GB2603451A

GB2603451A - Reagent cartridge and measurement devices incorporating such cartridges

Info

Publication number: GB2603451A
Application number: GB2018557.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jing Bo; Arpys Arevalo Carreno Armando
Original assignee: Oxford Nanoimaging Ltd
Current assignee: Oxford Nanoimaging Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-25
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2022-08-10
Also published as: GB202018557D0; CN116801982A

Abstract

A reagent cartridge 3001 comprises a housing 3003 containing a plurality of reagent reservoirs 3007, cartridge pressurisation ports 3013a and cartridge outlet ports 3013b, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly comprises a stator chip assembly 4001 sealingly engaged with a rotor chip 5001. The stator chip assembly may comprise primary reagent channels connected to the reagent reservoirs and secondary reagent channels connected to the cartridge outlet ports. The rotor chip may comprise reagent linking channels that connect the primary and secondary reagent channels. The stator chip may comprise primary pressure channels connected to the pressurisation ports and secondary pressure channels connected to the reagent reservoirs; the rotor chip may also have pressure linking channels connecting the primary and secondary pressure channels. The pressurisation and outlet ports may be located on a mating surface of the housing. The rotor chip may have branched reagent linking channels.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No G13201 855T5 RTM Date:25 May 2021 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Illumina NextSeq Lunaphore Lab Sat Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo

REAGENT CARTRIDGE AND MEASUREMENT DEVICES INCORPORATING SUCH

CARTRIDGES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to reagent cartridges for interfacing with microfluidic systems provided on measurement devices, as well as measurement devices incorporating such reagent cartridges. In particular, the invention relates to microscopy equipment fed by microfluidic systems incorporating such reagent cartridges.

Background

Measurement devices incorporating microfluidic systems offer the possibility of carrying out sensitive analysis of tiny volumes of sample. This is particularly advantageous in analysis of biological specimens, where smaller volumes can allow less intrusive sample acquisition from patients, and less use of expensive reagents.

An example where such technology is put to use is IIlumina's NextSeq sequencing machine. This machine has an in-built microfluidic and imaging system, and accepts consumable reagent cartridges and sequencing chips (as shown in EP3030645) which a user can insert into the machine to carry out a number of pre-set protocols. The system is aimed at biologists, and hence there is a focus on making the components simple to use without requiring a knowledge of microfluidics to use the machine. However, the resulting design necessarily limits the adaptability of the device, making it unsuitable for protocols beyond those for which it was specifically designed.

The LabSat® system sold by Lunaphore is another commercially available system, incorporating a microfluidic reagent module that can be adapted to a range of staining protocols. However, the system has a limited number of separate mounts for reagent vials, and thus is time-consuming to load up, and relatively inflexible if additional reagent vials are wanted.

An alternative approach from Lunaphore is found in WO 2019/063375, which describes a microfluidic cartridge system said to be suitable for a wide range of staining protocols involving the sequential delivery of reagents. The system has a plurality of reagent wells each with an associated microfluidic channel and flow valve, all of which open onto a shared outlet channel leading on to a measurement chamber. Each of the valves has an associated actuator, allowing sequential delivery of reagents by controlling the sequence of valves opening and closing. However, there are a number of potential drawbacks with this system.

Firstly, the system is relatively complicated due to the need to provide separate actuators to operate each of the microfluidic valves in a relatively confined space.

Secondly, the device is designed for delivery of reagents in a sequence, but is poorly suited to protocols which require mixing of reagents within the microfluidic channels. In particular, in the embodiments depicted in WO 2019/063375 the only space which could feasibly be used for mixing of components is the shared outlet channel. However, the reagent wells feed into the shared outlet channel in a set sequence, meaning that reagents held in the wells can only be mixed in a set order. For example, a reagent in well A can be added into the shared outlet channel first and mixed with a subsequently released reagent from "downstream" well B, but the opposite procedure of adding A into B cannot be carried out. Furthermore, the design necessarily means that additional components can only be added one at a time, without the possibility of adding multiple components simultaneously.

In view of the limitations of the microfluidic components of existing measurement devices, an alternative approach is to construct a microfluidic system from scratch. A number of companies (such as Fluigent, Dolomite Microfluidics, and Elveflow) offer generic microfluidic components, such as valves, manifolds, pumps and tubing, to facilitate the construction of such setups. However, if the user wants to support another application, the system has to be disassembled and rebuilt to the specifications of the new application. Generally, such solutions lack interfaces for chips and cartridges. Chips have to be connected manually to tubing without pre-terminated connectors, and reagents have to be introduced from reagent tubes which have to be connected manually to tubing without pre-terminated connectors. Furthermore, when configured for use with a fluidic chip placed in a microscopy system, these custom solutions are often suboptimal because of the long tubing required to connect the chip with the custom components on the outside of the measurement device, and the resulting large internal volume of the system. More generally, the components of the microfluidic system are relatively bulky, meaning that systems as a whole can end up being large and unwieldy.

Thus, there remains a need for improved, relatively compact, measurement devices which benefit from the advantages of microfluidic reagent supply, are simple to use, and give greater flexibility in terms of the types of techniques and protocols that can be accommodated. Similarly, there is a need for improved, more adaptable, reagent supply systems.

Summary of the Invention

In view of the foregoing, the present inventors have developed a modular microfluidic system comprising standard modules which can be networked together via standardised connectors in a range of configurations. The modular nature of the system readily facilitates the incorporation of the system into compact measurement devices, in particular allowing a "master" module to be compactly built into the measurement device which can be networked with separate "secondary" modules to expand the functionality of the system.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention provides a measurement device, comprising: an analysis chip mount, for receiving an analysis chip; (ii) measurement apparatus, for analysing an analysis chip mounted on the analysis chip mount; and (iii) a master microfluidic module, for supplying reagents to an analysis chip mounted on the analysis chip mount, the master microfluidic module comprising: a cartridge socket, having a plurality of cartridge socket inlet ports and cartridge socket outlet ports, for receiving a reagent cartridge; a pressure manifold, comprising a plurality of pressure feed lines connectable to an external pressure source, each pressure feed line having an associated multi-way valve assembly for selectively connecting the pressure feed line to either an external pressure output line or a cartridge socket pressure line (connected to a cartridge socket inlet port); and a chip input manifold, comprising a plurality of chip input lines for providing reagent to an analysis chip in use (e.g. connectable to an analysis chip received on the analysis chip mount); each having an associated multi-way valve assembly for selectively connecting the chip input line to either a cartridge socket reagent line (connected to a cartridge socket outlet port) or an external reagent input line; wherein the plurality of external pressure output lines terminate in a shared pressure output connector and the plurality of external reagent input lines originate from a shared external reagent input connector.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term "reagent" is used broadly to refer to any flowable substance (such as a liquid, bubbles, powder etc.) for delivery to the analysis chip. The reagent can be used for any purpose. For example, the reagent may in itself be the subject of analysis on the analysis chip, may be mixed with another component to dilute or react with the component, may be used to clean or flush the analysis chip, or may be used to establish flow over or within the analysis chip (to move components of the sample or achieve hydrodynamic focusing). Thus, the term can be synonymous with sample, reactant, analyte, diluent, cleaning fluid, flushing fluid and the like.

The components set out above allow the measurement device to carry out protocols using a reagent cartridge attached to the master microfluidic module, as already known from earlier work. However, crucially, the provision of the shared pressure output connector and shared external reagent input connector on the master microfluidic module also allows secondary microfluidic modules to interface with the master microfluidic module through corresponding connectors/fixings on the secondary microfluidic module. In particular, a secondary microfluidic module can easily be "looped up" or plugged in to the master microfluidic module using the connectors, with pressure supplied by the master microfluidic module through the pressure output connector driving the delivery of reagents from the secondary module to an analysis chip on the measurement device via the external reagent input connector. This massively expands the range of protocols which the measurement device can carry out. The provision of shared connectors means that a secondary microfluidic module can easily be connected and disconnected, without having to attach and reattach multiple separate lines and components, nor the need to provide separate pressure sources to power the additional modules. The system facilitates a "plug and play" type system, where secondary microfluidic modules can be easily installed and used with minimal configuration.

This is in contrast to other measurement devices known in the art. For example, the microfluidic module of IIlumina's NextSeq machine does not have any provision for interfacing with separate microfluidic modules, let alone interfacing in such a way that the existing pressure supply can be used to drive flow from separate microfluidic modules to the analysis chips. Lunaphore's LabSat system does not benefit from the use of reagent delivery cartridges, and is limited by the inability to extend the number of lines built into the system.

By way of example, consider an implementation in which the measurement device incorporates a master microfluidic module having a cartridge containing 8 reagents, attached to a secondary microfluidic module having a cartridge containing a further 8 reagents, making a total of 16 different reagents. In such an implementation it is possible to deliver the 16 different reagents to the analysis chip in any sequence using only a single pressure source. In contrast, in the NextSeq device delivery of reagents from different cartridges would require swapping of the cartridges as the machine runs. Lunaphore's LabSat system does not accept cartridges at all, and hence the inclusion of reagents beyond those originally loaded onto the system necessitates removing and replacing reagent containers.

The multi-way valve assembly associated with each pressure feed line of the pressure manifold (connected to a pressure feed line, external pressure output line and cartridge socket pressure line) is referred to as the "cartridge pressurisation valve". Similarly, the multi-way valve assembly associated with each chip input line of the chip input manifold (connected to a chip input line, cartridge socket reagent line and external reagent input line) is referred to as the "chip valve".

The pressure manifold can be thought of as comprising a number of "divertible pressurisation units", each unit including a pressure feed line and its associated cartridge pressurisation valve, external output line, and cartridge socket pressure line. The units are "divertible" in the sense that they can be diverted between different flowpaths -either the cartridge socket pressure line or the external pressure output line. The number of divertible pressurisation units incorporated in the pressure manifold is generally referred to as "L. L is greater than 1, and may be, for example, 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, 7 or more, 8 or more, 12 or more, or 16 or more. In practice, however, the modular nature of the microfluidic system incorporated in the measurement device means that a given divertible pressurisation unit can be configured to supply pressure to a range of different microfluidic modules, and thus an excessive number of pressurisation units is not required. This means that, in practice, L is usually 4, 6 or 8.

The chip input manifold can be thought of as comprising a number of "divertible chip input units", each including a chip input line and its associated chip valve, cartridge socket reagent line and external reagent input line. Again, the units are "divertible" in the sense that they can be diverted between different flowpaths -either the cartridge socket reagent line or external reagent input line. The number of divertible chip input units incorporated in the chip input manifold is generally referred to as "M". M is greater than 1, and may be, for example, 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, 7 or more, 8 or more, 12 or more, or 16 or more. In practice, however, M is usually 4, 6 or 8. Preferably, L is greater than or equal to M (in other words, there are more divertible pressurisation units than divertible chip input units). Optionally, L is equal to M. In instances in which there are an excess of divertible pressurisation units compared to divertible chip input units (L is greater than M), it is possible to use the excess pressurisation units to drive the delivery of reagents from external sources, in the manner discussed in more detail below.

Optionally, the pressure manifold may further include one or more "non-divertible pressurisation units", in which a pressure feed line is connected directly to a cartridge socket inlet port without an alternative output (and hence is "non-divertible" because there is only a single flowpath). In such instances, the pressure feed line may optionally have a 2-way valve to open and close the flowpath. However, preferably, the pressure manifold consists entirely of divertible pressurisation units. In other words, each of the cartridge socket inlet ports is connected to a cartridge socket pressure line having an associated pressurisation valve as described above.

Optionally, the chip input manifold may further include one or more "non-divertible chip input units", in which a chip socket input line is connected directly to a cartridge socket outlet port without an alternative input (and hence is "non-divertible" because there is only a single flowpath). In such instances, the chip input line may optionally have a 2-way valve to open and close the flowpath. However, preferably, the chip input manifold consists entirely of divertible chip input units. In other words, each of the chip input lines has an associated chip valve as described above.

Suitably, the measurement device includes an enclosure housing the analysis chip mount, the measurement apparatus, and the master microfluidic module.

The enclosure may incorporate a hatch for accessing the cartridge socket of the master microfluidic module. This protects the cartridge in use. In addition, in embodiments in which the measurement apparatus incorporates components which are sensitive to the external environment (for example, light sensitive detectors) the provision of a hatch for accessing the cartridge socket protects the components from damage.

Similarly, the enclosure may incorporate a hatch for accessing the analysis chip mount. Again, this protects the analysis chip in use, and also protects any sensitive components of the measurement apparatus.

The pressure output connector and external reagent input connector (and other relevant connectors of the master microfluidic module, introduced below) are generally positioned on the outside of the enclosure, positioned on the external surface of the enclosure or extending out of the external surface of the enclosure, to aid their connection to a secondary microfluidic module (for example via a linker, such as patch cable, discussed in more detail below). The connectors may be integral to the enclosure, or may be a separate part. Preferably, the connectors attach to a terminal block provided on the enclosure, which can be used to attach a secondary microfluidic module. In instances where the measurement device incorporates an enclosure having a hatch for accessing the cartridge socket, the connectors (for example the terminal block) may also be provided beneath the hatch. Preferably, the shared pressure output connector and shared external reagent input connector are positioned on the same part (e.g. side) of the enclosure, in close proximity to one another, to simplify connection to a secondary microfluidic module.

In instances where the measurement device is an optical measurement device, the enclosure may be made from a lightproof material, to prevent transmission of visible light (for example, having a transmissivity of less than 1% across wavelengths between 380 to 740 nm, preferably less than 0.5%, more preferably less than 0.1%).

The invention extends to a measurement device as defined above, having a cartridge connected to the cartridge socket and/or an analysis chip mounted to the analysis chip input lines on the analysis chip mount.

Secondary microfluidic modules The present invention also includes a measurement device incorporating a secondary microfluidic module connected to the master microfluidic module.

