US20230050391A1 - Thermally controlled reagent release - Google Patents
Thermally controlled reagent release Download PDFInfo
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- US20230050391A1 US20230050391A1 US17/974,743 US202217974743A US2023050391A1 US 20230050391 A1 US20230050391 A1 US 20230050391A1 US 202217974743 A US202217974743 A US 202217974743A US 2023050391 A1 US2023050391 A1 US 2023050391A1
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- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
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Definitions
- Microfluidic devices are increasingly commonplace in a variety of environments. For example, microfluidic devices have applicability in biology, medicine, genetics and numerous other fields. Microfluidic devices may include such devices as lab-on-a-chip micrototal analytical systems and can carry, analyze, or process various particles, bacteria, biological cells and other solid and soft objects of microscale. Various microfluidic devices may include fluids flowing through narrow channels. In a lab-on-a-chip, for example, blood cells may be moved from one chamber to another, such as from an input port to a reaction chamber. In other examples, the microfluidic device may be provided for the flow of other fluids or materials, such as blood or other biological fluids.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for selective release of material in thermally degradable capsules
- FIGS. 2 - 4 illustrate perspective views of other example systems
- FIGS. 5 - 7 illustrate side views of other example systems
- FIGS. 8 - 10 illustrate configuring of the example system of FIG. 7 with selected capsules
- FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an example system for amplification and detection of a nucleic acid segment
- FIG. 13 illustrated another example system for amplification and detection of a nucleic acid segment
- FIGS. 14 - 16 illustrate an example system for detection of an antigen
- FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for detection of an antigen.
- microfluidic devices may include fluids flowing through narrow channels.
- the fluids may include reagents or other material to be released when desired.
- an antibody or a nucleic acid segment may be released into a flow for testing or to facilitate testing.
- Such microfluidic devices may be used to test a large number of targets, such as nucleic acid segments, antigens or the like.
- targets such as nucleic acid segments, antigens or the like.
- microfluidic devices may be formed for specific set of targets or may call upon an operator to manually configure the devices for a particular set of targets.
- various types of reagents may be stored, or retained, in an array using an array of retaining features.
- An array of releasing features is provided with releasing features corresponding to each retaining feature in the array of retaining features.
- the reagents are stored in a capsule with a thermally degradable shell surrounding the reagent, with the capsules being retained by the retaining features.
- a releasing feature is actuated to release a corresponding reagent.
- the retaining features include physical barriers such as pillars, weirs, meshes, magnetic portions, or other features which facilitate positioning of the capsules.
- the releasing features such as resistors, generate thermal energy to degrade the shell of a selected capsule to cause release of the reagent.
- the reagent and the nucleic acid segment are passed through a thermocycling region to cause amplification of the nucleic acid segment.
- Various nucleic acid segments may be processed in sequence, with corresponding reagents being released in sequence corresponding to the nucleic acid segments.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for selective release of material in thermally degradable capsules.
- the example system 100 may be implemented as a lab-on-a-chip or a part thereof.
- the example system 100 of FIG. 1 includes a microfluidic cavity 110 which may accommodate particles or fluid therein.
- the cavity 110 is a microfluidic channel with a cross-sectional width of between about 10 ⁇ m and about 500 ⁇ m.
- the example system 100 is provided with an array of retaining features 120 a - n within the microfluidic cavity 110 .
- the example system 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated with three retaining features 120 , but any practical number is possible and contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.
- Each retaining feature 120 a - n is provided to position capsules 130 a - c at a predetermined location in the microfluidic cavity 110 .
- the capsules 130 include a shell 132 enclosing material 134 therein.
- the shell 132 is formed of a thermally degradable material, such as wax or a polymer.
- the thermally degradable material may be selected based on a variety of factors, such as the melting point of the thermally degradable material.
- the thermally degradable material used for the shell 132 may be icosane (C 20 H 42 ), triacontane (C 30 H 62 ), tetracontane (C 40 H 82 ), pentacontane (C 50 H 102 ), hexacontane (C 60 H 122 ), or a combination thereof.
- the material 134 in the shell 132 may include any of a variety of materials such as a reagent, antibody, nucleic acid fragment, or a combination thereof, for example. In various examples, the material 134 may be provided in an aqueous solution.
- each retaining feature 120 a - n may be a mechanical barrier sized to prevent flow of the capsules 130 a - n through the barrier.
- the retaining features 120 a - n may be provided with openings or spacing to allow flow of the material 134 through the microfluidic cavity when the material 134 is released from the capsule 130 .
- retaining feature 120 are described below with reference to FIGS. 2 - 4 .
- the retaining feature 120 a - n may be implemented as a non-mechanical feature, examples of which are described below with reference to FIGS. 5 - 7 .
- the example system 100 of FIG. 1 is provided with an array of thermally controlled releasing features 140 a - n .
- Each releasing feature 140 a - n of FIG. 1 is to selectively cause degradation of the shell 132 of the capsule 130 , thus releasing the material 134 into the microfluidic cavity 110 .
- the releasing feature 140 a - n generates thermal energy (e.g., heat) to facilitate degradation of the shell 132 , with the shell 132 formed of a thermally degradable material.
- the releasing feature 140 a - n of the example system 100 of FIG. 1 is positioned adjacent to a corresponding retaining feature 120 a - n substantially at the predetermined position for retaining the capsules.
- the example system 100 of FIG. 1 further includes a controller 150 coupled to each releasing feature 140 a - n in the array of thermally controlled releasing features.
- the controller 150 may selectively activate at least one releasing feature 140 a - n in the array to degrade the shell 132 of the corresponding cells and to release the material 134 (e.g., biological reagent) in the capsules 130 a - n positioned at the retaining feature 120 a - n corresponding to the activated releasing feature 140 a - n.
- the material 134 e.g., biological reagent
- FIG. 2 a perspective view of another example system 200 is illustrated.
- the example system 200 is similar to the example system 100 of FIG. 1 and includes a microfluidic cavity 210 .
- the microfluidic cavity 210 may be a microfluidic channel.
- the example system 200 of FIG. 2 further includes an array of retaining features 220 a - n and an array of releasing features 240 a - n .
- each retaining feature 220 a - n is provided to position capsules (not shown in FIG. 2 ) at a predetermined location in the microfluidic cavity 210 .
- FIG. 2 In the example system 200 of FIG.
- each retaining feature 220 a - n includes a set of pillars 222 a - n .
- the pillars 222 a - n extend the entire height of the microfluidic cavity 210 , as illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- the pillars 222 a - n may extend up to a predetermined height that is less than the entire height of the microfluidic cavity 210 .
- the pillars 222 a - n are separated by a gap between adjacent pillars 222 .
