Systems and devices for analysis of samples
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system, comprising:
- a microfluidic sample analyzer comprising;
a housing;
an opening in the housing configured to receive a cassette having at least one channel with a fluid sample therein and at least one microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm, wherein the housing includes a component configured to interface with a mating component on the cassette to detect the cassette within the housing;
a pressure-control system positioned within the housing, the pressure-control system configured to pressurize the at least one channel in the cassette to move the sample through the at least one channel, wherein the pressure-control system includes a vacuum source, a manifold coupling the vacuum source to the at least one channel in the cassette, a pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure in the manifold, and a valve positioned between the vacuum source and the at least one channel;
an optical system positioned within the housing, the optical system including a plurality of light sources and a plurality of detectors spaced apart from the plurality of light sources, wherein the light sources are configured to pass light through the cassette when the cassette is inserted into the sample analyzer and wherein the detectors are positioned opposite the light sources to detect the amount of light that passes through the cassette;
wherein the plurality of light sources includes at least a first light source and a second light source adjacent the first light source, wherein the first light source is configured to pass light through a first measurement zone of the cassette and the second light source is configured to pass light through a second measurement zone of the cassette adjacent the first measurement zone; and
a cassette configured to be inserted into the housing of the analyzer, the cassette including a first channel including an inlet and an outlet and a second channel including an inlet and an outlet, the cassette comprising a connecting unit adapted and arranged to be attachably coupled to the cassette, the connecting unit including a fluid path configured to fluidly connect the first and second channels of the cassette when the connecting unit is coupled to the cassette, wherein the first and second channels of the cassette are not in fluid communication with one another absent connection via the connecting unit, and wherein at least one channel of the cassette has a diameter of between approximately 50 μ
m and approximately 500 μ
m.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for analysis of samples, and in certain embodiments, microfluidic sample analyzers configured to receive a cassette containing a sample therein to perform an analysis of the sample are described. The microfluidic sample analyzers may be used to control fluid flow, mixing, and sample analysis in a variety of microfluidic systems such as microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic platforms. Advantageously, the microfluidic sample analyzers may be, in some embodiments, inexpensive, reduced in size compared to conventional bench top systems, and simple to use. Cassettes that can operate with the sample analyzers are also described.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a microfluidic sample analyzer comprising; a housing; an opening in the housing configured to receive a cassette having at least one channel with a fluid sample therein and at least one microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm, wherein the housing includes a component configured to interface with a mating component on the cassette to detect the cassette within the housing; a pressure-control system positioned within the housing, the pressure-control system configured to pressurize the at least one channel in the cassette to move the sample through the at least one channel, wherein the pressure-control system includes a vacuum source, a manifold coupling the vacuum source to the at least one channel in the cassette, a pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure in the manifold, and a valve positioned between the vacuum source and the at least one channel; an optical system positioned within the housing, the optical system including a plurality of light sources and a plurality of detectors spaced apart from the plurality of light sources, wherein the light sources are configured to pass light through the cassette when the cassette is inserted into the sample analyzer and wherein the detectors are positioned opposite the light sources to detect the amount of light that passes through the cassette; wherein the plurality of light sources includes at least a first light source and a second light source adjacent the first light source, wherein the first light source is configured to pass light through a first measurement zone of the cassette and the second light source is configured to pass light through a second measurement zone of the cassette adjacent the first measurement zone; and a cassette configured to be inserted into the housing of the analyzer, the cassette including a first channel including an inlet and an outlet and a second channel including an inlet and an outlet, the cassette comprising a connecting unit adapted and arranged to be attachably coupled to the cassette, the connecting unit including a fluid path configured to fluidly connect the first and second channels of the cassette when the connecting unit is coupled to the cassette, wherein the first and second channels of the cassette are not in fluid communication with one another absent connection via the connecting unit, and wherein at least one channel of the cassette has a diameter of between approximately 50 μ
m and approximately 500 μ
m. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system, comprising:
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a microfluidic sample analyzer comprising; a housing; an opening in the housing configured to receive a cassette having at least one channel with a fluid sample therein and at least one microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm, wherein the housing includes a component configured to interface with a mating component on the cassette to detect the cassette within the housing; a pressure-control system positioned within the housing, the pressure-control system configured to pressurize the at least one channel in the cassette to move the sample through the at least one channel; a vent valve comprising a solenoid positioned above a seal, wherein the solenoid is adapted to press the seal against the cassette; an optical system positioned within the housing, the optical system including a plurality of light sources and a plurality of detectors spaced apart from the plurality of light sources, wherein the light sources are configured to pass light through the cassette when the cassette is inserted into the sample analyzer and wherein the detectors are positioned opposite the light sources to detect the amount of light that passes through the cassette; wherein the plurality of light sources includes at least a first light source and a second light source adjacent the first light source, wherein the first light source is configured to pass light through a first measurement zone of the cassette and the second light source is configured to pass light through a second measurement zone of the cassette adjacent the first measurement zone; and a cassette configured to be inserted into the housing of the analyzer, the cassette including a first channel including an inlet and an outlet and a second channel including an inlet and an outlet, the cassette comprising a connecting unit adapted and arranged to be attachably coupled to the cassette, the connecting unit including a fluid path configured to fluidly connect the first and second channels of the cassette when the connecting unit is coupled to the cassette, wherein the first and second channels of the cassette are not in fluid communication with one another absent connection via the connecting unit, and wherein at least one channel of the cassette has a diameter of between approximately 50 μ
m and approximately 500 μ
m. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification