MODULAR SENSOR CASSETTE

• US 20090156966A1
• Filed: 11/12/2008
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Huber, Wolfgang, Harer, Johann, Krysl, Franz-Josef, Ritter, Christoph, Schinnerl, Marie-Luise, Kontschieder, Heinz, Offenbacher, Helmut, Leiner, Marco Jean Pierre, Schaffar, Bernhard
• Granted Patent: US 8,262,992 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/584
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/028 Modular arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0627 Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1805 Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1883 using thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48771 Coding of information, e.g. calibration data, lot number

Abstract

The invention concerns a sensor cassette that can be inserted into an analyzer comprising a continuous measuring channel for receiving fluidic media and sensory elements for determining chemical and/or physical parameters of the fluidic media. According to the invention the sensor cassette consists of at least two permanently connected but separately manufactured modules which each have a housing and a measuring channel section wherein the measuring channel sections of adjacent modules are connected to the continuous measuring channel by a fluidic coupling and wherein at least one of the connected modules is designed as a sensor module and has a sensor array comprising at least two sensory elements. Furthermore, a memory element is allocated to the sensor cassette on which specific information for the sensor cassette in particular with regard to its construction from the respective modules is stored.

Claims

1. A sensor cassette that can be inserted into an analyzer comprising a continuous measuring channel for receiving fluidic media and sensory elements for determining chemical and/or physical parameters of the fluidic media, wherein the sensor cassette consists of at least two permanently connected but separately manufactured modules which each have a housing and a measuring channel section, wherein the measuring channel sections of adjacent modules are connected to the continuous measuring channel by a fluidic coupling, and wherein at least one of the connected modules is designed as a sensor module and has a sensor array comprising at least two sensory elements, and a memory element allocated to the sensor cassette on which specific information for the sensor cassette is stored.

2. The sensor cassette according to claim 1, wherein the sensor cassette has at least one sensor module and at least one dummy module which, apart from the absence of sensory elements, is constructed in essentially the same manner as the respective sensor module.

3. The sensor cassette according to claim 1, wherein the sensor cassette has at least one sensor module which has a sensor array comprising at least two sensory elements and a free region (D) which is free of sensory elements.

4. The sensor cassette according to claim 2, wherein the sensor modules and the dummy modules of a sensor cassette collectively have dimensions and fluid connections which correspond to those of the holder of the analyzer.

5. The sensor cassette according to claim 1, wherein the individual modules of the sensor cassette are connected together by a permanent mechanical snap connection.

6. The sensor cassette according to claim 4, wherein the permanent connection is made by locking elements, a welded joint, or by a bonded joint.

7. The sensor cassette according to claim 1, wherein the individual modules have one or more thermal contact zones.

8. The sensor cassette according to claim 7, wherein the thermal contact zones are configured such that the modules can be thermostatted to different operating temperatures.

9. The sensor cassette according to claim 7, wherein the thermal contact zones of adjacent modules of the sensor cassette are thermally decoupled.

10. The sensor cassette according to claim 1, wherein a module at the edge of the sensor cassette has a grip part.

11. The sensor cassette according to claim 1, wherein the information stored on the memory element is specific information for the sensor cassette which describes the type of modules used and their arrangement or position within the sensor cassette.

12. The sensor cassette according to claim 11, wherein in addition information is stored on the memory element which includes the manner in which the individual sensory elements or free regions (D) are arranged within the respective modules and/or their use.

13. The sensor cassette according to claim 12, wherein the information includes information about the arrangement and/or use of electrical contact points or other signal transferring regions, fluidic connections, thermal contact zones and/or fluidic control elements within the individual modules.

14. The sensor cassette according to claim 1, wherein in addition information is stored on the memory element which includes the type of individual sensory elements and/or their use and actuation.

15. The sensor cassette according to claim 14, wherein the information includes production information, response curve data and/or calibration information or shelf life information of the respective sensory element.

16. The sensor cassette according to claim 1, wherein the memory element is an electronic memory element.

17. The sensor cassette according to claim 16, wherein the electronic memory element is selected from the group consisting of memory chips, memory cards, RFID transponders, magnetic strips, optical codes, and combinations thereof.

18. The sensor cassette according to claim 17, wherein the optical code is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code.

19. The sensor cassette according to claim 1, wherein the memory element is permanently connected to the sensor cassette.

20. The sensor cassette according to claim 19, wherein the memory element is permanently connected to the sensor cassette by mounting the memory element on the sensor cassette or incorporating a memory element into the sensor cassette during its assembly.