Fluidic Sorter for Microtransponders

描述(由申请人提供)：我们建议开发一种基于流体的微应答器自动分选器，以补充现有的PharmaSeq仪器和试剂系列。PharmaSeq提供超小型轻型微型应答器和基于流体的台式流量读取器，作为执行复杂生物检测的工具。微应答器是500x500微米和250x250微米的电子芯片，采用标准的cmos工艺生产，包含用于电源、数字逻辑、ID存储器和射频发射天线的光电池。这些芯片是独立的，在潮湿或干燥的条件下都能很好地发挥作用。该项目的主要目标是生产一种分选机，它使用横流将芯片传送到基于MicroTranResder ID的选定输出端口。这种首选方法使用低压调节器、电磁阀、输送液体和低质量芯片作为唯一的运动部件，这表明高速、高可靠性、低成本的分选系统是可行的。该分拣机将包含一个ID读取器来识别一个微型应答器，以及一个路由器模块来操作它。自动分选器将在微应答器上实现组合化学，加速药物发现。在并行应用中，该分选器还将降低用于DNA和蛋白质多重分析的MicroTransder试剂盒的成本。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose to develop a fluidics-based automated sorter for microtransponders to complement the existing line of PharmaSeq instruments and reagents. PharmaSeq provides ultra-small light-powered microtransponders and a fluidics-based bench-top flow reader as tools to perform complex bioassays. The microtransponders are 500x500 micron and 250x250 micron electronic chips, produced with standard CMOS processes, and contain photocells for power, digital logic, memory for an ID, and an RF transmitting antenna. The chips are self-contained, and function well in wet or dry conditions. The main project goal is to produce a sorter which uses cross-flow to route chips to a selected output port based on the microtransponder ID. This preferred method employs low pressure regulators, solenoid valves, transport liquid, and the low mass chips as the only moving parts, suggesting that high-speed, high-reliability, low-cost sorting systems are feasible. The sorter will contain an ID reader to identify a microtransponder and a router module to manipulate it. An automatic sorter would enable combinatorial chemistry on microtransponders, accelerating drug discovery. The sorter, in a parallel application, will also reduce the cost of microtransponder kits for DNA and protein multiplex assay.