In such instances, the secondary microfluidic module preferably comprises: a reagent cartridge; a pressure manifold for pressurising the reagent cartridge, comprising a plurality of pressure feed lines originating from a shared pressure input connector; and a reagent manifold, comprising a plurality of reagent output lines for delivering reagent from the reagent cartridge in use, terminating in a shared reagent output connector; wherein the pressure input connector is fluidly connected (directly connected, or indirectly connected e.g. through a linker) to the external pressure output connector of the master microfluidic module, and the reagent output connector is fluidly connected (directly connected, or indirectly connected e.g. through a linker) to the external reagent input connector of the master microfluidic module.

In other words, the secondary microfluidic module is "plugged in" to the master microfluidic module by establishing a fluid connection between the external pressure input connector of the secondary microfluidic module and external pressure output connector of the master microfluidic module, and establishing a fluid connection between the external reagent output connector of the secondary microfluidic module and the external reagent input connector of the master microfluidic module. In this way, the secondary microfluidic module is looped up to the master microfluidic module, so that the master microfluidic module can drive the flow of reagent from the reagent cartridge of the secondary microfluidic module to an analysis chip mounted on the analysis chip mount, using an external pressure source connected to the master microfluidic module.

Optionally, the reagent cartridge is removable. In such instances, the secondary microfluidic module comprises; a cartridge socket, having a plurality of cartridge socket inlet ports and cartridge socket outlet ports, for receiving a reagent cartridge; a pressure manifold for supplying pressure to the cartridge socket, comprising a plurality of pressure feed lines originating from a shared pressure input connector, each pressure feed line fluidly connected to a cartridge socket inlet port; and a reagent manifold, comprising a plurality of reagent output lines terminating in a shared reagent output connector, each reagent output line fluidly connected with a cartridge socket outlet port; wherein the pressure input connector is fluidly connected (directly connected, or indirectly connected e.g. through a linker) to the external pressure output connector of the master microfluidic module, and the reagent output connector is fluidly connected (directly connected, or indirectly connected e.g. through a linker) to the external reagent input connector of the master microfluidic module.

Preferably, the number of pressure feed lines of the secondary microfluidic module is the same as the number of external pressure output lines of the master microfluidic module. In this way, the external pressure output connector and external pressure input connector have matching numbers of orifices.

Similarly, it is preferred for the number of reagent output lines of the secondary microfluidic module to be the same as the number of external reagent input lines of the master microfluidic module. In this way, the external pressure output connector and external pressure input connector have matching numbers of orifices.

More preferably, the secondary microfluidic module comprises: a reagent cartridge; a pressure manifold, comprising a plurality of pressure feed lines each having an associated multi-way valve assembly for selectively connecting the pressure feed line to either an external pressure output line or a cartridge pressure line (connected to a cartridge inlet port); 25 and a reagent manifold, comprising a plurality of reagent output lines having an associated multi-way valve assembly for selectively connecting upstream to either a cartridge reagent line (connected to a cartridge outlet port) or an external reagent input line; wherein the plurality of pressure feed lines originate from a shared external pressure input connector; the plurality of external pressure output lines terminate in a shared external pressure output connector; the plurality of external reagent input lines originate from a shared external reagent input 35 connector; the plurality of reagent output lines terminate in a shared reagent output connector; the external pressure input connector is fluidly connected (directly connected, or indirectly connected e.g. through a linker) to the external pressure output connector of the master microfluidic module, and the external reagent output connector is fluidly connected (directly connected, or indirectly connected e.g. through a linker) to the external reagent input connector of the master microfluidic module.

As with the master microfluidic unit above, the multi-way valve assembly associated with the pressure manifold may be referred to as a "cartridge pressurisation valve". The multi-way valve assembly associated with the reagent manifold can be referred to as a "reagent valve", analogous to the "chip valve" discussed above in relation to the master microfluidic module.

Even more preferably, the secondary microfluidic module comprises: a cartridge socket, having a plurality of cartridge socket inlet ports and cartridge socket outlet ports, for receiving a reagent cartridge; a pressure manifold, comprising a plurality of pressure feed lines each having an associated multi-way valve assembly for selectively connecting the pressure feed line to either an external pressure output line or a cartridge socket pressure line (connected to a cartridge socket inlet port); and a reagent manifold, comprising a plurality of reagent output lines having an associated multi-way valve assembly for selectively connecting upstream to either a cartridge socket reagent line (connected to a cartridge socket outlet port) or an external reagent input line; wherein the plurality of pressure feed lines originate from a shared external pressure input 25 connector; the plurality of external pressure output lines terminate in a shared external pressure output connector; the plurality of external reagent input lines originate from a shared external reagent input connector; the plurality of reagent output lines terminate in a shared reagent output connector; the external pressure input connector is fluidly connected (directly connected, or indirectly connected e.g. through a linker) to the external pressure output connector of the master microfluidic module, and the external reagent output connector is fluidly connected (directly connected, or indirectly connected e.g. through a linker) to the external reagent input connector of the master microfluidic module.

In these preferred implementations, the secondary microfluidic module incorporates both an external pressure input connector and external pressure output connector, as well as an external reagent input connector and external reagent output connector. Through the provision of these four connectors, multiple secondary microfluidic modules can be "daisy-chained" together in such a way that all secondary microfluidic modules can be pressurised by the master microfluidic module, and all secondary microfluidic modules can deliver reagents to an analysis chip mounted on the measurement device. Advantageously, this allows the system to be extended to deliver a huge number of reagents from a range of cartridges in any desired sequence.

Thus, in a preferred implementation at least two secondary microfluidic modules are attached to the master microfluidic module in a daisy chain configuration, such that the external pressure input connector of the secondary microfluidic module I +1 is connected to the external pressure output connector of secondary microfluidic module I; and the external reagent output connector of secondary module I + 1 is connected to the external reagent input connector of secondary microfluidic module I, where I is greater than or equal to 1.

Furthermore, in instances where the measurement device incorporates an enclosure housing the analysis chip mount, the measurement apparatus, and the master microfluidic module, this daisy-chaining allows the number of reagents fed to an analysis chip to be increased without having to accommodate any additional components within the enclosure of the measurement device. Thus, the design of the enclosure, analysis chip mount, measurement apparatus and master microfluidic module can be optimised to be as compact as possible, without having to adapt to take into account the number and nature of the secondary microfluidic modules.

Advantageously, this compact design reduces the length of the flowpath from the reagent cartridge to the analysis chip, minimising the internal volume, and hence minimising waste of potentially expensive and difficult to obtain reagents.

Most preferably, the reagent manifold of the secondary microfluidic module comprises a fluidic chip socket, for receiving a fluidic chip. In other words, the reagent manifold comprises a fluidic chip socket, having a plurality of fluidic chip socket inlet ports and fluidic chip socket outlet ports, each fluidic chip socket inlet port being fluidly connected to a chip input line in fluid communication with the reagent cartridge/reagent cartridge socket (the fluidic chip socket inlet port being connected to said associated multi-way valve assembly, for selectively connecting the chip input line to either the cartridge socket reagent line or the external reagent input line, in embodiments incorporating such an assembly) and each outlet port being fluidly connected to said reagent output line.

The invention extends to instances in which the secondary microfluidic unit includes a fluidic chip mounted to said fluidic chip socket. The fluidic chip may be mounted (e.g. plugged) directly on the fluidic chip socket, or may be mounted via the linker (e.g. a patch cable) described below.

Optionally, the fluidic chip has flowpaths to simply bridge the fluidic chip socket inlet ports and fluidic chip socket outlet ports. Such a fluidic chip may be referred to as a "bridging chip". Such a bridging chip may come pre-installed as standard in secondary microfluidic modules incorporating said fluidic chip socket. The bridging chip may consist of a substrate having loops of tubing connecting each of the fluidic chip socket inlet ports to a corresponding fluidic chip socket outlet port. Such tubing is preferably relatively short (for example, less than 2 cm, less than 1.5 cm) to minimise the internal volume of the system.

Optionally, the fluidic chip can be used to establish non-standard flow. For example" the fluidic chip may have branched channels, to connect one fluidic chip socket inlet port to two or more fluidic chip socket outlet ports, or conversely to connect two or more fluidic chip socket inlet ports to one fluidic chip socket outlet port. In another example, the fluidic chip may include an incubation chamber fluidly connected to two or more fluidic chip socket inlet ports, to allow the incubation of reagents together before delivery to the master microfluidic module.

Suitably, the secondary microfluidic module includes an enclosure, housing the components of the secondary microfluidic module set out above. The various connectors are generally positioned on the outside of the enclosure (as part of the external surface of the enclosure, or extending out of the external surface of the enclosure) to aid their interconnection. The connectors of different modules are generally connected/linked by a linker, as described below.

Due to the advantages associated with the microfluidic modules of the present invention, the present invention also provides (as a separate aspect, independent of all others) a microfluidic system, comprising a master microfluidic module as defined herein connected to one or more secondary microfluidic modules as defined herein. Separate aspects also comprise a master microfluidic module as defined herein and (separately) a secondary microfluidic module as defined above. In these separate aspects, the modules may have any of the optional and preferred features described herein, either individually or in combination.

It is noted that many of the labels used in relation to the secondary microfluidic module are the same as those used in relation to the master microfluidic module, for ease of understanding. However, the skilled reader recognises that the parts mentioned in relation to the secondary microfluidic module are distinct parts from those mentioned above in relation to the master microfluidic module, unless otherwise indicated. For example, the external pressure output connector and external reagent input connector mentioned above in relation to the secondary microfluidic module are distinct from the external pressure output connector and external reagent input connector mentioned above in relation to the master microfluidic module.

Connectors The external pressure input connector, external pressure output connector, external reagent input connector and reagent output connector is a coupling adaptor, such as a plug or socket, which can be fluidly connected with one another in the manner described above.

Suitably, the connectors provide an array of orifices fluidly connected to (leading into) the relevant external pressure/reagent lines. For example, the various external pressure/reagent lines may be tubing which is inserted into an array of orifices provided on the connector. The array of orifices may be any suitable arrangement, such as a linear array.

As noted above, the connectors can be formed as part of the enclosure of the measurement device and/or secondary microfluidic modules. For example, the connectors may be female connectors On other words, a socket), e.g. taking the form of a recessed area in the enclosure, with the relevant inlets/outlets opening into the recessed area. Alternatively, the connectors may be male connectors, e.g. taking the form of a protruding area of the enclosure with the inlets/outlets opening on the protruding area.

Alternatively, the connectors are not integral to the enclosure and instead take the form of a separate coupling adaptor provided at the end of the relevant external pressure/reagent lines (e.g. tubing), such that the system combination of coupling adaptor and external pressure/reagent lines take the form of a (flexible) cable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the microfluidic module (master or secondary) includes a terminal block having at least one input adaptor (plug/socket) fluidly connected to an output adaptor, wherein the connectors take the form of a flexible cable having a coupling adaptor which interfaces with the input adaptor (plug/socket) provided on the terminal block. In this way, further modules can interface with the connectors via the terminal block, by inserting the connectors of the further module to the output adaptors of the terminal block. In other words, the terminal block acts as an intermediary component, to facilitate interconnection of modules.

Preferably, the terminal block is mounted on or integral to the enclosure, ideally next to/in close proximity to the cartridge/cartridge socket since this configuration allows the device to be relatively compact.

The external pressure input connector of a secondary microfluidic module may plug directly into the external pressure output connector of the master microfluidic module or the external pressure output connector of a further secondary microfluidic module. Similarly, the reagent output connector of a secondary microfluidic module may plug directly into the external reagent input connector of the master microfluidic module or the external reagent input connector of a further secondary microfluidic module.

Alternatively, the connectors of the various modules may be connected through a linker. The linker may take the form of an array of flexible tubing terminating in a plug or socket at either end. Such a linker may be referred to as a "patch cable" Generally, the linkers are relatively short, to minimise the introduction of internal volume into the system. However, linkers may be offered in different lengths to give consumers flexibility in configuring their systems.

Preferably, both the master and secondary microfluidic modules incorporates such terminal blocks, and the connection between the modules is achieved by a patch cable as described above.

The connectors may be connected simply via friction fit. However, preferably the connectors are locked in place relative to one another, in particular to avoid the pressure of fluids through the system undoing connections. To this end, the connectors are preferably connected through a quick-release mechanism (as opposed to a threaded engagement, requiring several turns to unlock). Advantageously, this allows easy connection between modules, facilitating the "plug and play" nature of the system. The quick release mechanism may be, for example, a mechanical quick release mechanism (such as a clamp or clip, in which a mechanical part releasably locks in place), a magnetic quick release mechanism, or an electronic quick release mechanism, of which mechanical quick release mechanisms (such as clips or clamps), are preferred due to their simplicity of construction and use. The quick release mechanism may be provided as part of the connectors themselves. Alternatively, the quick release mechanism may be a separate part. In a particularly preferred embodiment, modules are linked together via the above-mentioned linkers (preferably a patch cable) which are secured in place through a quick release mechanism.

In instances in which a connector is not in use (for example, in which the master microfluidic module is not attached to a secondary microfluidic module) the relevant connector may be sealed with a capping seal. For example, a capping seal applied to the external pressure output connector of a master microfluidic module can prevent depressurisation of the master microfluidic module when a secondary microfluidic module is not connected.

Multi-way valve assemblies Each of the multi-way valve assemblies described above may be a 3-way valve assembly, or take the form of two 2-way valves. In the latter case, the two 2-way valves essentially serve the same function as a 3-way valve, but with additional functionality as described below.

For example, each cartridge pressurisation valve can comprise of consist of two 2-way valves: with the pressure feed line split so as to be connected to the inlets of (i) a first 2-way valve with an outlet connected to the external pressure output line, and (ii) a second 2-way valve with an outlet connected to the cartridge socket pressure line.

