WO2009101584A2

WO2009101584A2 - Driver system for lab-on-a-chip cartridges

Info

Publication number: WO2009101584A2
Application number: PCT/IB2009/050558
Authority: WO
Inventors: David A. Fish; Marc W. G. Ponjee; Mark T. Johnson
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2008-02-15
Filing date: 2009-02-11
Publication date: 2009-08-20
Also published as: WO2009101584A3

Abstract

The present invention provides a driver system (20) for lab-on-a-chip cartridges (15). The driver system (20) comprises a matrix (10) comprising a plurality of active elements (1), a surface adapted for receiving the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15), and driving means (32) adapted for individually and selectively driving groups of active elements (1) of the matrix (10), a group comprising at least one active element (1), so as to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15). The driver system (20) according to embodiments of the invention is flexible and can be used with any type of lab-on-a-chip cartridges (15). The present invention furthermore provides a lab-on-a-chip system comprising such a driver system (20), a method for manufacturing such a driver system (20) and a method for driving a lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15) using such a driver system (20).

Description

Driver system for lab-on-a-chip cartridges

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to lab-on-a-chip systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a driver system for a lab-on-a-chip cartridge, to a lab-on-a-chip system comprising such a driver system, to a method for operating a lab-on-a-chip cartridge using such a driver system and to a method for manufacturing such a driver system. The driver system according to embodiments of the invention may be a re-usable driver system which reduces the cost of lab-on-a-chip system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Lab-On-A-Chip (LOAC) systems are being widely used in the detection of, for example, DNA sequences corresponding to certain diseases. Lab-on-a-chip techniques require a combination of electronic and biological expertise to obtain a fully integrated electronic system. Achieving such fully integrated electronic system requires dedicated systems within the chip, such as systems for sample preparation, polymerized chain reaction (PCR) and target detection.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a specific example that enables amplification of DNA. The technique requires cycled temperature steps that must be accurately adjusted to enable high efficiency amplification.

An advantage of LOAC systems is that they reduce the bulky and time consuming equipment used in current laboratories. LOAC systems require both active driving means, e.g. temperature controllers in the case of PCR, and micro-fluidic systems for moving and processing various biological elements. There may also be system components external to the LOAC. The LOAC will often need to be a disposable element that fits into a fixed piece of equipment to perform its function. This disposable element will need to be low cost if large scale disease or genomic testing is to become viable.

The technologies often used to create LOAC systems are silicon ICs (integrated circuits) with a micro-fluidic bio-processing system. Such silicon ICs are very expensive and significantly increase the cost of the overall system. Lower cost technologies such as glass based CMOS Low Temperature Poly-Silicon (LTPS) can be used with considerable advantage in terms of cost. LOAC systems are known in which the electronic system is located on a non- disposable part and the lab-on-a-chip cartridge is a disposable part. However, such known systems are not suitable for being used for complex tests or with different types of lab-on-a- chip cartridges because they are not flexible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a driver system for a lab-on-a-chip cartridge, a lab-on-a-chip system comprising such a driver system and a method for driving a lab-on-a-chip cartridge using such a driver system, suitable for being used for complex tests.

The above objective is accomplished by a method and device according to the present invention.

Because of the presence of a matrix of active elements which can be driven individually and selectively, the driver system according to embodiments of the present invention is flexible and can be used with any type of lab-on-a-chip cartridge.

The driver system according to embodiments of the present invention may be a re-usable driver system which decreases costs of the lab-on-a-chip system, as electronics required for driving the lab-on-a-chip system are located in the non-disposable part of the system. In a first aspect, the invention provides a driver system for a lab-on-a-chip cartridge. The driver system comprises: a matrix comprising a plurality of active elements, a surface adapted for receiving the lab-on-a-chip cartridge, and driving means adapted for individually and selectively driving one or more groups of active elements of the matrix, a group comprising at least one active element, so as to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge.

Active elements in a group are designed to be driven with a same signal, while groups of active elements may be driven with same or different signals.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a way to reduce the costs of lab-on-a-chip cartridges and systems. A driver system according to embodiments of the invention is physically separated from the lab-on-a-chip cartridge, e.g. a micro-fluidic bio- processing system. A driver system according to embodiments of the invention can be reused a number of times from which, consequently, large cost reductions result. Another advantage of a driver system according to embodiments of the invention is that it is flexible and that it can be used with any type of lab-on-a-chip cartridge. Because of the presence of a matrix of active elements, e.g. heating elements, sensing elements, actuating elements, or other active elements, which can be individually driven, simple as well as complex methods can be performed and the driver system can be used with different types of lab-on-a-chip cartridges. For example, with a driver system according to embodiments of the invention, multiple disposable designs for a wide range of disease tests can be performed using one driver system according to embodiments of the present invention that is designed to have sufficient flexibility. Each of the plurality of active elements may be connected to the driving means by means of an interconnection line.

