Plurality of reaction chambers in a test cartridge

• US 10,159,972 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2015
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qiagen GmbH (Qiagen NV)
• Original Assignee: Stat-Diagnostica & Innovation, S.L.
• Inventors: Bru Gilbert, Rafael, Carrera Fabra, Jordi, Comenges Casas, Anna, Garcia Sanchez, Jose Antonio
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Young J
• Application Number:
  US14/743,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20150283542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0627 Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0848 Specific forms of parts of containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/12 Specific details about materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/18 Means for temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1822 using Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0475 specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6806 Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay C12Q1/6804 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/75 Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated systems in which material is burnt in a flame or plasma G01N21/72, G01N21/73
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/50 Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing measuring or testing processes involving enzymes or microorganisms, compositions or test papers therefor; processes for forming such compositions, condition responsive control in microbiological or enzymological processes C12Q
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5306 Improving reaction conditions, e.g. reduction of non-specific binding, promotion of specific binding

Abstract

A fluidic testing system is presented that includes a plurality of test chambers, a plurality of inlet channels, and a fluidic network that connects the inlet channels to one or more other chambers. The plurality of test chambers are each characterized by a length and a hydraulic diameter. The length of each test chamber is aligned substantially parallel to a gravity vector. Each of the test chambers has only one opening disposed along the length of the corresponding test chamber. Additionally, each of the test chambers is coupled via its respective opening to only one of the plurality of inlet channels.

Claims

1. A fluidic testing system, comprising:

a plurality of test chambers, each having a wall that defines a longest side of a given test chamber, wherein each of the plurality of test chambers has only one opening, the only one opening being through the wall of a corresponding test chamber;

a plurality of inlet channels, wherein each of the plurality of test chambers is coupled via its respective opening to only one of the plurality of inlet channels, wherein a width of a respective inlet channel increases as the respective inlet channel approaches a respective opening; and

a fluidic network configured to connect the plurality of inlet channels to one or more other chambers.

2. The fluidic testing system of claim 1, wherein a longest dimension of the wall of each test chamber is configured to be aligned substantially parallel to a gravity vector.

3. The fluidic testing system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of liquid sensing areas disposed along the plurality of inlet channels.

4. The fluidic testing system of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of liquid sensing areas is configured to monitor a presence of liquid within a corresponding test chamber.

5. The fluidic testing system of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of liquid sensing areas is configured to dose a pre-determined amount of liquid into a corresponding test chamber.

6. The fluidic testing system of claim 1, wherein a position of the only one opening along the wall of a given test chamber controls an amount of liquid that remains within the given test chamber after the remainder of the liquid is drawn away from the only one opening through the respective inlet channel.

7. The fluidic testing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of test chambers includes one or more reagents.

8. The fluidic testing system of claim 7, wherein the one or more reagents are freeze-dried pellets disposed within the test chambers.

9. The fluidic testing system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of premixing chambers disposed along the plurality of second inlet channels.

10. The fluidic testing system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of premixing chambers comprise one or more reagents.

11. The fluidic testing system of claim 1, wherein a bottom wall of each of the plurality of test chambers has a curved geometry.

12. The fluidic testing system of claim 1, wherein a bottom wall of each of the plurality of test chambers is transparent to allow for optical interrogation.

13. The fluidic testing system of claim 1, wherein a single pump is used to force liquid through the plurality of inlet channels.

14. The fluidic testing system of claim 1, wherein one or more walls of the plurality of chambers are in contact with a thermally controlled housing.

15. The fluidic testing system of claim 14, wherein the one or more walls are polymeric films having a thickness less than 100 microns.

16. The fluidic testing system of claim 14, wherein the thermally controlled housing comprises a Peltier device.

17. The fluidic testing system of claim 14, wherein the thermally controlled housing comprises electrical resistive heating elements.

18. The fluidic testing system of claim 14, wherein the thermally controlled housing is heated via forced air.

19. The fluidic testing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of inlet channels is coupled to more than one test chamber via respective openings into each test chamber.