Cartridge for containing a specimen sample for optical analysis

• US 7,815,863 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2005
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Menarini Silicon Biosystems S.P.A
• Original Assignee: Veridex LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Rao, Galla Chandra, Kagan, Michael, Alden, Tor, Prohaska, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Ludlow; Jan M
• Application Number:
  US11/294,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20060115380A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,779 Days
• Field of Search: 422/99, 422/102
• US Class Current: 422/568
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0642 Filling fluids into wells by specific techniques
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/508 rigid containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/11 Filling or emptying of cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0098 involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation magnetic particles used in immunoassays G01N33/54326; magnetic separation in general B03C
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An improved cartridge for holding a fluid sample with a small volume is disclosed herein. The cartridge has a test chamber and a vestibule through which the test fluids are inserted into the test chamber. Improved grips are flared-out to aid manipulation. The handle portion is reinforced to prevent flexing, and a prefabricated trough along the edge of the land surface prevents introduction of the adhesive into the region for analysis. The cartridge has a stopper having a dual sealing mechanism, which seals the test chamber inlet between the vestibule and the test chamber, and the mouth of the vestibule so that when the stopper is in place, the test chamber is closed to the admission of air or other contaminants. The vestibule is similarly closed against escape of the overflow from the test chamber. The stopper is composed of a single elastomer. An improved locking mechanism has two flexible walls on either side of the handhold that locks into their respective keepers on the cartridge to provide a secure lock. Additionally, an improved method for loading the cartridge allows for an even distribution of magnetically responsive particles contained within a fluid sample to be viewed in an array through the optically clear land surface portion of the cartridge.

Claims

1. An improved stopper having a probe on a projecting stem of said stopper, said probe forming a first seal adapted to sealingly seat in an inlet and close the same, said first seal precluding air entrapment within a test chamber upon being seated in said inlet, said probe having a distal end adapted to enter said inlet of said test chamber below an established fill level before said first seal closes said inlet, said distal end having a thickness sufficient to displace liquid upwardly through said inlet and position the surface of said fluid sample in a vestibule prior to said first seal closing said inlet and a plug on said projecting stem of said stopper proximal to said probe, said plug having a position along said projecting stem such that said vestibule remains open to an environment until after closing of said inlet by said probe then said plug engages with an enlarged mouth on said vestibule effecting a second seal to close the upper end of vestibule, wherein the improvement comprises:

a. a single elastomer where the probe, the plug, and a stopper handhold are composed of said single elastomer; and

b. a locking mechanism to engage with keeper elements on a cartridge, said mechanism having flexible walls on each side of said stopper handhold such that when said second seal closes the vestibule said flexible walls are compressed until they snap outwardly and allow said stopper to lock into place, said locking mechanism resists disengagement by twisting.

2. A stopper according to claim 1 wherein said elastomer has a durometer value in the range of approximately 60 to 100.

3. A stopper according to claim 1 wherein said elastomer has a durometer value in the range of approximately 80 to 90.

4. A stopper according to claim 1 wherein said elastomer has a durometer value of about 90.