Apparatus and methods for manipulating deformable fluid vessels

• US 10,391,489 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2016
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Genmark Diagnostics Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Wright, David Walter, Aiello, Dominic, Clark, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Kathryn
• Application Number:
  US15/184,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20160297570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0672 Integrated piercing tool
• 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 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/123 Flexible; Elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0683 mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber
• 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 3/502715 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: B01L 3/505 flexible containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/523 with means for closing or opening
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 35/28 for expelling contents
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 35/30 Pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 35/56 Holders for collapsible tubes B65D51/249 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0055 Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 1/08 for liquids or viscous products water-main or service pipe systems E03B7/04; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D17/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 : Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87917 : Flow path with serial valves and/or closures

Abstract

An apparatus for processing a fluid module, including a collapsible vessel supported on a planar substrate, comprises a first actuator component configured to be movable in a first direction is generally parallel to the plane of the substrate, a second actuator component configured to be movable in a second direction having a component that is normal to the plane of the substrate, and a motion conversion mechanism coupling the first actuator component with the second actuator component and configured to convert movement of the first actuator component in the first direction into movement of the second actuator component in the second direction.

Claims

1. A method for processing a fluid module including a collapsible fluid vessel containing fluid and supported on a planar substrate, said method comprising:

moving a first actuator component in a first direction that is generally parallel to the plane of the substrate while constraining the first actuator component to prevent movement of the first actuator component in a direction normal to the plane of the substrate;

coupling a second actuator component to the first actuator component to convert movement of the first actuator component in the first direction into movement of the second actuator component in a second direction that is generally normal to the plane of the substrate; and

applying a force compressing the collapsible fluid vessel against the substrate with the second actuator component moving in the second direction to displace the fluid from the collapsible fluid vessel;

wherein the first actuator component comprises an actuator plate configured to be movable in the first direction, and wherein constraining the first actuator component comprises supporting the actuator plate for movement in the first direction by rollers engaged with opposed edges of the actuator plate, wherein the rollers are rotatable about axes that are perpendicular to the actuator plate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second actuator component comprises a platen configured to be movable in the second direction to apply a force compressing the vessel against the substrate, and wherein coupling the second actuator component to the first actuator component comprises engaging a cam follower element of the actuator plate with a cam surface of a cam body coupled to the platen as the actuator plate moves in the first direction, thereby causing movement of the cam body that results in movement of the platen in the second direction.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the cam follower element of the actuator plate comprises a roller configured to rotate about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the actuator plate and normal to the first direction; and

the cam body is pivotally attached at one portion thereof to a chassis and at another portion thereof to the platen.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the cam surface of the cam body comprises an initial flat portion and a convexly-curved portion, and movement of the roller from the initial flat portion to the convexly-curved portion causes the movement of the cam body that results in movement of the platen in the second direction.

5. A method for processing a fluid module including a collapsible fluid vessel containing fluid and supported on a planar substrate, said method comprising:

moving a first actuator component in a first direction that is generally parallel to the plane of the substrate;

using a guide to constrain the first actuator component to prevent movement of the first actuator component in a direction normal to the plane of the substrate;

coupling a second actuator component to the first actuator component to convert movement of the first actuator component in the first direction into movement of the second actuator component in a second direction that is generally normal to the plane of the substrate; and

applying a force compressing the collapsible fluid vessel against the substrate with the second actuator component moving in the second direction to displace the fluid from the collapsible fluid vessel;

wherein the first actuator component comprises an actuator plate configured to be movable in the first direction, and wherein constraining the first actuator component comprises supporting the actuator plate for movement in the first direction by rollers engaged with opposed edges of the actuator plate, wherein the rollers are rotatable about axes that are perpendicular to the actuator plate.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second actuator component comprises a platen configured to be movable in the second direction to apply a force compressing the vessel against the substrate, and wherein coupling the second actuator component to the first actuator component comprises engaging a cam follower element of the actuator plate with a cam surface of a cam body coupled to the platen as the actuator plate moves in the first direction, thereby causing movement of the cam body that results in movement of the platen in the second direction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

the cam follower element of the actuator plate comprises a roller configured to rotate about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the actuator plate and normal to the first direction; and

the cam body is pivotally attached at one portion thereof to a chassis and at another portion thereof to the platen.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the cam surface of the cam body comprises an initial flat portion and a convexly-curved portion, and movement of the roller from the initial flat portion to the convexly-curved portion causes the movement of the cam body that results in movement of the platen in the second direction.

9. A method for processing a fluid module including a collapsible vessel supported on a planar substrate, said method comprising:

moving a first actuator component in a first direction that is generally parallel to the plane of the substrate;

using a guide to constrain the first actuator component to prevent movement of the first actuator component in a direction normal to the plane of the substrate;

coupling a second actuator component to the first actuator component to convert movement of the first actuator component in the first direction into movement of the second actuator component in a second direction that is generally normal to the plane of the substrate; and

applying a force compressing the vessel against the substrate with the second actuator component moving in the second direction;

wherein the first actuator component comprises an actuator plate configured to be movable in the first direction, and wherein constraining the first actuator component comprises supporting the actuator plate for movement in the first direction by rollers engaged with opposed edges of the actuator plate, wherein the rollers are rotatable about axes that are perpendicular to the actuator plate.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second actuator component comprises a platen configured to be movable in the second direction to apply a force compressing the vessel against the substrate, and wherein coupling the second actuator component to the first actuator component comprises engaging a cam follower element of the actuator plate with a cam surface of a cam body coupled to the platen as the actuator plate moves in the first direction, thereby causing movement of the cam body that results in movement of the platen in the second direction.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the cam follower element of the actuator plate comprises a roller configured to rotate about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the actuator plate and normal to the first direction; and

the cam body is pivotally attached at one portion thereof to a chassis and at another portion thereof to the platen.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the cam surface of the cam body comprises an initial flat portion and a convexly-curved portion, and movement of the roller from the initial flat portion to the convexly-curved portion causes the movement of the cam body that results in movement of the platen in the second direction.