NEEDLE-SEPTUM INTERFACE FOR A FLUIDIC ANALYZER
First Claim
1. A fluidic analyzer, comprising:
- a cartridge having a first flow channel defined by flow channel walls, wherein a first opening extends from outside of the cartridge and into the first flow channel;
a first septum disposed in or over the first opening and secured to at least a portion of the cartridge with a fluid tight seal;
an instrument for receiving the cartridge;
a first needle attached to the instrument, wherein the first needle is sized to fit in the first opening of the first flow channel and pierce through the first septum; and
the instrument adapted to induce a flow of a fluid in the first needle, which in turn, induces a flow of fluid in the first flow channel of the cartridge, when the first needle is situated in the first opening of the first flow channel and through the first septum.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Instrument-cartridge interfaces for fluidic analyzers that have an instrument and a removable cartridge are disclosed. For example, and in one illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a needle that is adapted to penetrate a septum on a removable cartridge. In another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a plunger that is adapted to deform a deformable membrane on a removable cartridge. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a nozzle that is adapted to mate and seal with a flow channel on a removable cartridge. Techniques for detecting the flow rate in a flow channel on a removable cartridge, as well as the position of fluid in a flow channel of a removable cartridge, are also disclosed.
93 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A fluidic analyzer, comprising:
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a cartridge having a first flow channel defined by flow channel walls, wherein a first opening extends from outside of the cartridge and into the first flow channel;
a first septum disposed in or over the first opening and secured to at least a portion of the cartridge with a fluid tight seal;
an instrument for receiving the cartridge;
a first needle attached to the instrument, wherein the first needle is sized to fit in the first opening of the first flow channel and pierce through the first septum; and
the instrument adapted to induce a flow of a fluid in the first needle, which in turn, induces a flow of fluid in the first flow channel of the cartridge, when the first needle is situated in the first opening of the first flow channel and through the first septum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method comprising:
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inserting a disposable cartridge into an instrument, the disposable cartridge having a flow channel, and an opening extending between the flow channel and an outer surface of the cartridge, the disposable cartridge having a septum positioned in or over the opening, the instrument including a needle for providing a fluid flow;
inserting the needle in fluid communication with the flow channel of the cartridge through the septum;
providing a flow through the needle to the flow channel of the cartridge;
withdrawing the needle from septum and the cartridge; and
disposing of the cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of providing a flow of a fluid in a flow channel of a disposable cartridge, wherein the flow channel is in fluid communication with a pressure source inlet of the cartridge, and wherein the pressure source inlet comprises a septum, the method comprising:
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inserting the cartridge into an instrument, the instrument having a pressure source outlet that includes a needle;
aligning the needle of the instrument with the septum of the cartridge;
inserting the needle of the instrument through the septum of the cartridge; and
changing the pressure at the pressure source inlet of the cartridge via the needle of the instrument to thereby create a flow of the fluid in the flow channel of the cartridge.
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Specification