Systems and methods for fluid handling

• US 8,475,739 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2011
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Labrador Diagnostics LLC (FIG LLC (d/b/a Fortress Investment Group LLC))
• Original Assignee: Theranos Incorporated
• Inventors: Holmes, Elizabeth, Roy, Joy, Frankovich, John Kent
• Primary Examiner(s): HIXSON, CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US13/244,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20130078733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 422/516, 422/517, 422/518, 422/520, 422/521, 422/522, 422/524, 422/525, 422/500, 422/501, 422/509, 422/510, 422/511, 422/512, 422/513, 422/514, 422/515, 422/68.1, 422/50, 422/412, 422/417, 73/645.6, 738/63, 738/640.1, 738/641.1, 738/641.3, 738/641.5, 738/641.6, 738/643.5
• US Class Current: 422/509
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/028 Modular arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0631 Purification arrangements, e.g. solid phase extraction [SPE]
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0647 Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/082 Handling hazardous material
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/043 magnetic forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0217 of the plunger pump type medical syringes A61M
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5021 Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes centrifuges B04B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50825 Closing or opening means, corks, bungs closures for containers B65D; means for removing stoppers B67B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/523 with means for closing or opening
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00277 Special precautions to avoid contamination (e.g. enclosures, glove- boxes, sealed sample carriers, disposal of contaminated material)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00 : Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1072 : with provision for selective pipetting of individual channels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Claims

1. A fluid handling apparatus comprising:

at least one pipette head, wherein the at least one pipette head comprises a pipette nozzle configured to connect with a tip that is removable from said nozzle, wherein the tip has a (i) proximal end engageable with the nozzle and (ii) a distal end; and

a base connected to the at least one pipette head,

wherein said at least one pipette head has provides a continuous fluid path of a given length that terminates at the distal end of the tip when the tip is engaged with the pipette nozzle,

and wherein the length of the continuous fluid path is adjustable by moving the pipette nozzle relative to the base without affecting movement of fluid from the tip when the tip and the pipette nozzle are engaged.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein pipette nozzle is movable relative to the base by moving uniaxially relative to the base.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid path is formed using rigid components.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ventilation port within the pipette head, said port having an open position and a closed position, physically independent of the position of a plunger within the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a solenoid and/or a valve that control opening or closing of the ventilation port, physically independent of the position of a plunger within the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the ventilation port is coupled to a positive pressure source that is useful for the expulsion of the fluid, and/or a negative pressure source that is useful for the aspiration of the fluid.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the ventilation port is coupled to a reversible pump capable of delivering positive or negative pressure.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the removable tip comprises two openings, each of which has an embedded passive valve.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising tubing terminating at the pipette nozzle, forming at least a portion of the fluid path.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the tubing comprises a rigid inner tubing and a rigid outer tubing, wherein the rigid inner tubing is movable with respect to the outer tubing.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the length of the fluid path is adjustable by moving the pipette nozzle relative to a plunger and the base within the apparatus without affecting movement of fluid from the tip when the tip and the pipette nozzle are engaged.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plunger within the apparatus, said plunger having a proximate end closer to the pipette nozzle and a distal end further from the pipette nozzle, and the length of the fluid path starts at a proximate end of the plunger.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is connected to a plurality of pipette heads.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of pipette nozzles are independently movable relative to the base.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a motor that effects the movement of said pipette nozzle relative to said base.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a motor that effects the movement of said plurality of pipette nozzles relative to said base.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid path comprises a liquid.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid path comprises a liquid and a gas.