Similarly, the chip valve can comprise or consist of two 2-way valves: with the chip input line split so as to be connected to the outlets of (i) a first 2-way valve with an inlet connected to the external reagent input line and (ii) a second 2-way valve with an inlet connected to the cartridge socket reagent line. The use of two 2-way valves for each chip valve is preferred over the use of a single 3-way valve, because it allows more control over the flowpaths. In particular, for a 3-way valve at least one flowpath is always open, but the use of two 2-way valves allows both valves to be closed to shut off the flowpath to the chip input line, or for both two 2-way valves to be open to allow the external reagent line to be used to refill the cartridge, for example.

In a particularly useful configuration, each cartridge pressurisation valve is a 3-way valve, and each chip valve consists of two 2-way valves. Advantageously, this configuration uses the more compact 3-way valve for cartridge pressurisation (where the need to open/close both sides of the valve simultaneously is not important) but uses two 2-way valves for the chip valve to allow more complex flow patterns, as described above.

Preferably, each valve of the multi-way valve assembly is a latching or bistable valve. This allows the multi-way valve assembly to retain a particular configuration without the need for constant actuation, which avoids excessive heat generation. This is particularly important when the master microfluidic module is housed within the same enclosure as the measurement apparatus and the analysis chip, since heat build-up can damage both samples and measurement apparatus and/or cause thermal drift in the measurement apparatus.

The valves may be, for example, a latching, diaphragm, slipper or rocker valve. The valves may be, for example, solenoid valves, piezo actuated valves, or shape memory alloy valves, although generally solenoid valves are used.

External pressure source As explained above, the pressure feed lines of the master microfluidic module are connectable to an external pressure source, to allow pressurisation of the microfluidic system as a whole. The present invention also extends to embodiments in which the measurement device includes at least one pressure source connected to the plurality of pressure feed lines.

The external pressure source(s) generally supplies a positive pressure to push reagents out of a reagent cartridge connected to the master microfluidic module (either via the cartridge socket of the microfluidic module, or as part of a secondary microfluidic module as described above).

However, preferably the external pressure source(s) are capable of supplying either a positive pressure or a negative pressure (suction) to the pressure feed lines (in other words, references to "pressurisation" above and below can refer to both positive and negative pressures). This may be useful, for example, in instances where multiple reagents must be agitated or mixed. For example, in instances where the reagent comprises solid particles that must be broken down, it can be useful to rapidly alternate between positive and negative pressure so as to agitate reagents within the fluidic system. Alternatively, in some instances it may be useful to sequentially deliver different reagents from two reagent reservoirs and then subsequently suck the two reagents up into a further reagent reservoir (either empty, or filled with an alternative reagent) to incubate the sample for a set amount of time, before applying a positive pressure so as to dispense from that reservoir. Furthermore, the application of a negative pressure may be used to backfill a reagent cartridge, to replenish the reagent cartridge after use.

In instances where a user wishes to pressurise only a subset of the pressure feed lines, they may choose to connect only a subset of the pressure feed lines of the master microfluidic module to the external pressure source, whilst leaving the remaining pressure feed lines disconnected. However, preferably, each of the pressure feed lines of the master microfluidic module has an associated pressure source valve, to control the pressurisation of the pressure feed lines.

Optionally, each pressure source valve is a 2-way valve to open and close the flowpath between the external pressure source and an associated pressure feed line. Preferably, each pressure source valve is a multi-way valve assembly, with the outlet connected to the pressure feed lines and the inlets connected to multiple external pressure sources supplying different pressures. For example, each pressure source valve may be a multi-way valve assembly connected to a first external pressure source operable at pressure P1, and a second external pressure source operable at pressure P2, where pressure P1 is different to pressure P2. This may take the form of a 3-way valve with a first inlet connected to the first external pressure source operable at pressure P1, and a second inlet connected to the second external pressure source operable at a pressure P2. Alternatively, this may take the form of two 2-way valves, with the pressure feed line line split so as to be connected to the outlets of (i) a first 2-way valve with an inlet connected to the first external pressure source and (ii) a second 2-way valve with an inlet connected to the second external pressure source.

Such a system can be particularly advantageous when the master microfluidic module is connected to one or more secondary microfluidic modules which operate best at different pressures. In such instances, the pressure source valves of a first subset of the pressure lines of the master microfluidic module may direct flow from a first pressure source to the reagent cartridge, and the multi-way valve assemblies of a second subset of the pressure lines of the master microfluidic module may direct flow from a second pressure source to a secondary microfluidic module. For example, the master microfluidic module may be used to slowly deliver a fluid to a sample of cells at low pressure to cause staining without moving the cells, and the secondary microfluidic module may quickly deliver a fluid at high pressure to cause movement of the cells or achieve hydrodynamic focussing.

Cartridge socket The master microfluidic module incorporates a cartridge socket for fluid connection to a reagent cartridge. In addition, the (or each) secondary microfluidic module preferably incorporates a cartridge socket, as described above.

The cartridge socket is a mount which allows a cartridge to be reversibly attached to the relevant microfluidic module. It comprises an array of cartridge inlet ports and an array of cartridge outlet ports which can be fluidly connected to corresponding ports on a cartridge. The number of cartridge inlet ports and cartridge outlet ports generally corresponds to the number of pressurisation units and chip input units, and may be, for example 2 or more (of each type of port), 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, 7 or more, 8 or more, 12 or more, or 16 or more. Usually, there will be 4, 6, or 8 of each type of cartridge port.

The connection between reagent cartridge and cartridge socket may be direct (with the reagent cartridge plugging directly in a cartridge socket) or indirect (with the connection being made via a linker). Direct connection is preferred, such that the array of cartridge inlet ports and the array of cartridge outlet ports mate with corresponding ports on a cartridge.

The cartridge inlet ports may include holes/recesses, optionally incorporating a gasket/seal, for insertion of corresponding protrusions from a cartridge.

More preferably the cartridge inlet ports and cartridge outlet ports of the cartridge socket include protrusions, such as needles, for insertion into corresponding holes (ports) on a cartridge. This is advantageous because the provision of protrusions on a cartridge can be problematic from a safety and practical standpoint. For example, in general a user will have to pick up, hold and manipulate a cartridge, and thus the provision of protrusions on the cartridge can lead to a risk of the user accidentally stabbing themselves, contacting and contaminating the protrusions, and/or damaging the protrusions. This is less of an issue when the cartridge socket incorporates such protrusions, because the user will not have to handle the socket in the same way, since it is built into the microfluidic module itself. Furthermore, the provision of protrusions on a cartridge can prevent the user from placing the cartridge on a surface, particularly if the protrusions are deformable. In particular, in preferred configurations described below the cartridge inlets and outlets are placed at the bottom of the cartridge, and reagent reservoirs at the top, meaning that users will ideally have to rest the cartridge on its bottom to limit the chances of reagent spilling out of the reservoirs.

Suitably, the cartridge socket inlet ports and cartridge socket outlet ports are provided as part of a fixed array. For example, the cartridge socket inlet ports and cartridge socket outlet ports may comprise needles provided with a screw thread, screwed into position in corresponding holes on the measurement device, to ensure correct positioning. The cartridge socket pressure lines and cartridge socket reagent lines may then be pushed into place within the needle, for example through a friction fit.

Alternatively, the cartridge socket inlet ports and cartridge socket outlet ports may be sprung-loaded. In other words, the cartridge socket incorporates one or more loading springs which urge the ports towards a cartridge inserted into the cartridge socket. Advantageously, this helps to ensure a sealing connection between the ports and a cartridge. To achieve this, the loading spring(s) should allow the cartridge socket inlet ports and cartridge socket outlet ports to be compressed in the absence of a cartridge.

In one implementation, each cartridge socket inlet port and each cartridge socket outlet port includes a loading spring (for example a helical spring) to urge the port towards a cartridge inserted into the cartridge socket. Suitably, the loading spring is positioned under a socket base (on the opposite side of the base to the cartridge, in use) so as not to interfere with or compromise the ability of a cartridge to interface with the ports. The base may itself include a spring loading surface, against which the loading spring is compressed when a cartridge is inserted onto the ports (for example taking the form of a base plate against which the loading springs are compressed). However, preferably each loading spring is trapped between the socket base and a mounting surface (for example, part of the enclosure of the measurement device), so that the loading spring is compressed against the mounting surface when a cartridge is inserted onto the ports.

Preferably, the cartridge socket incorporates a cartridge securing element, for fixing the cartridge in position and ensuring a sealing connection between the cartridges and the cartridge socket. This may by any conventional means, such as mechanical fixings (clips, screws and the like) or magnets. Preferably, the cartridge securing element is a quick release mechanism, allowing the cartridge to be easily removed, such as a snap-fit mechanism. For example, the cartridge socket may include one or more releasable clips. The cartridge securing element is particularly advantageous in implementations in which the cartridge socket inlet ports and cartridge socket outlet ports are sprung-loaded, because the cartridge securing element allows the springs to be retained in their compressed configuration, urging the ports into the cartridge.

Preferably, the cartridge socket incorporates one or more socket guides to correctly position the cartridge relative to the cartridge socket inlet ports and cartridge socket outlet ports. For example, the cartridge socket may incorporate a wall providing a surface for the cartridge to slide into position. Preferably, the cartridge guide takes the form of a guide rail.

Optionally, the cartridge guide also serves as the cartridge securing element. For example, the cartridge socket may have one or more guide rails which serve as a securing element, as set out above. For example, the cartridge socket may include a guide rail having a lip which clips into position on the cartridge (for example, over the top of the cartridge) when the cartridge is fully inserted into the cartridge socket ports, wherein the guide rail can be deformed away from the cartridge to release the lip when the socket is to be removed. The guide rail may incorporate a hinge, preferably a living hinge (for example, a relatively thinner section) to aid deformation and/or a handle to help a user deform the clip. Optionally, the cartridge incorporates a corresponding groove or channel for receiving the guide rail, which allows the guide rail to secure the cartridge in multiple dimensions.

In a most preferred implementation, the cartridge socket has at least two upstanding guide rails which slot into corresponding grooves provided in opposing sides of the reagent cartridge to secure the cartridge in the x-y plane, wherein at least one of the guide rails includes a lip which clicks into position on the cartridge (for example, over the top of the cartridge) to secure the cartridge in the z plane. Advantageously, this system allows the cartridge to be accurately positioned and secured in all dimensions without requiring excessively large guide elements, and the guide rails can be made relatively thin to facilitate them bending out of place to remove the cartridge.

Although described as individual elements, the guide rails and any cartridge securing elements may be interconnected as a single piece, which may be referred to as a "cartridge fixture". The cartridge fixture may be integrally formed, for example, from plastic or metal.

Optionally, the cartridge socket includes an electrical contact for providing power to the cartridge and allowing exchange of electrical signals with a cartridge inserted into the cartridge socket. For example, each inlet and/or outlet port may incorporate an electrical contact for interfacing with a corresponding electrical contact on an inserted cartridge. In implementations were the cartridge ports correspond to needles, each needle may have a flange on which said electrical contact is provided. Optionally, the electrical contact on the cartridge socket is sprung loaded, to ensure proper mating with the electrical contact of a cartridge. For example, each inlet and/or outlet port may be a sprung-loaded port incorporating a flange with the port incorporating an electrical contact point. In this way, urging the flange upwards against a cartridge using a spring improves the insertion of the needles into the cartridge and ensures a stable electrical connection between the cartridge socket and cartridge.

Optionally, the cartridge socket incorporates an actuator, for actuating a cartridge inserted into the cartridge socket. In particular, the cartridge socket may incorporate a motor, for moving components of the cartridge (specifically, the rotor chip) as described in more detail below.

The particularly advantageous cartridge socket arrangements described above also constitute a separate aspect of the invention. In particular, in a separate aspect, the present invention provides a microfluidic system including a cartridge socket as described above, for receiving a reagent-containing reagent cartridge.

This independent aspect may have any of the optional or preferred features mentioned above in the general discussion of the cartridge socket.

The invention also extends to a cartridge socket having an attached reagent cartridge as described below, in particular one of those defined in the preferred first, second, third, and fourth implementations below, as well as a microfluidic module incorporating a cartridge socket and attached reagent cartridge.

Reaaent delivery cartridaes The cartridges suitable for use in the measurement device of the invention are not particularly limited.

Suitably, the reagent cartridge contains a plurality of reservoirs, a plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports for pressurising the reservoirs, and a plurality of cartridge outlet ports for dispensing reagent from the reservoirs.

In its simplest form, the reagent cartridge may consist of a plurality of reservoirs, each in fluid communication with an associated pressurisation port and cartridge outlet port. Optionally, the reagent cartridge may incorporate a valve system.

To improve the flexibility of the device the present inventors have developed cartridges which incorporate specialised valves to diversify the type of protocols which can be carried out. In particular, the inventors have developed cartridges incorporating specialised rotary valves to permit a range of flow patterns to be achieved.

In a first preferred implementation (also forming a separate aspect of the invention), the reagent cartridge comprises a housing having a mating surface for connection to a cartridge socket (for example, as defined above), the housing containing: a plurality of reagent reservoirs; a plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports (connected to the cartridge socket inlet ports when installed on a microfluidic module) in fluid communication with the reagent reservoirs, for pressurising the reagent reservoirs in use; a plurality of cartridge outlet ports (connected to the cartridge socket outlet ports when installed on a microfluidic module), for dispensing reagent from the cartridge in use; and a valve assembly, for regulating flow of reagents from the reagent reservoirs to the cartridge outlet ports in use, the valve assembly comprising: o a stator chip assembly, comprising * a plurality of primary reagent channels fluidly connected to the reagent reservoirs; and * a plurality of secondary reagent channels fluidly connected to the cartridge outlet ports; and o a rotor chip, sealingly engaging the stator chip assembly, the rotor chip having one or more linking channel(s) for fluidly connecting the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels; wherein the rotor chip is rotatable relative to the stator chip assembly between a first position and a second position, and wherein said rotation causes the linking channel(s) to establish a different fluid connection between the primary reagent channel(s) and the secondary reagent channel(s) in the first position compared to the second position; wherein the cartridge pressurisation ports and cartridge outlet ports are provided on the mating surface of the housing, to allow the cartridge to be plugged into corresponding ports on the measurement device (suitably provided in the form of a cartridge socket, as described above).

