A FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM OF A CARTRIDGE

• US 20080195020A1
• Filed: 04/25/2005
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Cabuz, Cleopatra, Cabuz, Eugen
• Granted Patent: US 7,420,659 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/4.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150213 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150221 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150229 Pumps for assisting the blood sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150343 Collection vessels for collecting blood samples from the skin surface, e.g. test tubes, cuvettes sampling from within body cavities A61B5/150015, A61B5/150045
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150755 Blood sample preparation for further analysis, e.g. by separating blood components or by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150969 Low-profile devices which resemble patches or plasters, e.g. also allowing collection of blood samples for testing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0636 Focussing flows, e.g. to laminate flows
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0633 with moving parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0015 Diaphragm or membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0051 using electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/7086 using optical detecting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1023 Microstructural devices for non-optical measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1404 Handling flow, e.g. hydrodynamic focusing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1484 : microstructural devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1486 : Counting the particles

Abstract

An apparatus having a disposable cytometer cartridge containing pumps, pressure chambers, reservoirs, flow sensors, flow channels, and microfluidic circuits with fluid operations on the cartridge. The circuits may include mesopumps and mesovalves embedded in the chip, card or cartridge. The apparatus may have multiple detecting, analyzing and identification capabilities of blood or other fluids of interest. The sample to be tested may be entered in the disposable microfluidic cartridge which in turn is insertable in a hand-holdable or portable cytometer instrument. This apparatus may have significant application in biological warfare agent detection, water analyses, environmental checks, hematology, and other clinical and research fields.

Claims

1. A flow control system comprising:

a fluidic cartridge having at least one flow channel;

an electrostatically actuated valve situated in at least one flow channel of the cartridge, wherein the electrostatically actuated valve includes a valve cavity with a movable diaphragm within the valve cavity, wherein the movable diaphragm is actuated by an electrostatic force to open the electrostatically actuated valve to allow flow through the at least one flow channel and/or close the electrostatically actuated valve to prevent flow through the at least one flow channel;

a controller connected to the electrostatically actuated valve for controlling the opening and/or closing of the electrostatically actuated valve during operation of the fluidic cartridge; and

a flow sensor in fluid communication with the at least one flow channel the flow sensor measuring the velocity of fluid flow, and the controller controlling the valve to achieve a desired fluid velocity in the at least one flow channel.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrostatically actuated valve is a mesovalve.

3. A flow control system comprising:

a fluidic cartridge having at least one flow channel;

a pump situated in the cartridge, the pump in fluid communication with at least one flow channel of the cartridge;

a controller connected to the pump; and

a flow sensor situated in the cartridge and in fluid communication with the at least one flow channel of the cartridge, the flow sensor providing a flow signal representing the fluid velocity to the controller, and the controller controlling the pump to achieve a desired flow profile in the at least one flow channel of the cartridge.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the pump is a bidirectional pump.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the pump is a liquid pump; and

the flow sensor is a liquid flow sensor.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the pump is gas pump.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the pump is an electrostatically actuated gas pump.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a reservoir fluidly connected to gas pump.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the flow sensor is fluidly connected to the reservoir and electrically connected to the controller.

11. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a buffer fluidly connected to the pump; and

a reservoir fluidly connected to the buffer.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the flow sensor is fluidly connected to the reservoir.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein:

the pump is a gas pump; and

the reservoir is a liquid reservoir.

14. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a pressure chamber fluidly connected to the pump; and

a reservoir fluidly connected to the pressure chamber.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the pressure chamber comprises:

an inlet valve connected to the controller; and

a relief valve.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the pump is an electrostatically actuated pump; and

the valves are electrostatically actuated valves.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the flow sensor is fluidly connected to the reservoir and electrically connected to the controller.

18. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a pressure chamber fluidly connected to the pump; and

a liquid reservoir fluidly connected to the pressure chamber.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the fluidic cartridge has a thickness of less than 10 mm and an area less than 150 cm2.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the pressure chamber comprises:

an inlet valve connected to the controller; and

a pressure sensor connected to the controller.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the flow sensor is fluidly connected to the reservoir and electrically connected to the controller.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising a buffer fluidly connected between the pump and the pressure chamber.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein:

the pump is a gas pump; and

the reservoir is a liquid reservoir.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein:

the pump is an electrostatically actuated pump; and

the valve is an electrostatically actuated valve.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the flow sensor is situated off of the cartridge.

5. (canceled)