According to embodiments of the invention, the active elements and the interconnection lines may be formed in a same layer. The layer may, for example, comprise indium tin oxide (ITO). According to other embodiments of the invention, the active elements and the interconnection lines may be formed in different layers. At least one of the layers may, for example, comprise indium tin oxide (ITO). In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, in case of the active elements and the interconnection lines being formed in different layers, the matrix may be referred to as a two layer matrix. The use of such a two layer matrix may improve close packing of the driver system.

The plurality of active elements of the matrix may be logically organized in rows and columns.

According to embodiments of the invention, the driver system may furthermore comprise a protective layer onto the matrix for protecting the active elements of the matrix. Any suitable material that provides properties suitable or desired for the application, e.g. good thermal contact and/or optical transmission, and that is able to avoid damage to the underling circuit may be used. For example, materials such as PDMS (poly- dimethylsiloxane), polyimide, a synthetic rubber obtainable from JSR (Japan Synthetic Rubber) or Teflon may be used for the protective layer. A fixing means, e.g. gluing layer, may be provided on the surface of the driver system for, when in use, fixing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge to the driver system.

According to embodiments of the invention, the active elements may be thin film transistors. The active elements may be one or more of heating elements, sensing elements (e.g. magnetic or optical sensing elements), actuating elements (e.g. for actuating fluid displacement means present in channels of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge) or field generating elements (e.g. for generating a magnetic or an electrical field). A driver system according to embodiments of the invention may be a re-usable driver system. This may reduce costs of lab-on-a-chip systems.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a lab-on-a-chip system comprising a lab-on-a-chip cartridge and a driver system. The driver system comprises: a matrix comprising a plurality of active elements, - a surface adapted for receiving the lab-on-a-chip cartridge, and driving means adapted for individually and selectively driving groups of active elements of the matrix, a group comprising at least one active element, so as to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge.

A lab-on-a-chip system according to embodiments of the invention can be manufactured with reduced costs with respect to prior art lab-on-a-chip systems.

The lab-on-a-chip system may furthermore comprise at least one protective layer. According to embodiments of the invention, the driver system may comprise a protective layer on the matrix for protecting the active elements of the matrix. Any suitable material that provides properties suitable or desired for the application, e.g. good thermal contact and/or optical transmission, and that is able to avoid damage to the underling circuit may be used. For example, materials such as PDMS (poly-dimethylsiloxane), polyimide, a synthetic rubber obtainable from JSR (Japan Synthetic Rubber) or Teflon may be used for the protective layer.

According to other embodiments of the invention, the lab-on-a-chip cartridge may comprise a protective layer on a bottom side, the bottom side being the side which is to be located onto the driver system. The lab-on-a-chip system may furthermore comprise a fixing means e.g. a gluing layer, in between the driver system and the lab-on-a-chip cartridge for providing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge in contact with the surface of the driver system.

The lab-on-a-chip cartridge may comprise at least one driving electrode to facilitate fluid flow or to induce particle motion in channels of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge. The lab-on-a-chip cartridge may comprise an active matrix comprising a plurality of active elements for, for example, actuating fluid in channels of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge.

The driver system may be a re-usable driver system. This may reduce costs of lab-on-a-chip systems according to embodiments of the invention.

The lab-on-a-chip cartridge may be a disposable lab-on-a-chip cartridge.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for operating a lab- on-a-chip cartridge. The method comprises: providing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge in contact with a driver system, the driver system comprising a matrix comprising a plurality of active elements, and individually and selectively driving groups of active elements of the matrix, a group comprising at least one active element, so as to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a- chip cartridge.

Individually and selectively driving groups of active elements of the matrix may be performed by driving one group of active elements at once. For example, only one active element may be driven at once or only one group of a selected number of active elements may be driven at once, the selected number then for example being higher than one. Alternatively, individually and selectively driving groups of active elements of the matrix may be performed by driving different groups of active elements at a same time. For example, different active elements may be driven at a same time or groups comprising a selected number of active elements may be driven at a same time, the selected number then for example being higher than one. Different groups of active elements which are driven at a same time may comprise a same number of active elements or may comprise different numbers of active elements. The groups may be adjacent with respect to each other in the matrix, or the groups may be spread over the matrix. The groups driven may be located in a regular or an irregular pattern.

Providing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge to a driver system may be performed by: - providing a fixing means, e.g. gluing layer, onto a surface of the driving system, and providing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge onto the fixing means, e.g. gluing layer.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for manufacturing a driver system for a lab-on-a-chip cartridge. The method comprises: providing a matrix comprising a plurality of active elements, and providing driving means adapted for individually and selectively driving groups of active elements of the matrix, a group comprising at least one active element, so as to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge. Active elements in a group are designed to be driven with a same signal, while groups of active elements may be driven with same or different signals.