Advantageously, such a cartridge is very simple to connect to a cartridge socket, and yet allows complex flow patterns to be established to the cartridge socket.

To clarify, the system is configured such that when a positive pressure is applied to the cartridge pressurisation ports, the "primary reagent channels flow reagent from the reagent reservoir into the rotor chip (in other words are input channels with reference to the rotor chip) and the "secondary" reagent channels flow reagent away from the rotor chip to the cartridge outlet ports (in other words are output channels with reference to the rotor chip). However, for the avoidance of doubt it should be noted that when a negative pressure is applied so as to draw material into the reagent reservoirs, the situation is reversed.

The rotor chip has first and second opposite faces. Suitably, the rotor chip takes the form a disc/cylinder.

Suitably, the fluid connection between the primary reagent channel and secondary reagent channel occurs on a face of the rotor chip. In a preferred implementation, the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels of the stator chip assembly open onto the same face of the stator chip assembly, and the rotor chip assembly engages said face of the stator chip assembly. This has several advantages. Firstly, it means that the linking channels of the rotor chip do not have a required directionality -for example, it is possible for an opening of a linking channel to serve as either an inlet or an outlet (depending on the precise geometry of the linking channel and primary/secondary channels). Secondly, it makes it easier to ensure a sealing connection between the stator chip assembly and rotor chip, since only one face of the rotor chip is in contact with the stator chip assembly. Thirdly, the rotor chip can be made relatively more compact. This is because each opening generally requires a minimum thickness t to be formed in the rotor chip, so forming the openings on the same side allows these openings to be accommodated in a thickness t, whereas providing openings on opposite faces of the rotor chip requires a thickness of at least 2t to accommodate the openings. Fourthly, haying the openings on only one face of the rotor chip allows the other face to be put to a variety of uses, for example to include drive apparatus for a motor (as discussed below).

With this in mind, in a preferred implementation the rotor chip has a first face which engages the stator chip assembly, and a second face haying a motor mounting adaptor.

In these embodiments in which the rotor chip engages the stator chip assembly through a single interface On other words, a single face of the rotor chip engages a single face of the stator chip assembly), the reagent cartridge preferably comprises resilient means (such as one or more springs) to urge the rotor chip against the stator chip assembly, whilst still allowing relative rotation.

Preferably, the rotor chip incorporates a plurality of linking channels. Advantageously, incorporating a plurality of linking channels can expand the range of primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels that can be connected together, thus expanding the range of possible protocols.

Furthermore, the provision of a plurality of linking channels can be used to minimise cross-contamination during protocols. In particular, different reagents can be delivered to a sample cell through entirely separate flowpaths, using one linking channel to link a first primary reagent channel to a first secondary reagent channel, and another linking channel to link a second primary reagent channel to a second secondary reagent channel. This is in contrast to, for example, the device taught in WO 2019/063375 having a shared outlet channel, meaning that reagents from the reagent reservoirs must inevitably pass along the same channel on their way to the analysis chip. In certain instances, this will necessitate timely and wasteful flushing steps between delivery of reagents, to prevent contamination of the later reagent with the earlier reagent. This could be particularly problematic in instances where two or more reservoirs contain a test sample for analysis, where it is vital to prevent cross-contamination. In contrast, in the present case, providing the rotor chip with a plurality of linking channels allows different reagents to be routed via entirely different paths, minimising or avoiding the time and waste of flushing steps.

In instances where the rotor chip incorporates a plurality of linking channels, these may all be arranged in the same plane of the rotor chip (in other words, within the same depth of the rotor chip, as measured from the face of the rotor chip). In such instances, the linking channels may be curved within the plane to increase the density of channels which can be accommodated on the rotor chip. Advantageously, providing the linking channels in the same plane can simplify construction, and allows the rotor chip to be made relatively thin so as to decrease the size of the cartridge as a whole. Alternatively, the linking channels may be provided in different planes of the rotor chip, for example to increase the number of channels that can be accommodated on the rotor chip (e.g. allowing paths to cross in a way not possible within a single plane) or to establish longer flowpaths to suit a particular protocol.

Preferably, the linking channels comprise or consist of closed channels having openings (an inlet and an outlet) on a face of the rotor chip. Although some or all of the linking channels may be open grooves on the face of the rotor chip which are sealed by the stator chip assembly, this configuration is not preferred. In particular, whilst open grooves simplify construction of the rotor chip, and allow the rotor chip to be made relatively thin, it can be more difficult to ensure a sealing connection between the stator assembly and rotor than with closed channels, and open channels can also cause cross-contamination between channels.

Optionally, the rotor chip incorporates a plurality of linking channels for linking any primary reagent channel to any secondary reagent channel. Such a chip may be referred to as a "distribution chip". For example, the stator chip assembly may have X primary reagent channel outlets spaced in a pattern (for example an arc or circle configuration), and Y secondary reagent channel inlets spaced in a pattern (for example, an arc or circle configuration), and the rotor chip assembly may have linking channels capable of linking any of the X primary reagent channel outlets to any of the Y secondary reagent channel inlets. Generally, for X primary reagent channel outlets and Y secondary reagent channel inlets it will be necessary to provide at least X + Y -1 channels to link all ports together (in instances where two of the ports are diametrically opposed relative to the centre of the rotor chip), more usually X + Y channels.

Optionally, the rotor chip incorporates at least one branched channel to connect a primary reagent channel to multiple secondary reagent channels, or a secondary reagent channel to multiple primary reagent channels. Such a chip may be referred to as a "mixing" chip.

Suitably, the linking channels include openings (inlets and outlets) to interface with the primary reagent channel outlets and secondary reagent channel inlets. Optionally, these openings may be the same size and shape as the primary reagent channel outlets and secondary reagent channel inlets, for example, a uniform-sized circle. Alternatively, at least one of the linking channels may include a slot-shaped opening extending around the rotational axis of the rotor chip. Such a slot-shaped opening may engage the same primary reagent channel outlet and/or secondary reagent channel inlet in the first position and second position. In such instances, the slot-shaped opening may be positioned close to the centre of the rotor chip so as to allow a relatively short slot to engage the relevant primary reagent channel outlet and/or secondary reagent channel inlet over a wide angle of rotation, so as to minimise the internal volume of the rotor chip. For example, for a rotor chip of radius R the slot-shaped opening may be within the 0.11? of the centre of the rotor chip, within 0.21?, within 0.31?, within 0.41? or within 0.51?.

Preferably, the rotor chip includes a plurality of linking channels, and the openings of the linking channels are positioned according to a regular angular pattern. In particular, the use of a regular pattern facilitates indexing of the rotor chip with the stator chip assembly, because the rotor chip can be moved in standardised angle steps. For example, different configurations of connections between the rotor chip and stator chip assembly may be achieved by rotating the rotor chip between n different positions (including said first position and second position) according to a set angular interval, for example, corresponding to 360°/n where n = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8"9, 10 and so on. This angular interval may be, for example, 120°, 900, 72°, 600, 51.40, 450, 40° or 36°. To achieve this, the angle between any two openings on the rotor chip, as measured from the axis of rotation of the rotor chip, is generally a multiple of a set interval 360°/n where n is an integer of 3 or more, for example, the interval may be a multiple of 120°, 900, 72°, 60°, 51.4°, 45°, 400 or 36° and so on.

The openings of the linking channels may all be positioned at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the rotor chip. In this way, the openings all sweep through the same circle when the rotor chip is rotated -in other word, the openings are said to be on the same "track".

Alternatively, the openings of the linking channels may be positioned on different (multiple) tracks, in other words, at different distances form the axis of rotation of the rotor chip.

Optionally, different tracks are provided for interfacing with a different subset or type of channel on the stator assembly.

For example, openings for interfacing with the primary channels may be provided on a first track, and openings for interfacing with the secondary channels may be provided on a second track. More specifically, the rotor chip may have one or more linking channels each with an opening on a first track (at a first radius Ri) connected to an opening on a second track (at a second radius R2, where Ri is different to R2). The openings on the first track (at the first radius Ri) may mate with the primary reagent channel outlet and the openings on the second track (at the second radius R2) may mate with the secondary reagent channel inlet.

As another example, the rotor chip may have a first set of linking channels with inlets on a first track (at a first radius R1), and a second set of linking channels with inlets on a second track (at a second radius R2, where Ri is different to R2). The openings on the first track (at the first radius Ri) may mate with a first set of primary reagent channel outlets and the openings on the second track (at the second radius R2) may mate with a second set of primary reagent channel outlets. In this way, the rotor chip has multiple tracks of inlets, with certain tracks reserved only for certain primary reagent channel outlets.

The rotor chip may be rotatable by hand or, more preferably, by a (rotary) motor. Optionally, the motor is part of the cartridge itself However, more preferably, the motor is part of the device to which the cartridge is mounted, for example part of the cartridge socket (as described above). In this way, the motor can be powered by the device, obviating the need for a motor and corresponding power source to be included in the cartridge itself, which would otherwise complicate construction of the cartridge. In particular, the cartridge is suitably a consumable component, in which case ease of manufacture and disposable (preferably by recycling as a single part -e.g. in a plastics waste stream) are highly advantageous.

In instances in which the rotor chip is rotated by a motor which is part of the device to which the cartridge is mounted, the rotor chip preferably has a first face having the openings to the linking channels (as discussed above, which can be referred to here as the "fluid face") and a second face having a motor mounting adaptor (which can be referred to as the "mounting face"). Most preferably, the mating surface of the housing has a motor access port providing access to the mounting face of the rotor chip. The motor mounting adaptor may be a recess for receiving the shaft of the motor.

Preferably, the rotor chip and stator chip assembly include one or more indexing elements, to help achieve the correct indexing between rotor chip and stator chip assembly after the rotor chip moves between said first and second position. For example, the one or more indexing elements may be a spring plunger system On particular a ball plunger system) provided at the interface between the rotor chip and stator chip. In a preferred implementation of a spring plunger system, a spring-loaded ball bearing is mounted on the fluid face of one component (for example the rotor chip), and the fluid face of the other component (for example, the stator chip assembly) includes one or more pockets into which the spring-loaded ball bearing is urged into as the rotor chip rotates, optionally with the provision of linking grooves between pockets to facilitate movement of the ball bearing between positions. The spring loading of the ball bearing may be achieved by providing each ball with an associated spring (either through use of a separate spring, or moulding a spring lever into the relevant chip), or by generally providing a spring to urge the rotor chip and the stator chip assembly together (the latter being preferred, since it also helps to improve the seal between the rotor chip and stator chip assembly). Alternatively, the indexing elements comprise one or more weak (e.g. permanent) magnets on the rotor chip and stator chip assembly which serve to index the rotor chip and stator chip at set positions, although this option is less preferred as the magnetic forces can create additional strain on the motor and could potentially interfere with reagent containing magnetic components (for example, magnetic beads). Advantageously, the use of one or more indexing elements allows correct positioning of the rotor chip and stator chip assembly without the need for high accuracy (expensive) motors.

Preferably, the indexing elements are positioned close to or at the edge of the rotor chip, since this improves the accuracy of the alignment.

In a preferred implementation the main microfluidic module of the measurement device of the present invention includes a motor as part of the cartridge socket. Similarly, in preferred implementations the secondary microfluidic module(s) include a cartridge socket (as described above) having a motor.

The stator chip assembly comprises one or more plates having the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels formed therein. The stator chip assembly may comprise multiple plates held together, for example, by adhesive, such as glue or double-sided tape. Alternatively, the stator chip assembly may be a single plate having the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels provided therein. The single plate may be made by diffusion bonding multiple plates together For example, the stator chip assembly may comprise (or be made through diffusion bonding of) a first reagent plate having primary reagent channels therethrough, and a second reagent plate having secondary reagent channels therethrough. In such instances, at least one of the plates must accommodate bridging holes to allow throughflow from an adjacent plate to the reagent reservoirs and/or stator chip assembly, as appropriate. In the example of the stator chip assembly incorporating a first reagent plate having primary reagent channels therethrough, and a second reagent plate having secondary reagent channels, if the rotor chip engages the face of the first reagent plate then said plate must accommodate bridging holes for the second reagent channels to reach the rotor chip, and if the rotor chip engages the face of the second reagent plate then said plate must accommodate bridging holes for the first reagent channels to reach the rotor chip.

Advantageously, constructing the stator chip assembly from multiple plates (either through adhering plates together, or permanently attaching through diffusion bonding) can allow a limited set of "standard" plates to be manufactured for use in a range of different cartridges. For example, in a "basic" cartridge incorporating eight reagent reservoirs, the stator chip assembly may incorporate a first reagent plate having eight primary reagent lines for delivering reagent, along with a set of bridging holes that are not used during operation of the basic cartridge. For a more "advanced" cartridge incorporating sixteen reagent reservoirs, the stator chip assembly may incorporate an identical first reagent plate stacked on top of a second reagent plate. The first reagent plate is used to obtain reagent from eight of the reservoirs. The second reagent plate has eight primary reagent lines whose inlets mate with the bridging holes of the first reagent plate, and also has eight bridging holes which mate with the outlets of the first reagent plate. This simple stacking means that the cartridge can be adapted to allow for 16 reagents instead of 8 through the simple addition of a standard additional plate.

