Portable nucleic acid analysis system and high-performance microfluidic electroactive polymer actuators

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for the parallel detection of a set of distinct nucleic acid sequences use multiple sequence amplification and simultaneous hybridization readout. An automated nucleic acid analysis system comprises in microfluidic connection sample lysis, purification, PCR and detection modules configured to detect in parallel distinct nucleic acid sequences via multiple sequence amplification and simultaneous microarray hybridization readout. High performance microfluidic electroactive polymer (μEAP) actuators comprising a dead-end fluid chamber in which the floor of the chamber is an electrode covered with an EAP layer of dielectric elastomer are configured for particle sorting.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to Ser. No. 62 / 081,525; filed Nov. 18, 2014, to 62 / 041,430; filed Aug. 25, 2014, and to Ser. No. 61 / 979,377; filed Apr. 14, 2014.[0002]This invention was made with government support under Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under contract no. HR0011-14-C-0082. The government has certain rights in the invention.INTRODUCTION[0003]The integration of sample preparation with amplification and detection in an easy-to-use system remains a significant challenge for nucleic acid diagnostics. [1] A number of systems have been approved by the FDA as “moderate complexity” devices for use in near-POC applications [2], including Cepheid's GeneXpert platform, Nanosphere's Verigene platform, the BD Max System from Becton, Dickinson and Company, and Liat's “lab-in-a-tube” disposable device.[0004]The research literature is rife with examples of pathogen detection techniques and devices; however, no one has been able to develop a multiplex, automated, inte...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text is saying that the technology used for detection is based on probe sets, rather than primer sets. This means that it is easier to create new tests using probe sets. The "technical effect" of this is that it provides a more flexible and efficient way to develop new detection methods.

Problems solved by technology

The integration of sample preparation with amplification and detection in an easy-to-use system remains a significant challenge for nucleic acid diagnostics.

The research literature is rife with examples of pathogen detection techniques and devices; however, no one has been able to develop a multiplex, automated, integrated “sample to result” system, configured to accept raw biological samples.

However, despite decades of investment, no commercial instruments are available that perform nucleic acid processing at the point of need.

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