According to embodiments of the invention, the method may furthermore comprise providing interconnection lines for connecting the active elements to the driving means. According to further embodiments of the invention, the method may furthermore comprise providing a protective layer for protecting the active elements of the matrix.

Providing a matrix comprising a plurality of active elements may comprise logically organizing the plurality of active elements of the matrix in rows and columns. The present invention also provides a driver system manufactured according to a method according to embodiments of the invention.

The present invention also provides a controller for driving of at least one group of active element in a matrix, the group comprising at least one active element. The controller comprises a control unit for controlling a driving means adapted for controlled individually and selectively driving groups of active elements of the matrix, a group comprising at least one active element.

The present invention also provides a computer program product for performing, when executed on a computing means, a method for operating a lab-on-a-chip cartridge according to embodiments of the invention. The present invention furthermore provides a machine readable data storage device storing a computer program product according to embodiments of the invention. The present invention furthermore provides transmission of a computer program product according to embodiments of the invention over a local or wide area telecommunications network. Particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims and with features of other dependent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims. The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a matrix comprising a plurality of active elements that can be used with the driver system according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 2 illustrates an example of a matrix comprising a plurality of active elements that can be used with the driver system according to embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 schematically illustrate possible ways for individually and selectively driving groups of active elements of a matrix in a driver system according to embodiments of the invention, groups comprising a plurality of active elements. Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the possibility of a driver system according to embodiments of the invention to be used with any design of lab-on-a-chip cartridge.

Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 schematically illustrate examples of driver system/lab-on-a- chip cartridge combinations according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a system controller for use with a driver system according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of a processing system as can be used for performing a method according to embodiments of the present invention. In the different figures, the same reference signs refer to the same or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes.

Where the term "comprising" is used in the present description and claims, it does not exclude other elements or steps. Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g. "a" or "an", "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated. Furthermore, the terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Wherever in the description or in the claims is referred to lab-on-a-chip cartridge, a device such as e.g. a microfluidic bio-processing system, is meant in which biological, chemical or biochemical methods are performed, without electronics for operating the lab-on-a-chip cartridge.

Wherever in the description or in the claims is referred to lab-on-a-chip system, a combination of a lab-on-a-chip cartridge and a driver system according to embodiments of the invention is meant.

The present invention provides a driver system for a lab-on-a-chip cartridge, a lab-on-a-chip system comprising such a driver system, a method for operating a lab-on-a- chip cartridge and a method for manufacturing such a driver system.

The lab-on-a-chip cartridge may be a disposable lab-on-a-chip cartridge while the driver system may be non-disposable. This decreases costs of lab-on-a-chip systems.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a driver system for a lab-on-a- chip cartridge, e.g. a disposable lab-on-a-chip cartridge. The driver system comprises: a matrix comprising a plurality of active elements, a surface adapted for receiving the lab-on-a-chip cartridge, and driving means adapted for individually and selectively driving groups of active elements of the matrix, a group comprising at least one active element, so as to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a way to reduce the costs of lab-on-a-chip cartridges and systems. The driver system according to embodiments of the invention is physically separated from the lab-on-a-chip cartridge, e.g. a micro-fluidic bio- processing system. The driver system according to embodiments of the invention can be reused a number of times from which, consequently, large cost reductions result.

Another advantage of a driver system according to embodiments of the invention is that it can be used with any type of lab-on-a-chip cartridge. Because of the presence of a matrix of active elements, e.g. heating elements, sensing elements, actuating elements, or other active elements, which can be individually and selectively driven, simple as well as complex methods can be performed and the driver system can be used with different types of lab-on-a-chip cartridges. For example, with a driver system according to embodiments of the invention, multiple disposable designs for a wide range of disease tests can be performed using one driver system according to embodiments of the present invention that is designed to have sufficient flexibility.

The active elements can be any active element known by a person skilled in the art such as, for example but not limited to: heating elements for temperature control of a method performed in the lab-on- a-chip cartridge, sensing elements for sensing the presence of particular target moieties in a sample fluid present in channels of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge, such as e.g. optical or magnetic sensing elements, magnetic or electrical field generating elements for generating a magnetic or electrical field, or actuating elements for causing actuation of e.g. fluid displacement means present in channels of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge.

