Passive Micro-vessel and Sensor

• US 20140212986A1
• Filed: 04/03/2014
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fluidion SAS
• Original Assignee: Fluidion SAS
• Inventors: Angelescu, Dan E., Hausot, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 9,772,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1468 using chemical or electrochemical methods, e.g. by polarographic means A61B5/1486 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14735 comprising an immobilised reagent
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/155 Devices specially adapted for continuous or multiple sampling, e.g. at predetermined intervals devices loaded with multiple lancets simultaneously A61B5/15146
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14513 with secondary fluid driving or regulating the infusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/02 Determining slope or direction
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/11 using tracers; using radioactivity
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/081 with down-hole means for trapping a fluid sample E21B49/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/10 in the liquid or fluent state burettes, pipettes B01L3/02; sampling of ground water E02D1/06; metering by volume of fluids or fluent solid material G01F11/00, G01F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/12 Dippers; Dredgers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1031 Sampling from special places
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An electrically passive device and method for in-situ acoustic emission, and/or releasing, sampling and/or measuring of a fluid or various material(s) is provided. The device may provide a robust timing mechanism to release, sample and/or perform measurements on a predefined schedule, and, in various embodiments, emits an acoustic signal sequence(s) that may be used for triangulation of the device position within, for example, a hydrocarbon reservoir or a living body.

Claims

1. A system for acquiring at least one sample from a fluid, the system comprising:

one or more devices;

each device including a sampling mechanism having;

an isolated cavity that is initially inaccessible to the external fluid;

an electrically passive timing mechanism including a piercing structure; and

a mechanical structure separating the isolated cavity from the exterior environment, wherein at the end of a timing interval the piercing structure of the timing mechanism pierces the mechanical structure, bringing the isolated cavity in contact with the external fluid.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the timing interval is less than 100 ms.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the passive timing mechanism includes a piston.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the piston is configured to move within the isolated cavity, the timing mechanism is configured to advance the piston, and the advancement of the piston causing the piercing structure to pierce the mechanical structure.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the piston includes the piercing structure.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the timing mechanism includes a conduit, and wherein applying pressure to a timing fluid within the conduit causes the piston to advance such that the piercing structure pierces the mechanical structure, allowing external fluid to enter the isolated cavity.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the timing mechanism includes a timing cavity, the conduit in fluidic communication with the timing cavity, and wherein upon applying pressure to the timing fluid within the conduit, said timing fluid advances within the conduit and upon reaching the timing cavity and filling it after a timing interval, the timing fluid applies pressure to a side of the piston, causing the piston to advance such that the piercing structure pierces the mechanical structure, allowing external fluid to enter the isolated cavity.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the timing interval is predetermined based, at least in part, on geometry of the channel, volume of the timing cavity, pressure applied to the timing fluid, or timing fluid properties, or any combination thereof.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more devices includes a plurality of sampling mechanisms having different timing cavity volumes.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more devices includes a plurality of sampling mechanisms having different timing intervals.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the timing mechanism of each sampling mechanism includes a timing cavity, and a conduit in fluidic communication with the timing cavity, wherein upon applying pressure to a timing fluid within the conduit, said timing fluid advances within the conduit and fills the timing cavity, the timing interval of each sampling mechanism being determined based, at least in part, on the volume of the timing cavity, and wherein the plurality of sampling mechanisms have different timing cavity volumes.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sampling mechanism further includes a sampling chamber, for receiving fluid from the isolated cavity.

13. The system according to claim 12, further including a one-way check valve that allows fluid flow from the isolated cavity into the sampling chamber.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the sampling chamber is removably coupled to the isolated cavity.

15. The system according to claim 1, further including a trigger mechanism that activates the passive timing mechanism.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the one or more devices includes a first device and a second device, and wherein the piercing of the mechanical structure and acquisition of a sample by the first device acts as a trigger for activating the timing mechanism of the second device.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the one or more devices includes a first sampling mechanism and a second sampling mechanism, and wherein the piercing of the mechanical structure and acquisition of a sample by the first sampling mechanism acts as a trigger for activating the timing mechanism of the second sampling mechanism.

