PORTABLE SAMPLE ANALYZER SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sample analyzer comprising:
- an instrument having a slot; and
a cartridge for insertion into the slot;
a light source proximate to the cartridge when inserted in the slot; and
a detector proximate to the cartridge when inserted in the slot; and
wherein;
the flow channel comprises a channel wall;
the channel wall has a first index of refraction;
a sample fluid in the flow channel has a second index of refraction; and
the light source is for projecting light into the flow channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system relating to sample analyzers, and more particular, to sample analyzers that are simple to operate and have a reduced risk of providing an erroneous result to a user. In some cases, the sample analyzer may be a portable sample analyzer that includes a disposable fluidic cartridge. The operators of the analyzers need not be trained.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument having a slot; and
a cartridge for insertion into the slot;
a light source proximate to the cartridge when inserted in the slot; and
a detector proximate to the cartridge when inserted in the slot; and
wherein;
the flow channel comprises a channel wall;
the channel wall has a first index of refraction;
a sample fluid in the flow channel has a second index of refraction; and
the light source is for projecting light into the flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument having a slot, an energy source and a detector; and
a cartridge, having at least one flow channel, for insertion into the slot. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument having a slot;
a cartridge for insertion into the slot; and
a level sensor attached to the analyzer; and
wherein if the level sensor indicates insufficient levelness of the analyzer, the analyzer may not perform an analysis, not provide a result, and/or will provide an error indication.
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16. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument having a slot;
a cartridge, having one or more flow channels, for insertion into the slot;
one or more flow sensors situated in the one or more flow channels, respectively;
if flow rates indicated by the one or more flow sensors are outside of an expected range of flow rates, then the analyzer may be deemed not sufficiently level, and then the analyzer may not perform an analysis, not provide a result, and/or will provide an error indication.
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17. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument having a slot;
a cartridge, having one or more flow channels, for insertion into the slot;
one or more flow sensors situated in the one or more flow channels, respectively;
if flow rates indicated by the one or more flow sensors are outside of an expected range of flow rates, then a fluid in the one or more flow channels may be deemed incorrect, and then the analyzer may not perform an analysis, not provide a result, may indicate an incorrect fluid, and/or will provide an error indication.
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18. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument having a slot;
a cartridge, having at least one flow channel, for insertion into the slot;
wherein;
the instrument has a first structural fitting;
the card has a second structural fitting for mating with the first structural fitting;
the first and second structural fittings permit the card to be inserted in only a proper orientation.
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19. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument having fluid ports; and
a card insertable in the instrument; and
wherein;
the card, having a proper orientation when inserted in the instrument, has fluid ports that align with and connect to the fluid ports of the instrument;
the fluid ports of the instrument have flow sensors for measuring flows through the fluid ports, respectively;
if flow sensors do not indicate expected flows through the fluid ports, then one or more fluid ports of the card do not align with and connect to the fluid ports of the instrument indicating that the card may have improper orientation of insertion in the instrument, and the analyzer may not perform an analysis, not provide a result, and/or will provide an error indication.
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20. sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument having one or more optical windows;
a card, having one or more optical windows situated to one or more channels or paths, the card being insertable in the instrument;
the card, having a proper orientation when inserted in the instrument, has the one or more windows that are optically aligned with the one or more windows of the instrument;
if an expected optical communication between the one or more windows of the card and the one or more windows of the instrument does not occur, then the sample analyzer may not perform an analysis, not provide a result, and/or will provide an error indication.
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21. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument having a receptacle with a reader; and
a component, having a tag, insertable in the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A sample analyzer comprising:
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a built-in-self-test to provide scan chain test, before, during and/or after analysis run; and
the test covers controllable and observable modes within circuits.
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31. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument having one or more windows; and
a cartridge, having one or more windows aligned with the one more windows of the instrument, respectively, insertable in the instrument; and
wherein before an analysis run, a check for cracks, dirt or other debris on one or more windows using optical scatter, reflective and/or transmissive measurement. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument;
a cartridge having one or more flow channels;
wherein;
each of the one or more flow channels has at least one flow sensor associated with it each flow sensor output is monitored before, during and/or after an analysis run;
each flow sensor output is checked to determine whether it is within an expected range and/or flow profile; and
if one of the flow sensor outputs is deemed not to be within an expected range and/or flow profile, the sample analyzer may not perform an analysis, not provide a result, and/or will provide an error indication.
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34. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument;
a cartridge insertable in the instrument;
wherein;
the instrument comprises;
an AC power input; and
a battery power backup.
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35. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument;
a cartridge insertable in the instrument;
a hardware self-check for before, during and/or after an analysis run; and
a software self-check for before, during and/or after an analysis run.
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36. sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument;
a cartridge insertable in the instrument; and
an internet/network communication connection connected to the instrument; and
wherein the internet/network communication connection comprises;
delivery of results of an analysis run to a remote location;
upgrades of software of analyzer from a remote location; and
/orprovides cartridge reject information to a remote location. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument;
a cartridge insertable in the instrument; and
a wireless communication connection connected to the instrument; and
wherein the wireless communication connection comprises;
delivery of results of an analysis run to a remote location;
upgrades of software of analyzer from a remote location; and
/orproviding cartridge reject information to a remote location. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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45. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument having a slot; and
a cartridge, having a flow channel, for insertion into the slot; and
wherein;
the flow channel has a flow sensor;
if the channel is depressurized with a fluid, the flow sensor may measure a flow rate of the fluid caused by gravity level;
the flow rate is indicative of the level of the analyzer;
if the level of the analyzer is not within a specified range, the analyzer may not perform an analysis, not provide a result, and/or will provide an error indication.
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46. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument;
a cartridge insertable in the instrument; and
a shock/vibration sensor attached to the instrument; and
wherein;
shock/vibration may be detected by the sensor before, during and/or after analysis; and
if the shock/vibration exceeds a specified magnitude acceptable for analyzer operation, then the analyzer may not perform an analysis, not provide a result, and/or will provide an error indication.
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47. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument;
a cartridge insertable in the instrument; and
at least one interface between a fluid reservoir and a channel on the cartridge; and
wherein;
the interface comprises;
a septum on the channel; and
a hollow needle connected to the reservoir; and
the needle is for piercing the septum and conveying fluid from the reservoir to the channel and for withdrawing from the septum and permitting the septum to self-seal since the piercing does not core the septum.
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48. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument;
a cartridge insertable in the instrument;
a reservoir situated in the cartridge;
a membrane being an exterior wall of the reservoir; and
a shaft situated in the instrument and adjacent to the membrane when the cartridge is inserted in the instrument; and
wherein if fluid is to be moved from the reservoir of the cartridge when inserted, the shaft may be moved into contact with the membrane and push the membrane in to move fluid from the reservoir.
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49. A sample analyzer comprising:
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an instrument;
a cartridge insertable in the instrument;
a reservoir situated in the cartridge;
a first membrane being an exterior wall of the reservoir; and
a second membrane situated on an end of an actuator situated in the instrument and adjacent to the first membrane when the cartridge is inserted in the instrument; and
wherein if fluid is pumped into the end of the actuator, the second membrane deforms against the first membrane to be moved in towards the reservoir of the cartridge when inserted, and push the first membrane in to move fluid from the reservoir.
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Specification