G01N21/63—Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light optically excited
- G01N21/64—Fluorescence; Phosphorescence
- G01N21/645—Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
- G01N21/6456—Spatial resolved fluorescence measurements; Imaging
- G01N21/6458—Fluorescence microscopy
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
- B01F31/30—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms comprising a receptacle to only a part of which the shaking, oscillating, or vibrating movement is imparted
- B01F31/31—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms comprising a receptacle to only a part of which the shaking, oscillating, or vibrating movement is imparted using receptacles with deformable parts, e.g. membranes, to which a motion is imparted
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
- B01L2200/025—Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
- B01L2200/026—Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
- B01L2200/027—Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details for microfluidic devices
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
- B01L2200/028—Modular arrangements
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0809—Geometry, shape and general structure rectangular shaped
- B01L2300/0816—Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
- B01L2300/0874—Three dimensional network
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0887—Laminated structure
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/12—Specific details about materials
- B01L2300/123—Flexible; Elastomeric
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N21/03—Cuvette constructions
- G01N2021/0346—Capillary cells; Microcells
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to the fabrication and use of a microfluidic flow cell subassembly for encapsulating a sample to allow for subsequent controlled delivery of reagents to the sample, such as multiplexed in situ biomarker staining and analysis of a mounted biological sample using dye cycling.
- tissue samples or tissue microarrays (TMA) mounted on glass slides need to be stained with multiple molecular probes to investigate biomarker expression or spatial distribution quantitatively or qualitatively.
- TMA tissue microarrays
- the staining and data collection processes are typically performed using time-consuming manual techniques that are susceptible to error.
- a coverslip must be placed over the sample in order to keep the sample wet during subsequent imaging (data collection). The coverslip must then be removed before the next round of staining. This process of cover slipping and de-cover slipping can result in loss of the sample or movement of the sample on the glass slide, which confounds downstream analysis.
- Staining is generally conducted by applying the staining reagent to the sample and letting it sit over the course of a pre-determined incubation.
- the staining time is dictated by molecular diffusion of the staining constituents from the bulk solution to the sample.
- Methods of actively mixing reagents on top of the sample during the incubation aim to ensure uniform staining across the sample and increase interaction between the staining constituents and the sample.
- such methods have a lower limit on reagent volume since they rely on inducing bulk fluid movement without areas of fluid separation that would affect staining uniformity.
- One way to control reagent delivery with small reagent volumes is to confine the reagents to an area close to the sample by using a fluidic channel. The diffusion length is determined by the height of the channel, and fresh (well-mixed) reagents can be flowed through the channel to maintain the optimal reagent concentration near the sample.
- microfluidic flow cells are comprised of one or more sealing layers sandwiched between two substantially flat substrate layers.
- the sealing layer creates the fluidic channel shape, forms one portion of the channel wall, and typically defines the channel thickness.
- This sealing layer can be formed by cutting or molding a defined shape out of a solid material, or by printing a liquid material that solidifies on one of the substrates.
- the two substrates enclose the fluidic channel and serve as the top and bottom channel walls.
- a leak-proof seal is made by clamping the sealing layer in between the substrates and/or adhering the layer to one or both of the substrates.
- construction of the flow cell dictates that there are limits in the way in which the encased sample can be detected and analyzed through traditional imaging devices.
- a method is needed to image the sample through the flow cell providing a means of focusing and modulating the quality of the image captured as well as aligning the flow cell with the objective lens of an imaging device.
- a microfluidic flow cell is needed that allows for a wide range of substrate materials and does not require fluidic connections to be made through any of the substrates while allowing for ease of access to imaging devices and methodologies.
- the present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a microfhiidic subassembly which may be assembled into a flow cell having fluidic connections outside of the main substrate.
- a microfhiidic subassembly having a stacked planar assembly.
- the stacked planar assembly comprises an adherent layer, an optically transparent substrate layer, and a gasket layer where each layer is adhered to one another and the adherent layer and the gasket layer extend beyond the extents of the substrate layer.
- at least one fluidic port positioned outside the boundaries of the substrate layer.
- the substrate layer forms a flexible optically transparent lid capable of bending in either direction to alter the internal dimensions of the subassembly.
- a microfluidic flow cell comprising the subassembly described above and further comprising a solid support adhered to the microfluidic flow cell subassembly.
- a method is disclosed of analyzing a biological sample attached to a solid support using the microfluidic flow cell described.
- the method includes modulating the quality of an image captured of the sample supported on the solid support of the flow cell by aligning the flow cell with an objective lens of an imaging device and controlling the amount of fluid in the flow cell to deflect the flexible lid in a range of plus or minus approximately 200 ⁇ from its center point.
- FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of a representative subassembly showing a stacked planner assembly; unassembled (A), viewed from the gasket side (B) and viewed from the adherent layer side (C).
