Patent ID: 8404440

Claim:
An integrated lab-on-a-chip device for carrying out a nucleic acid extraction process on a fluid sample containing cells and/or particles, the device comprising: (a) a sample inlet for loading of a fluid sample, (b) a lysis unit for lysis of cells and/or particles present in the fluid sample, (c) a reservoir of lysis fluid for the lysis unit, (d) a nucleic acid extraction unit downstream of the lysis unit, (e) reservoirs of first washing buffer and eluant fluid for the nucleic acid extraction unit, wherein the reservoirs of lysis fluid, first washing buffer and eluant fluid are arranged in parallel, each reservoir having an upper end and a lower end, (f) a mixing unit downstream of the nucleic acid extraction unit, (g) a reservoir of mixing fluid for the mixing unit configured so that, in use, the mixing fluid is mixed in the mixing unit with a sample eluted from the nucleic acid extraction unit, (h) a waste unit in fluid communication with the nucleic acid extraction unit, (i) an upper variable-position valve connected to the upper ends of the reservoirs of lysis fluid, first washing buffer and eluant fluid, (j) a pump in fluid communication with the upper variable-position valve, (k) a lower variable-position valve connected to the lower ends of the at least three fluid reservoirs, (l) a first actuation channel connecting the lower variable-position valve to the lysis unit, (m) a second actuation channel connecting the lower variable-position valve to the nucleic acid extraction unit, and (n) a third variable position valve connected to an outlet of the nucleic acid extraction unit and positioned to allow, in use, fluid flowing through the nucleic acid extraction unit to exit to the waste unit or the mixing unit, wherein the upper variable-position valve, lower variable-position valve and third variable position valve operate in concert and the lysis fluid, first washing buffer, eluant fluid and mixing fluid may be actuated by the pump in fluid communication with the upper variable-position valve.