According to embodiments of the invention, the matrix 10 may comprise a plurality of a same type of active elements 1, e.g. the active elements 1 of the matrix 10 may only be heating elements or only sensing elements or only actuating elements. According to other embodiments of the invention, the matrix 10 may comprise at least two different types of active elements 1. For example, the matrix 10 may comprise both heating elements and sensing elements, or may comprise both sensing elements and actuating elements, or may comprise heating elements, sensing elements and actuating elements, or may comprise any suitable combination of any number of types of active elements 1.

The present invention can be applied for, for example, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems because only heat has to be transferred between the driver system and the lab-on-a-chip cartridge, e.g. the bio-processing system. The driver system according to embodiments of the invention may be used in cases where a non-electrical connection is required between the driver system, e.g. temperature controller in case of PCR, and the lab-on-a-chip cartridge, e.g. the bio-processing system that for example may involve micro-fluidics. The driver system and the lab-on-a-chip cartridge, e.g. bio-processing system can be separated and re-joined multiple times. This may be done by placing the driver system and the lab-on-a-chip cartridge, e.g. bio-processing system, in close proximity. This placement may be reversible, i.e. both driver system and lab- on-a-chip cartridge may be separated from each other. According to embodiments of the present invention, the driver system of the invention may continuously and repeatedly be re- used. According to embodiments of the invention, the process of joining and releasing the driver system and the lab-on-a-chip cartridge, e.g. bio-processing system must be simple and cheap to perform. According to alternative embodiments, the placement may be fixed, for example by gluing the both driver system and the lab-on-a-chip cartridge together. In case of heating, good thermal contact between the lab-on-a-chip cartridge and the driver system needs to be achieved.

In case of, for example, an optical set-up using luminescence such as e.g. fluorescence, transparent active elements, e.g. heating elements may be required. An example hereof is quantitative PCR (qPCR). This may further require that any heat-sinking used is also transparent (blown air or water systems will provide this). In embodiments of the invention, with matrix is meant any arrangement of a plurality of active elements. The active elements of the matrix may be logically organized in rows and columns. Throughout this description, the terms "column" and "row" are used to describe sets of active elements which are linked together. The linking can be in the form of a Cartesian array of rows and columns; however the present invention is not limited thereto. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, columns and rows can be easily interchanged and it is intended in this disclosure that these terms be interchangeable. Also, non-Cartesian arrays may be constructed and are included within the scope of the invention. Accordingly the terms "row" and "column" should be interpreted widely. To facilitate in this wide interpretation, claims may refer to logically organized rows and columns. By this is meant that sets of active elements are linked together in a topologically linear intersecting manner; however, that the physical or topographical arrangement need not be so. For example, the rows may be circles and the columns radii of these circles and the circles and radii are described in this invention as "logically organized" rows and columns. The driver system according to embodiments of the invention comprises a matrix of active elements. According to embodiments of the invention, active matrix glass based technology (e.g. LTPS TFT (low temperature polysilicon thin film transistor) technology, a-Si:H TFT technology, a-Si:H Thin Film Diodes technology, MIMs (Metal Injection Molding) technology may be used to form the matrix. This allows forming high density arrays. For example, in a-Si-H technology, high density arrays can be formed with interconnection scaling roughly with the square root of the number of active elements 1 on a matrix. A very low connection count can be obtained when using LTPS technology because integrated drive circuitry can be implemented, e.g. row and column drive. Care must be taken to enable a large aperture in the system when using active elements which are not transparent such that when radiation, e.g. light, has to be passed through the active elements that these active elements do not block this radiation, e.g. light.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a matrix 10 comprising a plurality of active elements 1 that can be used with the driver system according to embodiments of the invention. Each of the plurality of active elements 1 in the matrix 10 can be driven individually and selectively. According to embodiments of the invention both the active elements 1 and interconnection lines 2 for individually and selectively driving the active elements 1 may be located in a same single layer, for example a single ITO (indium tin oxide or tin doped indium oxide) layer. In the example illustrated in Fig. 1 the matrix 10 comprises nine active elements 1. It has to be understood that this is not intended to limit the invention in any way and that the matrix 10 may comprise any suitable number of active elements 1. The difficulty with driving individual active elements 1 is that the number of active elements 1 that can be driven in a close packed array is quite low, for example a matrix of 10x10 active elements 1 , and the required number of interconnection lines 2 increases with the number of active elements 1, which is undesirable. These interconnection lines 2 have a certain resistance and will cause heating of the driver system. Furthermore, an increase of the required interconnection lines 2 consequently leads to an increase of size and takes up space that cannot be driven, e.g. heated, in a controlled way.

