# US 11,305,278 B2 · Cartridge for testing a biological sample > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,278 B2 - Document ID: US11305278B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/338,539 - Filed: 2017-10-05 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-07 - Assignees: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH - Applicants: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH - Inventors: Matthias Kronsbein; Lutz Weber; Hannah Schmolke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305278B2 ## CPC - B01L 3/502738: {characterised by integrated valves (throttle valves in microfluidic sample containers B01L3/502746)} - F16K 99/0015: {Diaphragm or membrane valves} - F16K 99/0042: {Electric operating means therefor} - F16K 99/0055: {actuated by fluids} - B01L 2300/0816: Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions - B01L 2300/0861: Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices - B01L 2300/0874: Three dimensional network - B01L 2400/0487: fluid pressure, pneumatics - B01L 2400/0638: membrane valves, flap valves - B01L 2400/0655: pinch valves - F16K 2099/0084: {Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology} - G01N 2035/00247: {Microvalves} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - 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 for analyzing a biological sample, wherein the cartridge includes a fluid system having a plurality of channels and at least one valve, wherein the valve is covered on the outside by a cover, and wherein the valve is configured to be actuated by deforming a wall of the valve. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cartridge for testing a biological sample, the cartridge comprising: a fluid system having a plurality of channels and at least one valve for controlling the flow of the sample through the fluid system, wherein the valve comprises a wall that has a flexible portion, a valve chamber, a first opening and a second opening, and wherein the valve is configured to be actuated and closed by deforming the flexible portion of the wall; and an elastically deformable cover covering the wall at a location remote from the valve chamber, the cover at least one of being made of foamed plastic material, or comprising at least one of a lower indentation hardness and a lower compression hardness than the wall; wherein the cover is configured to reset the wall and open the valve after actuation has been finished, wherein the valve further comprises a valve seat, wherein the valve seat either projects into the valve chamber or forms the first opening, wherein the valve is mechanically actuatable for pressing the wall against the valve seat, or the first opening, to close the valve, wherein the valve seat has a hollow cylindrical shape that projects into the valve chamber from a side of the valve chamber facing the wall, an annular free edge of the cylindrical shape forming a contact surface for the wall when the wall is pressed to close the valve, and wherein the at least one valve comprises a plurality of valves, wherein the cartridge comprises a main body, wherein respective valve chambers of said plurality of valves are formed by depressions in a back of the main body, and wherein the cartridge comprises a continuous film bonded to the back of the main body which is common to said plurality of valves, the continuous film covering and fluidically closing all valve chambers and forming the respective walls of said plurality of valves. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises a substantially planar support and the wall is connected to the support in a non-detachable manner around the valve chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to compensate for asperities and/or surface roughness of the wall and to provide an even distribution of the force acting on the valve when actuating the valve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover is at least one of more elastic than the wall and has a lower elastic modulus than the wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the wall is made of polypropylene. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises at least one of a larger compressibility and a smaller module of compression than the wall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the cover is at least eight times the thickness of the wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises at least one of a lower indentation hardness and a lower compression hardness than the wall. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of foamed plastic material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable cover is bonded to the continuous film and is common to said plurality of valves. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels fluidically connect said plurality of valves, the channels being formed by depressions of the front of the main body, and wherein the cartridge comprises another continuous film bonded to the front of the main body, which covers and fluidically closes the channels on the front. ### Claim 12 A cartridge for testing a biological sample, the cartridge comprising: a fluid system having a plurality of channels and at least one valve for controlling the flow of the sample through the fluid system, wherein the valve comprises a wall that has a flexible portion, a valve chamber, a first opening and a second opening, and wherein the valve is configured to be actuated and closed by deforming the flexible portion of the wall; and an elastically deformable cover covering the wall at a location remote from the valve chamber, the cover at least one of being made of foamed plastic material, or comprising at least one of a lower indentation hardness and a lower compression hardness than the wall; wherein the cover is configured to reset the wall and open the valve after actuation has been finished, wherein the valve further comprises a valve seat, wherein the valve seat either projects into the valve chamber or forms the first opening, wherein the valve is mechanically actuatable for pressing the wall against the valve seat, or the first opening, to close the valve, wherein the valve seat has a hollow cylindrical shape that projects into the valve chamber from a side of the valve chamber facing the wall, an annular free edge of the cylindrical shape forming a contact surface for the wall when the wall is pressed to close the valve, and wherein said at least one valve comprises a plurality of valves, wherein the cartridge comprises a main body, the plurality valves forming a group of normally open valves, and wherein the cartridge comprises a further group of other valves of a different type which are initially closed, and wherein the cartridge comprises a continuous film bonded to the back of the main body, the continuous film forming walls of said both groups of valves. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the cartridge comprises a substantially planar support and the wall is connected to the support in a non-detachable manner around the valve chamber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the cover is configured to compensate for asperities and/or surface roughness of the wall and to provide an even distribution of the force acting on the valve when actuating the valve. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the cover is at least one of more elastic than the wall and has a lower elastic modulus than the wall. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the wall is made of polypropylene. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the cover comprises at least one of a larger compressibility and a smaller module of compression than the wall. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the thickness of the cover is at least eight times the thickness of the wall. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the cover comprises at least one of a lower indentation hardness and a lower compression hardness than the wall. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the valve is configured to be closed by deforming the wall and wherein the cover is configured to reset the wall and open the valve after actuation has finished. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the cover is made of foamed plastic material. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the elastically deformable cover is bonded to the continuous film and is common to said plurality of valves. ### Claim 23 (depends on 12) The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein respective valve chambers of said plurality of valves are formed by depressions in a back of the main body, and wherein the continuous film is common to said plurality of valves, the continuous film covering and fluidically closing all valve chambers and forming the respective walls of said plurality of valves. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The cartridge according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of channels fluidically connect said plurality of valves, the channels being formed by depressions of the front of the main body, and wherein the cartridge comprises another continuous film bonded to the front of the main body, which covers and fluidically closes the channels on the front.