- the size of the gap is selected to be sufficiently small to prevent the capsules from passing through.
- the gap may be selected to be a size smaller than the diameter of the capsules.
- the gap is sized to allow the material (e.g., antigens) enclosed in the capsules to pass through when the material is released from the capsules.
- each releasing feature 240 a - n is provided to selectively cause degradation of the shell of the capsule by generating thermal energy.
- the releasing features 240 a - n each include at least one resistor 242 a - n . When activated, the resistors 242 a - n generate heat to cause degradation of the thermally degradable shell of capsules positioned above the respective releasing feature 240 .
- each releasing feature 240 a - n includes a single resistor.
- each releasing feature includes an array of resistors 242 a - n . As described below with reference to FIGS.
- thermal energy from the releasing features 240 a - n causes degradation of the shell of the capsule, allowing the material enclosed in the shell to be released into the microfluidic cavity 210 .
- the resistors 242 a - n may also cause the shell of the capsule to break via force generated with pulsing of the resistors 242 a - n . Thus, the shell may be broken mechanically.
- FIG. 3 a perspective view of another example system 300 is illustrated.
- the example system 300 is similar to the example system 200 of FIG. 2 and includes a microfluidic cavity 310 and an array of releasing features 340 a - n with an array of resistors 342 a - n .
- the example system 300 of FIG. 3 further includes an array of retaining features 320 a - n .
- each retaining feature 320 a - n includes a weir 322 a - n .
- each weir 322 a - n extends substantially the entire width of the microfluidic cavity 310 .
- each weir 322 a - n may be a wall that prevents capsules from passing to the sides of the weir 322 a - n . As illustrated in the example of FIG. 3 , each weir 322 a - n extends only part of the height of the microfluidic cavity 310 . Thus, capsules may be positioned as sediment in the predetermined position (e.g., above the releasing feature 340 a - n ). When the material within the capsules is released, the released material may pass over the weir 322 a - n through the microfluidic cavity 310 .
- FIG. 4 a perspective view of another example system 400 is illustrated.
- the example system 400 is similar to the example systems 200 , 300 of FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively, and includes a microfluidic cavity 410 and an array of releasing features 440 a - n with an array of resistors 442 a - n .
- the example system 400 of FIG. 4 further includes an array of retaining features 420 a - n .
- each retaining feature 420 a - n includes a mesh 422 a - n .
- FIG. 4 As illustrated in FIG.
- each mesh 422 a - n extends substantially the entire width of the microfluidic cavity 410 to prevent capsules from passing to the sides of the mesh 422 a - n . As illustrated in the example of FIG. 4 , each mesh 422 a - n extends only part of the height of the microfluidic cavity 410 . In other examples, the mesh 422 a - n may extend the entire height of the microfluidic cavity 410 .
- the mesh 422 a - n is provided with openings that are smaller than the diameter of the capsules.
- the mesh 422 prevents the capsules from passing through.
- the openings are sufficiently large to allow the material encapsulated in the capsules from passing through when the material is released from the capsules.
- the example system 500 of FIG. 5 includes a microfluidic cavity 510 which may accommodate particles or fluid therein.
- the example system 500 further includes an array of retaining features 520 a - n for positioning capsules 530 a - n in a predetermined location and an array of releasing features 540 a - n to release material 534 encapsulated in a shell 532 of the capsules 530 .
- an array of retaining features 520 a - n for positioning capsules 530 a - n in a predetermined location and an array of releasing features 540 a - n to release material 534 encapsulated in a shell 532 of the capsules 530 .
- each retaining feature 520 a - n and corresponding releasing feature 540 a - n may be provided to have capsules 530 a - n with a different corresponding material 534 therein.
- each releasing feature 540 a - n may include a resistor, or an array of resistors, to generate thermal energy to degrade the thermally degradable shell of the capsules 530 a -i n.
- Each retaining feature 520 a - n of the example system 500 of FIG. 5 includes a magnet (e.g., electromagnet) positioned above the corresponding releasing feature 540 a - n .
- the retaining feature 520 a - n uses magnetic forces to selectively position the capsules 530 a - n at the predetermined location in the microfluidic cavity 510 .
- the capsules 530 are provided with metal nanoparticles 536 embedded within the thermally degradable shell 532 .
- the metal nanoparticles 536 are attracted by the magnet of the retaining feature 520 , thus positioning the capsules 530 a - n at the corresponding retaining feature 520 a - n.
- the example system 600 of FIG. 6 includes a microfluidic cavity 610 which may accommodate particles or fluid therein.
- the example system 600 further includes an array of retaining features 620 a - n for positioning capsules 630 a - n in a predetermined location and an array of releasing features 640 a - n to release material encapsulated in a shell of the capsules 630 a - n .
- each releasing feature may include a resistor, or an array of resistors, to generate thermal energy to degrade the thermally degradable shell of the capsules 630 a - n.
- Each retaining feature 620 a - n of the example system 600 of FIG. 6 includes a hydrophobic surface 622 a - n .
- the hydrophobic surface 622 a - n has a low surface energy to which the thermally degradable material (e.g., wax) of the shell of the capsules attaches.
- the hydrophobic surface 622 a - n of each retaining feature 620 a - n is surrounded by a hydrophilic surface 624 .
- the difference in the surface energy between the hydrophobic surface 622 a - n and the hydrophilic surface 624 is increased, enhancing the settling of the capsules 630 a - n to the corresponding hydrophobic surface 622 a - n.
- the example system 700 of FIG. 7 includes a microfluidic cavity 710 which may accommodate particles or fluid therein.
- the example system 700 further includes an array of retaining features 720 a - n for positioning capsules 730 a - n in a predetermined location and an array of releasing features 740 a - n to release material encapsulated in a shell of the capsules 730 a - n .
- each releasing feature may include a. resistor, or an array of resistors, to generate thermal energy to degrade the thermally degradable shell of the capsules 730 .
- Each retaining feature 720 a - n of the example system 700 of FIG. 7 includes a set of dielectrophoreses (DEP) electrodes 722 a - n .
- the DEP force generated by the DEP electrodes 722 a - n is selected to be sufficient to attract the capsules 730 a - n .
- the DEP electrodes 722 a - n are spaced apart within the predetermined location at which the capsules 730 are to be positioned.
- the example system 700 may be provided with no capsules included and may serve as a template or a blank that may be configurable by the user.
- the user may select capsules with desired material (e.g., reagent, nucleic acid segment, antibody, etc.) enclosed in a thermally degradable shell.
- the system 700 may be provided with any practical number (n) of retaining features 720 and releasing features 740 .
- the user may select n different types of capsules, each corresponding to one retaining feature 720 in the array of retaining features.
