Cartridge for use with electrochemical sensor

• US 7,476,360 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GeneFluidics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: GeneFluidics, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, Arvin Trung, Gau, Jen-Jr
• Primary Examiner(s): Siefke; Sam P
• Application Number:
  US10/941,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20050196855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,582 Days
• Field of Search: 422/58, 422/50, 422/68.1, 422/99, 422/100, 422/102, 422/104
• US Class Current: 422/504
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/028 Modular arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0672 Integrated piercing tool
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0683 mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502723 characterised by venting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/523 with means for closing or opening
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/00 Heating or cooling apparatus autoclaves B01J3/04; Heat insulating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0078 using moulding or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0084 Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0001 : Microvalves microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0015 : Diaphragm or membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0057 : the fluid being the circulating fluid itself, e.g. check valves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 : provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 : Reagent dispensers

Abstract

A cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge includes an independent storage component and transport component. The storage component can be coupled with the transport component. The storage component includes one or more pockets that each contain a solution to be used in an assay. The transport component is configured to transport the solutions from the pockets of the storage component to a sensor positioned in the transport component.

Claims

1. A cartridge, comprising:

a storage component including reservoirs that each contains a solution, the storage component including a cover and a base,

the cover having pockets extending from a side of a common platform, each pocket defining a portion of one of the reservoirs,

the base having openings extending through the base such that the openings are each aligned with a different one of the pockets;

a transport component separate from the storage component and configured to be coupled with the storage component,

the transport component being configured to transport the solutions from the reservoirs to a sensor held by the transport component, the sensor being configured to detect a presence and/or amount of an agent in a liquid sample,

the transport component includes disruption mechanisms configured to be received in the openings upon coupling of the storage component and the transport component.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the disruption mechanisms are configured to disrupt the sealing integrity of a material on the storage component upon coupling of the transport component and the storage component, the sealing integrity being disrupted so as to provide an outlet through which a solution in a reservoir can flow out of the storage component through one of the openings.

3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the transport mechanism includes lumens that are each positioned so as to transport the solution flowing from one of the reservoirs into the transport component.

4. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein one or more of the disruption mechanisms includes a piercing mechanism configured to pierce the material.

5. The cartridge of claim 4, wherein a lumen extends through the piercing mechanism.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein one or more of the disruption mechanisms include a cup.

7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein a lumen extends from the bottom of the cup into the transport component.

8. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein one or more of the disruption mechanisms is configured to stretch the material upon coupling of the storage component and the transport component.

9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the openings extend through the base such that the solution in each one of the reservoirs can flow into the opening aligned with that reservoir.

10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein a single and continuous material serves as the cover.

11. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the storage component includes a single and continuous sealing medium poisoned on the base so as to seal the openings.

12. A cartridge, comprising:

a storage component including reservoirs that each contains a solution, the storage component including pockets extending from a side of a common platform, each pocket defining a portion of one of the reservoirs; and

a transport component separate from the storage component and configured to be coupled with the storage component,

the transport component being configured to transport the solutions from the reservoirs to a sensor held by the transport component, the sensor being configured to detect a presence and/or amount of an agent in a liquid sample, and

the transport component including a valve configured to control the flow of a solution around an obstruction positioned between an input channel in the transport component and an output channel in the transport component, the valve including a flexible material positioned over the obstruction and a portion of the input channel and a portion of the output channel.

13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein an opposite side of the input channel from the flexible material slopes toward the flexible material.

14. The cartridge of the claim 12, wherein a height of the input channel decreases moving toward the valve, the height of the channel at a point along the channel being measured in a direction perpendicular to the flexible material and extending from the flexible material across the channel to the point of the opposing side located furthest from the flexible material.

15. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the transport component includes a vent channel extending away from the valve, the vent channel being configured to vent gasses from the channel during operation of the valve.

16. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein an opposite side of the vent channel from the flexible material slopes toward the flexible material.

17. The cartridge of the claim 15, wherein a height of the vent channel decreases moving toward the valve when the valve is closed, the height of the channel at a point along the channel being measured in a direction perpendicular to the flexible material and extending from the flexible material across the channel to the point of the opposing side located furthest from the flexible material.

18. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the transport component includes a cover positioned on a base, the cover and the base defining the input channel and an output channel, the base including:

a first valve channel extending through the base and positioned over a portion of the input channel; and

a second valve channel extending through the base and positioned over a portion of the output channel, the flexible material being positioned over the first valve channel opening and over the second valve channel.

19. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the cover and the base define a vent channel, the first valve channel being positioned over a portion of the vent channel.

