Pressure-variation fluid transport, in particular for body-fluid analysis

• US 20020094583A1
• Filed: 07/23/2001
• Published: 07/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gerhard Pross, Jens-Peter Seher
• Original Assignee: Gerhard Pross, Jens-Peter Seher
• Inventors: Seher, Jens-Peter, Pross, Gerhard
• Granted Patent: US 6,936,225 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0663 Whole sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0605 check valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0638 membrane valves, flap valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00237 Handling microquantities of analyte, e.g. microvalves, capillary networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Disclosed is the sensing a sample fluid. The sample fluid is first provided into a cartridge (400), and the cartridge (400) inserted into a reading device (420). A pressure variation is provided in the cartridge (400), and the sample fluid will be moved to a sensing element (140) by using the provided pressure variation and by controlling the timing for releasing a pressure in the pressure variation means (40, 50, 100, 110). The moved the sample fluid can then be sensed by means of the sensing element (140).

Claims

1. A fluid movement system (10), preferably comprised in a cartridge (400) to be inserted into a reading device (420), for moving a sample fluid, characterized by:

pressure variation means (40, 50, 100, 110) for moving the sample fluid under the influence of a pressure variation applied to the fluid movement system (10), and

timing means for controlling the timing for releasing a pressure in the pressure variation means (40, 50, 100, 110).

2. The fluid movement system (10) of claim 1, further comprising a sensing element (140) for sensing the sample fluid, wherein the pressure variation means (40, 50, 100, 110) is arranged for moving the sample fluid from and/or to the sensing element (140).

3. The fluid movement system (10) of claim 1, further comprising fluid guiding means (120, 210, 220) for guiding the sample fluid, preferably by means of capillary forces.

4. The fluid movement system (10) of claim 1, wherein the pressure variation means (40, 50, 100, 110) comprises volume-variation means (40) for generating an overpressure and/or an underpressure by means of a volumetric variation.

5. The fluid movement system (10) of claims 4, wherein the pressure variation means (40, 50, 100, 110) further comprises at least one valve (100, 110).

6. The fluid movement system (10) of claims 4, wherein the pressure variation means (40, 50, 100, 110) further comprises a resilient member (50) for counteracting against the volumetric variation applied to the volume-variation means (40).

7. The fluid movement system (10) of claim 1, wherein the pressure variation means (40, 50,100, 110) comprises:

volume-variation means (40) for successively generating an overpressure and/or an underpressure by means of a volumetric variation,

a first valve (100) for releasing the overpressure and/or for at least temporarily maintaining the underpressure, and

a resilient member (50) for counter-acting against the volumetric variation applied to the volume-variation means (40).

8. The sample fluid movement system (10) of claim 7, further comprising:

a second valve (110) for securing the sample fluid against movement as long as the overpressure is maintained and/or for allowing the sample fluid to move as long as the underpressure is maintained.

9. A method for moving a sample fluid, preferably comprised in a cartridge (400) to be inserted into a reading device (420), comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a pressure variation,

(b) moving the sample fluid under the influence of the provided pressure variation, and

(c) controlling the timing for releasing a pressure in the pressure variation means (40, 50, 100,110).

10. A method for sensing a sample fluid, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing the sample fluid into a cartridge (400),

(b) inserting the cartridge (400) into a reading device (420),

(c) providing a pressure variation in the cartridge (400),

(d) moving the sample fluid to a sensing element (140) by using the provided pressure variation,

(e) controlling the timing for releasing a pressure in the pressure variation means (40, 50, 100, 110), and

(f) sensing the moved the sample fluid by means of the sensing element (140).

11. A software program, adapted to be stored on or otherwise provided by any kind of data carrier, for executing the steps of the method of claim 9 or 10 when run in or by any suitable data processing unit.