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an assembled flow cell: (160) comprising the subassembly (100) adhered to a solid support (150); unassembled (A), viewed from the subassembly side (B) and viewed from the solid support side (C).
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a connector assembly representing the laminate layers (300) which forms the thin film connector (360) with the assembly fixture (350).
- FIG. 4 is a schematic representing a thin film connector bonded first to the flow cell gasket material (410) as part of the subassembly (420) (FIG. 4A) which adheres to the solid support (430) (FIG. 4b) to form a microfluidic flow cell (440).
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a thin film connector configured with integrated reagent wells (510) and valves (520).
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing fluidic modules arranged with thin film fluidic connections that are angled (A), twisted (B) or stacked to allow for multiple modules to be arranged in series (C).
- FIGs. 7A and 7B is a schematic diagram of two views showing the gasket layer may as a valve in the assembled flow.
- FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram representing how a fluidic valve is closed by deforming the gasket layer.
- FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of one embodiment where the fluidic connection fixtures comprises a raised ring or sealing device.
- FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing how contacting the microfhiidic flow cell against the raised sealing surface (190) forms a seal to the gasket layer.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an assembled flow cell using alternative designs of the gasket and adherent layers.
- FIG. 9 A is one representation of the raised sealing device showing the gasket (130) and the ledge (195).
- FIG. 9B shows where the flow channel may be formed with the gasket layer (130) as the bottom surface.
- FIG. 10 shows results of imaging a human tissue section with a 20X magnification objective lens; the sequential images shows progression from a convex overfilled flow cell of 50 ⁇ to a concave under filled flow cell of approximately -50 ⁇ at various progressions.
- FIG. 11 is a process flow diagram representing one possible workflow for automating DNA FISH in the flow cell.
- FIG. 12 show images of magnetically-assisted fluidic connections that consist of small inner diameter tubing snugly fit and glued inside of a ring magnet;
- FIG. 12A shows a cylindrical magnet placed on the opposite side of the thin-film connector while
- FIG. 12B shows how magnets are also used to block the ports and seal off the chamber.
- FIG. 13 are micrograph images of a successful DNA FISH experiment in the microfhiidic flow cell showing DAPI, CEP 17, and Her2 staining.
- biological sample refers to a sample obtained from a biological subject, including sample of biological tissue or fluid origin obtained in vivo or in vitro. Such samples may be, but are not limited to, a whole cell, tissues, fractions, and cells isolated from mammals including, humans, blood samples in whole or in part, as well as other biological fluids.
- the biological sample may be mounted or fixed onto a solid support, for example a tissue section, tissue microarray, or blood smear mounted on a microscope slide, or may be introduced into the flow cell after adhering the subassembly to the solid support.
- the term “consumable” refers to a disposable component that is designed for a single or limited use. In some situations the consumable may have a useful life that is less than that of the system with which it is used in, in other situations, the consumable may be a part, stored and manufactured separate from the system for which it is intended to be used.
- the microfluidic subassembly provides a means of encapsulating a biological sample, so that it can sequentially be: stained with a dye, imaged with any high resolution microscope, the fluorescent reporter inactivated or quenched, then the cycle repeated.
- the microfluidic subassembly may also be referred to as a microfluidic chamber as it creates a chamber in the center of an assembled flow cell.
- the microfluidic subassembly may also be referred to as a subassembly.
- the subassembly is consumable such that the subassembly is designed for a single or limited use.
- the subassembly device provides a means of encapsulating a sample within a chamber.
- the sample is a biological sample mounted on a solid support such as a standard glass microscope slide allowing the sample to be maintained in a controlled environment during subsequent processing steps.
- the biological sample may be positioned on the solid support prior to encapsulation with the subassembly device which results in the formation of a flow cell.
- the biological sample may include, but is not limited to a whole cell, a tissue section, a tissue microarray, or a blood sample.
- the tissue section may be a fixed tissue sample.
- the flow cell comprising the subassembly may be consumable such that the subassembly is permanently attached to the solid support for real time or near real time analysis.
- the flow cell as assembled may also serve to archive the sample for future testing or analysis.
- the biological sample may also be attached to the solid support after flow cell formation by flowing it into the cell and trapping it via chemical or biological means, electrostatic interactions, non-specific adsorption, dielectrophoretic forces, magnetic force, optical tweezers, physical entrapment by microstructures, or similar means.
- the flow cell containing the encapsulated sample may be archived intact for analysis at a later time.
- microfluidic flow cell formed using the subassembly does not need to be physically clamped to maintain a seal to the solid support or maintain the integrity of that seal.
- the contents of the flow cell may be analyzed in-situ, using various optical, electrical, magnetic, or electromechanical devices in communication with the flow cell.
- substances may be transported out of the flow cell for subsequent analysis.
- the flow cell is used for multiplexed tissue staining and imaging as described in US patent application US2009253163A1, and US patent US7629125.
- the flow cell may be used for other cellular analysis technique or a combination of techniques involving morphology with or without extraction methods.