20. A transport component for use with a cartridge, comprising:

a transport component configured to be coupled with a storage component that is separate from the transport component, the storage component having reservoirs that each hold a solution;

the transport component being configured to transport the solutions from the reservoirs to a sensor held by the transport component, the transport component including a valve configured to control the flow of a solution from an input channel in the transport component to an output channel in the transport component, the valve includes a flexible material defining a portion of the input channel; and

the sensor being configured to detect the a presence and/or amount of an agent in a liquid sample.

21. The component of claim 20, wherein the transport component includes disruption mechanisms configured to disrupt the sealing integrity of a material on the storage component upon coupling of the transport component and the storage component, the sealing integrity being disrupted so as to provide an outlet through which a solution in a reservoir can flow out of the storage component.

22. The component of claim 21, wherein the transport mechanism includes one or more lumens positioned so as to transport the solution flowing from the reservoir into the transport component.

23. The component of claim 21, wherein one or more of the disruption mechanisms includes a piercing mechanism configured to pierce the material.

24. The component of claim 23, wherein a lumen extends through the piercing mechanism.

25. The component of claim 21, wherein one or more of the disruption mechanisms include a cup.

26. The component of claim 25, wherein a lumen extends from the bottom of the cup into the transport component.

27. The component of claim 20, wherein the flexible material defines a portion of the outlet channel.

28. The component of claim 20, wherein an opposite side of the input channel from the flexible material slopes toward the flexible material.

29. The component of claim 20, wherein a height of the input channel decreases moving toward the valve, the height of the channel at a point along the channel being measured in a direction perpendicular to the flexible material and extending from the flexible material across the channel to the point of the opposing side located furthest from the flexible material.

30. The component of claim 20, wherein the transport component includes a vent channel extending away from the valve, the vent channel being configured to vent gasses from the channel during operation of the valve.

31. The component of claim 30, wherein the flexible material is positioned over a portion of the vent channel and a side of the vent channel opposite from the flexible material slopes toward the flexible material.

32. The component of claim 30, wherein a height of the vent channel decreases moving toward the valve when the valve is closed, the height of the channel at a point along the channel being measured in a direction perpendicular to the flexible material and extending from the flexible material across the channel to the point of the opposing side located furthest from the flexible material.

33. The component of claim 28, wherein the transport component includes a cover positioned on a base, the cover and the base defining the input channel and the output channel, the base including:

a first valve channel extending through the base and positioned over a portion of the input channel; and

a second valve channel extending through the base and positioned over a portion of the output channel, the flexible material being positioned over the first valve channel and over the second valve channel.

34. The component of claim 28, wherein the cover and the base define a vent channel, the first valve channel being positioned over a portion of the vent channel.

35. A method, comprising:

coupling a storage component with a transport component so as to form a cartridge, the storage component including one or more reservoirs that each contain a

solution, the storage component including a cover and a base,

the cover having pockets extending from a side of a common platform, each pocket defining a portion of one of the reservoirs,

the base having openings extending through the base such that the openings are each aligned with a different one of the pockets; and

the transport component configured to transport the solutions from one or more of the reservoirs to a sensor held by the transport component, the sensor being configured to detect the a presence and/or amount of an agent in a liquid sample

the transport component including disruption mechanisms that are received in the openings upon coupling of the storage component and the transport component.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein coupling the storage component with the transport component causes the one or more disruption mechanisms to disrupt the sealing integrity of a material on the storage component so as to generate an outlet through which a solution in a reservoir can flow out of the storage component.

37. the method of claim 35, further comprising:

opening a valve on the transport component so as to control flow of a solution through the transport component.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

applying pressure to a pocket on the storage component so as to drive the solution in the reservoir into the transport component.

39. A cartridge comprising:

a storage component including reservoirs that each contains a solution, the storage component including pockets extending from a side of a common platform, each pocket defining a portion of one of the reservoirs; and

a transport component separate from the storage component and configured to be coupled with the storage component,

the transport component being configured to transport the solutions from the reservoirs to a sensor held by the transport component, the sensor being configured to detect a presence and/or amount of an agent in a liquid sample, and

the transport component including a vent channel, an input channel and an output channel meeting at a valve, the valve being configured to control flow of a solution from the input channel to the output channel while venting gasses into the vent channel.

40. The cartridge of claim 39, further comprising:

an obstruction positioned between the input channel and the output channel; and

a flexible material positioned over the obstruction such that a displacement between the obstruction and the flexible material changes during operation of the valve.

41. The cartridge of claim 39, wherein the transport component includes a flexible material positioned over a portion of the input channel and a portion of the output channel.

42. The cartridge of claim 41, wherein the flexible material is positioned over a portion of the vent channel.

43. The cartridge of claim 39, wherein the transport component further comprises:

one or more channels configured to transport the solution from the valve to the one or more sensors.

44. The cartridge of claim 39, wherein the valve includes a flexible material defining a portion of the input channel such that the portion of the input channel defined by the flexible material has a volume that changes during operation of the valve.

