TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a microfluidic device and to uses of such a device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The patent application PCT/IB2010/000615 discloses a microfluidic device for manipulating particles of a sample (in particular, for isolating a given type of particles from other particles). Such a device has relatively small dimensions and can be thrown away after use so as not to contaminate a possible further sample to be manipulated subsequently. Said device is typically used in combination with a fixed apparatus .of larger dimensions, which comprises an electronic control unit and governs the various components of the device. The device is provided with a separation chamber, within which, in use, manipulation of particles takes place according to what is described in one or more of the patent applications with publication numbers WO0069565, WO2007010367 , O2007049120, and WO2007116312.

One and the same apparatus may be able to use different devices for different uses.

Since the devices described above are frequently used in the diagnostic field, it is very important for them to be managed with the maximum precision and care. Currently, no system is envisaged to prevent human- error in management of the devices and/or for driving different components of the devices so as to optimize operation even in the case of defects of the devices themselves that are relatively small (and hence negligible for normal operation thereof) .

The patent document No. US6726820 describes a microdevice equipped with an ^' integrated readable, writable, and rewritable memory.

The patent document No. DE10352887 describes a DNA-Chip-Array- Processor equipped with a memory containing some information.

The patent document No. US5690893 describes an analyser equipped with a non-volatile memory containing a condition of analysis. The patent document No. US2004092024 describes a plurality of supporting plates for samples with a resettable memory.

The · patent document No. US5384028 describes a biosensor equipped with a memory for storing data that include data regarding fabrication of the biosensor.

The patent document No. WO2005064325 describes a reusable cartridge for bio-analyses including a rewritable non-volatile memory.

The patent document No. O2009137415 relates to droplet actuators

The patent document No. WO0047322 describes an apparatus for moving elements (packets) along given paths. It does not describe memory media on devices of the disposable type.

None of the documents Nos . US6726820, DE10352887, US5690893, US2004092024, US5384028, W02005064325, WO2009137415, and WO0047322 envisages a system for driving different components of the devices so as to optimize operation also in the case of defects of the devices themselves that are relatively small (and hence negligible for normal operation thereof) .

The aim of the present invention is ^' to provide a device and uses of said device that will enable the limits, of the prior art to be overcome, at least partially, and that will,- at the same time, be easy and economically advantageous to produce.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention., a device and uses of said device - are provided according to what is claimed in the ensuing independent claims and, preferably, in any one of the claims that depend directly or indirectly upon the independent claims . _. .-· _ ^■

Unless otherwise explicitly specified, in the present text the terms listed below have the meaning indicated hereinafter.

By "equivalent diameter of a section" is meant the diameter of a circle having the same area as the cross section.

By "section" of a channel or a duct is meant the cross section of the lume.n of the channel substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of ^" the channel (or ^' duct), i.e., to the ^" direction of advance of the fluid in ^' the channel (or duct) .

By "microfluidic system (or-- device ) " is meant a system (or device) comprising at least one microfluidic channel (or duct) and/or a microfluidic chamber.

By "microfluidic chamber" is meant a chamber delimiting an internal space having one of its own dimensions (in particular, the height) of less than 1 mm. By "microfluidic channel (or duct)" is meant a ^' channel (or duct) having a cross section with equivalent diameter of less than 1 mm.

The dimensions of the channels or ducts or chambers can be measured in a standard way with profilometers . In the present text, by "particle" is meant a corpuscle having the largest dimension of less than 500 μτη (advantageously, less than 150 urn). Non-limiting examples of particles are: cells, cellular detritus . (in particular, cellular fragments), cellular, aggregates (such as, for example, small clusters of cells deriving from stem cells such as neurospheres or mammospheres) ., bacteria, lipospheres , (polystyrene and/or magnetic) microspheres, nanospheres (for example, nanospheres of up to 100 nm) , complexes formed by microspheres bound to cells, etc. Advantageously, the particles are cells.

According■ to. some embodiments, the particles (advantageously cells and/or cellular detritus) have the largest dimension of less than 60 urn.

The dimensions of the -particles- can be measured in a standard way with microscopes with graduated scale or normal microscopes used with slides (deposited on which are the particles) with graduated scale.

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In the present text, by "dimensions of a particle" is meant the length,' ^' width, and ^' thickness ^{' '} of the particle.