- Analysis techniques may include, but are not limited to, DNA analysis or amplification, RNA analysis or amplification, nucleic acid sequencing, protein analysis, antigen retrieval, Hematoxylin and Eosin staining (H&E), immunofluorescence staining (IF), immunohistochemical staining (IHC), fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), or other histological and morphological staining techniques.
- H&E Hematoxylin and Eosin stain staining
- IF immunofluorescence staining
- IHC immunohistochemical staining
- FISH fluorescent in-situ hybridization
- FIG. 1A and IB and IC A representative embodiment of the subassembly is shown in FIG. 1A and IB and IC.
- the subassembly device (100) consists of a stacked planar assembly comprising an adherent layer (110) a substrate layer (120), and a gasket layer (130) where the gasket layer and the adhesive layer are extended beyond the substrate layer.
- the layers are adhered together and have holes positioned along the outer boundary of the adherent layer and gasket layer to form fluidic inlet/outlet ports (140).
- a fluidic inlet/outlet port may also be referred to herein as a port.
- FIG. IB shows the subassembly viewed from the gasket (130) side
- FIG. 1C shows the subassembly viewed from the adherent layer (110) side.
- the substrate layer (120), in certain embodiments the substrate material may be comprised of glass, but may also be comprised of plastic, metal, silicon, ceramic, dielectrics, silicone or a combination thereof.
- the preferred material is glass or a substrate is a glass coverslip.
- the coverslip may be comprised of glass, such as silicate or borosilicate glass, or specialty plastics such as NUNCTM Brand Thermanox® coverslips made form polyolefins, that have the correct optical transparency.
- Fused quartz cover slips may also be used where ultraviolet transparency is required, e.g., for fluorescence microscopy.
- the subassembly (100) is capable of adhering to a solid support (150) as shown in FIG. 2.
- a tissue microarray is mounted on the solid support.
- Adhering the subassembly effectively forms a microfluidic flow cell (160) sealed along its entire boundary.
- FIG 2B and 2C which shows the assembled flow cells from both sides
- FIG. 2B is the flow cell depicted from the gasket side while 2C is depicted from the solid support side.
- the total thickness of the subassembly may be designed to be about 25 to about 1200 ⁇ , which is the combined thickness of the gasket between about 20 to about 1000 ⁇ and the adherent layer between about 5 and about 200 ⁇ .
- one or both of the substrate (120) and the solid support (150) are optically transparent in a specified range of wavelengths.
- optical analysis of materials/structures within the flow cell may be accomplished by either epi- illumination, or transmitted illumination if both are transparent.
- using both a transparent substrate and solid support allows for both epi-fluorescence imaging and transmitted brightfield imaging. This enables analysis of fluorescence-based molecular pathology as well as conventional brightfield imaging based on, for example, diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining or hematoxylin and eosin stain (H&E) chromogenic staining.
- DAB diaminobenzidine
- H&E hematoxylin and eosin stain
- adhering refers to joining components or materials together to form a seal at the interface of the materials.
- Adhering may refer to the use of a chemical adhesive to form a bond, where the chemical adhesive includes but is not limited to silicones, epoxies, acrylics, room temperature vulcanizing materials (RTVs), thermoplastics, or a combination thereof. Adhering may also be accomplished by over molding one material over another to create a seal due to mechanical or chemical interactions at the interface of the two materials. In certain embodiments adhering may be accomplished through the application of external conditions such as pressure, temperature, or exposure to light or radiation.
- Adhering may result in a strong bond at the interface such that cohesive failure occurs at separation. In other cases, adhering may result in a bond at the interface which may be broken with a minimum amount of force such that the interface may be repositioned or the bond may be considered a temporary bond.
- the solid support supports a fixed biological sample such that the sample is encapsulated by the resulting flow cell.
- the fluidic inlet/outlet ports (140) are configured to extend beyond the substrate (120) such that through-holes are not required in either the substrate (120) or the solid support (150).
- the adherent material has an adhesive property and comprises a chemical adhesive such as, but not limited to, silicones, acrylics, epoxies, room temperature vulcanizing materials (RTVs), thermoplastics, or a combination thereof.
- the adherent material may be an adhesive tape, silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, paraffin wax, printed adhesive material, or plastic film.
- the adherent material may be an optical, thermal, chemical, or pressure sensitive adhesive where the application of light, heat or pressure enhances adherence.
- the adherent material is adhered to the substrate, solid support, gasket, or a combination thereof with the aid of plasma activation of the surfaces; for example air or oxygen.
- Fluidic inlets and outlets ports are made by extending the adherent material beyond the edge of the substrate.
- the adherent material outside of the substrate may be capped by the gasket material.
- the gasket material may be composed of, but not limited to, silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, adhesive tape, rubber, or plastic.
- Fluidic inlets and outlets ports, leading into or out of the flow cell may be comprised of through-holes present in the gasket material such that the ports are integral to the gasket structure.
