APPARATUS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR MANIPULATING DEFORMABLE FLUID VESSELS

• US 20160339426A1
• Filed: 08/03/2016
• Published: 11/24/2016
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 10,807,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 configured for displacing fluid from a fluid container comprises first and second actuators configured to be movable together until the first actuator compresses a first part of the fluid container and then moveable independently until the second actuator compresses a second part of the fluid container. Fluid containers comprise a first vessel, a second vessel, and a sealing partition preventing fluid flow from the second vessel and further include piercing means for piercing the sealing partition to permit fluid flow from the second vessel. A fluid container comprises a vessel configured to be collapsed to displace fluid from the vessel, a housing surrounding at least a portion of the vessel, and a floating compression plate movably disposed within the housing and configured to permit an external actuator to press the compression plate into the vessel to collapse the vessel and displace the fluid contents therefrom.

Claims

1. A fluid container comprising:

a first vessel;

a second vessel connected or connectable to the first vessel;

a sealing partition preventing fluid flow from the second vessel; and

a cantilevered lance having a piercing point and disposed with the piercing point adjacent to the sealing partition and configured to be deflected until the piercing point pierces the sealing partition to permit fluid flow from the second vessel.

2. The fluid container of claim 1, further comprising a fluid channel extending between the first and second vessels.

3. The fluid container of claim 2, further comprising a seal within the fluid channel, the seal being configured to be breakable upon application of sufficient force to the seal to thereby connect the first and second vessels via the fluid channel.

4. A fluid container comprising:

a first vessel;

a second vessel connected or connectable to the first vessel;

a sealing partition preventing fluid flow from the second vessel; and

a cantilevered lance having a piercing point and being fixed at an end thereof opposite the piercing point, said cantilevered lance being disposed with the piercing point adjacent to the sealing partition and configured to be deflected until the piercing point pierces the sealing partition to permit fluid flow from the second vessel.

5. The fluid container of claim 4, further comprising a substrate on which the first and second vessels are supported and which includes a chamber formed therein adjacent said sealing partition, wherein an end of the cantilevered lance is secured to the substrate and the piercing point of the lance is disposed within the chamber.

6. The fluid container of any of claim 4, further comprising a fluid channel extending between the first and second vessels.

7. The fluid container of claim 6, further comprising a seal within the fluid channel, the seal being configured to be breakable upon application of sufficient force to the seal to thereby connect the first and second vessels via the fluid channel.

8. A fluid container comprising:

a first vessel;

a second vessel connected or connectable to the first vessel;

a sealing partition preventing fluid flow from the second vessel; and

a lancing pin having a piercing point and disposed with the piercing point adjacent to the sealing partition and configured to be moved with respect to the sealing partition until the piercing point pierces the sealing partition to permit fluid flow from the second vessel.

9. The fluid container of claim 8, wherein the lancing pin has a fluid port formed therethrough to permit fluid to flow through the lancing pin after the sealing partition is pierced by the piercing point.

10. The fluid container of any one of claim 8, further comprising a substrate on which the first and second vessels are supported and which includes a chamber formed therein adjacent said sealing partition within which the lancing pin is disposed.

11. The fluid container of claim 10, wherein said chamber comprises a segmented bore defining a hard stop within the chamber and said lancing pin includes a shoulder that contacts the hard stop to prevent further movement of the lancing pin after the piercing point pierces the sealing partition.

12. The fluid container of any of claim 8, further comprising a fluid channel extending between the first and second vessels.

13. The fluid container of claim 12, further comprising a seal within the fluid channel, the seal being configured to be breakable upon application of sufficient force to the seal to thereby connect the first and second vessels via the fluid channel.

14. A fluid container comprising:

a first vessel;

a second vessel disposed within the first vessel;

a substrate on which the first and second vessels are supported and having a cavity formed therein adjacent said second vessel;

a fixed spike formed within the cavity; and

a fluid exit port extending from the cavity, wherein said first and second vessels are configured such that external pressure applied to the first vessel will collapse the second vessel and cause the second vessel to contact and be pierced by the fixed spike, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the first vessel through the cavity and the fluid exit port.

15. A fluid container comprising:

a collapsible vessel configured to be collapsed upon application of sufficient external pressure to displace fluid from the vessel;

a housing surrounding at least a portion of the collapsible vessel; and

a floating compression plate movably disposed within said housing, wherein

said housing includes an opening configured to permit an external actuator to contact the floating compression plate within the housing and press the compression plate into the collapsible vessel to collapse the vessel and displace the fluid contents therefrom.