Device, measuring instrument and process for taking-up and studying or manipulating a sample liquid in a microfluidic platform

• US 20060078469A1
• Filed: 10/12/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Microparts GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Microparts GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Blankenstein, Gert, Kadel, Klaus, Dechant, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,815,857 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/99
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48764 Test tape taken off a spool

Abstract

A device and a plurality of microfluidic platforms for taking up and especially studying or manipulating a sample liquid, a measuring instrument for use with the device and platforms, and a process for performing the studying or manipulating of the sample liquid. Very simple, hygienic and user-friendly handling is enabled in that the platforms which are connected to one another in a sealed state and can each be individually separated and individually, preferably simultaneously, opened for taking up of a sample, such as blood, for, e.g., performing a glucose determination.

Claims

1. Device with a plurality of microfluidic platforms for taking-up and studying or manipulating a sample liquid, the platforms, in a sealed state, being at least one of directly joined to one another and located on a common carrier, and wherein the each of the platforms is adapted to be individually separated and individually opened.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the individual platforms are each adapted to be opened by separation for taking up the sample liquid.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the platforms are connected in a longitudinal series in which each pair of platforms are directly connected to one another by way of connection;

wherein each platform has at least one of a take-up channel for taking up the sample liquid and a vent channel which extends over the connection into a following platform so that the at least one of a take-up channel and the vent channel is opened upon separation of the connection.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the connections of the platforms are frangible connections.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the platforms are covered by a continuous covering.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the covering covers at least one of a take-up channel for taking up the sample liquid and a vent channel of the platforms.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein at least a strip of the covering is adapted for being opened or removed, so that at least one of said channels is opened.

8. Device according to claim 5, wherein the covering also covers a sample chamber of the platforms.

9. Device according to claim 5, wherein the covering is made of a film.

10. Device according to claim 1, wherein the platforms are arranged in succession in a belt-shaped arrangement.

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is belt-shaped.

12. Device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is made of a film.

13. Device according to claim 1, wherein the connected platforms are wound into a coil from which individual platforms are removable.

14. Device according to claim 1, wherein the connected platforms are arranged in a stack from which individual platforms are removable.

15. Device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the platforms, the carrier and the covering of the platforms are provided with at least one of mechanical and optical markings, recesses, holes, tapers, weakenings, notches for enabling or facilitating at least one of conveyance, positioning, grasping and separation of individual platforms.

16. Measuring instrument for studying a sample liquid by means of a microfluidic platform, wherein the measuring instrument has means for holding a multiplicity of single-use platforms.

17. Measuring instrument according to claim 16, wherein the measuring instrument has an interchangeable magazine for holding of the platforms.

18. Measuring instrument according to claim 16, wherein the measuring instrument has an advance means for conveying the platforms.

19. Measuring instrument according to claim 16, wherein the measuring instrument has an opening means for opening of individual platforms for taking up the sample liquid.

20. Measuring instrument according to claim 16, wherein the measuring instrument has a separation means for separation of individual platforms.

21. Measuring instrument according to claim 16, wherein the measuring instrument has an ejection means for release of an individual used platform.

22. Measuring instrument according to claim 16, wherein at least one of an advance means, an opening means, a separation means and an ejection means of the measuring instrument is operable purely mechanically by manual actuation.

23. Measuring instrument according to claim 16, wherein the measuring instrument is of a size and weight to be portable.

24. Process for studying or manipulating a sample liquid by means of a microfluidic platform which takes up the sample liquid, comprising the steps of:

delivering a plurality of platforms which in the sealed state and which are at least one of directly joined to one another and located on a common carrier,

individually opening and separating the platforms as needed, and

immediately following opening and separating of a platform, performing said studying or manipulation of the sample liquid.

25. Process according to claim 24, wherein each platform is opened individually directly before, with or directly after separation from the other platforms to take up the sample liquid.

26. Process according to claim 24, wherein each of the platforms is opened individually by lifting up or pulling off from a common carrier.

27. Process according to claim 24, wherein each of the platforms is opened individually by lifting up or pulling off at least a portion of a common covering.

28. Process according to claim 24, wherein each of the platforms is opened individually by separating of a connection between it and an adjacent one of the platforms.

29. Process according to claim 24, wherein the sample taken up is blood and the studying or manipulation comprises a glucose determination.

30. Microfluidic platform assembly, comprising:

a plurality of microfluidic platforms for taking-up and studying or manipulating a sample liquid, the platforms, in a sealed state, being covered by a common or continuous covering, which covers at least one of an opening of a take-up channel for taking up the sample liquid and an opening of a vent channel of each platform,

wherein the each of the platforms is adapted to be individually separated and is adapted to be individually opened by removing at least a portion of the covering, so that at least one of said channels is opened.