CARTRIDGE FOR ANALYZING A FLUID SAMPLE

• US 20040166031A1
• Filed: 03/06/2001
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cepheid (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cepheid (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Chang, Ronald, Pourahmadi, Farzad, Dority, Douglas B., Taylor, Michael T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,783,736 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/103
• 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 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0809 rectangular shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0622 distribution valves, valves having multiple inlets and/or outlets, e.g. metering valves, multi-way valves
• 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 7/52 with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/066 by physical methods
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 13/00 Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/81 Packaged device or kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/806 Electrical property or magnetic property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/807 Apparatus included in process claim, e.g. physical support structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/809 Multifield plates or multicontainer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/829 Liposomes, e.g. encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87716 For valve having a flexible diaphragm valving member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/88046 Biased valve with external operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 : including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction

Abstract

A cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample has a body defining at least first and second channels and a cavity separating the channels. An end of the first channel is positioned on a first side of the cavity, and an end of the second channel is positioned on a second side of the cavity. The cavity is defined by a first curved surface positioned adjacent the end of the first channel, a second curved surface positioned adjacent the end of the second channel, and at least a third surface between the first and second curved surfaces. The cartridge also comprises an elastic membrane for establishing a seal with the first and second curved surfaces to prevent the flow of fluid between the channels. The third surface is recessed from the first and second surfaces to provide a gap between the membrane and the third surface when the membrane is pressed against the first and second surfaces. A cartridge having a conical valve seat is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A cartridge comprising:

a) a body defining at least first and second channels and a conical valve seat positioned between the channels; and

b) an elastic membrane for establishing a circular seal with the valve seat to prevent the flow of fluid between the channels.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

a) a valve actuator having a spherical surface for pressing the membrane against the valve seat; and

b) an elastic body for forcing the valve actuator to press the membrane against the valve seat.

3. A cartridge comprising:

a) a body having formed therein;

i) a chamber;

ii) a conical valve seat in fluid communication with the chamber; and

iii) a channel extending from the valve seat; and

b) an elastic membrane for establishing a circular seal with the valve seat to prevent the flow of fluid between the chamber and the channel.

4. The cartridge of claim 3, further comprising:

a) a valve actuator having a spherical surface for pressing the membrane against the valve seat; and

b) an elastic body for forcing the valve actuator to press the membrane against the valve seat.

5. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein the valve seat is in fluid communication with the chamber via a port or channel intersecting the center of the valve seat.

6. A cartridge comprising:

a) a body defining;

i) at least first and second channels; and

ii) a cavity separating the channels, wherein an end of the first channel is positioned on a first side of the cavity, and wherein an end of the second channel is positioned on a second side of the cavity, and wherein the cavity is defined by;

a first curved surface positioned adjacent the end of the first channel;

a second curved surface positioned adjacent the end of the second channel; and

at least a third surface between the first and second curved surfaces; and

b) an elastic membrane for establishing a seal with the first and second curved surfaces to prevent the flow of fluid between the channels, wherein the third surface is recessed from the first and second surfaces to provide a gap between the membrane and the third surface when the membrane is pressed against the first and second surfaces.

7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the first and second curved surfaces comprise first and second concentric spherical surfaces.

8. The cartridge of claim 7, further comprising a valve actuator having a third spherical surface for pressing the membrane against the first and second spherical surfaces.

9. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein each of the first and second spherical surfaces has a radius of curvature substantially equal to the sum of the radius of curvature of the third spherical surface plus the thickness of the membrane.

10. The cartridge of claim 8, further comprising an elastic body for forcing the valve actuator to press the membrane against the first and second spherical surfaces.