The reagent cartridge may incorporate a reagent tray having compartments provided therein to provide the plurality of reagent reservoirs. In such embodiments, the cartridge housing preferably includes one or more lids which seal compartments of the reagent tray (either sealing multiple (or all) compartments together, or sealing compartments individually). In this way, pressure applied to a given compartment pressurises only that specific compartment.

Optionally, the lid is openable to allow reagents to be topped up, or replaced.

Optionally, the tray may have integrally formed pressure channels for pressurising the compartments. The pressure channels of the tray may open into the compartment itself. In such instances, the pressure channels preferably open at, or close to, the top of the reagent compartment, to limit the possibility of reagent entering the pressurisation system. Alternatively, the pressures channels of the tray mate with corresponding pressure channels in the above-mentioned lid, with the pressure channels in the lid opening at the top (the "roof") of the reagent compartment, since this provides a particularly effective way of preventing reagent from entering the pressurisation system.

In a second preferred implementation of the reagent cartridge (also forming a separate aspect of the invention, independent of the features referred to in relation to the other aspects above), the reagent cartridge comprises a housing containing: - a plurality of reagent reservoirs; a plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports (connected to the cartridge socket inlet ports when installed on a microfluidic module), for pressurising the reagent reservoirs in use; - a plurality of cartridge outlet ports (connected to the cartridge socket outlet ports when installed on a microfluidic module), for dispensing reagent from the cartridge in use; and a valve assembly, for regulating pressurisation of the reagent reservoirs and flow of reagents from the reagent reservoirs to the cartridge outlet ports in use, the valve assembly comprising: o a stator chip assembly, comprising * a plurality of primary reagent channels fluidly connected to the reagent reservoirs; and * a plurality of secondary reagent channels fluidly connected to the cartridge outlet ports; * a plurality of primary pressure channels fluidly connected to the cartridge pressurisation ports; * a plurality of secondary pressure channels fluidly connected to the reagent reservoirs; and o a rotor chip, sealingly engaging the stator chip, the rotor chip having * one or more reagent linking channel(s) for fluidly connecting the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels; and * one or more pressure linking channel(s) for fluidly connecting the primary pressure channels to the secondary pressure channels; o wherein the rotor chip is rotatable relative to the stator chip assembly between a first position and a second position, and wherein * said rotation causes the reagent linking channel(s) to establish a different fluid connection between the primary reagent channel(s) and the secondary reagent channel(s) in the first position compared to the second position; and/or * said rotation causes the pressure linking channel(s) to establish a different fluid connection between the primary pressure channel(s) and the secondary pressure channels in the first position compared to the second position.

In such a cartridge the same rotor chip serves as a valve not only for the reagents but also for the pressurisation system. In other words, the valve can control which reagent reservoirs are pressurised, and which reagent reservoirs are capable of delivering reagent. This allows dosing from an arbitrary number of reservoir ports, irrespective of the number of cartridge pressurisation ports and cartridge outlet ports.

Suitably, the openings of the pressure linking channels on the rotor chip are positioned on a different track to the openings of the reagent linking channels On other words, the openings of the pressure linking channels are positioned at a different distance from the axis of rotation of the rotor chip compared to the openings of the reagent linking channels). For example, the openings for the pressure linking channels may be on a track further outwards (relative to the centre of the rotor chip) than the openings for the reagent linking channels, or the openings for the pressure linking channels may be on a track further inwards than the openings for the reagent linking channels. Advantageously, this minimises the chances of reagent entering the pressurisation system during rotation of the rotor chip, and equally prevents pressure from leaking into the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels.

Preferably, the reagent linking channels and pressure linking channels on the rotor chip are paired -in other words, each reagent linking channel has an associated pressure linking channel. In this way, when a reagent linking channel is aligned with a particular reagent inlet channel and reagent outlet channel the paired pressure linking channel is also in proper alignment to cause pressurisation of the appropriate reservoir.

In implementations incorporating both the pressure linking channels and reagent linking channels, the stator chip assembly may be a single plate having the reagent input channels, reagent output channels, and pressure input channels formed therein. This single plate may be made by diffusion bonding a stack of plates having the primary reagent channels, secondary reagent channels, and primary pressure channels and secondary pressure channels formed therein.

For example, the single plate may be made by diffusion bonding a stack of plates comprising: a reagent plate having primary reagent channels therethrough, a pressure plate having the primary pressure channels therethrough, and one or more interface plates having the secondary reagent channels and secondary pressure channels therethrough. In such instances, plates must accommodate bridging holes to interface with the channels of adjacent plates, to allow fluid to flow between the different plates as required (that is, to ensure proper connection to reagent reservoirs, rotor chip and cartridge pressurisation ports as required by the definition above).

Alternatively, the stator chip assembly may comprise said stack of plates attached through adhesive (for example double-sided adhesive tape) without the use of diffusion bonding.

The second implementation may have any of the preferred and optional features set out above in respect of the first implementation. In particular, any optional or preferable features discussed above in relation to the linking channel of the first implementation may apply to either or both of the reagent linking channel(s) and pressure linking channel(s) of the second implementation.

In a third preferred implementation of the reagent cartridge (also forming a separate aspect of the invention, independent of the features referred to in relation to the other aspects above), the reagent cartridge comprises a housing containing: a plurality of reagent reservoirs; a plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports (connected to the cartridge socket inlet ports when installed on a microfluidic module), for pressurising the reagent reservoirs in use; a plurality of cartridge outlet ports (connected to the cartridge socket outlet ports when installed on a microfluidic module), for dispensing reagent from the cartridge in use; and a valve assembly, for regulating flow of reagents from the reagent reservoirs to the cartridge outlet ports in use, the valve assembly comprising: o a stator chip assembly, comprising * a plurality of primary reagent channels fluidly connected to the reagent reservoirs; and * a plurality of secondary reagent channels fluidly connected to the cartridge outlet ports; o a rotor chip, sealingly engaging the stator chip, the rotor chip having a plurality of reagent linking channel(s) for fluidly connecting the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels; o wherein the rotor chip is rotatable relative to the stator chip assembly, and wherein said rotation causes the reagent linking channel(s) to establish a different fluid connection between the primary reagent channel(s) and the secondary reagent channel(s); and wherein the plurality of reagent linking channels is arranged such that any primary reagent channel can be connected to any secondary reagent channel.

This system provides a distinct advantage over other solutions taught in the prior art. For example, the rotary valve in Fluigent's MSwitchTM can couple 10 reagents to only a single outlet port, thus to achieve analogous functionality to the present invention would require a complex connection of several such devices.

This implementation may have any of the preferred and optional features set out above in respect of the first and second implementations.

For example, the stator chip assembly may have X primary reagent channel outlets regularly spaced in an arc or circle configuration, and Y secondary reagent channel inlets regularly spaced in an arc or circle configuration, and the rotor chip may have X + Y linking channels capable of linking any of the X primary reagent channel outlets to any of the Y secondary reagent channel inlets.

As above, it is preferred for the linking channels to be within the same plane of the rotor chip, for reasons of space-saving.

In a fourth preferred implementation of the reagent cartridge (also forming a separate aspect of the invention, independent of the features referred to in relation to the other aspects above), the reagent cartridge comprises a housing containing: - a plurality of reagent reservoirs; a plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports (connected to the cartridge socket inlet ports when installed on a microfluidic module), for pressurising the reagent reservoirs in use; - a plurality of cartridge outlet ports (connected to the cartridge socket outlet ports when installed on a microfluidic module), for dispensing reagent from the cartridge in use; and - a valve assembly, for regulating flow of reagents from the reagent reservoirs to the cartridge outlet ports in use, the valve assembly comprising: o a stator chip assembly, comprising * a plurality of primary reagent channels fluidly connected to the reagent reservoirs; and * a plurality of secondary reagent channels fluidly connected to the cartridge outlet ports; o a rotor chip, sealingly engaging the stator chip, the rotor chip having a branched reagent linking channel(s) for fluidly connecting the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels; o wherein the rotor chip is rotatable relative to the stator chip assembly, and wherein said rotation causes the reagent linking channel(s) to establish a different fluid connection between the primary reagent channel(s) and the secondary reagent channel(s); and wherein the branched reagent linking channel(s) is able to simultaneously direct flow from a primary reagent channel to multiple secondary reagent channels and/or is able to simultaneously direct flow from multiple primary reagent channels to a secondary reagent channel.

Advantageously, the provision of a reagent cartridge having a branched reagent linking channel allows mixing of reagents in an arbitrary fashion, without the complications set out above in relation to the device shown in WO 2019/063375, having only a single shared output channel.

In all of the implementations above, the plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports and plurality of cartridge outlet ports may take any suitable form for plugging into a corresponding cartridge socket, for example, in the form of a needle or a hole. Most preferably, however, the ports take the forms of holes provided in the cartridge housing, since this allows the mating surface of the cartridge to be placed on a surface (e.g. to rest the cartridge in use). Holes are also better than needles from a handling perspective, since (unlike a needle) it is not possible for a user to stab or scratch themselves on the ports, the ports will not be accidentally bent or damaged, and the user is less likely to contact the ports thereby minimising the possibility of contamination. In addition, providing the ports as holes facilities packaging and shipping of the cartridge (an important consideration for consumable cartridges), since it makes the cartridge more compact and less fiddly to design packaging around.

In implementations where the cartridge pressurisation ports and cartridge outlet ports are holes, the cartridge preferably provides gaskets to ensure sealing connection between the port and a cartridge socket. For ease of manufacture, it is preferred for the cartridge to contain an elongate gasket shared between multiple ports, for example a cartridge pressurisation port gasket and (separately) a cartridge outlet port gasket. Alternatively, the gasket can take the form of a septum that a needle from the cartridge socket penetrates in use.

In a separate aspect, the present invention also provides a cartridge socket as defined in the independent aspect above incorporating a reagent cartridge as taught herein.

External reagent sources Optionally, the reagent delivery cartridge comprises at least one exterior input tube fluidly connected to a primary reagent channel of the stator chip assembly, suitable for drawing reagent from an external reagent source (in other words, outside of the reagent cartridge housing) to the valve assembly and thence on to a cartridge outlet port via the rotor chip. In such embodiments, one or more of the cartridge pressurisation ports may be fluidly connected to an exterior output tube (optionally via the rotor chip), to allow pressurisation of the external reagent source. In this way, the exterior output tube can be used to pressurise the external reagent source, to drive flow of the external reagent source into the exterior input tube. The exterior input tube and exterior output tube may be made of flexible tubing. The provision of such tubes is particularly advantageous in implementations requiring delivery of a large quantity of reagent, since a large tube or bottle of such reagent can be delivered under the control of the valve assembly.

The reagent delivery cartridge may comprise at least 2, at least 4, at least 6 or at least 8 such exterior input tubes for receiving reagents from an external source, preferably each with an associated exterior output tube to allow pressurisation of the external source. Alternatively, the reagent delivery cartridge may not include any exterior input tubes or exterior output tubes On other words, the cartridge may only permit delivery of reagents from "internal" reagent reservoirs).

Optionally, the reagent delivery cartridge takes the form of a routing cartridge, which allows the cartridge to be connected to a secondary microfluidic module. In this way, the arrangement of master and secondary microfluidic modules need not be linear, since the routing cartridge can allow "branching" of the arrangement. The routing cartridge may comprise: a plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports (connected to cartridge socket inlet ports when installed on a secondary microfluidic module) fluidly connected to exterior output tubes (either through direct connection between the cartridge pressurisation port and exterior output tube, or indirect connection, such as by connecting the exterior output tube to a secondary pressure channel of the rotor chip, in embodiments incorporating such a system, or having the exterior output tube extend from a reagent reservoir); - a plurality of cartridge outlet ports (connected to cartridge socket outlet ports when installed on a secondary microfluidic module), for dispensing reagent from the cartridge in use; and -a valve assembly comprising: o a stator chip assembly, comprising * a plurality of primary reagent channels each fluidly connected to an exterior input tube; and * a plurality of secondary reagent channels each fluidly connected to the cartridge outlet ports; and o a rotor chip, sealingly engaging the stator chip assembly, the rotor chip having one or more linking channel(s) for fluidly connecting the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels; wherein the rotor chip is rotatable relative to the stator chip assembly between a first position and a second position, and wherein said rotation causes the linking channel(s) to establish a different fluid connection between the primary reagent channel(s) and the secondary reagent channel(s) in the first position compared to the second position; wherein the plurality of exterior output tubes terminate in a shared exterior cartridge output connector; and the plurality of exterior input tubes terminate in a shared exterior cartridge input connector.

The exterior cartridge output connector and exterior cartridge input connector take the form described above in relation to the connectors of the master and second microfluidic modules. Suitably, the routing cartridge can be connected to a secondary microfluidic module by connecting the exterior cartridge output connector of the routing cartridge to the external pressure input connector of the secondary microfluidic module and connecting the exterior cartridge input connector to the reagent output connector of the secondary microfluidic module.

An aspect of the present invention also extends to a measurement device as described above, incorporating a master microfluidic module and/or secondary microfluidic module having a routing cartridge which is connected to a (further) secondary microfluidic module.

The routing cartridge may have any of the optional and preferred features set out above in relation to other reagent delivery cartridges, so far as compatible.

Materials The rotor chip and stator chip assembly can be made of any suitable solid material that is capable of supporting one or more channels therein. For example, they may be made from a resin such as polycarbonate; polyvinyl chloride; DELRIN® (polyoxymethylene); HALARO; PCTFE (polychlorotrifluoroethylene); PEEKTM (polyetheretherketone); PK (polyketone); PERLASTO; polyethylene; PPS (polyphenylene sulphide); polysulfone; RADELO R (polyphenylsulfone); polypropylene; fluoropolymer including PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) and Viton TM; PFA (perfluoroalkoxy alkane); TEFZEL FIFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene); TPXO (Polymethylpentene); Titanium; UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene); UL TEM® (polyetherimide); VESPELO; or 316 Stainless Steel. Preferred materials include, for example, PTFE and UHMWPE, since these materials ensure low friction between the rotor chip and stator chip.

