Self-contained modular analytical cartridge and programmable reagent delivery system

Abstract

A modular system for constructing a variety of self-contained analytical cartridges enabled to perform a number of symmetrical or asymmetrical tests on a single sample source within a single device. Said cartridges are embodied as a readily reversible assemblage of two or more modules that are, in turn, operable to perform one or more tasks of an analytical test as discrete articles-of-manufacture. A programmable reagent delivery system comprising one or more serialized reagent clusters having one or more wet cells (individually packaged reagents) and zero or more dry cells (calibrated spacers); wherein, said wet cells are arranged in a linear series corresponding to prescribed temporal release sequence and dry cells are interpositioned between wet cells in a manner that enables two or more test protocols having asymmetrical release sequences to be synchronized such that a single mechanism can actuate more than one test protocol simultaneously.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableTHE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT[0003]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX[0004]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]1. Field of the Invention[0006]The field of the current invention relates to self-contained single-use fluidically-operated analytical devices considered to be portable and operable to perform one or more analytical test requiring a liquid or semi-solid environment. Applications related to the present invention are realized fields employing analytical testing such as environmental testing, food safety, national defense, research tools, drug development, and medical diagnostics.[0007]2. Description of Related Art[0008]A microfluidic device is a solid-state mixing device enabled by a fixed-configuration continuous-flow fluid cont...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for performing analytical tests using individually prepackaged reagents in a cartridge. These reagents are packaged as separate cells, which can be selectively used and interchanged. The use of wet cells allows for simplified reagent release mechanisms and reduced waste. A compression form is used to compress the reagent cluster and absorb spillage. The invention also allows for multiple analytical tests to be performed in parallel by using dry cells for incubation cycles. The method and apparatus are adaptable to different types of tests and can be easily programmed for various operational protocols.

Problems solved by technology

While these testing platforms derive greater commercial value from the diversity of test they can perform on a single sample source, due to their asymmetry they are easily orders of magnitudes more difficult to design and operate compared to homogenous testing platforms.

While some simultaneously actuated heterogeneous testing platforms exist, their commercial utility is generally limited to a small number of tests.

This in turn, leads to the need for different analytical instruments or the use of complex adaptors to operate these systems, neither of which is commercially favorable.

In addition to being difficult to design and operate, being singularly-indivisible and holistically self-contained, most of these devices have poor fault tolerances and are difficult to manufacture.

Doing so diversifies the number of devices needed to perform the equivalent number of tests which limits the full utility of such a device.

As a device that is inseparable into constituent parts the individual elements of the device cannot be individually fault-tested which, when coupled to a contiguous manufacturing process, results in an incrementing risk profile as the device is assembled which increases the cost of sacrificing the entire device if any single element fails to conform to specification.

Likewise, without the ability to interchange defective components, entire production lots are placed at risk when an analytical reagent, sensor, or other material reaches its life-expectancy or, is found to expire prematurely or malfunction post-manufacture.

While the physical layout of the fluid control network is largely a design issue that is self-limiting; the total reactant volume of a test, the sample volume in-particular, can only be decrease so much before it ceases to meaningfully represent the larger system.

Thus, fluid control systems must be scaled-up to handle larger reactant volumes which limits the total number of tests the device can perform.

This again, is commercially unfavorable.

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