- a user may select a first material in the capsule (e.g., a first type of antibody) and flow capsules with the selected material through the microfluidic cavity 710 .
- the user or a controller coupled to the example device 700 , may activate the DEP electrodes 722 a corresponding to a selected retaining feature 720 .
- the DEP force generated by the DEP electrodes 722 a causes at least some of the capsules 730 a flowing through the microfluidic cavity 710 to be retained at the predetermined location (e.g., above the releasing feature 740 a ).
- the DEP electrodes 722 a associated with the first retaining feature 720 a may be deactivated. The process may then be repeated for capsules with additional types of materials enclosed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , a second set of capsules 730 b is flowed through the microfluidic cavity 710 , and a different set of DEP electrodes 722 b are activated. Again, the DEP force generated by the DEP electrodes 722 b causes at least some of the capsules 730 b flowing through the microfluidic cavity 710 to be retained at the predetermined location (e.g., above the releasing feature 740 b ). FIG. 10 illustrates the process being repeated for the nth set of capsules 730 n , which are retained at the nth retaining feature 720 n.
- the example system 1100 of FIGS. 11 and 12 includes a microfluidic cavity 1110 , an array of retaining features 1120 a,b , and an array of corresponding releasing features 1140 a,b .
- Each retaining feature 1120 a,b is provided to position corresponding capsules 1130 a,b at a predetermined location in the microfluidic cavity 1110 .
- each retaining feature 1120 a,b is provided with capsules 1130 a,b containing a corresponding type of reagent.
- a controller 1150 is coupled to each releasing feature 1140 a,b to selectively activate each releasing feature 1140 a,b to generate thermal energy to degrade the shell of the corresponding capsules 1130 a,b.
- thermocycling portion 1160 a,b corresponding to each releasing feature 1140 a,b .
- the thermocycling portion 1160 a,b is provided to cause amplification of a nucleic acid segment. The amplification is facilitated by a reagent released from the capsules 11300 .
- the temperature in the thermocycling portion 1160 a,b is actively cycled through various temperatures to facilitate amplification of the nucleic acid segments.
- the temperature profile in the thermocycling portion 1160 a,b may be selected for particular applications.
- the temperature profile in the thermocycling portion 1160 a,b includes a denaturation step with the temperature at about 95 C followed by a primer annealing step at about 65 C and a primer extension step at about 73 C.
- Material in the thermocycling portion 1160 a,b may be exposed to numerous cycles of the temperature profile. In one example, the material may be exposed to between about 25 and about 50 cycles of the temperature profile, with each step in each cycle lasting between about 1 millisecond and about 20 minutes. In one example, each step in each cycle lasts about 2 minutes.
- the example system 1100 is further provided with a detection portion 1170 a,b corresponding to each thermocycling portion 1160 a,b .
- the controller 1150 is coupled to a corresponding releasing feature 1140 a,b , a corresponding thermocycling portion 1160 a,b , and a corresponding detection portion 1170 a,b.
- a nucleic acid segment 1190 is flowed through the microfluidic cavity 1110 .
- the nucleic acid segment 1190 may be provided in an aqueous solution.
- the controller 1150 activates the first releasing feature 1140 a to generate thermal energy.
- the thermal energy causes the shell of the capsules to degrade, resulting in release of a reagent 1134 a into the microfluidic cavity 1110 .
- the reagent 1134 a and the nucleic acid segment 1190 are then passed through the thermocycling portion 1160 a corresponding to the first releasing feature 1140 a .
- the addition of the first reagent 1134 a to the flow causes amplification of the nucleic acid segment 1190 .
- the amplified nucleic acid segment 1190 would then be detectable by the detection portion 1170 a .
- the controller 1150 may then receive a signal from the detection portion 1170 a , allowing the controller 1150 to determine whether the detection portion 1170 a detected the amplified nucleic acid segment.
- the nucleic acid segment 1190 may continue to flow through the microfluidic cavity 1110 , and the controller may repeat the process with additional releasing features, such as releasing feature 1140 b .
- Activation of the second releasing feature causes thermal energy to degrade the shell of the second capsules 1130 b , thus releasing a second reagent 1134 b into the microfluidic cavity 1110 .
- the second reagent 1134 b is different from the first reagent 1134 a .
- each reagent 1134 a,b may be selected to facilitate amplification of a specific nucleic acid segment 1190 .
- each thermocycling portion 1160 a,b may amplify the nucleic acid segment if the nucleic acid segment corresponds to the reagent 1134 a,b associated with the thermocycling portion 1160 a,b.
- FIG. 13 another example system for amplification and detection of a nucleic acid segment is illustrated.
- the example system 1100 described above with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 processes the nucleic acid segment with different reagents in a sequential manner
- the example system 1300 of FIG. 13 allows the various reagents to be released in a parallel manner.
- the example system 1300 is provided with a microfluidic cavity 1310 into which a nucleic acid segment is released.
- the microfluidic cavity 1310 branches into multiple channels 1310 a - n .
- Each channel 1310 a - n includes a corresponding retaining feature 1320 a - n , releasing feature 1340 a - n , thermocycling portion 1360 a - n , and corresponding detection portion 1370 a - n .
- the nucleic acid segment may be tested with numerous reagents simultaneously.
- the example system 1400 of FIGS. 14 - 16 includes a microtluidic cavity 1410 , an array of retaining features 1420 a - n and an array of corresponding releasing features 1440 a - n .
- Each retaining feature 1420 a - n is provided to position corresponding capsules 1430 a - n at a predetermined location in the microfluidic cavity 1410 .
- each retaining feature 1420 a - n is provided with capsules 1430 a - n containing a corresponding type of primary antibody.
- a controller 1450 is coupled to each releasing feature 1440 a - n to selectively activate each releasing feature 1440 a - n to generate thermal energy to degrade the shell of the corresponding capsules 1430 a - n.
- the example system 1400 is further provided with an array of immobilized secondary antibodies 1460 a - n .
- the array of immobilized secondary antibodies 1460 a - n may be an array of regions with each region containing secondary antibodies of a specific type.
- each immobilized secondary antibody 1460 a - n is associated with a primary antibody in a corresponding capsule 1430 a - n .
- the primary antibodies in the capsules 1430 a - n and the immobilized secondary antibodies 1460 a - n may bind to various antigens, as illustrated below.
- the example system 1400 is further provided with a detection portion 1470 to detect or determine whether an antigen is binded to any of the immobilized secondary antibodies 1460 a - n.
- FIGS. 14 - 16 illustrate an example operation of the example system 1400 to detect the presence of antigens.
- a set of antigens 1490 is released into the microfluidic cavity 1410 .