Analysis chip mount The master microfluidic module incorporates an analysis chip mount for receiving an analysis chip.

Optionally, the analysis chip mount is a support on which an analysis chip can be rested, to allow ports on an analysis chip to be plugged into the chip input lines. There are some advantages to this system, since different analysis chips may have very different inlet port configurations to suit different protocols, such that it is helpful to allow separate manipulation of the chip input lines.

Preferably, the chip input lines may terminate in a shared chip input connector, suitable for connection to a corresponding analysis chip connector provided on an analysis chip. In such instances, the connection between the shared chip input connector and analysis chip connector may be achieved through a linker (e.g. patch cable and optionally terminal block), preferably with the use of a quick release mechanism (e.g. clamp or clip), as described above.

Alternatively, the analysis chip mount may be or incorporate an analysis chip socket, into which an analysis chip can be plugged, in an analogous way to that described above in relation to direct connection of a cartridge to the cartridge socket.

In such instances, the analysis chip socket may include an array of analysis chip socket inlet ports, for flowing reagent into the analysis chip. The analysis chip socket inlet ports may take the form of protrusions, such as flexible needles, for insertion into corresponding inlets on an analysis chip. Alternatively, the analysis chip socket inlet ports and Of present) analysis chip socket outlet ports may take the form of recesses, optionally incorporating a gasket/seal, for insertion of corresponding protrusions from an analysis chip.

Analysis chip The analysis chip may be any sampling chip, as will occur to the skilled reader. Indeed, the advantage of the measurement device of the present invention is that the microfluidic system can be adapted to an analysis chip and protocol of choice, without restriction.

By way of non-limiting example, the analysis chip may have an array of microfluidic channels extending from the analysis chip socket inlet port to an outlet. Alternatively, the analysis chip may incorporate a chamber which is in fluid communication with several analysis chip socket inlet ports.

Chip output manifold In certain instances, the analysis chip will include its own outlet ports, for removing reagent from the analysis chip. For example, it may have a plurality of waste lines which flow into a single waste container.

Alternatively, the master microfluidic module may incorporate a chip output manifold, comprising a plurality of chip output lines, terminating in a shared reagent output connector.

Preferably, the master microfluidic module incorporates a plurality of said chip input lines terminating in a shared chip input connector, and a plurality of chip output lines terminating in a shared reagent output connector. Optionally, the chip input connector and reagent output connector are provided as part of the same coupling adaptor, for example a recess having one set of orifices corresponding to the chip input connector and another set of orifices corresponding to the reagent output connector. This can facilitate easy connection of an analysis chip via a linker, such as a patch cable.

Electronics Preferably, the measurement device has detection electronics for detecting the attachment of a peripheral component, such as a cartridge, analysis chip, fluidic chip and/or any secondary microfluidic modules.

More preferably, the measurement device has identification electronics, for identifying the specific type of peripheral component. For example, the identification electronics may identify the model of the cartridge, and thus the number of reagent reservoirs, and the configuration of the channels in the stator assembly and rotor. The results of this identification may be fed to a control system, which automatically updates a control panel to take into account the number and type of peripheral components attached.

Preferably, the detection and/or identification electronics correspond to an RFID system.

Advantageously, an RFID system allows components to be detected and identified without the need to make electrical contact between those components.

Preferably, the measurement device has a main power input, and any peripheral components are connected so as to be powered by this main power input.

Preferably, the cartridge socket has electrical contacts, for connecting to corresponding electrical contacts on a cartridge inserted into the cartridge socket. Similarly, it is preferred for the analysis chip socket, and the fluidic chip socket of any secondary modules, to have electrical contacts, for connecting to corresponding electrical contacts on a cartridge inserted into the cartridge socket. The electrical contacts on said sockets are preferably sprung loaded, so that the electrical circuit is formed as the corresponding cartridge or chip is inserted. The contacts may correspond to electrical ground, digital supply voltage (e.g. +3.3V), an 120 SCLK line, an 120 SDA line, a combined digital input / output / analog input line, and a high voltage supply (e.g. +20V).

The cartridge and analysis chip can feature an electronic PCB, which interfaces with said electrical contacts The cartridge and/or analysis chip may include an electronic temperature control system (integrated heating / cooling elements) to incubate the sample and reagents at a desired temperature.

Flow sensors Preferably, the master microfluidic module and any secondary microfluidic modules include one or more flow sensors. Preferably, flow sensors are provided in-line on at least one (preferably all) of the chip input lines of the master microfluidic module and reagent output lines of the secondary microfluidic module. Preferably, the flow sensors are used to regulate the pressure supplied to the cartridge pressurisation ports (for example, by modulating the pressure of the external pressure source(s)) to achieve a desired flow rate.

Pipetting device Optionally, the one or more chip input lines are connected to a pipette head, for delivering or removing reagents from an analysis chip (such as a microscope slide) held on the analysis chip mount. This may be achieved by terminating the chip input lines in a dosing head (either one per line, or a shared dosing head across some or all of the lines), or attaching a pipette head to the analysis chip socket or the shared chip input connector described above, where present. Advantageously, such a system may be used to precisely drop/remove reagents from a microscope slide by applying positive/negative pressure.

In such embodiments, the one or more chip input lines preferably include an in-line flow sensor, which is used to regulate delivery/removal of reagents through the pipette head.

Type of measurement device and measurement apparatus Preferably, the measurement device is an optical measurement device, in which case the measurement apparatus incorporates optical measurement apparatus. For example, the measurement apparatus may comprise a light detector (such as photodiode or camera) for analysing an analysis chip and (preferably) a light source for illuminating the analysis chip.

Preferably, the measurement device is an optical microscope and the measurement apparatus incorporates a light source and a light detector. More preferably, the measurement device is a fluorescence microscope In a most preferred embodiment, the measurement device is a compact microscope, as described in WO 2016/170370. Kits

The present invention also provides a kit, comprising a master microfluidic module and at least one secondary microfluidic module as described above.

Especially preferred embodiments In an especially preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an optical microscope, comprising: (A) a main enclosure, housing: (i) an analysis chip mount, for receiving an analysis chip; (ii) optical microscopy apparatus, for analysing an analysis chip held on the analysis chip mount, including a light source and a light detector; (iii) a master microfluidic module, for supplying reagents to an analysis chip held on the analysis chip mount, comprising: a cartridge socket, having a plurality of cartridge socket inlet ports and cartridge socket outlet ports, for receiving a reagent cartridge; optionally, with a reagent cartridge plugged into the cartridge socket, wherein the reagent cartridge is preferably according to the first implementation, second implementation, third implementation or fourth implementation taught above; a pressure manifold, comprising a plurality of pressure feed lines connectable to an external pressure source, each pressure feed line having an associated multi-way valve assembly for selectively connecting the pressure feed line to either an external pressure output line or a cartridge socket pressure line (connected to a cartridge socket inlet port); and a chip input manifold, comprising a plurality of chip input lines, each having an associated multi-way valve assembly for selectively connecting the chip input line to either a cartridge socket reagent line (connected to a cartridge socket outlet port) or an external reagent input line; optionally, a chip output manifold, comprising a plurality of chip output lines terminating in a shared reagent output connector; wherein the plurality of external pressure output lines terminate in a shared pressure output connector and the plurality of external reagent input lines originate from a shared external reagent input connector; and preferably comprising, separate from the main enclosure: (B) a secondary microfluidic module comprising: a cartridge socket, having a plurality of cartridge socket inlet ports and cartridge socket outlet ports, for receiving a reagent cartridge; optionally, with a reagent cartridge plugged into the cartridge socket, wherein the reagent cartridge is preferably according to the first implementation, second implementation, third implementation, or fourth implementation taught above, or is a routing cartridge connected to another secondary microfluidic module in the manner taught above; a pressure manifold, comprising a plurality of pressure feed lines each having an associated multi-way valve assembly for selectively connecting the pressure feed line to either an external pressure output line or a cartridge socket pressure line (connected to a cartridge socket inlet port); and a reagent manifold, comprising a plurality of reagent output lines having an associated multi-way valve assembly for selectively connecting upstream to either a cartridge socket reagent line (connected to a cartridge socket outlet port) or an external reagent input line; wherein the plurality of pressure feed lines originate from a shared external pressure input connector; the plurality of external pressure output lines terminate in a shared external pressure output connector; the plurality of external reagent input lines originate from a shared external reagent input connector; the plurality of reagent output lines terminate in a shared reagent output connector; the external pressure input connector is connected to the external pressure output connector of the master microfluidic module, and the external reagent output connector is connected to the external reagent input connector of the master microfluidic module; and optionally (C) one or more further secondary microfluidic modules having the features set out in (B), wherein the external pressure input connector of the further secondary module is connected to the external pressure output connector of a preceding secondary microfluidic module; and the external reagent output connector of the further secondary module is connected to the external reagent input connector of the same preceding secondary microfluidic module.

Preferably, the enclosure is lightproof (as defined above) and all of the components of (A) are housed within the enclosure, with one or more hatches provided for accessing the various connectors (the pressure output connector,external reagent input connector and (if present) pressure input connector and external reagent output connector) the cartridge socket and the analysis chip socket.

Suitably, in instances in which enclosure (A) includes a chip output manifold, the combination of the chip input manifold and chip output manifold of the master microfluidic module is identical to the reagent manifold of the secondary microfluidic module(s).

The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

Summary of the Figures

Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a side perspective view of a measurement device of the present invention, taking the form of a microscope; Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of the measurement device of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the microfluidic module incorporated within the microscope of Figure 1, connected to an analysis chip socket; Figure 4 is a close-up view of the pressure manifold in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a close-up view of the chip input manifold of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a close-up view of the analysis chip socket of Figure 3, and its associated waste lines; Figure 7 shows a schematic view of an alternative valve assembly that can be used to replace the 3-way valves shown in Figures 3 to 5; Figure 8 shows a schematic view of the components of a secondary microfluidic module according to the present invention; Figure 9 shows a schematic view of a secondary microfluidic module connected to the microscope of Figures 1 to 6; Figure 10 shows a schematic view of two secondary microfluidic modules daisy-chained to the microscope of Figures 1 to 6; Figure 11 shows a schematic front view of a cartridge socket suitable for use in the present invention; Figure 12 is a close up schematic view of one of the cartridge socket inlet ports depicted in Figure 11; Figure 13 is an exploded schematic view of a reagent cartridge according to the present invention; Figure 14 is an exploded schematic view showing the reagent cartridge of Figure 13 plugging into the cartridge socket of Figure 11; Figure 15 is a top cross-sectional view of the rotor chip from the reagent cartridge of Figure 13; Figure 16A shows the channel structure within a stator chip assembly and the rotor chip of Figure 15 leading to the reagent wells of the reagent cartridge; Figure 16B shows the flowpath established through the stator chip assembly and rotor chip to a first reagent well of the cartridge; Figure 16C shows the resulting flowpath of reagent from the reagent well when pressure is applied as shown in Figure 16B; Figure 17 is a top view of an alternative rotor chip incorporating a branched linking channel, showing two different rotational orientations; Figure 18 is a top view of two different rotational orientations of an alternative rotor chip, showing a linking channel incorporating a slotted outlet towards the centre of the chip.

Figure 19 is a front view of a patch cable for interconnecting microscope 1 and secondary microfluidic modules; Figure 20 is a perspective view of the patch cable of Figure 19, Figure 21 is a perspective view of a terminal block providing sockets for interconnecting microscope 1 and secondary microfluidic modules; Figure 22 is a rear perspective view of the microscope of Figure 1, showing the position of terminal blocks relative to the reagent cartridge; Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view through the side of the terminal block shown in Figure 21; Figure 24 is a perspective view of a releasable clamp interfacing with the end of a patch cable, illustrating how the clamp can be used to secure the patch cable to a terminal block; and Figure 25 is an exploded perspective view, showing the components of Figure 24.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

Figures 1 and 2 show a microscope 1 according to the present invention. The microscope incorporates an opaque black enclosure 3 housing the device's components, with a hatch 5 for accessing a reagent cartridge 7 and a hatch 9 for accessing an analysis chip 11. Protruding from the housing are two pressure inlet ports 13, for connecting microfluidic components of the microscope to an external pressure source. The front view in Figure 2 shows analysis chip inlet tubing 15 and analysis chip outlet tubing 17 protruding from the main body of the enclosure.

Figure 3 shows the microfluidic system 101 incorporated within the microscope 1. The system includes a cartridge socket 301 with a set of inlets connected to a pressure manifold 201 and a set of outlets connected to a chip input manifold 401. The chip input manifold connects to analysis chip socket 501, with reagent from the analysis chip socket 501 being removed through chip output manifold 601. The microscope incorporates a computer 701 for controlling operation of the other components via a microcontroller or field programmable gate array 702, and valve drivers 703.

Figure 4 shows details of the pressure manifold of Figure 3 in greater detail. The manifold incorporates two pressure input lines 203 and 205, which are connectable to external pressure sources through the pressure inlet ports 13 shown in Figure 1. In this case, pressure input line 203 is connected to a higher pressure source, and pressure input line 205 is connected to a lower pressure source. The pressure manifold includes eight pressurisation units 204, each supplying pressure to a corresponding port of the cartridge socket 301. For each pressurisation unit 204, the pressure input lines 203 and 205 are connected to inlets of manifold valve 209, which is a 3-way solenoid valve outputting into pressure feed line 207. The output of the pressure line 205 is attached to the inlet of a further 3-way solenoid valve 211 (the above-mentioned cartridge pressurisation valve), whose outlets can be switched between an external pressure line 215 and a cartridge pressurisation line 213. The cartridge pressurisation line 213 is connected to a cartridge socket pressurisation port 303 of cartridge socket 301. In use, a cartridge is connected to cartridge socket 301 through cartridge socket pressurisation ports 303 and cartridge socket fluid ports 305, as shown in greater detail in Figures 11 and 13. The 3-way solenoid valve 211 is set to connect to external pressure output line 215 in its normally open position, so that pressure will be directed away from the cartridge socket, to avoid unintentional delivery of reagents from a cartridge held in cartridge socket 301 in the absence of a command to switch the valve.