Therefore, according to embodiments of the invention, the matrix 10 may be formed in two different layers of material, e.g. two layers of metal, as is illustrated in Fig. 2. For example, the active elements 1 may be formed in a first layer while the interconnection lines 2 may be formed in a second layer, the active elements 1 thereby being connected to the interconnection lines 2 by interconnecting paths 3. The interconnecting paths 3 may be provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second layers. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the matrix 10 may be referred to as a two layer matrix. The use of such a two layer matrix may improve close packing of the driver system. According to embodiments of the invention, both layers of the matrix 10 may be formed of a same material. For example, both layers of the matrix 10 may be transparent and may, for example, be formed of ITO. According to other embodiments of the invention, both layers of the matrix 10 may be formed of a different material.

According to specific embodiments of the invention where the active elements 1 are implemented by heating elements, also temperature sensors may be present. According to embodiments of the invention, these temperature sensors may be additionally provided. These temperature sensors may be provided in a same or a different layer of material than where the heating elements are provided. According to other embodiments, the heating elements themselves of the matrix 10 may be used as temperature sensors.

As can be seen from Fig. 1 and 2, the driver system according to embodiments of the invention comprises a plurality of active elements 1 arranged in a matrix 10. Depending on the kind of lab-on-a-chip cartridge that is connected to the driver system (see further), groups of active elements 1 can each be driven individually and selectively, a group comprising at least one active element 1. With the groups of active elements being selectively and individually driven is meant that groups of active elements can be separately driven. Individually and selectively driving groups of active elements 1 can be done such that only one group of active elements 1 is driven at once, for example only one active element 1 is driven at once or only one group of a selected number of active elements 1 is driven at once, the selected number then being higher than one. Alternatively, different groups of active elements 1 may be driven at a same time, for example different active elements 1 may be driven at a same time or groups of a selected number of active elements 1 may be driven at a same time, the selected number then being higher than one. When groups of active elements 1 are driven at a same time, these groups of active elements 1 may be driven with a same or with a different signal, depending on the application. This means that each of the groups of active elements 1 may have its own driving settings which may or may not be different for each of the groups of active elements 1. For illustration purposes only, Fig. 3 shows a matrix 10 of active elements 1 in which different active elements Ia are individually and selectively driven at a same time. Fig. 4 shows a matrix 10 of active elements 1 in which for example active elements 1 within groups A, B, C, D are drivable at a same time, each group comprising two active elements 1. The groups per se may be driven simultaneously or at different moments in time. Other active elements in the matrix 10 may be drivable separately, i.e. in groups comprising only one element. This means that in the matrix, a mix of groups comprising different amounts of active elements may be provided. This, however, is not limiting the invention in any way. In other embodiments, all groups may comprise a same amount of active elements. The groups of active elements comprising a same number of active elements may be laid out in the matrix according to a regular pattern. Alternatively, the groups of active elements may be laid out in a seemingly random pattern, for example depending on preferred or pre-determined applications.

It has to be noted that, although in Fig. 4 each of the groups A to D comprises a same number of active elements 1, according to embodiments of the invention, the groups A to D may also comprise different numbers of active elements 1. Furthermore, a group A, B, C, D may comprise any suitable number of active elements 1 as required for particular applications.

Because of the possibility of individually and selectively driving groups of active elements 1 of the matrix 10, heating, actuating, sensing etc. can be performed in a controlled way over any desired space within the matrix 10. Consequently, any design of lab- on-a-chip cartridge can be used with the driver system according to embodiments of the invention. This is schematically illustrated in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows a lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15, e.g. micro-fluidic system, positioned on a driver system 20 according to embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 5 schematically shows two different types of lab-on-a-chip cartridges 15 positioned on a same driver system 20 according to embodiments of the present invention. Because the driver system 20 comprises a matrix 10 of active elements 1 and each of the active elements 1 can be individually and selectively driven, the system may be driven so that only the active elements 1 which are located in the driver system 20 at positions located under particular parts of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15, e.g. under channels or reactions chambers of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15, are driven so as to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15. Hence, because of the presence of a matrix of active elements 1 and the possibility of individually and selectively driving each of the active elements 1, any kind of lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15, e.g. micro-fluidic system can be used with the driver system 20 according to embodiments of the present invention. This provides a high flexibility to the driver system 20 according to embodiments of the present invention.

The driver system 20 may furthermore comprise a substrate 4 onto which the matrix 10 of active elements 1 is formed (see Fig. 6). In embodiments of the present invention, the term "substrate" may include any underlying material or materials that may be used, or upon which a device, a circuit or an epitaxial layer may be formed. In other alternative embodiments, this "substrate" may include a semiconductor substrate such as e.g. a doped silicon, a gallium arsenide (GaAs), a gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP), an indium phosphide (InP), a germanium (Ge), or a silicon germanium (SiGe) substrate. The "substrate" may include for example, an insulating layer such as a SiO₂ or an S1₃N₄ layer in addition to a semiconductor substrate portion. Thus, the term substrate also includes silicon-on-glass, silicon-on sapphire substrates. The term "substrate" is thus used to define generally the elements for layers that underlie a layer or portions of interest. Also, the "substrate" may be any other base on which a layer is formed, for example a glass or metal layer. The substrate may optionally be planarized. This may be done by for example depositing a planarization layer of a photoresist, which may for example be an epoxy- or no vo lac-based polymer, onto the substrate.

