Analytical test cartridge; and, methods

• US 9,423,393 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2014
• Issued: 08/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Instrumentation Lab Co (Instrumentation Lab)
• Original Assignee: International Technidyne Corporation (Sphingotec GMBH)
• Inventors: Sin, Kee Van
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander, Lyle
• Assistant Examiner(s): EOM, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US14/193,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20150064732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4915 using flow cells flow cytometry G01N15/14
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/115831 Condition or time responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/116664 with automated titrator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/143333 Saccharide [e.g., DNA, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/144444 Glucose
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/171538 Urea or blood urea nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/193333 In aqueous solution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/201666 Carboxylic acid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/204998 Inorganic carbon compounds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/209163 Dissolved or trace oxygen or oxygen content of a sealed environment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An analytical test cartridge is provided. The analytical test cartridge can be used for medical analyses of liquid samples removed from a patient, for example blood. The analytical test cartridge is configured to provide for titration experiments. An example of a titration experiment that can be performed with the arrangement, is titration of heparin with protamine. Methods of assembly and use are provided.

Claims

1. A method of assaying an analyte presence in a liquid sample, the method comprising:

directing a liquid sample into a plurality of capillary spurs in fluid flow communication with a single main flow channel, each capillary spur including a titration cell from a plurality of titration cells, each titration cell from the plurality of titration cells containing a sensor, each titration cell being a flow-through titration cell;

titrating a first quantity of a reagent into a first titration cell from the plurality of titration cells;

titrating a second quantity of the reagent into a second titration cell from the plurality of titration cells; and

calculating an amount of an analyte in the liquid sample based, at least in part, on the first quantity of the reagent and the second quantity of the reagent.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

the analyte is heparin; and

the liquid sample is blood.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

directing the liquid sample includes directing the liquid sample into an analytical sample cartridge having a total perimeter area of no more than 100 sq. cm.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein:

the plurality of titration cells includes at least six titration cells each of the at least six titration cells including at least one of at least six sensors; and

calculating the amount of the analyte is based, at least in part, on a signal from each of the at least six sensors.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

the analyte is heparin;

the liquid sample is blood; and

the reagent is protamine.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising directing the liquid sample from each flow-through titration cell into a waste flow channel.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising injecting the liquid sample into the single main flow channel, each capillary spur sized such that a pressure of injecting the liquid sample into the single main flow channel does not force fluid into each capillary spur.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein directing the liquid sample into the plurality of capillary spurs is accomplished through capillary action.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first quantity of a reagent is titrated into the first titration cell prior to the liquid sample being directed into the plurality of capillary spurs.