Cartridge interface module

Abstract

A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system, the CIM comprising:
 a fluidics component configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge;   a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids;   a high voltage electrodes component, configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge; and   a detection optics component, configured to detect labeled nucleic acid fragments,   wherein the CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge for execution of the extraction, amplification, and separation of the biological sample within the removable microfluidic cartridge.   
     
     
         2 . The CIM of  claim 1 , wherein the separation channel is integrated with the microfluidic chip architecture. 
     
     
         3 . The CIM of  claim 1 , wherein genetic material from the biological sample is not transferred out of the removable microfluidic cartridge during analysis of the biological sample. 
     
     
         4 . The CIM of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more pneumatic connections within the CIM, configured to engage with the removable microfluidic cartridge.   
     
     
         5 . The CIM of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more cartridge supporting structures within the CIM that are configured to engage with the removable microfluidic cartridge.   
     
     
         6 . The CIM of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more mechanical microfluidic valve actuators within the CIM that are configured to engage with the removable microfluidic cartridge.   
     
     
         7 . The CIM of  claim 1 , wherein the PCR assembly component utilizes a non-contact mechanism to initiate and support the amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. 
     
     
         8 . The CIM of  claim 7 , wherein the non-contact mechanism comprises an infrared (IR) wavelength configured to heat liquid for the amplification. 
     
     
         9 . The CIM of  claim 7 , wherein the non-contact mechanism comprises a pyrometer temperature sensor. 
     
     
         10 . A method of analyzing a biological sample for DNA analysis, comprising:
 receiving a removable microfluidic cartridge into a cartridge interface module (CIM) of a nucleic acid analyzer system;   initiating and supporting extraction of nucleic acids from the biological sample contained within the removable microfluidic cartridge, via a fluidics component of the CIM while engaged with the removable microfluidic cartridge;   initiating and supporting amplification of the extracted nucleic acids, via a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component of the CIM while engaged with the removable microfluidic cartridge;   initiating and supporting separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments, via a high voltage electrodes component and a detection optics component of the CIM while engaged with a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge; and   directing an input light beam to a separation channel for detection and collection of the nucleic acid fragments, via a detection optics component,   wherein the CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture while engaged with the removable microfluidic cartridge for execution of the extraction, amplification, and separation of the biological sample within the removable microfluidic cartridge.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the extraction occurs via a liquid-based process. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the separation channel is integrated with the microfluidic chip architecture. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the amplification includes heating a liquid, via an infrared (IR) wavelength. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the amplification includes measuring a temperature of the liquid, via a pyrometer temperature sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein genetic material from the biological sample is not transferred from the microfluidic cartridge during analysis of the biological sample. 
     
     
         16 . A cartridge interface module (CIM) of a nucleic acid analyzer system, comprising:
 a fluidics component;   a high voltage electrode component;   a pneumatic connector component;   a cartridge support component;   a microfluidic valve actuator component;   a liquid extraction heater component;   a detection optics component;   a stage heater component; and   a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) component,   wherein the components of the CIM are configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge to extract, amplify, and separate a biological sample within the removable microfluidic cartridge.   
     
     
         17 . The CIM of  claim 16 , wherein the fluidics component is configured to initiate and support liquid extraction of nucleic acids from the biological sample contained within the removable microfluidic cartridge engaged with the CIM. 
     
     
         18 . The CIM of  claim 17 , wherein the PCR component is configured to initiate and support amplification of the liquid-extracted nucleic acids, via a non-contact mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The CIM of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a microfluidic chip architecture within the removable microfluidic cartridge integrated with the CIM.   
     
     
         20 . The CIM of  claim 19 , wherein the microfluidic chip architecture integrated with the CIM is configured to separate the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge engaged with the CIM. 
     
     
         21 . A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a pressure module in a nucleic acid analyzer system, the CIM comprising:
 a pneumatic connector component, configured to provide positive and negative pressures from multiple sources of the pressure module to multiple vent ports of an inserted microfluidic cartridge;   a fluidics component, configured to direct pressure flow from the multiple sources to the multiple vent ports;   a microfluidic valve actuator component; and   a cartridge support component,   wherein the components of the CIM are configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of the inserted microfluidic cartridge to extract, amplify, and separate a biological sample within the inserted microfluidic cartridge.   
     
     
         22 . The CIM of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure module connects a solenoid manifold to the multiple vent ports of the inserted microfluidic cartridge, via one or more pneumatic connections. 
     
     
         23 . The CIM of  claim 21 , wherein genetic material from the biological sample contained within the inserted microfluidic cartridge is not transferred out of the inserted microfluidic cartridge during analysis of the biological sample. 
     
     
         24 . The CIM of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure module is configured to effectuate hydrodynamic movement via pneumatic pressure in the inserted microfluidic cartridge. 
     
     
         25 . The CIM of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure module is configured to actuate one or more valves within the inserted microfluidic cartridge.