Device for taking-up and studying or manipulating a sample liquid in a microfluidic platform

• US 7,815,857 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2005
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Europe GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Europe GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Blankenstein, Gert, Kadel, Klaus, Dechant, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden; Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): KWAK, DEAN P
• Application Number:
  US11/247,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20060078469A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,833 Days
• Field of Search: 422/58, 422/60, 422/61, 422/63, 422/66, 422/68.1, 422/99, 422/100, 422102-104, 204/403.01
• US Class Current: 422/503
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48764 Test tape taken off a spool

Abstract

A device and a plurality of microfluidic platforms for taking up and especially studying or manipulating a sample liquid, a measuring instrument for use with the device and platforms, and a process for performing the studying or manipulating of the sample liquid. Very simple, hygienic and user-friendly handling is enabled in that the platforms which are connected to one another in a sealed state and can each be individually separated and individually, preferably simultaneously, opened for taking up of a sample, such as blood, for, e.g., performing a glucose determination.

Claims

1. Device for taking-up and studying or manipulating a sample liquid, comprising:

a plurality of microfluidic platforms connected together in an end-to-end longitudinal series, each of the platforms having a sample chamber, a take-up channel with an open end connected to the sample chamber for taking up sample liquid contained therein and a closed end in an adjoining platform, and a vent channel with an open end connected to the sample chamber for venting thereof a closed end in the adjoining platform; and

a separation line having means for separation of each individual platform from each adjoining platform, said means for separation being located between the open and closed ends of the take-up channel and of the vent channel such that said means for separation inherently also constitutes a means for opening the take-up and vent channels upon separation of each individual platform from each adjoining platform.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the connections of the platforms are frangible connections.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the platforms are covered by a continuous covering.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the covering covers at least one of a take-up channel for taking up the sample liquid and a vent channel of the platforms.

5. Device according to claim 3, wherein the covering also covers a sample chamber of the platforms.

6. Device according to claim 3, wherein the covering is made of a film.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the platforms are arranged in succession in a belt-shaped arrangement.

8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of microfluidic platforms are located on a belt-shaped common carrier.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of microfluidic platforms are located on a carrier made of a film.

10. Device according to claim 1, wherein the connected platforms are wound into a coil from which individual platforms are removable.

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the connected platforms are arranged in a stack from which individual platforms are removable.

12. Device according to claim 1, wherein the platforms are provided with at least one of mechanical and optical markings, recesses, holes, tapers, weakenings, notches for enabling or facilitating at least one of conveyance, positioning, grasping and separation of individual platforms.

13. Microfluidic platform assembly, comprising:

a plurality of microfluidic platforms for taking-up and studying or manipulating a sample liquid, the platforms, in a sealed state, being covered by a common or continuous covering, said covering having a removable strip which covers an opening of a take-up channel for taking up the sample and an opening of a vent channel of each platform,

wherein each of the platforms has means for being individually separated from an adjoining platform in a trasverse of the platform without opengin of said channels and means for individually removing at least a portion of said removable strip in a lengthwise direction of the platform so that both of said channels are opened thereby.