- the antigens 1490 are allowed to pass through to the array of immobilize secondary antibodies 1460 a - n .
- the retaining features 1420 a - n may be sized to allow passing through of antigens 1490 a - n .
- Various antigens 1490 a - n may bind to corresponding immobilized secondary antibodies 1460 a - n , as illustrated in FIG. 14 .
- the controller 1450 may then sequentially activate each releasing feature 1440 a - n , as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 .
- the controller 1450 activates the first releasing feature 1440 a , thus generating thermal energy to degrade the shell of the capsules 1430 a .
- the primary antibodies 1492 a in the first set of capsules 1430 a are then released into the microtluidic cavity 1410 and can flow downstream (to the right in FIGS. 14 - 16 ).
- the primary antibodies 1492 a in the first set of capsules 1430 a may be selected to bind a specific antigens.
- the primary antibodies 1492 a will bind to the antigens at the immobilized secondary antibodies 1460 a - n .
- the primary antibodies 1492 a are shown binded to an antigen which is binded to the first immobilized secondary antibody 1460 a.
- the primary antibodies 1492 a may include a characteristic that is detectable by the detection portion 1470 .
- the detection portion 1470 may detect florescence or other such characteristic if the primary antibody is present at any of the immobilized secondary antibodies 1460 a - n .
- the controller may detect the presence of the first primary antibody 1492 a at the first immobilized secondary antibody 1460 a .
- an agent may be flowed through the microfluidic channel to remove the detectable characteristic prior to release of subsequent primary antibodies.
- the fluorophore on the first primary antibody binded to the first immobilized secondary antibody 1460 a may be removed with a photobleach, for example.
- the controller may then repeat the process with subsequent releasing features 1440 b - n .
- FIG. 15 illustrates the activation of the second releasing feature 1440 b and release of second primary antibodies 1492 b , which are shown as binded to the second immobilized secondary antibody 1460 b.
- n the number of components in each array is shown as n. It will be understood that, in various examples, n may be any practical number. Further, the number of immobilized secondary antibodies 1460 may be different than the number of retaining feature 1420 , the number of releasing features 1440 or the number of types of primary antibodies 1492 .
- the example method 1700 may be implemented, for example, in the system 1400 described above with reference to FIGS. 14 - 16 .
- the example method 1700 includes directing a flow of antigens into a microfluidic cavity (block 1710 ).
- the antigens 1490 may be flowed into the microfluidic cavity 1410 of the example system 1400 .
- the antigens are flowed to an array of immobilized antibodies, such as the immobilized secondary antibodies 1460 a - n .
- the antigens may include different types of antigens, and the array of immobilized antibodies may include different types of immobilized antibodies. Each type of immobilized antibody may be selected to bind to a corresponding antigen.
- the example method 1700 further includes activating a selected releasing feature from an array of releasing features to release primary antibodies contained in capsules (block 1720 ).
- the selected releasing feature corresponds to a capsule with a selected primary antibody.
- the capsule has a thermally degradable shell (e.g., wax or polymer) enclosing the selected primary antibody therein.
- the example method 1700 further includes detecting whether the released selected primary antibody is binded to at least one antigen binded to the selected immobilized antibody (block 1730 ). As described above, if an antigen associated with the primary antibody is binded to an immobilized antibody, the primary antibody may bind to the antigen at the immobilized antibody. A fluorophore on the primary antibody may be detected by a detection portion provided proximate to the immobilized antibodies.
Abstract
An example system includes an array of retaining features in a microfluidic cavity, an array of thermally controlled releasing features, and a controller coupled to each releasing feature in the array of releasing feature. Each retaining feature in the array of retaining features is to position capsules at a predetermined location, the capsules having a thermally degradable shell enclosing a biological reagent therein. Each releasing feature in the array of releasing features corresponds to a retaining feature and is to selectively cause degradation of the shell of a capsule. Each releasing feature is to generate thermal energy to facilitate degradation of the shell. The controller is to selectively activate at least one releasing feature in the array of thermally controlled releasing features to release the biological reagent in the capsules positioned at the retaining feature corresponding to the activated releasing feature.
Description
- The present application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 16/605,780 filed on Oct. 16, 2019, which was a 35 U.S.C. 371 National Stage Application of PCT/US2018/029737 filed on Apr. 27, 2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- Microfluidic devices are increasingly commonplace in a variety of environments. For example, microfluidic devices have applicability in biology, medicine, genetics and numerous other fields. Microfluidic devices may include such devices as lab-on-a-chip micrototal analytical systems and can carry, analyze, or process various particles, bacteria, biological cells and other solid and soft objects of microscale. Various microfluidic devices may include fluids flowing through narrow channels. In a lab-on-a-chip, for example, blood cells may be moved from one chamber to another, such as from an input port to a reaction chamber. In other examples, the microfluidic device may be provided for the flow of other fluids or materials, such as blood or other biological fluids.
- For a more complete understanding of various examples, reference is now made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for selective release of material in thermally degradable capsules; -
FIGS. 2-4 illustrate perspective views of other example systems; -
FIGS. 5-7 illustrate side views of other example systems; -
FIGS. 8-10 illustrate configuring of the example system ofFIG. 7 with selected capsules; -
FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an example system for amplification and detection of a nucleic acid segment; -
FIG. 13 illustrated another example system for amplification and detection of a nucleic acid segment; -
FIGS. 14-16 illustrate an example system for detection of an antigen; and -
FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for detection of an antigen. - As noted above, microfluidic devices may include fluids flowing through narrow channels. In various examples, the fluids may include reagents or other material to be released when desired. For example, an antibody or a nucleic acid segment may be released into a flow for testing or to facilitate testing. Such microfluidic devices may be used to test a large number of targets, such as nucleic acid segments, antigens or the like. Thus, microfluidic devices may be formed for specific set of targets or may call upon an operator to manually configure the devices for a particular set of targets.
- Various examples described herein relate to detection or testing of nucleic acid segments. In various examples, various types of reagents may be stored, or retained, in an array using an array of retaining features. An array of releasing features is provided with releasing features corresponding to each retaining feature in the array of retaining features. The reagents are stored in a capsule with a thermally degradable shell surrounding the reagent, with the capsules being retained by the retaining features. When a nucleic acid is to be processed, a. releasing feature is actuated to release a corresponding reagent. In various examples, the retaining features include physical barriers such as pillars, weirs, meshes, magnetic portions, or other features which facilitate positioning of the capsules. The releasing features, such as resistors, generate thermal energy to degrade the shell of a selected capsule to cause release of the reagent. The reagent and the nucleic acid segment are passed through a thermocycling region to cause amplification of the nucleic acid segment. Various nucleic acid segments may be processed in sequence, with corresponding reagents being released in sequence corresponding to the nucleic acid segments. Thus, various examples described herein provide microfluidic devices that may be configured or reconfigured as desired for testing of a large variety of targets.