The external pressure output lines 215 from each pressurisation unit 204 extend to a shared terminal, called the pressure output connector 217. This connector can be connected to other modules to provide pressure, as shown in more detail in Figures 9 and 10.

The eight cartridge socket fluid ports 305 are connected to eight corresponding ports on analysis chip socket 501 through chip input manifold 401, shown in greater detail in Figure 5.

Each cartridge socket fluid port 305 has an associated reagent unit 404. Each reagent unit 404 includes a chip socket input line 403 connected to the outlet of chip valve 405, which in the depicted embodiment is a 3-way solenoid valve whose inlets are switchable between either a cartridge fluid line 407 connected to cartridge socket fluid port 305, or an external reagent line 409. In an alternative (preferred) implementation, shown in Figure 7, the 3-way chip valve 405 is replaced by two 2-way chip valves 405a and 405b, which can be used to establish the same overall flow pattern.

Flow sensor 411 is installed inline on the chip socket input line 403 between chip valve 405 and the analysis chip socket 501, to provide feedback to ensure desired flow characteristics. More specifically, the flow sensor 411 provides feedback data to the computer 701 via a proportionalintegral-derivative (PID) controller included as part of microcontroller 702. The computer then uses this feedback to fluctuate the supply of pressure from the external pressure sources based on the current flow rate measurement, to adjust the current flow rate to a preset flow rate for the relevant chip socket fluidic inlet port.

The external reagent input lines 409 from each reagent unit 404 extend to a shared terminal, called the reagent input connector 417. This connector can be connected to other reagent sources, such as a secondary microfluidic module, as shown in more detail in Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 6 shows chip output manifold 601 connected to the outputs of analysis chip socket 501. The chip output manifold 601 has eight reagent removal units, each consisting of a reagent removal line 603 and an associated waste valve 605, and all terminating in a shared reagent output connector 607. In alternative embodiments, the waste valves 605 are dispensed with.

The chip socket 501 may be connected to an analysis chip via the use of a patch cable 6001, depicted in Figures 19 and 20.

Optionally, the microscope 1 can be plugged into one or more secondary microfluidic modules.

This is depicted in Figures 9 and 10, where the microscope 1 is attached to secondary module 1001 through interconnection of relevant connectors. In the embodiment of Figure 9, the pressure output connector 217 is plugged into a corresponding pressure input connector 1219 on secondary microfluidic module, and a reagent output connector 1417 on secondary module 1001 is plugged into reagent input connector 417 on microscope 1. In this way, pressure supplied by pressure manifold 201 can be supplied to the secondary microfluidic module to drive flow of reagent from the secondary module 1001 to the microscope 1 via the bridge established by the reagent output connector 1417 and reagent input connector 417. In Figure 10, the system of Figure 9 has been expanded through the addition of a further secondary module 2001, which is daisy-chained to the secondary module 1001 by attaching the pressure output connector 1217 of secondary module 1001 to pressure input connector 2219 of secondary module 2001, and connecting reagent output connector 2217 of secondary module 2001 to reagent input connector 1607 of secondary module 1001.

The components of the secondary module 1001 are shown in more detail in Figure 8. The parts are essentially the same as the microfluidic components of the microscope 1 shown in Figures 3-6, with a cartridge socket 1301 having a set of inlets connected to a pressure manifold 1201 and a set of outlets connected to a chip input manifold 1401, which feed reagents to fluidic chip socket 1501, which itself exhausts to chip output manifold 1601. The only significant difference from the microfluidic components of microscope 1 is that in the pressure manifold 1201 of the secondary module 1001 the pressure feed line 1207 originates from a shared pressure input connector 1219. In this case, the fluidic chip socket 1501 accepts a bridging chip, which simply connects the chip inlets to the opposite chip outlets.

The connection between the microscope 1 and secondary microfluidic modules 1001 and 2001 is achieved via the use of patch cables. A representative patch cable is shown in Figures 19 and 20. Patch cable 6001 includes a first end 6002 and second end 6004 interconnected by a first set of tubing 6003 and a second set of tubing 6005. The first set of tubing 6003 extends between opening 6003a provided on end 6002 and opening 6003b provided on end 6004, and a second set of tubing 6005 extending between opening 6005a provided on end 6004 and opening 6005b provided on end 6002. Both ends of the patch cable include an end plate 6009 have a trapezoidal protrusion 6007, oriented such that on end 6002 the openings 6003a to tubing 6003 are provided along the shorter parallel side of the trapezoid and the openings 6005b to tubing 6005 are provided along the longer parallel side of the trapezoid, and on end 6004 the openings 6003b are provided along the longer parallel side of the trapezoid and openings 6005b are provided along the shorter parallel side. In this way, the cable has an orientation such that inlets are provided along the shorter parallel side, and outlets are provided along the longer parallel side.

The trapezoidal protrusion 6007 mates with corresponding trapezoidal recesses provided on the microfluidic module. For example, in a preferred implementation various connectors are provided on the enclosure in the form of a terminal block, as shown in Figure 21.

The terminal block 7001 shown in Figure 21 provides a reagent-in socket 7003 and pressure-out socket 7005. The reagent-in socket 7003 includes a set of orifices 7003a along the shorter side of the trapezoidal recess. The trapezoidal shape of the protrusion 6007 on the patch cable 6001 and recess on the reagent-in socket 7003 mean that the patch cable can only be inserted in one orientation, in which the orifices 7003a mate with the first set of tubing 6003 of patch cable 6001. This ensures that the patch cable must always be inserted in the correct orientation.

In a similar fashion, the pressure-out socket 7005 includes a trapezoidal recess, but in this case the orifices 7005a are provided along the longer side of the trapezoidal recess.

The patch cable 6001 can be secured in position on the terminal block 7001 by using a clamp as shown in Figures 24 and 25, to ensure a tight fluid connection between the patch cable and the sockets.

Clamp 9001 includes a frame 9003 having locking holes 9005, the frame incorporating a locking plate 9007 slidable via knob 9009. The locking holes 9005 have a slot in their sidewall for receiving the locking plate 9007 (within the clamp, and hence not shown), so that the locking plate is slidable between a "lock" position where a portion of the plate extends/juts into the locking holes 9005 and an "open" position where the locking plate is retracted from the locking holes.

The component parts of end 6002 of patch cable 6001 are shown in Figure 25, and include a gasket 6002a, connector 6002b (including the trapezoidal shape at its base) and printed circuit board (PCB) 6002c, with holes 6011 provided through the connected 6002b and PCT 6002c.

Terminal block 7001 includes locking rods 7015, shown in Figure 25, which are fixed within holes 7007. To attach the patch cable 6001, the cable is positioned so that holes 6011 align with the locking rods 7015, and then slid into position so that gasket 6002a and connector 6002b plug into the relevant socket on the terminal block. The clamp is then used to secure the cable against the terminal block, by positioning knob 9009 so that the locking plate 9007 is in the "open" position, sliding the locking rods 7015 through locking holes 9005, and toggling knob 9009 so that the locking plate 9007 is in the "lock" position, such that locking plate 9007 engages notch 7015a provided on the locking rods 7015. To remove the clamp, knob 9009 is used to slide locking plate 9007 to its "open" position, and the clamp withdrawn.

The configuration of the terminal block 7001 within microscope 1 is illustrated in more detail in Figure 22. Figure 22 shows microscope 1 having an enclosure 3 incorporating a hatch 5 protecting reagent cartridge 7. Provided either side of the reagent cartridge 7 are terminal blocks 7001 and 8001.

Terminal block 7001 incorporates a first socket 7007, for receiving the shared pressure output connector of the microscope (feature 217 of Figure 4), in fluid communication with pressure-out socket 7005 via channels 7011 provided within the terminal block (as shown in Figure 23). Similarly, terminal block 7001 incorporates a second socket 7009, for receiving the shared reagent input connector (feature 417 of Figure 5), in fluid communication with reagent-in socket 7003.

Terminal block 8001 incorporates a first socket 8005, for receiving the shared reagent output connector of the microscope (feature 607 if Figure 6), which feeds through to reagent-out socket 8003. In secondary microfluidic modules, the other socket 8007 provided on terminal block 8001 serves as a pressure-in socket, although for the microscope 1 this socket is not required since pressure is provided from the external pressure source as described above.

Advantageously, the provision of the pressure-out socket 7005 and reagent-in socket 7003 in a shared terminal block 7001 on the same side of the cartridge facilitates simple connection of secondary microfluidic modules, since the same length of cable can be used to link up the secondary microfluidic module. Similarly, on secondary microfluidic modules provision of the reagent-out and pressure-in sockets on a shared terminal block 8001 provided on the same side of the cartridge facilitates simple connection to the microscope 1 or to further secondary microfluidic modules.

In certain situations, both sets of tubing of a patch cable may be used simultaneously. For example, in some embodiments the analysis chip socket corresponds to a socket for receiving the patch cable having a set of inlet orifices along the shorter edge of the trapezoid and a set of outlet orifices along the longer edge of the trapezoid, and the analysis chip may include a corresponding socket for receiving the other end of the patch cable.

Turning now to details of the reagent cartridge, the cartridge socket 301 of the microscope 1 is shown in more detail in Figures 11 and 12. The socket shows the eight cartridge socket inlets 303 and cartridge socket outlets 305 held within channels 309 in socket mounting plate 307. In this instance the channels and inlet/outlet arrays are linear, but different channel shapes can be used to suit different cartridge configurations, as required.

Each cartridge socket inlet 303 and cartridge socket outlet 305 take the form of a needle. This is illustrated in greater detail for a representative cartridge socket inlet in Figure 12, which shows a flexible needle 303a surrounded by flange 303b. The cartridge socket inlet 303 has a hollow screw thread 303c (in this case an M2 thread), which in use is screwed into microscope 1 to hold the needle in position, and used to secure tubing within the screw thread through a friction fit. In alternative embodiments, the screw thread 303c may be omitted, and the inlets 303 and 305 held in place through being trapped underneath socket mounting plate 307 (for example, trapped against mounting plate 323 as shown in Figure 14), optionally with a loading spring also trapped underneath the plate such that when a cartridge is inserted in the socket mounting plate 307 the loading spring is at least partially compressed to help the inlet engage a corresponding port in the cartridge.

The socket mounting plate 307 also comprises a gap to accommodate a rotating motor 310, which is used to actuate a cartridge held in the socket mounting plate 307, as described in relation to Figures 13 and 14.

Socket mounting plate 307 incorporates a guiding structure to help position and secure a cartridge. The guiding structure consists of a guide rail 311 and opposing guide clip 313, and guide wall 315, which are arranged on three sides of a rectangle. The guide clip 313 includes a lip 319 which snaps over the top of a cartridge pressed into socket 301. To remove the cartridge, a user presses handle 317 which deforms living hinge 321 so as to pull the lip 319 clear from the cartridge.

The interplay between the cartridge and elements of the guiding structure is shown in Figure 14, which shows guide rail 311 slotting into a corresponding groove provided in the cartridge. A similar interaction occurs for guide clip 313, although this is obscured in the figure.

Elements of a particularly preferred reagent cartridge according to the present invention is shown in Figures 13-18.

As shown in Figure 13, the cartridge 3001 comprises a housing 3003 capped by lid 3005 and base 3015. The housing 3003 has grooves 3003a and 3003b on opposing sides, which mate with corresponding grooves 3005a and 3005b on lid 3005 respectively. Groove 3005a on lid 3005 incorporates a ridge 3005c onto which the lip 319 of guide clip 313 can sit to secure the cartridge into the cartridge socket shown in Figure 11.

The housing 3003 is made from plastic, and has an integrally formed reagent tray incorporating sixteen reagent wells 3007. In this case, each reagent well has an associated pressure supply channel 3009 (also integrally formed with the housing 3003), although in alternative embodiment it is possible for a pressure supply channel to be connected to multiple reagent wells. Each pressure supply channel 3009 mates with a corresponding channel in the lid, which opens at the top of the reagent well 3007, so that the opening is positioned away from reagent.

In this case the lid 3005 is removable, but it is also possible to integrally form the lid 3005 with the housing 3003, for example by injection moulding, since the reagent wells 3007 can be filled from the inlet/outlet ports described below.

Inside the housing 3003 are a stator assembly 4001 and rotor chip 5001 which serve as a rotary valve to modulate the flow of reagents from reservoirs 3007, and a set of cartridge outlets collectively formed by needle-stator interface plate 3011, gasket 3013 and base 3015. Although shown exploded, all components are accommodated in the housing, in abutment with adjacent parts. For example, rotor chip 5001 sits within hole 3013c of needle-stator interface 3011 so as to be flush with the upper surface, with stator assembly 4001 stacked immediately on top of that surface. In addition, gasket 3013 sits within slot 3015a of base 3015, with that whole assembly sitting within a hollow in the base of needle-stator interface 3011 (not shown) in engagement with the lower internal surface of the needle-stator interface.

In use the cartridge 3001 is plugged into a cartridge socket 301 by inserting the needles of the cartridge socket into gaskets 3013, with cartridge socket inlet ports 303 sliding into corresponding pressurisation ports 3013a and cartridge socket outlet ports 305 sliding into corresponding cartridge outlet ports 3013b.