The term "substantially selective" is used for identifying a displacement (or other ^' similar terms indicating a movement and/or a separation) of particles, where the particles that are displaced and/or separated are particles that for the most part are constituted by one or more given types. Advantageously, a substantially selective displacement (or other similar terms indicating a movement and/or a separation) envisages displacing particles with at least 90% (advantageously 95%.) of particles of the given type or types (percentage given by the number of particles of the given type/ types with respect to the total number of particles).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention is described hereinafter with reference to the annexed plate of drawings, which illustrates a non-limiting example of embodiment thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a system built in accordance with the present invention »

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, -a microfluidic de-vice is provided for manipulating at least one given- type of particles of a sample. In particular, the device 1 is designed to isolate the aforementioned particles with respect to further particles in a substantially selective way. More in particular, the device is of the disposable type. In Figure 1, designated as a whole by 1 is one such device.

The device 1 is designed to be connected to an apparatus (not illustrated) and comprises a connection unit 2 for connecting ^" the device 1 itself to the apparatus electrically (or electromagnetically ) .

The apparatus is designed to drive different components of the device 1. The apparatus is external to (separate from) the device 1 and can come into contact therewith via the connection unit 2. According to some embodiments, the apparatus has a seat (not illustrated) , in which, in use, the device 1 is inserted so as to connect the apparatus to the device 1. According to the depicted embodiment, the connection unit 2 comprises a plurality of electrical connectors 2a (of which only some are schematically illustrated in Figure 1), each of which is designed to couple with corresponding connectors (not illustrated) of the apparatus. Advantageously, the connectors 2a are at least partially exposed towards the outside of the device 1. In use, through the connectors 2a the device 1 receives operating commands from the apparatus.

According to further not shown embodiments, the connection unit 2 .is able to communicate (receive and/or transmit information and/or commands) in wireless mode (in particular, with the apparatus) . This can be particularly useful when it is desired to identify one or more given devices in a group of devices. By means of the wireless communication it is possible to prevent direct contact between the device 1 and the apparatus. This presents a dual advantage: (i) in the case where the device ^' 1 has been used (biological waste) it prevents contamination of the apparatus; (ii) in the case the device 1 is., new, it prevents contamination of the device 1 itself (possibly -sterile or DNA/RNA-free) .

The device 1 comprises a microfluidic system 3, which in turn has ^" at least one inlet 4, at least one outlet 5, and at least one (microfluidic) chamber 6, within which, in use, the particles of the. given type are manipulated. In particular, the system 3 also comprises at least one microfluidic channel 7. More in particular, the system 3 comprises a plurality of microfluidic channels 7.

According to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the system 3 comprises two inlets 4 and 4', two outlets 5 and 5', and two (microfluidic) chambers 6 and 6' . In the specific case, the chamber 6' comprises three ^' portions of a different shape connected to one another.

The chamber 6 is designed to move the particles of the given type selectively with respect to the further particles of the sample. In particular, in use, the sample is brought into the chamber 6, and the particles of the given type are selectivelybrought into the chamber 6' previously filled with a liquid transport medium. The particles of the given type are then recovered by an operator through the outlet 5' .

The device 1 comprises .a substructure 8, set in a position corresponding ^* to which is the chamber 6 (and the chamber 6' ) . More ^' in particular, the substructure 8 delimits at the bottom the chamber 6 (and the chamber 6' ) . The substructure 8 is mainly (more in particular, completely) made of silicon. The device 1 comprises a plurality of actuators (for example, alves and/or electrodes), which are operated on the basis -of commands coming from the apparatus. According to some ^' embodiments, the chamber 6 comprises a plurality of actuators (for moving the particles). The actuators of the device 1 comprise the actuators of the chamber 6 (and/or 6' ) . The actuators of the chamber 6 (and/or 6'.) comprise (are) , in particular, electrodes.

Driving of the various actuators (electrodes) of the chamber 6 enables displacement of the particles (and ^' is governed by the apparatus). Advantageously, the structure and operation of the chamber 6 (and of the chamber 6' ) is in accordance with what is described in one or more of the patent applications with publication numbers O0069565, WO2007010367 , O2007049120 and WO2007116312 filed in the name- of the present applicant.

