Method for testing the interaction between at least one liquid sample and respective solid sample

• US 20060084183A1
• Filed: 05/21/2003
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: F Sperling APS
• Original Assignee: F Sperling APS
• Inventors: Henriksen, Flemming Sperling
• Application Number:
  US10/515,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20060084183A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/174
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• 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: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/505 flexible containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00188 the analyte being in the solid state
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/023 forming cuvettes in situ, e.g. from plastic strip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00009 provided with a sample supporting tape, e.g. with absorbent zones
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for testing the interaction between at least one liquid sample and a respective solid sample. The method comprises at least the steps of—providing adjacent first and second cavities, where said first and second cavities are in mutual communication via at least one passage, —placing the solid sample in said first cavity, —introducing the liquid sample in one of said first and second cavities, —sealing at least said first and second cavities from the exterior, so as to form a closed system of communicating cavities, —bringing said liquid sample into contact with the solid sample in said first cavity, transferring substantially all of said liquid sample to the second cavity after it has been brought into contact with the solid sample, —and testing the desired properties of any one or both of said liquid sample or said solid sample.

Claims

1. A method for testing the interaction between at least one liquid sample and a respective solid sample said method comprising at least the steps of

providing adjacent first and second cavities, where said first and second cavities are in mutual communication via at least one passage,

placing the solid sample in said first cavity,

introducing the liquid sample in one of said first and second cavities,

sealing at least said first and second cavities from the exterior, so as to form a closed system of communicating cavities,

bringing said liquid sample into contact with the solid sample in said first cavity, transferring substantially all of said liquid sample to the second cavity after it has been brought into contact with the solid sample, and

testing the desired properties of any one or both of said liquid sample or said solid sample.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said liquid sample is repeatedly transferred between said first and second cavity, so as to enhance the interaction between said liquid sample and said solid sample.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of closed systems of first and second cavities are provided.

4. A method according to claims 1, wherein said testing is performed without breaking the sealing of said closed system

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said testing comprises optical inspection of said solid sample in said first cavity after the transfer of substantially all of said liquid sample to said second cavity.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mutual communication between said first and said second cavity is interrupted after said transfer of substantially all of said liquid sample to said second cavity, so as to seal said first and second cavities from each other.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said liquid is transferred between said cavities by means of rollers.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first and second cavities and the at least one passage are repeatedly manufactured as recesses in a first continuous web of flexible foil which are subsequently covered and sealed by a second continuous web of flexible foil.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said first continuous web is of a thermoplastic material.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said second continuous web is of the same material as the first continuous web.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the first and second webs are joined by welding.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said closed system of first and second cavities comprise at least one further cavity.

13. A sealed system for the use in testing the interaction between at least one liquid sample and a respective solid sample,

said system comprising at least a first cavity, a second cavity a passage between said first cavity and said second cavity said solid sample and said liquid sample, and

said first cavity, said second cavity and said passage all being provided between two flexible foils sealed together around said first cavity, said second cavity and said passage so as to form a closed system of communicating cavities.

14. A sealed system according to claim 13 wherein said sealed system of cavities comprises at least one further cavity.

15. A sealed system according to any of one of claims 13 or 14, wherein said flexible foils are welded together.