- the port may be a different material than the gasket layer and is incorporated into the gasket to provide openings through the layer.
- the fluidic inlets and outlet ports comprise thin film fluidic connectors which contain a microfluidic channel through which reagents can flow.
- the connector may be bonded directly to the microfludic flow cell through fluidic connection with the stacked planar assembly, and as such provides a low volume, easy- to-use fluidic connection between external macro-scale fluidics devices and the assembled flow cell, for example pumps, valves, and reservoirs.
- the thin film may house microvalves to facilitate reagent switching, enable reagents storage wells to be directly integrated or coupled to the polymer thin film, and provide flow cell isolation during specific processing steps.
- Valves can isolate the flow cell to provide a leak-proof seal, to prevent liquid evaporation, or to hold a desired pressure or vacuum level. Valves can also facilitate filling the flow cell where a vacuum can be built up prior to opening the valves.
- the thin film connectors may be comprised of a flexible plastic having generally a thickness of less than 1mm.
- the flexible plastic may be, but not limited to, a polyimide film such as Kapton® (DuPont), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) such as Teflon® (DuPont), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polysuflone (PSU), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyetheretherketon (PEEK), polypropylene (PP), thermal- or pressure-sensitive adhesive, thermoplastic elastomer, or a silicone elastomer films.
- the plastic has sufficient chemical resistance to resist degradation by the reagents used.
- the connectors are fabricated from multiple plastic layers which are laminated together to form the desired microfluidic features.
- one of more of the layers have pre-formed slots or grooves cut out or formed that, once the layers are laminated together, create an enclosed microfluidic channel.
- the layers can either be thermally bonded directly together, or may be bonded using adhesive interlayers including, but not limited to pressure-sensitive adhesives, B- stage adhesives, glues, chemical interlayers or a combination thereof.
- the chemical interlayer may be for example a chemical primer that is applied in a thin layer and may covalently attach to the surface.
- FIG. 3 shows an assembly using one such laminate (300).
- a channel laminate is formed through various layers of Kapton®, such as an upper and lower layer (310), pressure-sensitive adhesives (320), and a silicone gasket (330).
- a channel may be present in pre-formed layers (340).
- a fixture (350) may be used to align the individual layers during assembly to allow for reproducibility and tight tolerance in the alignment. This results in a fluidic channel enclosed within a polymer thin film connector (360), containing fluidic ports that allows fluidic communication with the channel.
- the thin film connectors may be first bonded to the flow cell gasket material (410) (FIG. 4a) as part of the subassembly (420). The resulting subassembly may then be adhered to the biological sample (430) (FIG. 4b) to form a micro fluidic flow cell (440).
- the film connector may be part of the gasket material itself, where the gasket extends beyond the flow cell subassembly as a single piece constructor or where part of the gasket material forms as part of the laminate comprising the microfluidic channel.
- the adhesive interlayers may optionally have microfluidic features cut through them.
- valves may be formed by a combination of silicone membranes and corresponding microfluidic channels and valve seats.
- well-developed methods for building thin film electronics can be combined with methods for building microfluidic channels to realize integrated fluidics and electronics and enable heating/cooling, electromagnetic wave producing/transducing/sensing, pressure/vacuum producing/transducing/sensing, and flow/electrical sensing elements.
- the thin film fluidic connector may be bonded directly to a silicone gasket layer of the consumable microfluidic flow cell. Alternatively, it may be bonded via pressure- sensitive adhesive to the edge of the flow cell coverslip, eliminating the need for the flow cell gasket layer.
- alignment features in the thin film connectors enable simple registration in an instrument, such as when mounted on a microscope.
- the connectors allow for a de-coupling between the fluidic seal and the flow cell mounting, enhancing ease of use. .
- the thin film connectors are designed to allow for alternative fluidic connections.
- One port that serves as a single connection may be used, while other designs may allow for multiple inlet and outlet ports.
- the port may interface with flow channels or valves used to direct or control flow.
- the connector may be configured with integrated reagent wells (510) and valves (520) to provide for multiple inlets and flow of reagents into the flow cell with minimal reagent dilution.
- valves may be incorporated directly into the thin film connectors or are in fluid connection with the connectors to control flow of reagents into and out of the flow cell.
- electrical traces may be integrated in the polymer thin film, allowing for sensing and heating elements, as well as electronics to be closely coupled to the fluidic channels as described previously to enable heating/cooling, electromagnetic wave, producing/transducing/sensing, pressure/vacuum
- Thin film detectors for example OLED, may also be integrated for optical sensing and detection.
- the thin film can be flexible, which allows for fluidic routing in three dimensions as well as allowing for gap filing where the distance between a connection or a position of a connection is not uniform or to allow switching or insertion between different apparatus of dissimilar sizes.