The stator assembly 4001 consists of three plates -an interface plate 4003, pressure input plate 4005 and reagent input plate 4007 (shown in more detail in Figure 15), all having openings onto rotor chip plate 5003 (shown in more detail in Figure 14). For ease of understanding, the different plates are shown in an exploded form. In practice, however, it is preferred for the stator assembly to be a single plate combining the various channels distributed across plates 4003, 4005 and 4007, which may be achieved, for example by carrying out diffusion bonding of the three plates depicted in Figure 14.

In use, gas introduced through pressurisation port 3013a passes through hole 3011a provided in the needle-stator interface 3011 and on to rotor chip 5003 via a pressure input channel provided in interface plate 4003. Interface plate 4003 routes the pressurising gas to pressure input plate 4005, via a linking channel providing in rotor chip plate 5003. The pressurising gas then passes along a pressure input channel in pressure input plate 4005 to a bridging hole in reagent input plate 4007, and then upwards through pressure supply channel 3009 and a corresponding outlet in lid 3005 to reagent reservoir 3007.

Gas entering the reagent reservoir 3007 forces reagent out of an outlet (not shown) along a reagent input channel provided in reagent input plate 4007, from where it flows to rotor chip plate 5003 via bridging holes provided in pressure plate 4005 and interface plate 4003. The reagent is then routed through a reagent linking channel in rotor 5003 into a reagent output channel provided in interface plate 4003, from where it exits the cartridge via hole 3011b in needle-stator interface 3011 and cartridge outlet port 3013b.

In the cartridge shown in Figure 13, a user is able to supply the content of any reagent container 3007 to any cartridge outlet port 3013b through rotation of rotor chip 5001, which can be referred to as a "universal" rotor chip. To do this, the rotor chip plate 5003 is mounted onto a motor adaptor 5005, which plugs onto the shaft of motor 310 (the motor being as shown in Figures 11 and 14). The configuration of rotor chip plate 5003 is shown in more detail in Figure 15, to illustrate the manner in which the "universal rotor chip" can connect any reagent to any outlet.

The rotor chip plate 5003 consists of a plastic disc having thirty-two linking channels formed therein -sixteen pressure linking channels 5007 and sixteen reagent linking channels 5009.

The pressure linking channels 5007 have a pressure inlet 5007a, positioned towards the outer extremity of the rotor chip plate 5003, on track 5011, and a pressure outlet 5007b, positioned relatively inwards on track 5013. When suitably rotated, the pressure inlet 5007a mates with a pressure outlet hole provided in interface plate 4003, and pressure outlet 5007b simultaneously mates with a pressure inlet hole provided in pressure plate 4005, so as to establish a connection between a cartridge pressurisation port 3013a and a reagent reservoir 3007. By rotating the rotor chip 5001, the rotor chip can be made to connect to any of the cartridge pressurisation ports.

The sixteen reagent linking channels 5009 comprise a first opening 5009a and second opening 5009b. When the rotor chip plate 5003 is positioned such that pressure inlet 5007a and pressure outlet 5007b establish a fluid connection to the reagent reservoir, at least one reagent linking channel 5009 will be positioned such that first opening 5009a aligns with an opening in reagent input plate 4007 and the other opening 5009b aligns with a reagent output line on interface plate 4003. Both opening 5009a and 5009b are positioned on track 5015, at the same distance from the axis of rotation, so that each opening can serve as either an inlet or an outlet. Having the reagent linking channel openings 5009a and 5009b positioned on a different track to the pressure inlet 5007a and pressure outlet 5007b limits the chances of cross-contamination of the pressurisation system with reagent during rotation of the rotor chip 5001.

The overall channel structure of the stator assembly chip and universal rotor chip leading to the reagent wells is shown in Figure 16A, where the bottommost first layer shows channels of the rotor chip, the second layer shows channels of the interface plate, the third layer shows channels of the pressure plate with lines extending upwards to the top of the reagent wells, the fourth layer shows channels of the reagent input plate extending from the base of the reagent wells. Figure 16B shows how pressure delivered to the interface plate is fed via the rotor chip to the pressure plate, and from there up the reagent pressure supply channel (corresponding to feature 3009 in Figure 13) to pressurise the back left reagent well. The resulting flow of reagent from the backmost reagent well travels through the channels of the reagent input plate, down into the rotor chip, and then to the interface plate.

The pressure linking channels 5007 and reagent linking channels 5009 are formed as closed channels (for example, having a cylindrical cross-section) at the same plane within the rotor chip 5003, to simplify manufacture and ensure that the rotor chip is relatively compact. The reagent linking channels 5009 are formed as curved paths, in order to accommodate all of the channels in the same plane.

Figures 17 and 18 provides alternative chip rotor plates suitable for use in the present invention.

In Figure 17, rotor chip 5101 has a branched linking channel in which a single opening on one side of the chip is connected to 20 openings on the opposite. The linking channel can be used to link up to thirteen reagent inputs, labelled IR1-1R13, to up to eight output reagent outputs, labelled F1-F9. In the left-hand image, the rotor chip 5101 is rotated so as to deliver reagent IR, to all of F1-F9 simultaneously. In the right-hand image, the rotor chip 5101 has been rotated so that reagent Ri3 is fed to all of El-Fe simultaneously. If the rotor chip 5101 is rotated further, then the device can be used to simultaneously provide a number of reagent simultaneously to any output selected from F1-F9.

Figure 18 shows a rotor chip 5201 designed for hydrodynamic focussing. In this case, the device features three reagent output openings F2, F7 and F3, which can be fed by three reagent input channels 5203 simultaneously. Nine reagent input openings are provided, R1-R9, of which only three connected at one point. In the left-hand image, reagent input openings R3, R6 and R9 are connected to the reagent output openings. In the right-hand image the rotor chip 5201 has been rotated, so that the reagent input openings R1, R4 and R7 are connected to the reagent output openings. The reagent output openings F2, F7 and F5 are arcuate slots 5205, which allows them to mate with the same opening of the stator assembly irrespective of which three reagent input openings are connected. The arcuate slots are relatively close to the axis of rotation so that the slots can be relatively short whilst still being able to access the same opening of the stator assembly.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and "include", and variations such as "comprises", "comprising", and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. Men such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +/-10%.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A reagent cartridge for delivering reagents to a microfluidic system, the reagent cartridge comprising a housing containing: a plurality of reagent reservoirs; a plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports, for pressurising the reagent reservoirs in use; a plurality of cartridge outlet ports, for dispensing reagent from the cartridge in use; and - a valve assembly, for regulating pressurisation of the reagent reservoirs and flow of reagents from the reagent reservoirs to the cartridge outlet ports in use, the valve assembly comprising: o a stator chip assembly, comprising * a plurality of primary reagent channels fluidly connected to the reagent reservoirs; and * a plurality of secondary reagent channels fluidly connected to the cartridge outlet ports; * a plurality of primary pressure channels fluidly connected to the cartridge pressurisation ports; * a plurality of secondary pressure channels fluidly connected to the reagent reservoirs; and o a rotor chip, sealingly engaging the stator chip assembly, the rotor chip having * one or more reagent linking channel(s) for fluidly connecting the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels; and * one or more pressure linking channel(s) for fluidly connecting the primary pressure channels to the secondary pressure channels; o wherein the rotor chip is rotatable relative to the stator chip assembly between a first position and a second position, and wherein * said rotation causes the reagent linking channel(s) to establish a different fluid connection between the primary reagent channel(s) and the secondary reagent channel(s) in the first position compared to the second position; and/or * said rotation causes the pressure linking channel(s) to establish a different fluid connection between the primary pressure channel(s) and the secondary pressure channels in the first position compared to the second position.
2. A reagent cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the rotor chip comprises a plurality of reagent linking channels.
3. A reagent cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the reagent linking channels are provided in the same plane of the rotor chip.
4. A reagent cartridge according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of linking channels are capable of linking any primary reagent channel to any secondary reagent channel.
5. A reagent cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the rotor chip comprises a plurality of pressure linking channels in addition to said plurality of reagent linking channels.
6. A reagent cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the reagent linking channels and pressure linking channels are provided in the same plane of the rotor chip.
7. A reagent cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels of the stator chip assembly open onto the same face of the stator chip assembly, and the rotor chip assembly engages said face of the stator chip assembly.
8. A reagent cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the rotor chip has a first face which engages the stator chip assembly, and a second face having a motor mounting adaptor.
9. A reagent cartridge according to claims 7 or 8, wherein the reagent linking channel(s) and pressure linking channel(s) consist of closed channels having openings on a face of the rotor chip.
10. A reagent cartridge according claim 9, wherein the openings of the reagent linking channel(s) and pressure linking channel(s) are positioned according to a regular angular pattern.
11. A reagent cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the angle between any two openings of the reagent linking channel(s) and/or pressure linking channel(s) on the rotor chip, as measured from the axis of rotation of the rotor chip, is a multiple of 360°/n where n is an integer of 3 or more.
12. A reagent cartridge according to any one of 9 to 11, wherein the openings of the pressure linking channel(s) on the rotor chip are positioned on a different track to the openings of the reagent linking channel(s), such that the openings of the pressure linking channel(s) are positioned at a different distance from the axis of rotation of the rotor chip compared to the openings of the reagent linking channel(s).
13. A reagent cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the openings for the pressure linking channel(s) are on a track further outwards than the openings for the reagent linking channel(s).
14. A reagent cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the reagent linking channels is a branched channel suitable for connecting a primary reagent channel to multiple secondary reagent channels, or a secondary reagent channel to multiple primary reagent channels.
15. A reagent cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one reagent linking channel and/or pressure linking channel includes a slot-shaped opening extending around the rotational axis of the rotor chip.
16. A reagent cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of reagent linking channels is arranged such that any primary reagent channel can be connected to any secondary reagent channel.
17. A reagent cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor chip and stator chip assembly include one or more indexing elements, to help achieve the correct indexing between rotor chip and stator chip assembly after the rotor chip moves between said first and second position.
18. A reagent cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the one or more indexing elements is a spring plunger system provided at the interface between the rotor chip and stator chip.
19. A reagent cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stator chip assembly is a single plate having the reagent input channels, reagent output channels, and pressure input channels formed therein.
20. A reagent cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has a mating surface for connection to a cartridge socket, wherein the cartridge pressurisation ports and cartridge outlet ports are provided on the mating surface of the housing, to allow the cartridge to be plugged into corresponding ports on the cartridge socket.
21. A reagent cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports and plurality of cartridge outlet ports take the form of holes provided in the housing.
22. A reagent cartridge comprises a housing having a mating surface for connection to a cartridge socket, the housing containing: - a plurality of reagent reservoirs; a plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports in fluid communication with the reagent reservoirs, for pressurising the reagent reservoirs in use; a plurality of cartridge outlet ports, for dispensing reagent from the cartridge in use; and a valve assembly, for regulating flow of reagents from the reagent reservoirs to the cartridge outlet ports in use, the valve assembly comprising: o a stator chip assembly, comprising * a plurality of primary reagent channels fluidly connected to the reagent reservoirs; and * a plurality of secondary reagent channels fluidly connected to the cartridge outlet ports; and o a rotor chip, sealingly engaging the stator chip assembly, the rotor chip having one or more linking channel(s) for fluidly connecting the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels; wherein the rotor chip is rotatable relative to the stator chip assembly between a first position and a second position, and wherein said rotation causes the linking channel(s) to establish a different fluid connection between the primary reagent channel(s) and the secondary reagent channel(s) in the first position compared to the second position; wherein the cartridge pressurisation ports and cartridge outlet ports are provided on the mating surface of the housing, to allow the cartridge to be plugged into corresponding ports on said cartridge socket in use.
23. A reagent cartridge comprising a housing containing: - a plurality of reagent reservoirs; a plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports, for pressurising the reagent reservoirs in use; a plurality of cartridge outlet ports, for dispensing reagent from the cartridge in use; and - a valve assembly, for regulating flow of reagents from the reagent reservoirs to the cartridge outlet ports in use, the valve assembly comprising: o a stator chip assembly, comprising * a plurality of primary reagent channels fluidly connected to the reagent reservoirs; and * a plurality of secondary reagent channels fluidly connected to the cartridge outlet ports; o a rotor chip, sealingly engaging the stator chip, the rotor chip having a plurality of reagent linking channel(s) for fluidly connecting the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels; o wherein the rotor chip is rotatable relative to the stator chip assembly, and wherein said rotation causes the reagent linking channel(s) to establish a different fluid connection between the primary reagent channel(s) and the secondary reagent channel(s); and wherein the plurality of reagent linking channels is arranged such that any primary reagent channel can be connected to any secondary reagent channel.
24. A reagent cartridge comprising a housing containing: a plurality of reagent reservoirs; -a plurality of cartridge pressurisation ports, for pressurising the reagent reservoirs in use; a plurality of cartridge outlet ports, for dispensing reagent from the cartridge in use; and a valve assembly, for regulating flow of reagents from the reagent reservoirs to the cartridge outlet ports in use, the valve assembly comprising: o a stator chip assembly, comprising * a plurality of primary reagent channels fluidly connected to the reagent reservoirs; and * a plurality of secondary reagent channels fluidly connected to the cartridge outlet ports; o a rotor chip, sealingly engaging the stator chip, the rotor chip having a branched reagent linking channel(s) for fluidly connecting the primary reagent channels and secondary reagent channels; wherein the rotor chip is rotatable relative to the stator chip assembly, and wherein said rotation causes the reagent linking channel(s) to establish a different fluid connection between the primary reagent channel(s) and the secondary reagent channel(s); and wherein the branched reagent linking channel(s) is able to simultaneously direct flow from a primary reagent channel to multiple secondary reagent channels and/or is able to simultaneously direct flow from multiple primary reagent channels to a secondary reagent channel.
25. A microfluidic device, comprising a reagent cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 24.