- Referring now to the Figures,
FIG. 1 illustrates anexample system 100 for selective release of material in thermally degradable capsules. In various examples, theexample system 100 may be implemented as a lab-on-a-chip or a part thereof. Theexample system 100 ofFIG. 1 includes amicrofluidic cavity 110 which may accommodate particles or fluid therein. In one example, thecavity 110 is a microfluidic channel with a cross-sectional width of between about 10 μm and about 500 μm. - The
example system 100 is provided with an array of retaining features 120 a-n within themicrofluidic cavity 110. Theexample system 100 ofFIG. 1 is illustrated with three retaining features 120, but any practical number is possible and contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. Each retaining feature 120 a-n is provided to positioncapsules 130 a-c at a predetermined location in themicrofluidic cavity 110. As illustrated in the example ofFIG. 1 , thecapsules 130 include ashell 132 enclosingmaterial 134 therein. Theshell 132 is formed of a thermally degradable material, such as wax or a polymer. The thermally degradable material may be selected based on a variety of factors, such as the melting point of the thermally degradable material. In various examples, the thermally degradable material used for theshell 132 may be icosane (C20H42), triacontane (C30H62), tetracontane (C40H82), pentacontane (C50H102), hexacontane (C60H122), or a combination thereof. Thematerial 134 in theshell 132 may include any of a variety of materials such as a reagent, antibody, nucleic acid fragment, or a combination thereof, for example. In various examples, thematerial 134 may be provided in an aqueous solution. - In various examples, as described below, each retaining feature 120 a-n may be a mechanical barrier sized to prevent flow of the
capsules 130 a-n through the barrier. The retaining features 120 a-n may be provided with openings or spacing to allow flow of thematerial 134 through the microfluidic cavity when thematerial 134 is released from thecapsule 130. Various examples of retaining feature 120 are described below with reference toFIGS. 2-4 . In other examples, the retaining feature 120 a-n may be implemented as a non-mechanical feature, examples of which are described below with reference toFIGS. 5-7 . - To facilitate release of the
material 134 from thecapsules 130, theexample system 100 ofFIG. 1 is provided with an array of thermally controlled releasing features 140 a-n. Each releasing feature 140 a-n ofFIG. 1 is to selectively cause degradation of theshell 132 of thecapsule 130, thus releasing thematerial 134 into themicrofluidic cavity 110. In this regard, the releasing feature 140 a-n generates thermal energy (e.g., heat) to facilitate degradation of theshell 132, with theshell 132 formed of a thermally degradable material. The releasing feature 140 a-n of theexample system 100 ofFIG. 1 is positioned adjacent to a corresponding retaining feature 120 a-n substantially at the predetermined position for retaining the capsules. - The
example system 100 ofFIG. 1 further includes acontroller 150 coupled to each releasing feature 140 a-n in the array of thermally controlled releasing features. Thecontroller 150 may selectively activate at least one releasing feature 140 a-n in the array to degrade theshell 132 of the corresponding cells and to release the material 134 (e.g., biological reagent) in thecapsules 130 a-n positioned at the retaining feature 120 a-n corresponding to the activated releasing feature 140 a-n. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 , a perspective view ofanother example system 200 is illustrated. Theexample system 200 is similar to theexample system 100 ofFIG. 1 and includes amicrofluidic cavity 210. As noted above, themicrofluidic cavity 210 may be a microfluidic channel. Theexample system 200 ofFIG. 2 further includes an array of retaining features 220 a-n and an array of releasing features 240 a-n. As noted above, each retaining feature 220 a-n is provided to position capsules (not shown inFIG. 2 ) at a predetermined location in themicrofluidic cavity 210. In theexample system 200 ofFIG. 2 , each retaining feature 220 a-n includes a set of pillars 222 a-n. In one example, the pillars 222 a-n extend the entire height of themicrofluidic cavity 210, as illustrated inFIG. 2 . In other examples, the pillars 222 a-n may extend up to a predetermined height that is less than the entire height of themicrofluidic cavity 210. - The pillars 222 a-n are separated by a gap between adjacent pillars 222. The size of the gap is selected to be sufficiently small to prevent the capsules from passing through. For example, the gap may be selected to be a size smaller than the diameter of the capsules. Further, the gap is sized to allow the material (e.g., antigens) enclosed in the capsules to pass through when the material is released from the capsules.
- As noted above, each releasing feature 240 a-n is provided to selectively cause degradation of the shell of the capsule by generating thermal energy. In various examples, as illustrated in
FIG. 2 , the releasing features 240 a-n each include at least one resistor 242 a-n. When activated, the resistors 242 a-n generate heat to cause degradation of the thermally degradable shell of capsules positioned above the respective releasing feature 240. In some examples, each releasing feature 240 a-n includes a single resistor. In other examples, as illustrated inFIG. 2 , each releasing feature includes an array of resistors 242 a-n. As described below with reference toFIGS. 11-12 and 14-16 , thermal energy from the releasing features 240 a-n causes degradation of the shell of the capsule, allowing the material enclosed in the shell to be released into themicrofluidic cavity 210. In some examples, the resistors 242 a-n may also cause the shell of the capsule to break via force generated with pulsing of the resistors 242 a-n. Thus, the shell may be broken mechanically. - Referring now to
FIG. 3 , a perspective view of anotherexample system 300 is illustrated. Theexample system 300 is similar to theexample system 200 ofFIG. 2 and includes amicrofluidic cavity 310 and an array of releasing features 340 a-n with an array of resistors 342 a-n. Theexample system 300 ofFIG. 3 further includes an array of retaining features 320 a-n. In theexample system 300 ofFIG. 3 , each retaining feature 320 a-n includes a weir 322 a-n. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , each weir 322 a-n extends substantially the entire width of themicrofluidic cavity 310. In this regard, each weir 322 a-n may be a wall that prevents capsules from passing to the sides of the weir 322 a-n. As illustrated in the example ofFIG. 3 , each weir 322 a-n extends only part of the height of themicrofluidic cavity 310. Thus, capsules may be positioned as sediment in the predetermined position (e.g., above the releasing feature 340 a-n). When the material within the capsules is released, the released material may pass over the weir 322 a-n through themicrofluidic cavity 310. - Referring now to
FIG. 4 , a perspective view of anotherexample system 400 is illustrated. Theexample system 400 is similar to theexample systems FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively, and includes amicrofluidic cavity 410 and an array of releasing features 440 a-n with an array of resistors 442 a-n. Theexample system 400 ofFIG. 4 further includes an array of retaining features 420 a-n. In theexample system 400 ofFIG. 4 , each retaining feature 420 a-n includes a mesh 422 a-n. As illustrated inFIG. 4 , each mesh 422 a-n extends substantially the entire width of themicrofluidic cavity 410 to prevent capsules from passing to the sides of the mesh 422 a-n. As illustrated in the example ofFIG. 4 , each mesh 422 a-n extends only part of the height of themicrofluidic cavity 410. In other examples, the mesh 422 a-n may extend the entire height of themicrofluidic cavity 410. - In various examples, the mesh 422 a-n is provided with openings that are smaller than the diameter of the capsules. Thus, the mesh 422 prevents the capsules from passing through. The openings are sufficiently large to allow the material encapsulated in the capsules from passing through when the material is released from the capsules.