More in particular, the device 1 presents the same structure and operation as the device described in the patent application PCT/IB2010/000615 (publication No. WO2010106434 ) ^' filed in the name of the present applicant. The device 1 differs from the one described in the patent application PCT/IB2010/000615 owing to the presence of a partially rewritable memory as described hereinafter. ^" Likewise, the apparatus presents the same structure and operation as the apparatus described in the ^' patent application PCT/IB2010/000615. According to the depicted embodiment, the device 1 also comprises an element 9 (in particular, made of plastic material), made in which are the inlet 4 (and 4') and the outlet 5 (aad 5')· Also made in the element 9 are the microfluidic channels 7 and (partially) the chamber 6 (and 6' ) . More in particular, the system 3 is at least partially (according to some embodiments, completely) made in. the element 9 _. .

Advantageously, the element 9 comprises (more specifically, mainly . consists .of ) plastic material.

According to specific embodiments, the device 1 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB - not shown) . The PCB is connected to the connection unit- 2 and to the substructure 8-. The PCB is set underneath the element 9.

The device 1 further comprises a non-volatile rewritable memory (a flash memory) . More in ^' particular, the device 1 comprises a physical medium 10 for said memory.

According . to some embodiments (as the one depicted) , the physical medium 10 of the memory is set in the area of the element 9 separately (i.e. ^" , in a different position) from ^" the substructure 8. In this way, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs.

According to further embodiments (not illustrated) , the physical medium 10 of the memory is set in a position corresponding to the substructure 8. The physical medium 10 is connected to the PCB.

In particular, the memory contains information on the device 1. Advantageously, the memory contains information on the type of device 1. Advantageously, the information on the type of device 1 is stored at least partially (in particular, completely) in a non-rewritable (read-only) area of the memory. _ ¹

In particular, the information on the type of device 1 comprises . information on the structure (arrangement and geometry of the various _^ components) of the device 1. More in particular, the information on the type,. of device 1 comprises information on the structure (arrangement and geometry of the various components), of the microfluidic system 3. In this way, the apparatus (more in particular, the control ^' unit of the apparatus) is able to recognize the device 1 and drive its own actuators (and hence the various components of the device 1 itself) ... in an appropriate way. The information - on the structure- of the device 1 (in particular,- of the microfluidic system 3) is written in the memory at the time of testing of the- device 1 and is of the read-only type (i.e., it cannot ^" be modified) . · ^{.. ·■ ■ ·}

According to some embodiments, the information on the ^' type of device 1 comprises information on the structure (arrangement and geometry of the various components) of the PCB. In this way, the apparatus (more in particular, the control unit of the apparatus) is able to recognize the device 1 and drive the PCB in an appropriate way. The information on the structure of the PCB is written in the memory at the time of testing of the device 1 and is of the read-only type (i.e., it cannot be modified) .

Advantageously, the information on the type of device 1 comprises an indication of the actuators (in particular, ^" electrodes) of the device 1 that are faulty. In particular, the indication of the faulty actuators comprises (more in particular, is) the indication of the ..faulty actuators, (in particular, electrodes) of the chamber 6 (and/or 6' ) .

More precisely, the information on the _. type of device 1 comprises the position/ positions of the faulty electrode/electrodes. In other words, the memory comprises a- mapping of the faulty electrodes. This information is written in the memory at the time of testing- of the device 1. This information is of the read-only type- (i.e., - it' cannot-- be modified) . . Typically, the faulty electrodes are non- functioning or in. any case unable to guarantee proper operation . ■

With this type of information, the apparatus (in particular, the control unit of the apparatus) manipulates (more precisely, moves) the particles (in particular, the particles of ■ the given type) so as to prevent area/areas where the faulty electrode/electrodes is/are set. ^" In other words, the electrodes are actuated so as to impose on the particles one or more paths that do not pass in ^' a position , corresponding to the faulty electrode/electrodes.

In this way, the very important advantage is achieved of rendering possible use of the device 1 even- when it has small defects .

This enables significant reduction in the number of rejects of the devices 1 at the end of production, when the devices 1 are tested, without reducing the quality of the results in use of the devices 1 themselves. It is thus possible to reduce considerably the manufacturing costs.

According to .some embodiments, the information on the type of device 1 comprises the maximum number, of uses that can be performed. This information is written in the memory at the time of testing of the device 1. This information is of the read-only type (i.e., it cannot be modified). Advantageously, the memory is designed to store the number of times that the device 1 is used. In particular, a portion of the memory is allocated for storage of the number of- times that the device 1- is used.