According to embodiments of the invention, the driver system 20 may furthermore comprise a protective layer 5 onto the matrix 10 for protecting the active elements 1 of the matrix 10. The protective layer 5 may comprise any suitable material known by a person skilled in the art such as e.g. a plastic layer (e.g. BCB or SU8). Any suitable material that provides properties desired for the application, such as good thermal contact and/or optical transmission, and that is able to avoid damage to the underling circuit may be used. For example, materials such as PDMS (poly-dimethylsiloxane), polyimide, a synthetic rubber obtainable from JSR (Japan Synthetic Rubber) or Teflon may be used for the protective layer 5.

According to embodiments of the invention, a lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 can be positioned onto the driver system 20 according to embodiments of the invention by either attaching it to the driver system 20 by means of an attachment means, such as for example a gluing layer 6, or by just providing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 onto a surface of the driver system 20, preferably in close contact with the surface of the driver system 20. The combination of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 and the driver system 20 will further be referred to as the lab-on-a-chip system.

Examples of such lab-on-a-chip systems are schematically illustrated in Fig. 6 to Fig. 8. In the examples illustrated in Fig. 6 to Fig. 8, the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 may be implemented by a micro fluidic system 15 comprising micro fluidic channels 7. It has to be understood that this is not intended to limit the invention in any way and that, as already mentioned above, the driver system 20 according to embodiments of the invention may be used with any kind and any design of lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15. Fig. 6 shows a first implementation of a lab-on-a-chip system. The matrix 10 of the driver system 20 may be covered with a protective layer 5 that protects the active elements 1 of the matrix 10. As can be seen from Fig. 6, the micro fluidic system 15 may be attached to the driver system 20 by means of a suitable fixing means, e.g. a gluing layer 6. If possible, using a gluing layer 6 to fix the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 to the driver system 20 may be avoided because it may make the system usage more complicated. Therefore, according to other embodiments of the invention and as already mentioned before, such gluing layer 6 may be optional and the micro fluidic system 15 may be located onto the driver system 20 without the use of a fixing means. According to embodiments of the invention a non-gluing material, for example a non-gluing liquid such as e.g. water, may also be used to attach the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 to the driver system 20. According to embodiments of the invention a non-gluing liquid may have a high boiling point of higher than 75°C, for example higher than 85°C, e.g. 100⁰C or higher, so as to minimize loss of the non-gluing liquid by evaporation. According to embodiments of the invention, the micro fluidic system 15 may comprise a protective layer 8 at a bottom side of the micro fluidic system 15 which is to be attached to or located onto the driver system 20. The layers between the matrix 10 and the micro-fluidic cartridge, i.e. protective layers 5 and 8, should protect each component of the system, i.e. each component of respectively the driver system 20 and the micro fluidic system 15, and in the case of e.g. thermal processing of the bio-chemicals they should provide good thermal contact. For example, a plastic layer (e.g. BCB or SU8) on top of the active matrix may be sufficient for both purposes.

If a fixing means, e.g. gluing layer 6, is used to fix the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 to the driver system 20, this gluing layer 6 should be removable. Removal of the gluing layer 6 or release of the lab-on-a-chip 15 cartridge from the driver system 20 may, for example, be obtained by heating. The gluing layer 6 should be able to remain fixed at maximum temperatures at which the lab-on-a-chip system is used, for example to temperature up to e.g. 100⁰C, but should be removable, e.g. should melt, at some higher temperature e.g. 150⁰C so that the driver system 20 and the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 can be separated. On the other hand, the fixing means removal temperature, e.g. .the glue melt temperature, should not be too high because in that case damage may be caused to the active elements 1 in the matrix 10 during removal of the gluing layer 6. It may be also possible to use lasers to release the driver system 20 from the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15. According to embodiments of the invention, the driver system 20 is to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15, but additional driving means may be present in the lab-on-a- chip cartridge 15 itself.

An example hereof is shown in Fig. 7. The lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 may comprise driving electrodes 9 e.g. to facilitate fluid flow or to induce particle motion in the channels 7 of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15. In this case, the costs of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 may increase a little bit because of the presence of these driving electrodes 9. However, the overall cost of the lab-on-a-chip system stays low because the main electronics are still located in the driver system 20 which is separate from the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15. According to these embodiments, any number of conductive driving electrodes 9, which may for example be metal electrodes, may be integrated in the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15. However, in view of increasing costs, the number of driving electrodes 9 in the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 may be kept as low as possible. Such additional driving electrodes 9 may be required when, for example, electrical sensing or actuation has to occur in direct contact with a fluid of interest, i.e. a fluid in which detection of reaction has to occur. Non- limiting examples in which additional driving electrodes 9 may be required are impedance sensing of cells, DEP control of particles such as e.g. cells, pH control or cell lysing.

