Mechanical cartridge with test strip fluid control features for use in a fluid analyte meter

• US 8,574,919 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2010
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polymer Technology Systems Incorporated (Sinocare, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Ramel, Urs A., Tay, Dillan
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, MELANIE YU
• Application Number:
  US12/661,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20100226822A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,338 Days
• Field of Search: 436/164, 436/165, 436/174, 436/177, 436/178, 436/180
• US Class Current: 436/164
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/04 Exchange or ejection of cartridges, containers or reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0621 Control of the sequence of chambers filled or emptied
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/04 Closures and closing means
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/049 Valves integrated in closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/089 Virtual walls for guiding liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0457 passive flow or gravitation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54389 with bidirectional or multidirectional lateral flow, e.g. wherein the sample flows from a single, common sample application point into multiple strips, lanes or zones
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/558 using diffusion or migration of antigen or antibody immunochromatographic test strips G01N33/54387
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A structure for controlling fluid flow from a sample receiving pad into a lateral flow assay test strip, including: a lateral flow assay test strip; a sample pad abutting the lateral flow assay test strip; a pinch wall positioned to direct fluid flow from the sample pad to the lateral flow assay test strip; a top support structure positioned on top of the test strip; and a bottom support structure positioned underneath the test strip, wherein each of the top and bottom support structures comprise a plurality of separate spaced-apart support ribs positioned along the length of the test strip.

Claims

1. A pinch wall system for controlling fluid flow movement from a sample receiving pad to a test strip, comprising:

a sample receiving pad for receiving a fluid sample;

a test strip in contact with the sample receiving pad; and

a single pinch wall having a first section compressing said sample receiving pad and a second section compressing said sample receiving pad, said second section compressing said sample receiving pad to a lesser degree than said first section, said single pinch wall configured such that fluid flowing to said test strip flows past said second section whereby the flow is controlled.

2. The pinch wall system of claim 1, wherein the flow of fluid sample past said second section of said pinch wall is controlled so as to form a uniform front of fluid flow.

3. The pinch wall system of claim 1, wherein the flow of fluid sample past said second section of said pinch wall is controlled so as to form of consistent rate of fluid flow.

4. The pinch wall system of claim 1, wherein the sample receiving pad includes a bottom surface compressed by said pinch wall and said sample receiving pad includes a top surface for receiving a fluid sample.

5. The pinch wall system of claim 4, wherein said fluid flow past said second section is above said pinch wall.

6. The pinch wall system of claim 1, wherein said test strip comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, and a body between the upper and lower surfaces, the fluid sample being forced into the test strip body by said second section of said pinch wall.

7. The pinch wall system of claim 1, wherein said fluid sample forms a uniform front through said body.

8. The pinch wall system of claim 1, wherein said pinch wall contacts said sample receiving pad directly adjacent said test strip.

9. The pinch wall system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second test strip in contact with the sample receiving pad;

said single pinch wall having a third section compressing said sample receiving pad, the third section of said single pinch wall compressing said sample receiving pad to a lesser degree than said first section, said pinch wall configured such that all fluid flowing to said second test strip must flow past said third section of said single pinch wall;

wherein the flow of fluid sample from said sample receiving pad to said second test strip is controlled by said third section of said single pinch wall.

10. The pinch wall system of claim 1, wherein said single pinch wall encircles a portion of said sample receiving pad to create a sample receiving portion and an overflow portion, the overflow portion being beyond said single pinch wall.

11. The pinch wall system of claim 10, wherein fluid may flow from said sample receiving portion to said overflow portion of said sample receiving pad.

12. The pinch wall system of claim 1, wherein the pinch wall is stationary with respect to the sample receiving pad while receiving the fluid sample and during the fluid flow.