In use, . whenever the device 1 is., used, the apparatus (in particular, the control unit of the apparatus) records said use in the memory. When . the apparatus (in particular, the control unit of the apparatus) detects (by reading the memory) that the maximum number of uses has been reached, the apparatus itself blocks operation and issues a corresponding error signal. In this way, it is possible to guarantee a high quality level in use of the device -1. In particular, for example, in its use for diagnostic purposes,- the device 1 can be used just once to prevent contamination of the samples. In this case, what is described ^" enables ^' prevention of errors by the ^" operator and, hence, potential incorrect results.

According- to some embodiments, the information on the type of device 1 contains, the maximum time of use of the device 1. This information is written in the memory at the time of testing of the device 1. This information is of the read-only type (i.e., it cannot be modified).

Advantageously, the- memory is designed to store the time during which the device 1 is used. In particular, a portion of the memory is allocated for storage of the time during which the device 1 is used.

In use, whenever the device 1 is used, the apparatus (in particular, the control unit of the. _. apparatus ) records the time of said use in the memory and possibly adds it to the time already present in the memory itself. When the apparatus (in particular, the control unit of the apparatus) detects (by reading the memory) that the maximum time of use has been reached, the apparatus itself blocks operation and _ issues a corresponding-error signal.

In this way, it is possible to guarantee a high quality level in use of the- device 1. In particular, it is thus possible to prevent a device 1 that is worn out (owing to excessive use) from being used again.

Advantageously, the memory is accessible via password. In this way, it is possible to reduce the risks of said memory being tampered with. Advantageously, the memory is encrypted. In this way, the possibility- of the device 1 being used in combination with unsuitable apparatuses is prevented.

Advantageously, the information on the type of device 1 comprises the expiry date of the ^" device 1. This information is written in the memory at the time of testing of the device 1. This information is of the read-only type (i.e., it cannot be modified) . In use, when the apparatus (in particular, the control unit of the .apparatus) detects (by reading the memory) that the expiry date is passed, the apparatus itself blocks operation and issues a corresponding error signal.

Also in this way the quality and safety of operation is improved .

According to some embodiments, the information on the type of _. device.1 comprises the position of the microfluidic system 3 (in the ^{' '} case where the latter has been produced by means of lithographic techniques) with respect to the substructure ^" (wafer) 8. The memory further comprises the identifier of the substructure (wafer) 8 within each production lot and the identifier of the lot itself. This information is written in the memory at the time of testing of the device 1. This information is of the read-only type (i.e., it cannot be modified) .

According to some embodiments, the information on the type of device 1 comprises an indication on whether the information on the faulty actuators (electrodes) is present or not (for example: 1 = yes, 0 = no) . This indication is written in the .memory at the time of testing of the device 1 and is of the read-only type (i.e., it cannot be modified).

According to some embodiments, the information on the type of device 1 comprises an indication on the type of error (for example, a code and/or a coloured marker). Advantageously, the information on the type of device ^■ 1 moreover contains an indication of the model of the device 1 (each revision or new version of the device 1 can require different operating procedures that can possibly also be stored in the memory) . According to some particular embodiments, the information on ■ the type of device 1 contains an indication on the type of mask (or masks) that has (have) been used for producing the element 9. According to some embodiments, the information on the type of device 1 comprises information on the bonding system that has been used for producing the device 1. This information is written in the memory at the time of testing of the device 1. This information is of the read-only type (i.e., it cannot be modified) .

According to some embodiments, the information on the type of device 1 ^' comprises information on the height of the chamber 6 (and/or 6') (for example, 90 μπ) . This information is written in the memory at the time of testing of the device 1. This information is of the read-only type (i.e., it cannot be modified) .

According to some embodiments, the information on the type of device 1 comprises information on the maximum number of 5 droplets that can be recovered .per sample (in particular through ^" the Outlet 5' ) . Said droplets are the ones that contain (or in any case should contain) the particles of the given type. This information is written in the memory at the time of testing of the device 1. This information is of the0 read-only type (i.e., it cannot be modified).

According to some embodiments, the information on the type of device 1 comprises information on the average volume of the aforementioned droplets. This information is written in the 5 memory at the time of testing of the device 1. This information is of the read-only type (i.e., .it cannot be modified) . - ^■

^■ - ^■ - According ^' to some embodiments, the information on the type of 0 device 1 comprises information on the authorisation of the device 1 for use of different transport solutions (for example PBS - phosphate buffered saline solution) . This information is written in the memory at the. time of testing of the device 1. This information is of the read-only type (i.e., it cannot be 5 modified) .