- fluidic modules e.g. flow cells
- FIG. 6 which also allows for fluidic modules (e.g. flow cells) to be arranged with thin film fluidic connections that are angled (A), twisted (B) or stacked to allow for multiple modules to be arranged in series (C). This includes but is not limited to an 180° connection.
- the gasket layer (130) may act as a valve to block the flow of reagents between the ports (140) and the assembled flow cell (160) and provide isolation of the contents within the flow cell.
- the valve is closed by deforming the gasket so that it contacts the solid support (150) in the channel area (170) between the substrate and the port (140) (FIG. 7C).
- This deformation can be induced by methods including, but not limited to, movement of a solid structure pushing against the gasket, and pneumatic pressure applied locally to a specified portion of the gasket. Other methods of deforming the gasket and sealing it against the solid support may also be used.
- FIG. 8A shows one embodiment where the fluidic connection may be accomplished where the fluidic connection fixture further comprises a raised ring or sealing device fixture (200). As shown contacting the micro fluidic flow cell against the raised sealing surface (190) forms a seal to the gasket layer (FIG. 8B). A ledge (195) on the fixture may limit the gasket compression distance and provide a level surface on which to register the solid support to an external entity such as a microscope objective of an imaging device.
- FIG. 9A is one representation of the raised sealing device showing the gasket (130) and the ledge (195) in more detail.
- the gasket (130) is positioned against the raised surface.
- the amount of compression is determined by the gasket thickness and the distance between the raises seal and the ledge. For example if the total thickness of the assembled flow cell is approximately 525 ⁇ while distance between the seal and the ledge is approximately 500 ⁇ , the compression distance is designed to be approximately 25 ⁇ .
- the compression tolerance may be reduced by forming a seal that completely surrounds the gasket area above the channel formed in the adherent layer (FIG. 9B), which prevents the gasket from deflecting towards the solid support. This is illustrated in FIG. 9B where the flow channel may be formed with the gasket layer (130) as the bottom surface. This allows for variable compression due to tolerances in manufacturing without adversely affecting the flow resistance of the connector.
- the gasket is designed to be compressed by at least 5 ⁇ and no more than 30 ⁇ .
- the compression distance is designed to be at least 5 ⁇ but the maximum distance may be up to 200 ⁇ if the compression does not deform the gasket.
- the gasket should not be compressed so much that it deforms and seals against the solid support surface (blocking off the channel extending beyond the substrate).
- the gasket compression should preferably be less than half the channel height.
- the thickness/surface variation is the dominant parameter. Variation in the gasket thickness may be on the order of + 5-10 ⁇ , and a similar tolerance is expected of the step size of the fluidic connector. In certain embodiments, the target gasket may be defined as 25 ⁇ + 12.5 ⁇ .
- the solid support (150) may contain a biological sample.
- the bond strength of the subassembly (100) to the substrate (150) may be sufficient such that the assembled device (160) need not to be clamped to maintain a seal.
- the required bond strength may depend on the pressure drop generated under normal flow conditions, flexibility of the substrate and the solid support, normal operating temperature, and chemicals that come in contact with the subassembly materials and solid support.
- the required height of the subassembly (100) and the related assembled flow cell (160) may be determined based on the thickness of the sample.
- the sample is a tissue section, it may have a thickness between about 1 ⁇ to about 100 ⁇ .
- the tissue section may occupy up to a 25 mm by 50 mm area. This results in a small internal cell volume or holding capacity of the subassembly in the range of 1 ⁇ L ⁇ to 1000 ⁇ , preferably, 25 ⁇ ⁇ to 200 ⁇ ⁇ determined by the subassembly dimensions.
- the subassembly may be designed differently for different sample dimensions to minimize the internal cell volume while still enclosing the sample.
- the dimensional tolerance may be related to a compatible automated device or the control of reagent volume.
- the dimensional tolerance of the wall width or height may be + 10 ⁇ .
- the tolerance may + 6.25 ⁇ , in still other embodiments; the tolerance may be + 5 ⁇ .
- the tolerance is such that it may further aid the use of the automated device.
- the substrate (120) may be a non-rigid flexible polymer film or glass having sufficient flex modulus to deform without breakage.
- the gasket may be over molded on to a glass cover slip, whereby the glass cover slip is the substrate layer (120).
- the substrate is able to function as a flexible material layer.
- the flexible material layer When flow is induced with positive pressure, the flexible material layer will bend away from the solid support and effectively create a larger chamber volume in the center of the flow cell. In these instances, the flow resistance will be smaller in the center and more of the flow will occur in the center.
- the flexible material layer When flow is induced with negative pressure, the flexible material layer will bend towards the solid support and effectively create a smaller chamber volume in the center of the flow cell. This means that the outer edges of the flow cell will have the lower flow resistance and more of the flow will occur in these areas.
- the flexible material may function as a flow controller.
- the solid support (150) may be flexible and functional in a similar fashion.
