Fluid cartridge

• US 9,527,080 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Knight, Byron J., Groeli, Julian
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander, Lyle
• Assistant Examiner(s): KILPATRICK, BRYAN T
• Application Number:
  US14/210,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20140271409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 422/554, 422/63
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/02 Adapting objects or devices to another
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0668 Trapping microscopic beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/142 Preventing evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/047 Additional chamber, reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/048 enabling gas exchange, e.g. vents
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0609 Holders integrated in container to position an object
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0838 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0851 Bottom walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0858 Side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/12 Specific details about materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 : capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 : with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 : Test tubes per se
• 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 3/5085 : for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 : with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50855 : using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/523 : with means for closing or opening
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/527 : for a plurality of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 69/00 : Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/0207 : characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/34 : Trays or like shallow containers B65D81/3813 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/36 : with moulded compartments or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 17/50 : Non-integral frangible members applied to, or inserted in, preformed openings, e.g. tearable strips or plastic plugs B65D53/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2539/003 : provided with sealing flanges or ribs
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 39/0017 : Injection-molded plastic closures for "Champagne"- or "Sekt"-type bottles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 39/0029 : Plastic closures other than those covered by groups B65D39/0011 - B65D39/0023
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/686 : Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00287 : movable lid/cover for sample or reaction tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6091 : Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 : comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/026 : having blocks or racks of reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 : Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 : Reagent dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1079 : with means for piercing stoppers or septums
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis

Abstract

System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.

Claims

1. A cartridge consisting of:

a plurality of adjacently-positioned wells;

a top surface that is integrally molded with the wells, each of the wells depending from the top surface and having a bottom surface and a discrete opening at the top surface, wherein at least a first well and a second well of the plurality of wells are sealed, wherein at least a portion of the wells contain a fluid, and wherein the first and second wells contain the same fluid;

a first fluid path connecting the first well with the second well, wherein the first fluid path is disposed adjacent a lower portion of each of the first and second wells and above the respective bottom surfaces of the first and second wells;

a second fluid path connecting the first well with the second well, wherein the second fluid path is disposed adjacent an upper portion of each of the first and second wells; and

optionally, an outer wall depending from a perimeter of the top surface.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the height of each well from a bottom wall of the well to the top surface is substantially the same.

3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first well and the second well are sealed with a single frangible foil seal.

4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first well has a greater volumetric capacity than the second well and the opening of the first well is larger than the opening of the second well.

5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first fluid path consists of a channel formed between an opening formed in a wall forming the first well and an opening formed in a wall forming the second well, and the second fluid path consists of a slot in a wall separating the first well from the second well.

6. The cartridge of claim 5, wherein the channel is a laterally extending channel.

7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the top surface is a flat surface.

8. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the top surface has a generally rectangular perimeter.

9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge has a flat bottom enabling the cartridge to be supported in an upright orientation on a supporting flat surface.

10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the flat bottom of the cartridge is defined by bottom walls of the wells.

11. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the cartridge further consists of the optional outer wall, and wherein the flat bottom of the cartridge is defined by a bottom end of the outer wall.

12. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first fluid path consists of a channel formed between an opening formed in a wall forming the first well and an opening formed in a wall forming the second well.

13. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second fluid path consists of a slot in a wall separating the first well from the second well.

14. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is a molded plastic.