- Referring now to
FIG. 5 , a side view of anotherexample system 500 is illustrated. Theexample system 500 ofFIG. 5 includes amicrofluidic cavity 510 which may accommodate particles or fluid therein. Theexample system 500 further includes an array of retaining features 520 a-n for positioningcapsules 530 a-n in a predetermined location and an array of releasing features 540 a-n to releasematerial 534 encapsulated in ashell 532 of thecapsules 530. In various examples, as described below with reference toFIGS. 8-10 , each retaining feature 520 a-n and corresponding releasing feature 540 a-n may be provided to havecapsules 530 a-n with a differentcorresponding material 534 therein. Similar to the examples systems described above, each releasing feature 540 a-n may include a resistor, or an array of resistors, to generate thermal energy to degrade the thermally degradable shell of thecapsules 530 a-i n. - Each retaining feature 520 a-n of the
example system 500 ofFIG. 5 includes a magnet (e.g., electromagnet) positioned above the corresponding releasing feature 540 a-n. In this regard, the retaining feature 520 a-n uses magnetic forces to selectively position thecapsules 530 a-n at the predetermined location in themicrofluidic cavity 510. In theexample system 500 ofFIG. 5 , thecapsules 530 are provided withmetal nanoparticles 536 embedded within the thermallydegradable shell 532. Thus, as thecapsules 530 are flowed through the microfluidic cavity, themetal nanoparticles 536 are attracted by the magnet of the retaining feature 520, thus positioning thecapsules 530 a-n at the corresponding retaining feature 520 a-n. - Referring now to
FIG. 6 , a side view of anotherexample system 600 is illustrated. Theexample system 600 ofFIG. 6 includes amicrofluidic cavity 610 which may accommodate particles or fluid therein. Theexample system 600 further includes an array of retaining features 620 a-n for positioning capsules 630 a-n in a predetermined location and an array of releasing features 640 a-n to release material encapsulated in a shell of the capsules 630 a-n. Similar to the examples systems described above, each releasing feature may include a resistor, or an array of resistors, to generate thermal energy to degrade the thermally degradable shell of the capsules 630 a-n. - Each retaining feature 620 a-n of the
example system 600 ofFIG. 6 includes a hydrophobic surface 622 a-n. The hydrophobic surface 622 a-n has a low surface energy to which the thermally degradable material (e.g., wax) of the shell of the capsules attaches. In one example, as illustrated inFIG. 6 , the hydrophobic surface 622 a-n of each retaining feature 620 a-n is surrounded by ahydrophilic surface 624. Thus, the difference in the surface energy between the hydrophobic surface 622 a-n and thehydrophilic surface 624 is increased, enhancing the settling of the capsules 630 a-n to the corresponding hydrophobic surface 622 a-n. - Referring now to
FIG. 7 , a side view of anotherexample system 700 is illustrated. Theexample system 700 ofFIG. 7 includes amicrofluidic cavity 710 which may accommodate particles or fluid therein. Theexample system 700 further includes an array of retaining features 720 a-n for positioning capsules 730 a-n in a predetermined location and an array of releasing features 740 a-n to release material encapsulated in a shell of the capsules 730 a-n. Similar to the examples systems described above, each releasing feature may include a. resistor, or an array of resistors, to generate thermal energy to degrade the thermally degradable shell of the capsules 730. - Each retaining feature 720 a-n of the
example system 700 ofFIG. 7 includes a set of dielectrophoreses (DEP) electrodes 722 a-n. The DEP force generated by the DEP electrodes 722 a-n is selected to be sufficient to attract the capsules 730 a-n. The DEP electrodes 722 a-n are spaced apart within the predetermined location at which the capsules 730 are to be positioned. - Referring now to
FIGS. 8-10 , configuring of the example system ofFIG. 7 with selected capsules is illustrated. Theexample system 700 may be provided with no capsules included and may serve as a template or a blank that may be configurable by the user. In this regard, the user may select capsules with desired material (e.g., reagent, nucleic acid segment, antibody, etc.) enclosed in a thermally degradable shell. In various examples, thesystem 700 may be provided with any practical number (n) of retaining features 720 and releasing features 740. In this regard, the user may select n different types of capsules, each corresponding to one retaining feature 720 in the array of retaining features. - Referring now to
FIG. 8 , a user may select a first material in the capsule (e.g., a first type of antibody) and flow capsules with the selected material through themicrofluidic cavity 710. The user, or a controller coupled to theexample device 700, may activate theDEP electrodes 722 a corresponding to a selected retaining feature 720. The DEP force generated by theDEP electrodes 722 a causes at least some of thecapsules 730 a flowing through themicrofluidic cavity 710 to be retained at the predetermined location (e.g., above the releasingfeature 740 a). In some examples, once sufficient number ofcapsules 730 a are retained at the retainingfeature 720 a, theDEP electrodes 722 a associated with thefirst retaining feature 720 a may be deactivated. The process may then be repeated for capsules with additional types of materials enclosed. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 9 , a second set ofcapsules 730 b is flowed through themicrofluidic cavity 710, and a different set ofDEP electrodes 722 b are activated. Again, the DEP force generated by theDEP electrodes 722 b causes at least some of thecapsules 730 b flowing through themicrofluidic cavity 710 to be retained at the predetermined location (e.g., above the releasingfeature 740 b).FIG. 10 illustrates the process being repeated for the nth set ofcapsules 730 n, which are retained at thenth retaining feature 720 n. - Referring now to
FIGS. 11 and 12 , anexample system 1100 for amplification and detection of a nucleic acid segment is illustrated. Like the various example systems described above, theexample system 1100 ofFIGS. 11 and 12 includes amicrofluidic cavity 1110, an array of retainingfeatures 1120 a,b, and an array of corresponding releasingfeatures 1140 a,b. Each retainingfeature 1120 a,b is provided to position correspondingcapsules 1130 a,b at a predetermined location in themicrofluidic cavity 1110. In the example illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12 , each retainingfeature 1120 a,b is provided withcapsules 1130 a,b containing a corresponding type of reagent. Acontroller 1150 is coupled to each releasingfeature 1140 a,b to selectively activate each releasingfeature 1140 a,b to generate thermal energy to degrade the shell of the correspondingcapsules 1130 a,b. - The
example system 1100 ofFIGS. 11 and 12 is further provided with athermocycling portion 1160 a,b corresponding to each releasingfeature 1140 a,b. In various examples, thethermocycling portion 1160 a,b is provided to cause amplification of a nucleic acid segment. The amplification is facilitated by a reagent released from the capsules 11300. In this regard, the temperature in thethermocycling portion 1160 a,b is actively cycled through various temperatures to facilitate amplification of the nucleic acid segments. The temperature profile in thethermocycling portion 1160 a,b may be selected for particular applications. In one example, the temperature profile in thethermocycling portion 1160 a,b includes a denaturation step with the temperature at about 95 C followed by a primer annealing step at about 65 C and a primer extension step at about 73 C. Material in thethermocycling portion 1160 a,b may be exposed to numerous cycles of the temperature profile. In one example, the material may be exposed to between about 25 and about 50 cycles of the temperature profile, with each step in each cycle lasting between about 1 millisecond and about 20 minutes. In one example, each step in each cycle lasts about 2 minutes. - The
