Pressure-variation fluid transport, in particular for body-fluid analysis

• US 6,936,225 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2001
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Pross, Gerhard, Seher, Jens-Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gordon, Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US09/911,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20020094583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 422/100, 422/102, 422/58, 422/68.1, 436/180
• US Class Current: 422/522
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0663 Whole sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0605 check valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0638 membrane valves, flap valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00237 Handling microquantities of analyte, e.g. microvalves, capillary networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A fluid movement system for moving a sample fluid is preferably included in a cartridge to be inserted into a reading device. The fluid movement system includes a pressure variation means for moving the sample fluid under the influence of a pressure variation applied to the fluid movement system, and a timing means for controlling the timing for releasing a pressure in the pressure variation means.

Claims

1. A fluid movement system for moving a sample fluid comprising:

a fluid container, pressure variation means for moving the sample fluid from the fluid container into a chamber under the influence of a pressure applied to the fluid movement system, and timing means for controlling the timing for releasing a pressure in the pressure variation means wherein the pressure variation means comprises a volume-variation means for generating an overpressure and/or an underpressure by adjusting the volume thereof, and wherein the pressure variation means further comprises a resilient member for counter-acting against the volumetric variation applied to the volume-variation means.

2. The fluid movement system of claim 1, further comprising a sensing element for sensing the sample fluid, wherein the pressure variation means is arranged for moving the sample fluid from and/or to the sensing element.

3. The fluid movement system of claim 1, further comprising fluid guiding means for guiding the sample fluid.

4. The fluid movement system of claim 1, wherein the pressure variation means further comprises at least one valve.

5. The fluid movement system of claim 1, wherein the volume-variation means is adapted to for successively generate an overpressure and/or an underpressure by adjusting the volume thereof, and a first valve for releasing the overpressure and/or for at least temporarily maintaining the underpressure.

6. The fluid movement system of claim 5, further comprising:

a second valve for securing the sample fluid against movement as long as the overpressure is maintained and/or for allowing the sample fluid to move as long as the underpressure is maintained.

7. A system comprising:

a cartridge, a reading device, and the fluid movement system of claim 1, wherein said fluid movement system is included in said cartridge which is to be inserted into said reading device.

8. The fluid movement system of claim 1, further comprising fluid guiding means for guiding the sample fluid by means of capillary forces.