Mechanical device for mixing a fluid sample with a treatment solution

• US 7,771,655 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2006
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polymer Technology Systems Incorporated (Sinocare, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Ramel, Urs A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden; Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kingan; Timothy G
• Application Number:
  US11/485,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20080081378A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,490 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/68.1, 422/100, 436/174, 206/222
• US Class Current: 422/63
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/048 enabling gas exchange, e.g. vents
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• 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 3/502723 characterised by venting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/38 Diluting, dispersing or mixing samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/49 Blood chemical methods for determining blood cell populations G01N33/5094; chemical analysis of blood groups or blood types G01N33/80
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation

Abstract

A device for preparing a fluid sample for use in a fluid analyte meter, including: a first portion, comprising: a septum piercing projection, a capillary channel, and a vent on an outer surface of the first portion; and a second portion, comprising: a treatment solution chamber, and a septum sealing the treatment solution chamber, wherein the vent is open when the first portion of the device is initially inserted into the second portion of the device, and wherein the vent is closed when the first portion of the device is fully inserted into the second portion of the device.

Claims

1. A device for preparing a fluid sample for use in a fluid analyte meter, comprising:

a first portion, comprising;

a septum piercing projection,

a capillary channel, and

a vent on an outer surface of the first portion; and

a second portion, comprising;

a treatment solution chamber, and

a septum sealing the treatment solution chamber, wherein the vent is open when the first portion of the device is initially inserted into the second portion of the device, and wherein the vent is closed when the first portion of the device is fully inserted into the second portion of the device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the vent permits air to escape from within the second portion of the device as the first portion of the device is inserted into the second portion of the device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the vent comprises a slot extending along a portion of the outer surface of the first portion of the device.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the slot extends from a leading edge of the outer surface part way along the length of the outer surface of the first portion of the device.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the outer surface of the first portion of the device is positioned against an inner surface of the second portion of the device when the first portion of the device is fully inserted into the second portion of the device.

6. A device for preparing a fluid sample for use in a fluid analyte meter, comprising:

a first portion having a capillary channel dimensioned to receive a fluid sample therein, and having a vent on an outer surface;

a second portion having a treatment solution chamber enclosed by first and second septums, wherein the first portion penetrates the first septum when the first portion is inserted into the second portion such that contents of the treatment solution chamber mix with contents of the capillary channel, wherein the vent is open when the first portion of the device is initially inserted into the second portion of the device, and wherein the vent is closed when the first portion of the device is fully inserted into the second portion of the device; and

a mechanism for penetrating the second septum such that contents of the treatment solution chamber and the capillary channel can be ejected from the device.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the vent permits air to escape from within the second portion of the device as the first portion of the device is inserted into the second portion of the device.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the vent comprises a slot extending along a portion of the outer surface of the first portion of the device.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the slot extends from a leading edge of the outer surface part way along the length of the outer surface of the first portion of the device.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the outer surface of the first portion of the device is positioned against an inner surface of the second portion of the device when the first portion of the device is fully inserted into the second portion of the device.

11. A device for preparing a fluid sample for use in a fluid analyte meter, comprising:

a first portion having a capillary channel dimensioned to receive a fluid sample therein;

a second portion having a treatment solution chamber enclosed by first and second septums, wherein the first portion penetrates the first septum when the first portion is inserted into the second portion such that contents of the treatment solution chamber mix with contents of the capillary channel; and

a plunger having a mechanism for penetrating the second septum such that the contents of the treatment solution chamber and the capillary channel are ejected through the plunger.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the mechanism for penetrating the second septum comprises a spike on the plunger.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the plunger comprises a central flow channel, and wherein the spike is positioned adjacent to the central flow channel.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein a sharp end of the spike is positioned over the central flow channel.