Device, system and method for processing a sample

• US 9,839,909 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diagnostics for the Real World, Ltd., Cambridge Enterprise Limited (University of Cambridge)
• Original Assignee: Diagnostics for the Real World, Ltd., Cambridge Enterprise Limited (University of Cambridge)
• Inventors: Lee, Helen Hwai-an, Dineva, Magda Anastassova, Wisniewski, Craig Alan, Stankus, Phillip John
• Primary Examiner(s): Jarrett, Lore
• Application Number:
  US12/375,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20100028204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,791 Days
• 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 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/045 whereby the whole cover is slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0663 Whole sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0644 rotary valves
• 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 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/00 Heating or cooling apparatus autoclaves B01J3/04; Heat insulating devices

Abstract

A device for the processing of a sample comprises a location apparatus, a processing chamber for receiving the sample and a plurality of reagent chambers. The reagent chambers have openings defined in the location apparatus. The processing chamber is movable relative to the reagent chambers to enable sequential communication with each reagent chamber in turn.

Claims

1. A device for the processing of a sample, comprising;

a location apparatus,

a processing chamber for receiving the sample having an opening,

one or more reagent chambers, each reagent chamber having an associated opening defined in the location apparatus, the processing chamber being movable relative to the one or more reagent chambers to enable sequential communication between the processing chamber and each reagent chamber, such that each reagent chamber communicates with the processing chamber when its associated opening is disposed in overlapping relationship with the processing chamber opening; and

a sealing apparatus comprising a seal element which forms a circumferential seal around the opening of the processing chamber and the associated opening of each reagent chamber, which seals the processing chamber and the one or more reagent chambers from the external environment throughout movement of the processing chamber relative to the one or more reagent chambers, and throughout the communication between the processing chamber and the one or more reagent chambers, so that the sample cannot escape from the device during processing of the sample.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which the location apparatus comprises the sealing apparatus.

3. The device according to claim 1 in which the sealing apparatus seals the one or more reagent chambers from the external environment.

4. The device according to claim 1 in which the device is non-reusable.

5. The device according to claim 1 for processing a biological sample.

6. The device according to claim 1 further comprising an access port providing initial external access to the processing chamber opening to allow introduction of the sample.

7. The device according to claim 6 in which the access port is protected, prior to introduction of the sample, by a removable seal.

8. The device according to claim 1, in which the processing chamber is movable between a plurality of discrete positions or stations and in at least some of these positions the processing chamber opening is disposed in overlapping relationship with a reagent chamber opening.

9. The device according to claim 1 in which at least one of the one or more reagent chambers is couplable to the device.

10. The device according to claim 9 in which the, or each, couplable reagent chamber forms a seal when coupled to the device.

11. The device according to claim 1 having at least one dispenser actuatable to introduce a reagent from the one or more reagent chambers into the processing chamber.

12. The device according to claim 1 suitable for use with a freeze-dried or lyophilised reagent.

13. The device according to claim 1 suitable for use with a liquid reagent.

14. The device according to claim 1 in which the one or more reagent chambers are pre-loaded with reagents.

15. The device according to claim 1 in which the location apparatus comprises a bottom portion and a top portion movable relative to the bottom portion.

16. The device according to claim 1 further comprising an analyser chamber for containing an analyser for analysing the sample after processing, the analyser chamber having an associated opening defined in the device such that it communicates with the processing chamber when its associated opening is disposed in overlapping relationship with the processing chamber opening.

17. The device according to claim 16 in which the analyser chamber is pre-loaded with an analyser.

18. The device according to claim 16 in which the analyser is a test strip.

19. The device according to claim 16 in which a wall of the analyser chamber is substantially transparent.

20. A device according to claim 1, wherein the location apparatus comprises a lower portion and an upper portion, the portions being laterally movable relative to each other.

21. A device according to claim 1, wherein the location apparatus comprises a lower portion and an upper portion, the portions being rotatable relative to each other.

22. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a ratchet apparatus which acts to locate the processing chamber in position to enable the sequential communication between the processing chamber and the one or more reagent chambers, or to locate the processing chamber in discrete positions to enable the sequential communication between the processing chamber and each of the reagent chambers in tum.

23. A device according to claim 22, wherein the ratchet apparatus prevents movement of the processing chamber in a reverse direction through the device.

24. A device for the processing of a sample, comprising;

a location apparatus,

a processing chamber for receiving the sample having an opening,

a plurality of reagent chambers, each reagent chamber having an associated opening defined in the location apparatus, the processing chamber being movable relative to the reagent chambers to enable sequential communication between the processing chamber and each reagent chamber, such that each reagent chamber communicates with the processing chamber when its associated opening is disposed in overlapping relationship with the processing chamber opening; and

a sealing apparatus comprising a seal element which forms a circumferential seal around the opening of the processing chamber and the associated opening of each reagent chamber, which seals the processing chamber and the reagent chambers from the external environment throughout movement of the processing chamber relative to the reagent chambers, and throughout the communication between the processing chamber and the reagent chambers so that the sample cannot escape from the device during processing of the sample.

25. The device according to claim 24 further comprising an analyser chamber for containing an analyser for analysing the sample after processing, the analyser chamber having an associated opening defined in the device such that it communicates with the processing chamber when its associated opening is disposed in overlapping relationship with the processing chamber opening.

26. A device for the processing of a sample, comprising;

a location apparatus,

a processing chamber for receiving the sample having an opening,

a reagent chamber having an associated opening defined in the location apparatus, the processing chamber being movable relative to the reagent chamber to enable communication between the processing chamber and the reagent chamber, such that the reagent chamber communicates with the processing chamber when its associated opening is disposed in overlapping relationship with the processing chamber opening; and

a sealing apparatus comprising a seal element which forms a circumferential seal around the opening of the processing chamber and the associated opening of the reagent chamber, which seals the processing chamber and the reagent chamber from the external environment throughout movement of the processing chamber relative to the reagent chamber, and throughout the communication between the processing chamber and the reagent chamber, so that the sample cannot escape from the device during processing of the sample.