CARTRIDGE DEVICE FOR A MEASURING SYSTEM FOR MEASURING VISCOELASTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A SAMPLE LIQUID, A CORRESPONDING MEASURING SYSTEM, AND A CORRESPONDING METHOD

• US 20130323848A1
• Filed: 05/15/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C. A. Casyso GmbH
• Original Assignee: C A Casyso AG
• Inventors: Schubert, Axel, Romero-Galeano, Jos Javier, Kessler, Max
• Granted Patent: US 9,086,423 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/69
• 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 2300/0627 Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• 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 2400/0475 specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
• 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 3/52 Containers specially adapted for storing or dispensing a reagent B01L3/02 takes precedence; containers for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; containers in general B65D; storing or dispensing test elements G01N33/4875; automated reagent dispensing G01N35/1002
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 11/00 Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity, plasticity; Analysing materials by determining flow properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 11/14 by using rotary bodies, e.g. vane G01N11/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2011/0046 In situ measurement during mixing process
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/96458 Factor XII (3.4.21.38)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2800/224 Haemostasis or coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4905 Determining clotting time of blood by chemical methods G01N33/86, C12Q1/54
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/86 involving blood coagulating time or factors, or their receptors

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, in particular a blood sample, comprising a cartridge body having at least one measurement cavity formed therein and having at least one probe element arranged in said at least one measurement cavity for performing a test on said sample liquid; and a cover being attachable on said cartridge body; wherein said cover covers at least partially said at least one measurement cavity and forms a retaining element for retaining said probe element in a predetermined position within said at least one measurement cavity. The invention is directed to a measurement system and a method for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid.

Claims

1. A cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, comprising:

a cartridge body having at least one measurement cavity formed therein and having at least one probe element arranged in said at least one measurement cavity for performing a test on said sample liquid;

at least one receiving cavity formed therein for receiving said sample liquid;

at least one reagent cavity for holding at least one reagent; and

a ductwork connecting said cavities and said at least one measurement cavity.

2. The cartridge device of claim 1, wherein the sample liquid is a blood sample.

3. The cartridge device of claim 1, wherein at least one pump means is connected to said ductwork for transporting said sample liquid from said at least one receiving cavity to said at least one measurement cavity by means of said ductwork.

4. The cartridge device of claim 3, wherein said at least one reagent cavity is integrally formed with said at least one pump means or with said at least one measurement cavity or with one or more of said ductworks or a combination thereof.

5. The cartridge device of claim 1, further comprising at least one reagent receptacle, said reagent receptacle storing a reagent and comprising a bottom part which can be opened by external means to discharge said reagent into said ductwork or into one of said cavities or into said ductwork and into one of said cavities.

6. A measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid comprising:

at least one interface element;

at least one shaft rotatably supported by said interface element to be rotated by drive means;

at least one cartridge device of claim 1 fixed to said interface element for pumping said sample liquid, said at least one probe element of said at least one cartridge device cooperating with said at least one shaft;

at least one detecting means cooperating with said shaft for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of said sample liquid; and

control means to control said measuring system.

7. The measuring system of claim 6, wherein the sample liquid is a blood sample.

8. A method for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid by means of a measuring system of claim 6, comprising the following steps:

a) providing the cartridge device having said at least one measurement cavity with said at least one probe element arranged therein;

b) attaching the cartridge device to said interface element, said shaft being inserted into said probe element;

c) filling said measurement cavity of said cartridge device with sample liquid;

d) rotating said shaft in an oscillating motion around said rotation axis; and

e) measuring viscoelastic characteristics of said sample liquid by detecting the rotation of said shaft by said detecting means.