- this switchable flow resistance may be used to ensure uniform fluid delivery across the entire flow cell by flowing back and forth with sequential positive and negative pressures. Fluid would flow preferentially in the center area of the flow cell followed by preferential flow in the outer edges of the cell. This is especially useful for molecular pathology application where tissue staining is conducted with a very wide flow cell and where uniform staining is important.
- the switchable flow resistance may also be used to ensure air bubbles do not enter the center of the flow cell.
- air can be introduced at the connection interface. By flowing with negative pressure after making such a connection, any air in the system will flow along the outer edges of the flow cell and then exit the cell. If the substrate was not flexible, the air may enter the center of the flow cell and may get trapped, depending on the cell dimensions and flow characteristics. These air bubbles may obstruct the fluid flow and prevent uniform fluid delivery to contents within the cell.
- variation in flow resistance across the flow cell can be modulated to achieve more uniform fluid delivery as well as preferential flow to facilitate priming the system and preventing air entrapment in the cell.
- the flexibility of the substrate and/or gasket to function as a flexible material layer or lid also provides a method of providing for optimal high magnification imaging within the microfluidic flow cell.
- the substrate is optically transparent for imaging in the appropriate wave length range such as, for example, where the substrate comprises a coverslip or coverslip material.
- a flow chamber is obtained with a flexible, transparent lid; that can be pulled down against the sample, simulating a conventional coverslip solid support and improving image quality without damaging or removing the microfluidic chamber.
- the flexible material layer is configured to allow it to push away from, or bow towards, the sample as the chamber is pressurized, or depressurized. This is readily accomplished by adding or removing fluid from the flow cell chamber, gas or liquid, which is a typical operation in a microfluidic system. With a pump at the inlet and a pump at the outlet, the pumps can work in unison to flow liquids without significantly affecting the lid curvature. If bowing is desired, the pumps can be made to operate at mismatched speeds or even in opposite directions to achieve positive or negative curvature. With the chamber under negative pressure, the lid will pull down towards (or against) the sample, reducing the height of the fluid between the sample and the lid.
- FIG. 10 shows results of imaging a human tissue section with a 20X magnification objective lens.
- the sequential images shows progression from a convex overfilled flow cell of 50 ⁇ to a concave under filled flow cell of approximately -50 ⁇ at various progressions. Measurements are approximate z-height as measured by the microscope focus change. A zero point corresponds to an approximately flat flow cell glass surface.
- the quality of the image is changed based on the change of pressure in the chamber affecting the height of the liquid between the sample and the flexible lid.
- the cover slips may be comprised of glass, such as silicate or borosilicate glass, or specialty plastics such as NUNCTM Brand Thernanox®, coverslips that have the correct optical transparency.
- Fused quartz cover slips may also be used where ultraviolet transparency is required, e.g., for fluorescence microscopy.
- the deformation of the flexible lid is dependent on the volume capacity of the flow cell.
- the deflection of the lid may be related to the material used, for example if the material is silicone, significant flexibility can be achieved by the material acting as a flexible transparent bladder.
- the deflection of the lid may be plus or minus approximately 200 ⁇ .
- the deflection is between -50 to + 200 ⁇ , and most preferred between -50 to +100 ⁇ , and may result in a change of z-height from -20 to + 50 ⁇ .
- the deformation of the flexible lid will allow for optimal imaging of the sample (maximum resolution and contrast) by minimizing the height of the fluid within the flow chamber, which minimizes spherical aberrations caused by the fluid.
- the preferred deformation is almost no liquid between the sample and the flexible lid.
- the deflection would be in the range of the thickness of the adherent layer minus the sample thickness ( ⁇ 20 um for a 25 um tall chamber with a 4 um tissue section).
- the assembled flow cell (160) may be interfaced with a plastic cartridge that may house the fluids or dried reagents to be re-hydrated, that may flow into the chamber.
- a plastic cartridge that may house the fluids or dried reagents to be re-hydrated, that may flow into the chamber.
- a reagent cartridge may be used to house a specified panel of pre-packaged biomarkers for a particular test.
- the cartridge may also be designed to allow the addition of custom reagents by the user.
- the assembled flow cell comprises a subassembly and a solid support where the solid support is supporting a biological sample.
- the sample is fully encapsulated by the subassembly bonded to the solid support.
- the adhering results in the subassembly being permanently or semipermanently attached to the solid support whereby removal of the subassembly consumes the flow cell and may require assembly of a new flow cell for further analysis of the sample.
- the simple device structure enables low cost manufacturing such that the flow cell need not be reusable but may be a consumable component that remains affixed to a single solid support.
- the flow cell comprises at least one attachment point configured to match attachment points of another component of the device such as an imaging device stage, for example a microscope, a temperature control system or a fluidic device.
- the attachment points are configured to align the flow cell with the objective lens of an imaging device.
- the resulting flow cell encapsulating the biological sample may be exposed to a variety of reagents and imaging processes.