45. The cartridge of claim 40, wherein a portion of the input channel opposite from the flexible material slopes toward the flexible material as the channel approaches the valve.

46. The cartridge of claim 40, wherein a height of the input channel decreases moving toward the valve when the valve is closed, the height of the channel at a point along the channel being measured in a direction perpendicular to the flexible material and extending from the flexible material across the input channel to the point of the opposing side located furthest from the flexible material.

47. The cartridge of claim 40, wherein an opposite side of the vent channel from the flexible material slopes toward the flexible material.

48. The cartridge of claim 40, wherein a height of the vent channel decreases moving toward the valve when the valve is closed, the height of the channel at a point along the channel being measured in a direction perpendicular to the flexible material and extending from the flexible material across the channel to the point of the opposing side located furthest from the flexible material.

49. The cartridge of claim 39, wherein the transport component includes a cover positioned on a base, the cover and the base defining the channel and defining an output channel, the base including:

a first valve channel extending through the base and positioned over a portion of the input channel; and

a second valve channel extending through the base and positioned over a portion of the output channel, the flexible material being positioned over the first valve channel and over the second valve channel.

50. A cartridge, comprising:

a storage component including reservoirs that each contains a solution, the storage component including pockets extending from a side of a common platform, each pocket defining a portion of one of the reservoirs; and

a transport component separate from the storage component and configured to be coupled with the storage component,

the transport component being configured to transport the solutions from the reservoirs to a sensor held by the transport component, the sensor being configured to detect a presence and/or amount of an agent in a liquid sample, and

the transport component including a valve configured to control flow of a solution around an obstruction positioned between an input channel and an output channel, the valve including a flexible material positioned over the obstruction such that a displacement between the obstruction and the flexible material changes during operation of the valve, a portion of the input channel sloping toward the flexible material when moving along the input channel toward the valve.

51. The cartridge of claim 50, wherein the flexible material is positioned over a portion of the input channel and a portion of the output channel.

52. The cartridge of claim 51, wherein the flexible material is positioned over a portion of the vent channel.

53. The cartridge of claim 50, wherein the transport component further comprises:

one or more channels configured to transport the solution from the valve to the one or more sensors.

54. The cartridge of claim 50, wherein the flexible material defines a portion of the input channel such that the portion of the input channel defined by the flexible material has a volume that changes during operation of the valve.

55. The cartridge of claim 50, wherein a height of the input channel decreases moving toward the valve when the valve is closed, the height of the channel at a point along the channel being measured in a direction perpendicular to the flexible material and extending from the flexible material across the input channel to the point of the opposing side located furthest from the flexible material.

56. The cartridge of claim 50, wherein an opposite side of the vent channel from the flexible material slopes toward the flexible material.

57. The cartridge of claim 50, wherein a height of the vent channel decreases moving toward the valve when the valve is closed, the height of the channel at a point along the channel being measured in a direction perpendicular to the flexible material and extending from the flexible material across the channel to the point of the opposing side located furthest from the flexible material.

58. The cartridge of claim 50, wherein the transport component includes a cover positioned on a base, the cover and the base defining the input channel and defining the output channel, the base including:

a first valve channel extending through the base and positioned over a portion of the input channel; and

a second valve channel extending through the base and positioned over a portion of the output channel, the flexible material being positioned over the first valve channel and over the second valve channel.

59. A cartridge, comprising:

a storage component including reservoirs that each contains a solution, the storage component including pockets extending from a side of a common platform, each pocket defining a portion of one of the reservoirs; and

a transport component separate from the storage component and configured to be coupled with the storage component,

the transport component being configured to transport the solutions from the reservoirs to a sensor held by the transport component, the sensor being configured to detect a presence and/or amount of an agent in a liquid sample, and

the transport component includes disruption mechanisms configured to disrupt the sealing integrity of a material on the storage component upon coupling of the transport component and the storage component, the sealing integrity being disrupted so as to provide an outlet through which a solution in a reservoir can flow out of the storage component,

one or more of the disruption mechanisms include a cup.

60. the cartridge of claim 59, wherein a lumen extends from the bottom of the cup into the transport component.

61. A cartridge, comprising:

a storage component including reservoirs that each contains a solution, the storage component including pockets extending from a side of a common platform, each pocket defining a portion of one of the reservoirs; and

a transport component separate from the storage component and configured to be coupled with the storage component,

the transport component being configured to transport the solutions from the reservoirs to a sensor held by the transport component, the sensor being configured to detect a presence and/or amount of an agent in a liquid sample,

the transport component including disruption mechanisms configured to disrupt the sealing integrity of a material on the storage component upon coupling of the transport component and the storage component, the sealing integrity being disrupted so as to provide an outlet through which a solution in a reservoir can flow out of the storage component, and

one or more of the disruption mechanisms being configured to stretch the material upon coupling of the storage component and the transport component.