example system 1100 is further provided with adetection portion 1170 a,b corresponding to eachthermocycling portion 1160 a,b. As illustrated in the example ofFIGS. 11 and 12 , thecontroller 1150 is coupled to a corresponding releasingfeature 1140 a,b, acorresponding thermocycling portion 1160 a,b, and acorresponding detection portion 1170 a,b. - As illustrated in the example of
FIG. 11 , anucleic acid segment 1190 is flowed through themicrofluidic cavity 1110. In various examples, thenucleic acid segment 1190 may be provided in an aqueous solution. In response to the release of thenucleic acid segment 1190, thecontroller 1150 activates the first releasingfeature 1140 a to generate thermal energy. The thermal energy causes the shell of the capsules to degrade, resulting in release of areagent 1134 a into themicrofluidic cavity 1110. Thereagent 1134 a and thenucleic acid segment 1190 are then passed through thethermocycling portion 1160 a corresponding to the first releasingfeature 1140 a. If thenucleic acid segment 1190 corresponds to thefirst reagent 1134 a, the addition of thefirst reagent 1134 a to the flow causes amplification of thenucleic acid segment 1190. The amplifiednucleic acid segment 1190 would then be detectable by thedetection portion 1170 a. Thecontroller 1150 may then receive a signal from thedetection portion 1170 a, allowing thecontroller 1150 to determine whether thedetection portion 1170 a detected the amplified nucleic acid segment. - Referring now to
FIG. 12 , thenucleic acid segment 1190 may continue to flow through themicrofluidic cavity 1110, and the controller may repeat the process with additional releasing features, such as releasingfeature 1140 b. Activation of the second releasing feature causes thermal energy to degrade the shell of thesecond capsules 1130 b, thus releasing asecond reagent 1134 b into themicrofluidic cavity 1110. In various examples, thesecond reagent 1134 b is different from thefirst reagent 1134 a. In this regard, eachreagent 1134 a,b may be selected to facilitate amplification of a specificnucleic acid segment 1190. Thus, eachthermocycling portion 1160 a,b may amplify the nucleic acid segment if the nucleic acid segment corresponds to thereagent 1134 a,b associated with thethermocycling portion 1160 a,b. - Referring now to
FIG. 13 , another example system for amplification and detection of a nucleic acid segment is illustrated. In this regard, while theexample system 1100 described above with reference toFIGS. 11 and 12 processes the nucleic acid segment with different reagents in a sequential manner, theexample system 1300 ofFIG. 13 allows the various reagents to be released in a parallel manner. In this regard, theexample system 1300 is provided with amicrofluidic cavity 1310 into which a nucleic acid segment is released. Themicrofluidic cavity 1310 branches intomultiple channels 1310 a-n. Eachchannel 1310 a-n includes a corresponding retaining feature 1320 a-n, releasing feature 1340 a-n, thermocycling portion 1360 a-n, and corresponding detection portion 1370 a-n. Thus, the nucleic acid segment may be tested with numerous reagents simultaneously. - Referring now to
FIGS. 14-16 , anexample system 1400 for detection of an antigen is illustrated. Like the various example systems described above, theexample system 1400 ofFIGS. 14-16 includes amicrotluidic cavity 1410, an array of retaining features 1420 a-n and an array of corresponding releasing features 1440 a-n. Each retaining feature 1420 a-n is provided to position corresponding capsules 1430 a-n at a predetermined location in themicrofluidic cavity 1410. In the example illustrated inFIGS. 14-16 , each retaining feature 1420 a-n is provided with capsules 1430 a-n containing a corresponding type of primary antibody. Acontroller 1450 is coupled to each releasing feature 1440 a-n to selectively activate each releasing feature 1440 a-n to generate thermal energy to degrade the shell of the corresponding capsules 1430 a-n. - The
example system 1400 is further provided with an array of immobilizedsecondary antibodies 1460 a-n. In one example, the array of immobilizedsecondary antibodies 1460 a-n may be an array of regions with each region containing secondary antibodies of a specific type. In one example, each immobilizedsecondary antibody 1460 a-n is associated with a primary antibody in a corresponding capsule 1430 a-n. The primary antibodies in the capsules 1430 a-n and the immobilizedsecondary antibodies 1460 a-n may bind to various antigens, as illustrated below. Theexample system 1400 is further provided with adetection portion 1470 to detect or determine whether an antigen is binded to any of the immobilizedsecondary antibodies 1460 a-n. -
FIGS. 14-16 illustrate an example operation of theexample system 1400 to detect the presence of antigens. As illustrated inFIG. 14 , a set ofantigens 1490 is released into themicrofluidic cavity 1410. Theantigens 1490 are allowed to pass through to the array of immobilizesecondary antibodies 1460 a-n. In this regard, the retaining features 1420 a-n may be sized to allow passing through ofantigens 1490 a-n.Various antigens 1490 a-n may bind to corresponding immobilizedsecondary antibodies 1460 a-n, as illustrated inFIG. 14 . - The
controller 1450 may then sequentially activate each releasing feature 1440 a-n, as illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 16 . First referring toFIG. 15 , thecontroller 1450 activates the first releasingfeature 1440 a, thus generating thermal energy to degrade the shell of thecapsules 1430 a. Theprimary antibodies 1492 a in the first set ofcapsules 1430 a are then released into themicrotluidic cavity 1410 and can flow downstream (to the right inFIGS. 14-16 ). Theprimary antibodies 1492 a in the first set ofcapsules 1430 a may be selected to bind a specific antigens. Thus, if the specific antigen or antigens are binded to the immobilizedsecondary antibodies 1460 a-n, theprimary antibodies 1492 a will bind to the antigens at the immobilizedsecondary antibodies 1460 a-n. In the example ofFIG. 15 , theprimary antibodies 1492 a are shown binded to an antigen which is binded to the first immobilizedsecondary antibody 1460 a. - In various examples, the
primary antibodies 1492 a may include a characteristic that is detectable by thedetection portion 1470. For example, thedetection portion 1470 may detect florescence or other such characteristic if the primary antibody is present at any of the immobilizedsecondary antibodies 1460 a-n. Thus, the controller may detect the presence of the firstprimary antibody 1492 a at the first immobilizedsecondary antibody 1460 a. In one example, an agent may be flowed through the microfluidic channel to remove the detectable characteristic prior to release of subsequent primary antibodies. For example, the fluorophore on the first primary antibody binded to the first immobilizedsecondary antibody 1460 a may be removed with a photobleach, for example. - The controller may then repeat the process with subsequent releasing
