Process analysis unit

• US 8,881,580 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2010
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hach Lange GmbH (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hach Lange GmbH (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Farjam, Aria, Lundgreen, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Macchiarolo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): KERAMET-AMIRCOLA, MOHAMMED E
• Application Number:
  US13/392,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20120198921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,567 Days
• Field of Search: 73/614.1, 356/436
• US Class Current: 73/61.41
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/10 Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0627 Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/082 the tubular flexible member being pressed against a wall by a number of elements, each having an alternating movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the tubular member and each having its own driving mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/12 having peristaltic action
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/4016 being a selective membrane, e.g. dialysis or osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0321 One time use cells, e.g. integrally moulded
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0325 Cells for testing reactions, e.g. containing reagents
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0346 Capillary cells; Microcells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/054 Bubble trap; Debubbling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/8411 Application to online plant, process monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/05 Flow-through cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/11 Filling or emptying of cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/645 Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8507 Probe photometers, i.e. with optical measuring part dipped into fluid sample
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0218 Submersible, submarine
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/024 Modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 : Water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1095 : for supplying the samples to flow-through analysers for a specific analyser see relevant groups, e.g. under G01N15/00, G01N21/00, G01N27/00, G01N30/00, H01J49/00

Abstract

A process analysis unit includes a base module and an exchangeable cartridge module. The base module comprises at least one independent pump drive, and an analyte sensor without a fluidic measuring section. The cartridge module comprises a liquid reservoir tank, a sample taking device, at least one drive-less pump mechanism configured as a peristaltic membrane pump, a fluidic measuring section for the analyte sensor, and a plastic material plate with groove-like microfluidic channels configured to connect the liquid reservoir tank, the at least one drive-less pump mechanism, and a measuring section. The drive-less pump mechanism is driven pneumatically and pumps a liquid from the liquid reservoir tank. When the cartridge module is connected to the base module, the at least one drive-less pump mechanism is connected to and is driven by the at least one independent pump drive, and the fluidic measuring section is connected to the analyte sensor.

Claims

1. A process analysis unit for the determination of an analyte in water, the process analysis unit comprising a base module and an exchangeable cartridge module which is configured to be connected to the base module,

the base module comprising:

at least one independent pump drive, and

an analyte sensor without a fluidic measuring section,

wherein the base module does not comprise a liquid fluidic system; and

the cartridge module comprising the liquid fluidic system, the cartridge module comprising;

a liquid reservoir tank,

a sample taking device,

at least one drive-less pump mechanism configured as a peristaltic membrane pump, the drive-less pump mechanism being configured to be driven pneumatically and to pump a liquid from the liquid reservoir tank, wherein the peristaltic membrane pump comprises pump chambers covered by a flexible liquid-tight pump membrane,

a fluidic measuring section for the analyte sensor, and

a plastic material plate with groove-like microfluidic channels configured to connect the liquid reservoir tank, the at least one drive-less pump mechanism, and a measuring section, a section of the groove-like microfluidic channels being less than 5 mm²,

wherein,

when the cartridge module is connected to the base module, the at least one drive-less pump mechanism is connected to and is driven by the at least one independent pump drive, and the fluidic measuring section is connected to the analyte sensor, and

each of a plurality of the at least one drive-less pump mechanism is associated with a respective at least one independent pump drive.

2. The process analysis unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the cartridge module further comprises a plurality of reservoir tanks.

3. The process analysis unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the analyte sensor comprises an optical detector configured to optically determine the analyte in the fluidic measuring section.

4. The process analysis unit as recited in claim 3, wherein the optical detector determines at least one of an absorption, a fluorescence and a luminescence of a sample.

5. The process analysis unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the cartridge module further comprises a dialysis membrane configured to obtain a sample.

6. The process analysis unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the analysis unit is designed as an immersion probe.

7. The process analysis unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the cartridge module is configured to be encapsulated in a liquid-tight manner so that liquids contained therein cannot escape therefrom.