# US 12,005,444 B2 · System for analysis of a fluid sample

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- Number: US 12,005,444 B2
- Document ID: US12005444B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/145,167
- Filed: 2021-01-08
- Published: 2021-06-17
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2018-07-09
- Assignees: PreSens—Precision Sensing GmbH
- Applicants: PreSens Precision Sensing GmbH
- Inventors: Gregor Liebsch; Daniela Obermaier; Robert J. Meier; Achim Stangelmayer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005444B2

## CPC

- B01L 3/502715: {characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces}
- G01N 21/6408: {with measurement of decay time, time resolved fluorescence}
- G01N 21/6445: {Measuring fluorescence polarisation}
- G01N 21/645: {Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters}
- B01L 2200/141: Preventing contamination, tampering
- B01L 2200/148: Specific details about calibrations
- B01L 2300/0627: Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
- B01L 2300/0654: Lenses; Optical fibres
- G01N 2021/6434: {Optrodes}
- G01N 2021/6482: {Sample cells, cuvettes}
- G01N 2021/6484: {Optical fibres}
- 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

A system for analysis of a fluid sample has a carrier with a channel. A plug with a sensor can be inserted into a socket arranged on the carrier in such a way that the sensor is in contact with an interior volume of the channel. The sensor can be an optical sensor, in particular based on fluorescence. Optical fibres may be connected to the plug. A camera (8) may be provided to record an image of the plug. The carrier may in particular be a microfluidic chip and the channel a microfluidic channel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for analysing a fluid sample, the system comprising:
a carrier with a microfluidic channel for the fluid sample, the carrier being a microfluidic chip;
a socket for a plug, wherein the socket is arranged on the carrier and is open towards the channel;
the plug for plugging into the socket, the plug carrying a sensor and configured such that the sensor is in contact with an interior volume of the channel when the plug is plugged into the socket, wherein the sensor has an optical behaviour dependent on at least one variable of the sample;
wherein the sensor comprises one or more sensor elements, a sensor element being a patch of material containing a sensor substance, and wherein the sensor substance is a substance having the optical behaviour dependent on at least one variable of the sample.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the plug is connected to or connectable to one or more optical fibres.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the plug is transparent for a wavelength range relevant to the optical behaviour.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein a side wall of the plug is opaque for the wavelength range relevant to the optical behaviour.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a reference element.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is fixed to a cap, and the cap is removable from the plug.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a stopper for closing the socket when the plug is not plugged into the socket.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the stopper is of the same shape as the plug.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein more than one socket is arranged on the carrier, each of the more than one socket is open towards the channel.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises a plurality of branches.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the socket is shaped as a fluid port for the microfluidic chip.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the plug is shaped as a stopper for the fluid port.