features 1440 b-n. For example,FIG. 15 illustrates the activation of the second releasingfeature 1440 b and release of secondprimary antibodies 1492 b, which are shown as binded to the second immobilizedsecondary antibody 1460 b. - In the example illustrated in
FIGS. 14-16 , the number of components in each array is shown as n. It will be understood that, in various examples, n may be any practical number. Further, the number of immobilizedsecondary antibodies 1460 may be different than the number of retaining feature 1420, the number of releasing features 1440 or the number of types of primary antibodies 1492. - Referring now to
FIG. 17 , a flow chart illustrating anexample method 1700 for detection of an antigen is illustrated. Theexample method 1700 may be implemented, for example, in thesystem 1400 described above with reference toFIGS. 14-16 . Theexample method 1700 includes directing a flow of antigens into a microfluidic cavity (block 1710). For example, as described above, theantigens 1490 may be flowed into themicrofluidic cavity 1410 of theexample system 1400. The antigens are flowed to an array of immobilized antibodies, such as the immobilizedsecondary antibodies 1460 a-n. The antigens may include different types of antigens, and the array of immobilized antibodies may include different types of immobilized antibodies. Each type of immobilized antibody may be selected to bind to a corresponding antigen. - The
example method 1700 further includes activating a selected releasing feature from an array of releasing features to release primary antibodies contained in capsules (block 1720). As described above, the selected releasing feature corresponds to a capsule with a selected primary antibody. The capsule has a thermally degradable shell (e.g., wax or polymer) enclosing the selected primary antibody therein. - The
example method 1700 further includes detecting whether the released selected primary antibody is binded to at least one antigen binded to the selected immobilized antibody (block 1730). As described above, if an antigen associated with the primary antibody is binded to an immobilized antibody, the primary antibody may bind to the antigen at the immobilized antibody. A fluorophore on the primary antibody may be detected by a detection portion provided proximate to the immobilized antibodies. - The foregoing description of various examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the examples disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various examples. The examples discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles and the nature of various examples of the present disclosure and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present disclosure in various examples and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The features of the examples described herein may be combined in all possible combinations of methods, apparatus, modules, systems, and computer program products.
- It is also noted herein that while the above describes examples, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (14)
1. A system, comprising:
an array of retaining features in a microfluidic cavity, each retaining feature in the array of retaining features being to position capsules at a predetermined location, the capsules having a thermally degradable shell enclosing a biological reagent therein;
an array of thermally controlled releasing features, each releasing feature in the array of releasing features corresponding to a retaining feature in the array of retaining features, each releasing feature being to selectively cause degradation of the shell of a capsule to release the biological reagent, each releasing feature to generate thermal energy to facilitate degradation of the shell; and
a controller coupled to each releasing feature in the array of releasing feature, the controller to selectively activate at least one releasing feature in the array of thermally controlled releasing features to release the biological reagent in the capsules positioned at the retaining feature corresponding to the activated releasing feature.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the retaining feature is at least one of a set of pillars, a weir, a mesh, a magnetic portion, a hydrophobic region surrounded by hydrophyllic regions, or dielectrophoreses electrodes.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein each releasing feature is a resistor to generate the thermal energy when activated.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the thermally degradable shell is formed of a wax or polymer material.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one thermocycling portion to cause amplification of a nucleic acid segment, the amplification being facilitated by the biological reagent; and
a detection portion to detect the amplified nucleic acid segment.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the controller is to:
(a) activate a selected releasing feature in response to release of a nucleic acid segment, wherein the selected releasing feature corresponds to a capsule with a reagent;
(b) pass the nucleic acid segment and the reagent through the thermocycling portion; and
(c) determine whether the detection portion detects amplified nucleic acid segment.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further to:
sequentially repeat (a)-(c) for additional releasing features.
8. A method, comprising:
positioning capsules at a predetermined location of an array of retaining features in a. microfluidic cavity, the capsules having a thermally degradable shell enclosing a biological reagent therein;
causing degradation of the shell of a capsule to release the biological reagent using releasing feature to generate thermal energy to facilitate degradation of the shell an array of thermally controlled releasing features, each releasing feature in the array of releasing features corresponding to a retaining feature in the array of retaining features; and
using a controller coupled to each releasing feature in the array of releasing feature, selectively activating at least one releasing feature in the array of thermally controlled releasing features to release the biological reagent in the capsules positioned at the retaining feature corresponding to the activated releasing feature
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the retaining feature is at least one of a set of pillars, a weir, a mesh, a magnetic portion, a hydrophobic region surrounded by hydrophyllic regions, or dielectrophoreses electrodes.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein each releasing feature is a resistor to generate the thermal energy when activated.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the thermally degradable shell is formed of a wax or polymer material.
12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
amplifying a nucleic acid segment at a thermocycling, portion to cause amplification of a nucleic acid segment, wherein amplifying is facilitated by the biological reagent; and
detecting the amplified nucleic acid segment at a detection portion.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising using the controller to:
(a) activate a selected releasing feature in response to release of a nucleic acid segment, wherein the selected releasing feature corresponds to a capsule with a reagent;
(b) pass the nucleic acid segment and the reagent through the thermocycling portion; and
(c) determine whether the detection portion detects amplified nucleic acid segment.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising using the controller to sequentially repeat (a)-(c) for additional releasing features.
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