Pu•MA Technology

How it Works

The Pu·MA Flowchip and System uses established antibody pairs to perform an automated ELISA.  All assay reagents are loaded into reservoirs and then moved one at a time through the “Assay Channel” by the Pu·MA System. Preloaded protocols execute all fluid transfer and incubation steps The system incorporates patented valve-less fluidic switching (VLFS) to precisely control fluid movement in a flowchip. Use of microfluidics reduces both incubation times and reagent volumes.

Reagent Loading Setup

• All reagents pre-loaded into flowchip
• Reagents are transferred one-by-one through the assay channel to form analyte “sandwich” structures
• Incubation and Wash steps performed automatically
• Substrate reacts with HRP in the channel and then is moved to the Read Well which is pre-loaded with Stop Solution
• Open-platform accommodates wide range of assays

Valve-Less Fluidic Switching

Valve-Less Fluidic Switching (VLFS) is a patent pending technology that allows precise fluid control in a microfluidic device without the need of mechanical microvalves or integrated moving parts.  Benefits include:

• Enables a broad range of immunoassays and other life science applications
• Programmable & automated flow switching and combinatorial mixing
• Compatible with injection molded thermoplastics for large scale production
• Uses hydrophobic barriers to control fluids – no integrated valves or pumps

How does it work?  Microfluidic flowchips are setup as a combination of Reservoirs (A,B,C & D) and Nodes (N) connected by channels.  Hydrophobic barriers are used to keep fluids in desired wells.  Pneumatic pressure gradients are applied to transfer fluid from one Reservoir to another via a Node.   An example is shown below where two reagents are transferred to different wells through the same Node.   Watch a movie of VLFS in action!