# US 10,086,373 B2 · Cartridge with a rotatable lid > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,086,373 B2 - Document ID: US10086373B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/352,698 - Filed: 2016-11-16 - Published: 2017-04-06 - Granted: 2018-10-02 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-16 - Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. - Applicants: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. - Inventors: Christoph Boehm; Sascha Lutz; Juergen Spinke; Thorsten Brueckner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10086373B2 ## CPC - B01L 3/50273: {characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids} - B01L 3/502715: {characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces} - G01N 21/07: Centrifugal type cuvettes (G01N21/09 takes precedence) - G01N 21/64: Fluorescence; Phosphorescence - G01N 21/6428: {Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" (in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53)} - G01N 35/00: Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor - G01N 35/00069: {whereby the sample substrate is of the bio-disk type, i.e. having the format of an optical disk} - G01N 35/00584: {Control arrangements for automatic analysers} - G01N 35/00871: {Communications between instruments or with remote terminals} - B01L 2200/027: for microfluidic devices - B01L 2200/10: Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept - B01L 2300/023: Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using Bluetooth® - B01L 2300/045: whereby the whole cover is slidable - B01L 2300/0627: Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated - B01L 2300/0645: Electrodes - B01L 2300/0663: Whole sensors - B01L 2300/0803: Disc shape - B01L 2300/087: Multiple sequential chambers - B01L 2400/0406: capillary forces - B01L 2400/0409: centrifugal forces - B01L 2400/0644: rotary valves - B01L 2400/0688: surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break - G01N 2015/045: {by optical analysis} - G01N 2021/0325: {Cells for testing reactions, e.g. containing reagents} - G01N 2035/00257: {Capillary stop flow circuits} - G01N 2035/00881: {network configurations} - G01N 2035/0449: {using centrifugal transport of liquid} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract An automatic analyzer cartridge, spinnable around a rotational axis, has a support structure with a front face perpendicular to the rotational axis, a fluidic structure for processing a biological sample into the processed biological sample, a measurement structure with at least one detection zone on the front face, and a rotatable lid covering the front face. The rotatable lid is rotatable about the rotational axis relative to the support structure from a first position relative to the support structure to a second position relative to the support structure. The rotatable lid has a sample inlet opening and a detection zone opening. In the first position, a sample inlet is aligned with the sample inlet opening and the measurement structure is covered by the rotatable lid. In the second position, the sample inlet is covered by the rotatable lid and the measurement structure is aligned with the detection zone opening. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge, wherein the cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis, wherein the cartridge comprises: a support structure, wherein the support structure has a front face perpendicular to the rotational axis, wherein the rotational axis passes through the support structure; a fluidic structure for processing a biological sample into the processed biological sample, wherein the fluidic structure comprises a sample inlet for receiving the biological sample, wherein the fluidic structure is formed by the support structure; a measurement structure located on the front face, wherein the measurement structure is fluidically connected to the fluidic structure by a fluidic connection, wherein the fluidic connection is formed by the support structure, wherein the measurement structure comprises at least one detection zone; a rotatable lid covering the front face, wherein the rotatable lid is moveably attached to the support structure, wherein the rotatable lid is operable for being rotated about the rotational axis relative to the support structure, wherein the rotatable lid is operable for being rotated from a first position relative to the support structure to a second position relative to the support structure, wherein the rotatable lid has a sample inlet opening, wherein the rotatable lid has a detection zone opening, wherein in the first position the sample inlet is aligned with the sample inlet opening, wherein in the first position the measurement structure is covered by the rotatable lid, wherein in the second position the sample inlet is covered by the rotatable lid, wherein in the second position the measurement structure is aligned with the detection zone opening; wherein the method comprises: placing the biological sample into the sample opening; rotating the rotatable lid from the first position to the second position; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process the biological sample into the processed biological sample using the fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow into the measurement structure; and performing the optical measurement on the measurement structure with an optical instrument. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fluidic structure further comprises a reagent in an incubation chamber, wherein the reagent comprises at least one first type of antibody, wherein the at least one detection zone comprises a binding site for binding the analyte with at least one second type of antibody, wherein the step of controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process the biological sample into the processed biological sample using the fluidic structure comprises: transporting the biological sample to the incubation chamber; incubating the reagent with the biological sample to attach the at least one type of antibody to the analyte. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the biological sample is blood, wherein processed biological sample comprises blood plasma, wherein the cartridge further comprises an blood cell collection zone, wherein the step of controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process the biological sample into the processed biological sample using the fluidic structure comprises separating the blood plasma from the blood using the blood cell collection zone. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the support structure formed from plastic. