# US 11,027,281 B2 · Instrument for performing a diagnostic test on a fluidic cartridge

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- Number: US 11,027,281 B2
- Document ID: US11027281B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/547,875
- Filed: 2016-02-02
- Published: 2018-01-18
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-02-02
- Assignees: Binx Health Limited
- Applicants: Atlas Genetics Limited
- Inventors: Ben Arlett; Tom Edwards
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027281B2

## CPC

- B01L 3/527: {for a plurality of reagents}
- B01L 3/502715: {characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces}
- B01L 7/52: {with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples}
- B01L 7/525: {with physical movement of samples between temperature zones}
- C12Q 1/686: Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]
- G01N 33/48785: {Electrical and electronic details of measuring devices for physical analysis of liquid biological material not specific to a particular test method, e.g. user interface or power supply}
- G01N 35/00029: {provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides (G01N35/028 takes precedence)}
- B01L 2200/025: Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
- B01L 2200/04: Exchange or ejection of cartridges, containers or reservoirs
- B01L 2200/10: Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
- B01L 2200/146: Employing pressure sensors
- B01L 2200/16: Reagents, handling or storing thereof
- B01L 2300/0816: Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
- B01L 2300/0867: Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
- B01L 2300/0874: Three dimensional network
- B01L 2300/0887: Laminated structure
- B01L 2300/123: Flexible; Elastomeric
- B01L 2300/1822: using Peltier elements
- B01L 2400/0478: pistons
- B01L 2400/0481: squeezing of channels or chambers
- B01L 2400/0487: fluid pressure, pneumatics
- B01L 2400/0633: with moving parts
- B01L 2400/0666: Solenoid valves
- B01L 2400/0683: mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber
- G01N 2035/00128: {with pressing or squeezing devices}
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES
- 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

A cartridge reader controlled by processing means for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge comprises a mechanical valve for isolating the sample with the cartridge. A system for actuating the mechanical valve comprises an actuation member configured to move the mechanical valve from an open position to a closed position and an armature connected to the actuation member. The armature is configured to engage an electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet can be switched between an active state in which it electromagnetically holds the armature and an inactive state in which it does not electromagnetically hold the armature. First biasing means are disposed between the actuation member and a bearing surface, wherein the first biasing means is configured to bias the actuation member into a first position in which it actuates a mechanical valve in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cartridge reader for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge comprising a mechanical valve for isolating the sample with the cartridge, the cartridge reader comprising a system for actuating the mechanical valve comprising:
an actuation member configured to move the mechanical valve from an open position to a closed position;
an armature connected to the actuation member, configured to engage an electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet can be switched between an active state in which it electromagnetically holds the armature and an inactive state in which it does not electromagnetically hold the armature;
a first biasing means, disposed between the actuation member and a bearing surface, wherein the first biasing means is configured to bias the actuation member into a first position in which it actuates a mechanical valve in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader;
wherein the actuation member is held in a second position against the bias of the first biasing means by the electromagnet when the electromagnet is in its active state, and is moved into its first position by the first biasing means when the electromagnet is in its inactive state;
an upper clamp having a fixed position relative to the cartridge reader and a lower clamp, movable relative to the upper clamp, wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are configured to receive the fluidic cartridge therebetween;
a gantry, fixedly connected to the lower clamp by at least one alignment shaft which passes through at least one aperture in the upper clamp such that at least a portion of the gantry extends above the upper clamp, wherein the electromagnet is connected to the gantry and the bearing surface is comprised in the upper clamp; and
a processing means for controlling operation of the cartridge reader and configured to determine when a diagnostic test carried out by the reader has been completed, and to switch the electromagnet to its inactive state at the end of the diagnostic test so as to move the mechanical valve from an open position to a closed position to isolate the sample within the cartridge.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cartridge reader of claim 1, wherein, in the event of a fault or power failure, the electromagnet becomes inactive and the mechanical valve moves to its closed position to isolate the sample.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The cartridge reader of claim 2, wherein the armature and the actuation member are connected by a shaft which passes through an aperture in the upper clamp.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the reader is further configured to:
move the lower clamp from a first position in which the electromagnet mounted on the gantry is spaced apart from the armature when the armature is in its first position, to a second position in which the electromagnet contacts the armature;
activate the electromagnet when it reaches the second position, thereby engaging the electromagnet with the armature; and
move the lower clamp from its second position to a third position, whilst magnetically holding the armature, thereby moving the actuation member to its second position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The cartridge of claim 4, further comprising a first coil spring disposed around the at least one alignment shaft, between the actuation member and the upper clamp.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The cartridge reader of claim 4, wherein central axes of the electromagnet, the alignment shaft and the actuation member are offset from each other.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The cartridge reader of claim 6, wherein the first biasing means comprises a coil spring, and wherein each of the axes is within a circumference of the first biasing means.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The cartridge reader of claim 2, further comprising second biasing means between the upper clamp and the gantry.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The cartridge reader of claim 8, wherein a force exerted by the second biasing means exceeds the force exerted by the first biasing means.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A fluidic cartridge for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained therein, the cartridge comprising a mechanical valve for isolating the sample with the cartridge and configured for use with a cartridge reader of claim 1, the mechanical valve configured to be moved from an open position to a closed position by the actuation member.