- the flow cell containing the encapsulated sample may be archived intact for analysis at a later time or for post analysis after initial processing.
- the subassembly may adhere to a solid support supporting a material other than a biological sample.
- the solid support may contain, but is not limited to, a chemical material, a mechanical structure, or combination thereof.
- the material may be surface-bound chemicals, polymers, and mechanical structures such as, but not limited to micro-electromechanical sensors, actuators and flow obstruction elements.
- the flow cell may then be used in analysis or functioning of the contained materials.
- the flow cell may be used in tissue or cellular analysis techniques including, but are not limited to, DNA analysis or amplification, RNA analysis or amplification, nucleic acid sequencing, protein analysis, antigen retrieval, Hematoxylin and Eosin staining (H&E), immunofluorescence staining (IF), immunohistochemical staining (IHC), fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), or other histological and morphological staining techniques.
- tissue or cellular analysis techniques including, but are not limited to, DNA analysis or amplification, RNA analysis or amplification, nucleic acid sequencing, protein analysis, antigen retrieval, Hematoxylin and Eosin staining (H&E), immunofluorescence staining (IF), immunohistochemical staining (IHC), fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), or other histological and morphological staining techniques.
- DNA fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) or RNA FISH on tissue sections in a microfluidic chamber may be performed.
- FISH fluorescence in-situ hybridization
- an adherent flow cell is applied to a tissue slide to create a microfluidic chamber.
- FISH is then performed on the tissue by flowing in reagents, optionally sealing the flow cell (to prevent evaporation or allow for pressurization), and modulating the temperature of the flow cell as needed.
- the chamber is optionally filled with mounting media and the tissue can be imaged in the flow cell. The flow cell remains on the tissue slide for subsequent processing steps or for storage.
- the flow cell creates a reliably airtight chamber in a consistent manner that is safe for the tissue. This approach also does not require subsequent removal of the chamber.
- the flow cell can be used to automate the fluidics to perform the FISH process, an example of which is shown in the process map of FIG. 11.
- the steps include, but are not limited to, water rinse (A), pepsin digestion (B), water rinse (C), PBS wash (D), formalin fixation (E), PBS + MgCL2 wash (F), PBS wash (G), alcohol dehydration (H), incubation of the probe at varying conditions (I and J), subsequent washing with a solution of SSC and NP40 (K), DAPI staining (L), SSC wash (M) and imaging (N).
- a general method of analyzing a biological sample attached to a solid support of the microfluidic flow may include (a) contacting the sample with reagents corresponding to techniques involving histological, morphological or molecular analysis by flowing the reagents through the fluidic connectors, (b) detecting a signal from biological sample, and (c) analyzing the histological, morphological, or molecular components of the sample.
- the signal from the sample may be deactivated and the process steps repeated.
- a microfluidic flow cell confers the benefits of automation and repeatability to immunohistochemistry (IHC) processing and, therefore, the same benefits apply to DNA FISH.
- IHC immunohistochemistry
- DNA FISH automation is more complex due to the addition of heat and wide variety of reagents.
- the DNA FISH process included the sample preparation of baking slides for 1 hr. at 60°C, followed by slide clearing and hydration, and antigen retrieval, prior to assembling the flow cell.
- the DNA FISH protocol in the flow cell was optimized for Her2/CEP17 gene markers of the Vysis commercial probe distributed by Abbot Laboratories.
- the flow cell protocol included a purging and priming step between each of the steps in order to minimize reagent dilution and avoid bubble entrapment.
- the purging and priming step consisted of applying suction from flow cell inlet until the tubing line was clear of liquid, manually using a C0 2 air gun to purge air from flow cell and push any liquid residue towards outlet, manually using a C0 2 air gun to purge air from outlet tubing, and priming the flow cell with the next reagent. Purging with C0 2 followed by rapid priming prevented bubble entrapment due to the higher solubility of C0 2 bubbles in water compared to air bubbles. Automation of the C02 purge will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
- the experimental setup consisted of the heating system along with syringe pumps for forward-direction fluid flow. Each reagent was flowed sequentially, at a specified flow rate and for a specified time, according to the protocol. The flow cell was then disconnected from the flow setup (discussed further below); the reagent syringe swapped out for the next reagent, and the tubing in the system was re-primed. The flow cell was emptied by first pulling liquid out (applying suction using a syringe), after which the flow cell was purged with C0 2 to push liquid out of the system and replace atmospheric air in the flow cell with C0 2 (more readily dissolves in water and helps to minimize trapped bubbles in the flow cell). While this approach was not automated, it was employed in order to minimize reagent dilution that would necessitate larger reagent volumes to completely replace one reagent with another inside the flow cell.
- FISH probes are typically diluted in a specialized buffer, normally composed of a mixture of formamide, dextran, and saline-sodium citrate (SSC).
- SSC saline-sodium citrate
- Such a buffer has a higher boiling point than water, which should prevent boiling during DNA FISH incubation at 80°C.