In use, the transport solution is brought into the chamber 6' prior to selective displacement of the particles of the given type.

0

According to some embodiments, the information on the type of device 1 comprises information on the range of operating, temperatures (for example, 277K-309K). This information is written in the memory at the time of testing of the device 1. 5 This information is of the read-only type (i.e., it cannot be modified). According to some embodiments, the memory is designed to contain (in particular, has a portion allocated for storing) information on whether the device 1 has been inserted in the apparatus but not expelled (for example: 1 = yes, 0 = no) . This information is written in the memory at the time of use of the device 1 (by the apparatus - more in particular, by the control unit of the apparatus) . According to some embodiments, upon charging (in particular, immediately after charging)-, the information on charging is written (for example by writing 1). Upon expulsion (in particular, immediately prior to expulsion), the information on the expulsion is written (for example, by writing 0) . This information indicates when the device 1 has been charged into the apparatus but has never been expelled therefrom ^' -and has the purpose of enabling prosecution of the experiment in the case of reboot of the apparatus subsequent to charging. When the device 1 is removed with the apparatus ^' turned off manually by a technician, the device 1 should no longer be used, and it is advantageous for the apparatus to be able to detect ^' when the memory has this variable equal to 0 and consequently understands that the device 1 has been moved away and may have been tampered with, . thus preventing continuation of the experiment.

According to some embodiments, the memory is designed to contain (in particular, ^■ has a portion allocated for storing) one or more of the following items of information: date and ^■ time of start of experiment (writing in the memory is performed at start of the experiment); date and time of insertion of the device 1 into the apparatus 1 (writing in the memory is ^' performed immediately after insertion) ; date and time of the end of the experiment (writing in the memory is performed at the end of the experiment) ; date and time of expulsion of the device 1 from the apparatus (writing in the memory is performed just before expulsion) ; set of parameters used (in particular, transport solutions used - for example, PBS) (writing in the memory is performed at start of _. the experiment) ; an identifier of the apparatus used (writing in /the memory is performed immediately after insertion) ; name of the pattern used (i.e., the configuration of the electrophoresis.- field, i.e., the association between each electrode and each phase - Vp or else Vm (the energizing, potentials that can be assumed. by the electrodes)) (writing in the memory is performed at start of ..the experiment); frequency, amplitude and phase delta for Vp, Vm and Vlid (the potential for energizing the lid) (writing in the memory is performed at start of the experiment) . According to some embodiments,, the information on the type of device 1 comprises a combination of a number of the types of information referred to above.

Advantageously, the memory contains information on how the device 1 must be made to work (namely, information on which operating procedures must be implemented, for example, how the various actuators are to be actuated) .

According to some variants, the information contains indications of the use (for example, for research use only or else for in vitro diagnostics) .

According to some embodiments, the memory contains information chosen ^{' '} from ^' among: information on ^' the type ^' of device ^' Γ, information on how the- device 1 is to be made to work, and a combination thereof.

Advantageously, the information on how the device 1 is to be made to work is stored at least partially (in particular, completely) in a non-rewritable ^' (read-only) ^' area of the memory . . . ....... According to some embodiments, the memory comprises at least one identifier of the device 1 (namely, a unique identifier code of the device. 1) . -.-In- other words, the memory of each s5 device. 1 contains an identifier different from the · identifier of the other devices. This information is written in the memory at the time of testing of the device 1.

Advantageously, the identifier of the device 1 is stored at 10 least partially (in particular, completely) .in- a - non- rewritable (read-only) area of the memory.

According to some embodiments, the memory contains information chosen from among: information on the type of device 1,

15 information on how the device 1 is to be made to work, at least one. identifier of the device 1, and a combination

■ - · thereof . ^.. . ^. -

Advantageously, one or more of the items of information 20 present in the memory can be displayed by means of a human- machine interface (HMI - for . example a screen) of the apparatus .

According to a second aspect of the present invention.,- use of 25 the device 1 for diagnostic purposes is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, use of the device 1 for separating the particles of the given type from other particles is provided:

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Unless otherwise explicitly indicated, the contents of the references (articles, books, patent applications, etc.) cited in this text are integrally recalled herein. In particular, the aforementioned references are herein incorporated by 35 reference.