Another example is given in Fig. 8, where instead of additional driving electrodes 9, an additional active matrix 11 is provided in the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15. The active matrix 11 in the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 may, for example, be used to actuate fluid in the channels 7 of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15. The matrix 10 in the driver system 20 may then, for example, be used for heating and temperature control. Again, the presence of such an additional active matrix 11 may increase the cost of the lab-on-a-chip system. However, the lab-on-a-chip system according to the present embodiment may have more functionality in a given area.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for operating a lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15. The method comprises: providing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 to a driver system 20, the driver system 20 comprising a matrix 10 comprising a plurality of active elements 1, and - individually and selectively driving groups of active elements 1 of the matrix

10, a group comprising at least one active element 1, so as to effectuate operation of the lab- on-a-chip cartridge 15. Because each of the active elements 1 of the matrix 10 may be individually and selectively driven, the method according to embodiments of the invention may be used for operating any kind of lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15.

According to embodiments of the invention, groups of active elements 1 may be individually and selectively driven, a group comprising at least one active element 1. For example, one group of active elements 1 may be individually driven at once, e.g. one active element 1 may be individually and selectively driven at a time or a group comprising a selected number of active elements 1 may be driven at once, the group then comprising more than one active element 1. According to other embodiments, different groups of active elements 1 may be driven at a same time. For example, more than one active element 1 may be driven at a same time or more than one group of active elements 1 may be driven at a same time, each group then comprising more than one active element 1. When different groups of active elements 1 are driven at a same time, the groups may comprise a same number of active elements 1 or may comprise a different number of active elements 1. Active elements in a group are designed to be driven with a same signal, while groups of active elements may be driven with same or different signals.

According to embodiments of the invention, providing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 to a driver system 20 may be performed by: providing a fixing means, e.g. a gluing layer 6, onto a surface of the driving system 20, and providing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge 15 onto the fixing means, e.g. onto the gluing layer 6.

In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a system controller 30 for use in driver system 20 for controlled driving of the active elements 1 of the matrix 10 of a driver system 20 according to embodiments of the present invention. The system controller 30, which is schematically illustrated in Fig. 9, may comprise a control unit 31 for controlling a driving means 32 adapted for individually and selectively driving groups of active elements 1 , a group comprising at least one active element 1. Active elements 1 in a group are designed to be driven with a same signal, while groups of active elements may be driven with same or different signals.

The system controller 30 may include a computing device, e.g. microprocessor, for instance it may be a micro-controller. In particular, it may include a programmable controller, for instance a programmable digital logic device such as a Programmable Array Logic (PAL), a Programmable Logic Array, a Programmable Gate Array, especially a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The use of an FPGA allows subsequent programming of the microfluidic system, e.g. by downloading the required settings of the FPGA. The system controller 30 may be operated in accordance with settable parameters, such as driving parameters, for example temperature and timing parameters. The method described above according to embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a processing system 40 such as shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 10 shows one configuration of processing system 40 that includes at least one customizable or programmable processor 41 coupled to a memory subsystem 42 that includes at least one form of memory, e.g., RAM, ROM, and so forth. It is to be noted that the processor 41 or processors may be a general purpose, or a special purpose processor, and may be for inclusion in a device, e.g., a chip that has other components that perform other functions. Thus, one or more aspects of the method according to embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. The processing system may include a storage subsystem 43 that has at least one disk drive and/or CD-ROM drive and/or DVD drive. In some implementations, a display system, a keyboard, and a pointing device may be included as part of a user interface subsystem 44 to provide for a user to manually input information, such as parameter values. More elements such as network connections, interfaces to various devices, and so forth, may be included, but are not illustrated in Fig. 10. The various elements of the processing system 40 may be coupled in various ways, including via a bus subsystem 45 shown in Fig. 10 for simplicity as a single bus, but will be understood to those in the art to include a system of at least one bus. The memory of the memory subsystem 42 may at some time hold part or all (in either case shown as 46) of a set of instructions that when executed on the processing system 40 implement the steps of the method embodiments described herein.