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the support structure is formed from at least a first part and a second part. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the fluidic structure formed by injection molding and/or hot stamping. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the measurement structure is at least partially formed by injection molding and/or hot stamping. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the measurement structure is at least partially formed by the support structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the fluidic connection is formed by injection molding or hot stamping. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the rotatable lid is attached to the support structure using by a bearing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the bearing is formed at least partially by both the rotatable lid and the support structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the bearing is at least partially formed by injection molding and/or hot stamping. ### Claim 13 A cartridge for an automatic analyzer, wherein the cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis, wherein the cartridge comprises: a support structure, wherein the support structure has a front face perpendicular to the rotational axis, wherein the rotational axis passes through the support structure; a fluidic structure for processing a biological sample into the processed biological sample, wherein the fluidic structure comprises a sample inlet for receiving the biological sample, wherein the fluidic structure is formed by the support structure; a measurement structure on the front face, wherein the measurement structure is fluidically connected to the fluidic structure by a fluidic connection, wherein the fluidic connection is formed by the support structure, wherein the measurement structure comprises at least one detection zone; and a rotatable lid covering the front face, wherein the rotatable lid is attached to the support structure, wherein the rotatable lid is operable for being rotated about the rotational axis relative to the support structure, wherein the rotatable lid is operable for being rotated from a first position relative to the support structure to a second position relative to the support structure, wherein the rotatable lid has a sample inlet opening, wherein the rotatable lid has a detection zone opening, wherein the sample inlet opening is positioned such that in the first position the sample inlet is aligned with the sample inlet opening, wherein the detection zone opening is positioned such that in the first position the measurement structure is covered by the rotatable lid, wherein the sample inlet opening is positioned such that in the second position the sample inlet is covered by the rotatable lid, wherein the detection zone opening is positioned such that in the second position the measurement structure is aligned with the detection zone opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the rotatable lid is operable for being rotated from the second position relative to the support structure to a third position relative to the support structure, wherein in the third position the sample inlet is covered by the rotatable lid, and wherein in the third position the measurement structure is covered by the rotatable lid. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the rotatable lid is operable for being rotated from the first position relative to the support structure to an intermediate position relative to the support structure, wherein in the intermediate position the sample inlet is covered by the rotatable lid, wherein in the intermediate position the measurement structure is covered by the rotatable lid, and wherein the rotatable lid is operable for being rotated from the intermediate position relative to the support structure to the second position relative to the support structure. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the cartridge further comprises a pivot centered at the rotational axis for attaching the rotatable lid to the support structure. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the cartridge further comprises a circular guide rail centered about the rotational axis, wherein the cartridge further comprises a guide rail depression for mating with the circular guide rail, wherein the rotatable lid comprises one of the circular guide rail and the guide rail depression, and wherein the support structure comprises the other of the circular guide rail and the guide rail depression. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the support structure has a circular side edge, wherein the support structure has a notch about a circumference of the circular side edge, wherein the rotatable lid comprises an attachment element for engaging the circular notch. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the circular side edge comprises a first ratchet structure, wherein the lid comprises a second ratchet structure, wherein the first ratchet structure and the second ratchet structure form a ratchet to enable rotation of the rotatable lid relative to the support structure in only one direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the cartridge further comprises a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is operable for allowing the rotatable lid to rotate from the first position to the second position, wherein the locking mechanism is operable for preventing the rotatable lid from being rotated from the second position to the first position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the rotatable lid has an edge, wherein the rotatable lid comprises a circular extension that extends from the edge past the front face. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The cartridge of claim 21, wherein the sample inlet opening is on the circular extension. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the sample inlet is on the front face. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) Automatic analyzer configured for receiving a cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the automatic analyzer comprises a cartridge spinner, an optical instrument, and a controller configured to control the automatic analyzer, wherein the controller is configured to: control the rotational rate of the cartridge using the cartridge spinner to process the biological sample into the processed biological sample using the fluidic structure; control the rotational rate of the cartridge using the cartridge spinner to allow the processed biological sample to flow into the measurement structure; and perform the fluorescence measurement on the measurement structure with the fluorescence spectrometer.