Systems and methods including a rotary valve for at least one of sample preparation or sample analysis

Abstract

Systems and methods for conducting designated reactions that include a fluidic network having a sample channel, a reaction chamber, and a reservoir. The sample channel is in flow communication with a sample port. The system also includes a rotary valve that has a flow channel and is configured to rotate between first and second valve positions. The flow channel fluidically couples the reaction chamber and the sample channel when the rotary valve is in the first valve position and fluidically couples the reservoir and the reaction chamber when the rotary valve is in the second valve position. A pump assembly induces a flow of a biological sample toward the reaction chamber when the rotary valve is in the first valve position and induces a flow of a reaction component from the reservoir toward the reaction chamber when the rotary valve is in the second valve position.

1 . A system comprising:
 a microfluidic body having a body side and a fluidic network that includes a supply port and a feed port, the supply port opening to the body side;   a rotary valve that is rotatably mounted to the body side, the rotary valve having a first channel port, a second channel port, and a flow channel that extends between the first and second channel ports, the rotary valve configured to rotate between first and second valve positions, the first channel port being in flow communication with the supply port of the microfluidic body when the rotary valve is in the first valve position, the first channel port being sealed by the microfluidic body when the rotary valve is in the second valve position; and   a pump assembly configured to induce a flow of a fluid through the supply port and into the flow channel when the rotary valve is in the first valve position; and   a thermocycler positioned relative to the rotary valve and controls a temperature experienced by the fluid within the flow channel when the rotary valve is in the second valve position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic body includes a reservoir port that opens to the body side and is in flow communication with a reservoir, the rotary valve being rotatable to a third valve position in which the first channel port and the reservoir port are aligned, the pump assembly configured to induce a flow of the fluid in the flow channel through the reservoir port and into the reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pump assembly is configured to induce a flow of the fluid from the reservoir through the flow channel and through the feed port of the microfluidic body. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary valve is configured to rotate about an axis, the second channel port and the feed port being aligned with the axis. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow channel is a first flow channel, the rotary valve including a second flow channel extending between corresponding channel ports. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a reaction chamber in flow communication with the feed port and a detection device that is positioned to detect designated reactions within the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the reaction chamber has a remote location with respect to the rotary valve. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein a flow cell includes the reaction chamber, the detection device being an imaging detector that is positioned adjacent to the flow cell. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the imaging detector and the flow cell are secured to each other. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a microfluidic body having a fluidic network that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and a sample reservoir;   a rotary valve that is rotatably coupled to the microfluidic body, the rotary valve having a first channel segment and a second channel segment, wherein the first channel segment fluidically couples the inlet port and the sample reservoir when the rotary valve is in a first valve position and the second channel segment fluidically couples the outlet port and the sample reservoir when the rotary valve is in the first valve position;   a pump assembly configured to flow a fluid through the inlet port and the first channel segment into the sample reservoir when the rotary valve is in the first valve position, wherein the rotary valve is configured to move to a second valve position in which the sample reservoir is sealed by the rotary valve; and   a thermocycler positioned relative to the microfluidic body to provide thermal energy to the sample reservoir when the rotary valve is in the second valve position.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the rotary valve includes an enclosed gas reservoir, the enclosed gas reservoir being aligned with the sample reservoir when the rotary valve is in the second valve position, the enclosed gas reservoir and the sample reservoir combining to form a reaction chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a feed channel in flow communication with the outlet port, the feed channel fluidically coupling the outlet port to a reaction chamber, wherein the system includes the reaction chamber and a detection device that is positioned to detect designated reactions within the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the reaction chamber has a remote location with respect to the rotary valve. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein a flow cell includes the reaction chamber, the detection device being an imaging detector that is positioned adjacent to the flow cell. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 a microfluidic body having a fluidic network that includes a sample reservoir and a separate assay channel, the assay channel extending between first and second ports, the fluidic network also including a feed port;   a thermocycler positioned adjacent to a thermal-control area of the microfluidic body, the assay channel extending through the thermal-control area, the thermocycler configured to provide thermal energy to the thermal-control area; and   a rotary valve that is rotatably coupled to the microfluidic body and configured to move between first and second valve positions, the rotary valve having a bridge channel and a separate flow channel, the bridge channel fluidically coupling the sample reservoir and the first port of the assay channel and the flow channel fluidically coupling the second port of the assay channel and the feed port when the rotary valve is in the first valve position, wherein the rotary valve is configured to move to a second valve position to seal the first and second ports of the assay channel.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the flow channel is configured to receive a biological sample from the assay channel, the rotary valve configured to rotate to a third valve position in which the flow channel is fluidically coupled to a reservoir, the biological sample permitted to flow through the flow channel into the reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a reaction chamber in flow communication with the feed port and a detection device that is positioned to detect designated reactions within the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the reaction chamber has a remote location with respect to the rotary valve. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein a flow cell includes the reaction chamber, the detection device being an imaging detector that is positioned adjacent to the flow cell. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the imaging detector and the flow cell are secured to each other. 
     
     
         21 - 34 . (canceled)