BIOSENSOR CARTRIDGE AND BIOSENSOR MOUNTING SYSTEM WITH INTEGRAL FLUID STORAGE AND FLUID SELECTION MECHANISMS
First Claim
1. A biosensor cartridge comprising:
- an optical fiber disposed at least in part within a flow channel, forming a chamber between an outer surface of the optical fiber and an internal surface of the flow channel;
a proximal end coupling region configured to couple the optical fiber to a an evanescent sensing measurement apparatus having annularizing illumination elements;
a fluid ferrule joined to the proximal end of the flow channel; and
an inlet tube joined to the distal end of the optical fiber and to the internal surface at the distal end of the flow channel,wherein the optical fiber has a proximal end support region and a distal end support region each comprising a low index cladding disposed in a protective sheath, and a chemically sensitized region free of such cladding which is disposed between the proximal end support region and the distal end support region,the proximal end support region is disposed at least in part within the fluid ferrule,the inlet tube is configured to center the optical fiber within the flow channel, and the inlet tube and the fluid ferrule are configured to allow one or more liquids to be drawn up through the inlet tube, the chamber, and the fluid ferrule.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Some embodiments of the invention comprise a biosensor cartridge which optically, fluidically, and/or mechanically couples to an evanescent sensing measurement apparatus having annularizing illumination elements, said biosensor cartridge and measurement apparatus being used for detecting the presence of chemically or biologically active substances binding to said biosensor present within an aqueous media, such as and without limitation, the presence of specific proteins in blood or urine. Some embodiments comprise an integrated biosensor cartridge having a flow channel and a plurality of storage cavities, fluid flow in the cartridge controlled by valving mechanisms for directing a plurality of fluids through the cartridge, the order and amounts of such fluids passing through the cartridge being externally controlled and required for the detection and measurement of specific chemically or biologically active substances.
9 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A biosensor cartridge comprising:
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an optical fiber disposed at least in part within a flow channel, forming a chamber between an outer surface of the optical fiber and an internal surface of the flow channel; a proximal end coupling region configured to couple the optical fiber to a an evanescent sensing measurement apparatus having annularizing illumination elements; a fluid ferrule joined to the proximal end of the flow channel; and an inlet tube joined to the distal end of the optical fiber and to the internal surface at the distal end of the flow channel, wherein the optical fiber has a proximal end support region and a distal end support region each comprising a low index cladding disposed in a protective sheath, and a chemically sensitized region free of such cladding which is disposed between the proximal end support region and the distal end support region, the proximal end support region is disposed at least in part within the fluid ferrule, the inlet tube is configured to center the optical fiber within the flow channel, and the inlet tube and the fluid ferrule are configured to allow one or more liquids to be drawn up through the inlet tube, the chamber, and the fluid ferrule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An integrated biosensor cartridge comprised of:
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a flow channel containing a chemical sensitized region of an optic fiber configured to couple to annularizing illumination elements of an evanescent sensing measurement apparatus, one or more valving mechanisms selectively in fluid communication with the flow channel, and a plurality of cavities for containing fluids which are selectively in fluid communication with one or more of the valving mechanisms. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for measuring an analyte in a sample, comprising:
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an evanescent sensing measurement apparatus with annularizing illumination elements; a biosensor cartridge comprised of; an optical fiber disposed at least in part within a flow channel, forming a chamber between an outer surface of the optical fiber and an internal surface of the flow channel; a proximal end coupling region configured to couple the optical fiber to a an evanescent sensing measurement apparatus having annularizing illumination elements; a first fluid port joined to the proximal end of the flow channel; and a second fluid port joined to the distal end of the optical fiber and to the internal surface at the distal end of the flow channel, wherein the optical fiber has a proximal end support region and a distal end support region each comprising a low index cladding disposed in a protective sheath, and a chemically sensitized region free of such cladding which is disposed between the proximal end support region and the distal end support region, the proximal end support region configured to center the optical fiber within the flow channel is disposed at least in part adjacent to the first fluid port, the distal end support region also configured to center the optical fiber within the flow channel, the first fluid port and the second fluid port are configured to allow liquid to be drawn up through the first fluid port, the chamber, and the second fluid port; one or more valving mechanisms selectively in fluid communication with the flow channel; and a plurality of cavities for containing fluids which are selectively in fluid communication with one or more of the valving mechanisms, wherein the selective communication of one or more valving mechanisms with the flow channel and of the plurality of cavities for containing fluids with one or more of the valving mechanisms is controlled by a microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification