Portable scattering and fluorescence cytometer

• US 7,978,329 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Cabuz, Cleopatra, Padmanabhan, Aravind, Fritz, Bernard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley; Gregory J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Valentin; Juan D
• Application Number:
  US10/304,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20030142291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,150 Days
• Field of Search: 356/39, 356/73, 436/10, 436/63, 435/7.24
• US Class Current: 356/440
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150213 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150221 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150343 Collection vessels for collecting blood samples from the skin surface, e.g. test tubes, cuvettes sampling from within body cavities A61B5/150015, A61B5/150045
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150351 Caps, stoppers or lids for sealing or closing a blood collection vessel or container, e.g. a test-tube or syringe barrel caps for bottles or containers in general B65D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/417 the bone marrow
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1404 Handling flow, e.g. hydrodynamic focusing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/147 the analysis being performed on a sample stream
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1484 microstructural devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/019 Biological contaminants; Fouling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1027 Determining speed or velocity of a particle
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1486 Counting the particles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00891 Displaying information to the operator

Abstract

An apparatus having scattering and multi-color fluorescence detecting, analyzing and identification capabilities of blood or other fluids of interest. The sample to be tested may be entered in a disposable microfluidic cartridge which in turn is insertable in a hand-holdable or implantable miniaturized and portable cytometer instrument. This cytometer has significant application in biological warfare agent detection, hematology and other clinical and research fields.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus, comprising:

a removable cartridge defining a flow stream path containing at least one particle having a fluorescent marker; and

a portable housing adapted to receive the removable cartridge, said portable housing including;

a first light source arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the first light source arrangement adapted to direct a first light beam into the flow stream path;

a first light detector arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the first light detector arrangement adapted to detect fluorescent light emitted from said flow stream path;

a second light source arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the second light source arrangement adapted to direct a second light beam into the flow stream path; and

a second light detector arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the second light detector arrangement adapted to detect scattered light emitted from said flow stream path;

wherein the apparatus is a miniaturized portable model wearable on or insertable in a body;

wherein the apparatus is wearable on a wrist.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a tube insertable into a vein of a user.

3. A portable apparatus, comprising:

a removable cartridge defining a flow stream path containing at least one particle having a fluorescent marker; and

a portable housing adapted to receive the removable cartridge, said portable housing including;

a first light source arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the first light source arrangement adapted to direct a first light beam into the flow stream path;

a first light detector arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the first light detector arrangement adapted to detect fluorescent light emitted from said flow stream path;

a second light source arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the second light source arrangement adapted to direct a second light beam into the flow stream path; and

a second light detector arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the second light detector arrangement adapted to detect scattered light emitted from said flow stream path;

wherein the apparatus is a miniaturized portable model implantable in a user.

4. A portable apparatus, comprising:

a removable cartridge including a fluidic circuit and at least one reservoir for holding a reagent fluid, the fluidic circuit defining a flow stream path containing at least one particle having a fluorescent marker; and

a portable housing adapted to receive the removable cartridge, said portable housing including;

a first light source arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the first light source arrangement adapted to direct a first light beam into the flow stream path;

a first light detector arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the first light detector arrangement adapted to detect fluorescent light emitted from said flow stream path;

a second light source arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the second light source arrangement adapted to direct a second light beam into the flow stream path; and

a second light detector arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the second light detector arrangement adapted to detect scattered light emitted from said flow stream path.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said at least one reservoir is a sheath fluid reservoir.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said at least one reservoir is a waste fluid reservoir.

7. A portable apparatus, comprising:

a removable fluidic cartridge defining a flow stream path containing at least one particle having a fluorescent marker; and

a portable housing adapted to receive the removable cartridge, said portable housing including;

a first light source arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the first light source arrangement adapted to direct a first light beam into the flow stream path;

a first light detector arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the first light detector arrangement adapted to detect fluorescent light emitted from said flow stream path;

a second light source arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the second light source arrangement adapted to direct a second light beam into the flow stream path; and

a second light detector arrangement disposed adjacent to the flow stream path, the second light detector arrangement adapted to detect scattered light emitted from said flow stream path;

wherein the removable self-contained fluidic cartridge includes at least one reservoir for holding a reagent fluid.