Fluid free interface for a fluidic analyzer

• US 7,485,153 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2005
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Rezachek, Tom, Padmanabhan, Aravind, Fritz, Bernard S., Bird, Douglas, Bardell, Ron L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raevis; Robert R
• Application Number:
  US11/306,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20070144277A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 73/865.5
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0809 rectangular shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0877 Flow chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/123 Flexible; Elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502746 characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 13/001 Pumps for particular liquids
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2/18 with similar tooth forms F04C2/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water

Abstract

Instrument-cartridge interfaces for fluidic analyzers that have an instrument and a removable cartridge are disclosed. For example, and in one illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a needle that is adapted to penetrate a septum on a removable cartridge. In another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a plunger that is adapted to deform a deformable membrane on a removable cartridge. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a nozzle that is adapted to mate and seal with a flow channel on a removable cartridge. Techniques for detecting the flow rate in a flow channel on a removable cartridge, as well as the position of fluid in a flow channel of a removable cartridge, are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A fluidic analyzer, comprising:

a cartridge having a flow channel defined by flow channel walls, wherein an opening extends from outside through an exterior wall of the cartridge, into a chamber having a volume defined by one or more chamber walls, the chamber filled with a fluid that is in fluid communication with the flow channel;

a resilient and/or flexible membrane disposed in or over the opening and secured to at least a portion of the cartridge to form a fluid tight seal;

an instrument for receiving the cartridge, the instrument having a plunger that is in registration with the resilient and/or flexible membrane when the cartridge is received by the instrument; and

the instrument including a moving mechanism to controllably move at least an end of the plunger into engagement with the resilient and/or flexible membrane and to deform the resilient and/or flexible membrane into the chamber at a controlled rate to thereby induce a desired flow rate profile in the flow channel of the cartridge

to support flow cytometric measurement.