SOLID REAGENT CONTAINMENT UNIT, IN PARTICULAR FOR A TRANSPORTABLE MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE FOR SAMPLE PREPARATION AND MOLECULE ANALYSIS

摘要

A solid reagent containment unit is formed by a support (351; 366; 48); a frame body (352) fixed to the support and delimiting internally, together with the support, an analysis volume (354); a reagent-adhesion structure (356; 375) within the analysis volume; and at least one reagent cavity (359), which extends within the reagent-adhesion structure. The reagent-adhesion structure (356; 375) is of an adhesion material embossable at temperatures lower by 6-8°C than its own melting point and has a melting point such as not to interfere with the analysis. The reagent cavity (359) forms a retention wall, laterally surrounding the reagent cavity (359), and houses dried reagents (361). The adhesion material is chosen among wax, such as paraffin, a polymer, such as polycaprolactone, a solid fat, such as cocoa butter, and a gel, such as hydrogel or organogel.