18. The system according to claim 1, further including a monitoring system for recording sample acquisition time of each sample.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein each sampling mechanism includes a sample chamber for storing an acquired sample, and the monitoring system includes one of a optical sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, a force sensor, a deflection sensor, a chemical sensor, a biological sensor, a pressure sensor and a pressure switch, or a combination thereof, for detecting the acquired sample.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein each device includes a sample chamber for storing an acquired sample, the sample chamber at least partially filled with a culture medium, a chemical reagent, a biological reagent, or a biocide, or a combination thereof.

21. A method for acquiring at least one sample from a fluid, the method comprising:

deploying at least one device in the fluid;

each device including a sampling mechanism having;

an isolated cavity that is initially inaccessible to the external fluid;

an electrically passive timing mechanism including a piercing structure; and

a mechanical structure separating the isolated cavity from the exterior environment, wherein at the end of a timing interval the piercing structure of the timing mechanism pierces the mechanical structure, bringing the isolated cavity in contact with the external fluid.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the timing interval is less than 100 ms.

23. The method according to claim 21, further including storing a sample of the fluid within the cavity.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the passive timing mechanism includes a piston.

25. The method according to claim 24, further including emitting by the device an acoustic signature when the mechanical structure is pierced.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the piston is configured to move within the isolated cavity, the timing mechanism is configured to advance the piston, and the advancement of the piston causes the piercing structure to pierce the mechanical structure.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the piston includes the piercing structure.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the timing mechanism includes a conduit, the method further comprising applying pressure to a timing fluid within the conduit causing the piston to advance such that the piercing structure pierces the mechanical structure, allowing external fluid to enter the isolated cavity.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the timing mechanism includes a timing cavity, the conduit in fluidic communication with the timing cavity, the method further including applying pressure to the timing fluid within the conduit such that the timing fluid advances within the conduit and upon reaching the timing cavity and filling it after a timing interval, the timing fluid applies pressure to a side of the piston, causing the piston to advance such that the piercing structure pierces the mechanical structure, allowing external fluid to enter the isolated cavity.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the timing interval is predetermined based, at least in part, on geometry of the channel, volume of the timing cavity, pressure applied to the timing fluid, or timing fluid properties, or any combination thereof.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the at least one device includes a plurality of sampling mechanisms having different timing cavity volumes.

32. The method according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the one or more devices includes a plurality of sampling mechanisms having different timing intervals.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the timing mechanism of each sampling mechanism includes a timing cavity, and a conduit in fluidic communication with the timing cavity, the method further including applying pressure to a timing fluid within the conduit, such that the timing fluid advances within the conduit and fills the timing cavity, the timing interval of each sampling mechanism being determined based, at least in part, on the volume of the timing cavity, and wherein the plurality of sampling mechanisms have different timing cavity volumes.

34. The method according to claim 21, wherein the sampling mechanism further includes a sampling chamber coupled to the isolated cavity.

35. The method according to claim 34, further comprising decoupling the sampling chamber from the isolated cavity.

36. The method according to claim 21, further including applying a trigger signal to start the timing mechanism.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the one or more devices includes a first device and a second device, and wherein applying the trigger signal to the second device is based, at least in part, on the acquisition of a sample by the first device.

38. The method according to claim 36, wherein at least one of the one or more devices includes a first sampling mechanism and a second sampling mechanism, and wherein applying the trigger signal to the second sampling mechanism is based at least in part, on the acquisition of a sample by the first sampling mechanism.

39. The method according to claim 21, further including recording sample acquisition time of each sample.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein each sampling mechanism includes a sample chamber for storing an acquired sample, the method further including monitoring the sample chamber using one of a optical sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, a force sensor, a deflection sensor, a chemical sensor, a biological sensor, a pressure sensor and a pressure switch, or a combination thereof, so as to detect the acquired sample.

41. The method according to claim 21, wherein each device includes a sample chamber for storing an acquired sample, the sample chamber at least partially filled with a culture medium, a chemical reagent a biological reagent, or a biocide, or a combination thereof.