Blood Testing System and Method

• US 20160091517A1
• Filed: 12/03/2015
• Published: 03/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C. A. Casyso GmbH
• Original Assignee: C A Casyso AG
• Inventors: Gorin, Michael, Hillman, Robert S., McCluskey, Cory Lee, Schwaiger, Hubert Martin
• Granted Patent: US 9,897,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/04 Closures and closing means
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0627 Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/123 Flexible; Elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/06 Valves, specific forms thereof
• 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: G01N 11/00 Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity, plasticity; Analysing materials by determining flow properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4905 Determining clotting time of blood by chemical methods G01N33/86, C12Q1/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/86 involving blood coagulating time or factors, or their receptors

Abstract

Some embodiments of a blood coagulation testing system include an analyzer console device and a single-use cartridge component configured to releasably install into the console device. In some embodiments, the blood coagulation testing system can operate as an automated thromboelastometry system that is particularly useful, for example, at a point-of-care site.

Claims

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

a cartridge body having a measurement chamber, a mixing chamber, and a testing chamber formed therein, the measurement chamber in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and the mixing chamber in fluid communication with the testing chamber through ductwork connecting the chambers; and

a cover being attachable to the cartridge body, the cover comprising at least one valve molded to the cover, the valve configured to regulate flow through the ductwork.

2. The cartridge device of claim 1, wherein the valve is formed and attached to the cover by overmolding.

3. The cartridge device of claim 1, wherein the valve is melted onto the cover.

4. The cartridge device of claim 1, wherein the valve is formed across an opening in the cover.

5. The cartridge device of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises an elastomeric material.

6. The cartridge device of claim 5, wherein the elastomeric material is a thermoplastic elastomer.

7. The cartridge device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of valves attached to the cover.

8. The cartridge device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of valves regulate flow in the ductwork fluidically connecting the mixing chamber and the testing chamber.

9. The cartridge device of claim 1, wherein the valve is configured to stop flow in the ductwork upon application of external pressure to the valve.

10. The cartridge device of claim 1, wherein the valve is closed by a mechanical device contacting an exterior part of the valve.