The present invention also includes a computer program product which provides the functionality of any of the methods according to embodiments of the present invention when executed on a computing device. Such computer program product can be tangibly embodied in a carrier medium carrying machine-readable code for execution by a programmable processor. The present invention thus relates to a carrier medium carrying a computer program product that, when executed on computing means, provides instructions for executing any of the methods as described above. The term "carrier medium" refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as a storage device which is part of mass storage. Common forms of computer readable media include, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a flexible disk or floppy disk, a tape, a memory chip or cartridge or any other medium from which a computer can read. Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor for execution. The computer program product can also be transmitted via a carrier wave in a network, such as a LAN, a WAN or the Internet. Transmission media can take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a bus within a computer.

It is to be understood that although preferred embodiments, specific constructions and configurations, as well as materials, have been discussed herein for devices according to the present invention, various changes or modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A driver system (20) for a lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15), the driver system (20) comprising: a matrix (10) comprising a plurality of active elements (1), a surface adapted for receiving the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15), and - driving means (32) adapted for individually and selectively driving groups of active elements (1) of the matrix (10), a group comprising at least one active element (1), so as to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15).

2. A driver system (20) according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of active elements (1) is connected to the driving means (32) by means of an interconnection line (2).

3. A driver system according to claim 2, wherein the active elements (1) and the interconnection lines (2) are formed in a same layer.

4. A driver system (20) according to claim 2, wherein the active elements (1) and the interconnection lines (2) are formed in different layers.

5. A driver system (20) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the plurality of active elements (1) of the matrix (10) are logically organized in rows and columns.

6. A driver system (20) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the driver system (20) furthermore comprises a protective layer (5) onto the matrix (10) for protecting the active elements (1) of the matrix (10).

7. A driver system (20) according to any of the previous claims, wherein a fixing means (6) is provided on the surface for, when in use, fixing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15) to the driver system (15).

8. A driver system (20) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the active elements (1) are thin film transistors.

9. A driver system (20) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the active elements (1) are one or more of heating elements, sensing elements, actuating elements or field generating elements.

10. A driver system (20) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the driver system (20) is a re-usable driver system.

11. A lab-on-a-chip system comprising a lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15) and a driver system (20), the driver system (20) comprising: a matrix (10) comprising a plurality of active elements (1), - a surface adapted for receiving the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15), and driving means (32) adapted for individually and selectively driving groups of active elements (1) of the matrix (10), a group comprising at least one active element (1), so as to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15).

12. A lab-on-a-chip system according to claim 11, furthermore comprising at least one protective layer (5).

13.- A lab-on-a-chip system according to claim 12, wherein the driver system (20) comprises a protective layer (5) on the matrix (10).

14. A lab-on-a-chip system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15) comprises a protective layer (5) on a bottom side, the bottom side being the side which is to be located onto the driver system (20).

15.- A lab-on-a-chip system according to any of claims 11 to 14, furthermore comprising a fixing means (6) in between the driver system (20) and the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15).

16. Method for operating a lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15), the method comprising: providing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15) in contact with a driver system (20), the driver system (20) comprising a matrix (10) comprising a plurality of active elements (1), and individually and selectively driving groups of active elements (1) of the matrix (10), a group comprising at least one active element (1), so as to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15).

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein individually and selectively driving groups of active elements (1) of the matrix (10) is performed by driving one group of active elements (1) at a time.

18. Method according to claim 16, wherein individually and selectively driving groups of active elements (1) of the matrix (10) is performed by driving a plurality of groups of active elements (1) at a same time.

19. Method according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein providing the lab-on-a- chip cartridge (15) to a driver system (20) is performed by: providing a fixing means (6) onto a surface of the driving system (20), and providing the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15) onto the fixing means (6).

20. Method for manufacturing a driver system (20) for a lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15), the method comprising: providing a matrix (10) comprising a plurality of active elements (1), and providing driving means adapted for individually and selectively driving groups of active elements (1) of the matrix (10), a group comprising at least one active element (1), so as to effectuate operation of the lab-on-a-chip cartridge (15).

21. Method according to claim 20, furthermore comprising providing interconnection lines (2) for connecting the active elements (1) to the driving means (32).

22. Method according to claim 20 or 21, furthermore comprising providing a protective layer (5) for protecting the active elements (1) of the matrix (10).

23. Method according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein providing the matrix (10) comprises logically organizing the plurality of active elements (1) of the matrix (10) in rows and columns.

24. A driver system (20) manufactured according to a method as in any of claims

20 to 23.

25. A controller for driving of at least one group of active elements (1) in a matrix (10), the controller (30) comprising: a control unit (31) for controlling a driving means (32) adapted for individually and selectively driving groups of active elements (30), a group comprising at least one active element (1).

26. A computer program product for performing, when executed on a computing means, a method as in any of claims 16 to 19.

27. A machine readable data storage device storing the computer program product of claim 26.

28. Transmission of the computer program product of claim 26 over a local or wide area telecommunications network.