Cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample

• US 6,783,736 B1
• Filed: 03/06/2001
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cepheid (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cepheid (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Chang, Ronald, Pourahmadi, Farzad, Dority, Douglas B., Taylor, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beisner, William H.
• Application Number:
  US09/801,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20040166031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 435/283.1, 435/287.1, 435/287.2, 435/288.5, 435/286.5, 422/68.1, 422/103, 251/331, 137/614.19, 137/864, 137/863
• US Class Current: 422/554
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/10 Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0809 rectangular shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0622 distribution valves, valves having multiple inlets and/or outlets, e.g. metering valves, multi-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0644 rotary valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/066 by physical methods
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 13/00 Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/81 Packaged device or kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/806 Electrical property or magnetic property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/807 Apparatus included in process claim, e.g. physical support structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/809 Multifield plates or multicontainer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/829 Liposomes, e.g. encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87716 For valve having a flexible diaphragm valving member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/88046 Biased valve with external operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 : including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction

Abstract

A cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample has a body defining at least first and second channels and a cavity separating the channels. An end of the first channel is positioned on a first side of the cavity, and an end of the second channel is positioned on a second side of the cavity. The cavity is defined by a first curved surface positioned adjacent the end of the first channel, a second curved surface positioned adjacent the end of the second channel, and at least a third surface between the first and second curved surfaces. The cartridge also comprises an elastic membrane for establishing a seal with the first and second curved surfaces to prevent the flow of fluid between the channels. The third surface is recessed from the first and second surfaces to provide a gap between the membrane and the third surface when the membrane is pressed against the first and second surfaces. A cartridge having a conical valve seat is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A cartridge comprising:

a) a body defining;

i) at least first and second channels; and

ii) a cavity separating the channels, wherein an end of the first channel is positioned on a first side of the cavity, an end of the second channel is positioned on a second side of the cavity, and the cavity is defined by;

a first spherical surface positioned adjacent the end of the first channel;

a second spherical surface positioned adjacent the end of the second channel, wherein the first and second surfaces are concentric spherical surfaces; and

a recessed surface between the first and second spherical surfaces;

b) an elastic membrane for establishing a seal with the first and second spherical surfaces to prevent the flow of fluid between the channels, wherein the recessed surface is recessed from the first and second spherical surfaces to provide a gap between the membrane and the recessed surface when the membrane is pressed against the first and second spherical surfaces; and

c) a valve actuator having a third spherical surface for pressing the membrane against the first and second spherical surfaces, wherein each of the first and second spherical surfaces has a radius of curvature substantially equal to the sum of the radius of curvature of the third spherical surface plus the thickness of the membrane.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising an elastic body for forcing the valve actuator to press the membrane against the first and second spherical surfaces.