- the flow cell design prevents evaporation of components of the solutions.
- the flow cells utilized for DNA FISH demonstration are shown in FIG. 4. These flow cells incorporated thin-film fluidic connectors for easy connection to tubing for reagent flow. In this case, the connection to the pumping system was made by make-and- break magnetic connections between tubing and the thin film connectors.
- the connectors have an inlet, a thin microfluidic channel created by Kapton and adhesive layers, and an outlet that is bonded the flow cell.
- the inlet has a thin silicone layer to serve as a gasket.
- Magnets (-2,000-2,700 gauss) are placed on either side of the connectors in order to attract one another, clamping down on the connector and forming a tight seal with help from the gasket layer.
- Magnetically-assisted fluidic connections consist of small inner diameter tubing snugly fit and glued inside of a ring magnet. These connectors are placed against the inlet side of the thin-film connector, while a smaller cylindrical magnet is placed on the opposite side of the thin-film connector, as shown in FIG. 12A. The magnets attract, coupling the tubing to the thin-film connector and creating a tight seal between the two. Magnets are also used to seal off the chamber, as shown in FIG 12b. In this case, small solid cylindrical magnets with a similar magnetic strength are used to create a tight seal against the inlet and outlet, preventing any fluid escape. This approach was used for the DNA FISH.
- FIG. 13 The images shown in FIG. 13, demonstrate a successful DNA FISH experiment in the microfluidic flow cell, beginning with digestion and ending with the application of mounting media followed by imaging.
- images include DAPI, CERP17, and Her2 staining.
- the nucleus appears appropriately digested, the FISH probes have hybridized correctly, and fluorescence signal was present for both CEP 17 and Her2 channels.
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US14/277,503 US9080941B2 (en) | 2012-04-27 | 2014-05-14 | Microfluidic flow cell assemblies for imaging and method of use |
PCT/US2015/027549 WO2015175188A1 (en) | 2014-05-14 | 2015-04-24 | Microfluidic flow cell assemblies for imaging and method of use |
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US20150166956A1 (en) * | 2013-12-16 | 2015-06-18 | General Electric Company | Devices for separation of particulates, associated methods and systems |
FR3063990A1 (en) * | 2017-03-17 | 2018-09-21 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives | MICRO-FLUIDIC DEVICE |
EP3617195B1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2024-08-28 | Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | Novel tetrahydronaphthyl urea derivatives as inhibitors of tropomyosin receptor kinase a for the treatment of pain |
JP2021501321A (en) * | 2017-10-26 | 2021-01-14 | エッセンリックス コーポレーション | Devices and methods for tissue and cell staining |
WO2020197993A1 (en) | 2019-03-26 | 2020-10-01 | Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. | Methods and apparatus for performing sample measurements using visible light on samples manipulated with acoustic waves |
WO2021061841A1 (en) * | 2019-09-23 | 2021-04-01 | Element Biosciences, Inc. | Methods for cellularly addressable nucleic acid sequencing |
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US5147606A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1992-09-15 | Miles Inc. | Self-metering fluid analysis device |
US5872582A (en) * | 1996-07-02 | 1999-02-16 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Microfluid valve for modulating fluid flow within an ink-jet printer |
US6729352B2 (en) * | 2001-06-07 | 2004-05-04 | Nanostream, Inc. | Microfluidic synthesis devices and methods |
WO2003015922A1 (en) * | 2001-08-20 | 2003-02-27 | Biomicro Systems, Inc. | Laminated microarray interface device |
JP3777112B2 (en) * | 2001-11-02 | 2006-05-24 | 財団法人川村理化学研究所 | Microfluidic device and manufacturing method thereof |
EP1636017A2 (en) * | 2003-05-20 | 2006-03-22 | Fluidigm Corporation | Method and system for microfluidic device and imaging thereof |
JP2007322284A (en) * | 2006-06-01 | 2007-12-13 | Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc | Microchip and filling method of reagent in microchip |
CA2684095C (en) * | 2007-05-03 | 2016-12-13 | Clondiag Gmbh | Devices and methods for detecting analytes |
EP2185285A4 (en) * | 2007-08-14 | 2015-08-19 | Arcxis Biotechnologies Inc | Polymer microfluidic biochip fabrication |
EP2388500B1 (en) * | 2010-05-18 | 2018-04-25 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Microvalve device and method of manufacturing the same |
KR102090934B1 (en) * | 2012-01-09 | 2020-03-19 | 퍼킨엘머 헬스 사이언시즈, 아이엔씨. | Microfluidic reactor system |
US8900529B2 (en) * | 2012-04-27 | 2014-12-02 | General Electric Company | Microfluidic chamber device and fabrication |
US9494500B2 (en) * | 2012-10-29 | 2016-11-15 | Academia Sinica | Collection and concentration system for biologic substance of interest and use thereof |
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