Reducing optical interference in a fluidic device
AssigneeTheranos, Inc.
InventorsIan Gibbons, Michael O'Connell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications. In particular, the medical device reduces interference with an optical signal which is indicative of the presence of an analyte in a bodily sample.
Claims49
A fluidic device for detecting an analyte in a sample of bodily fluid, comprising:
- a sample collection unit adapted to provide a sample of bodily fluid into said fluidic device;
- an assay assembly in fluidic communication with said sample collection unit, wherein said assay assembly is adapted to yield an optical signal indicative of the presence of the analyte in the sample of bodily fluid;
- and
- a quencher assembly in fluidic communication with said assay assembly, wherein said quencher assembly is adapted to reduce interference of said optical signal.
A system for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising:
- a fluidic device comprising
- an assay assembly configured to yield an optical signal that is indicative of the presence of the analyte;
- and
- a quencher assembly in fluidic communication with said assay assembly, wherein said quencher assembly is adapted to reduce interference of said optical signal;
- and
- a detection assembly for detecting said optical signal.
A method of detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising:
- allowing a sample suspected to contain the analyte to react with at least one reactant contained in a fluidic device that comprises:
- an assay assembly configured to yield an optical signal that is indicative of the presence of the analyte;
- and
- an quencher assembly in fluidic communication with said assay assembly, wherein said quencher assembly is adapted to reduce interference of said optical signal;
- and
- detecting said optical signal thereby detecting the analyte in the sample.
A method of manufacturing a fluidic device having a quencher assembly, comprising:
- providing a plurality of layers of the fluidic device;
- affixing said layers together to provide for a fluidic network between a sample collection unit, at least one reagent chamber, at least one reaction site, and at least one quencher assembly.
A fluidic device for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising:
- a sample collection unit;
- an assay assembly comprising
- at least one reaction site, said reaction site comprising a surface and a reactant that binds an analyte immobilized thereto;
- a first reagent chamber comprising an enzyme conjugate;
- a second reagent chamber comprising an enzyme substrate, wherein the enzyme substrate reacts with the enzyme conjugate to produce a luminescent signal;
- and
- fluidic channels that connect the reagent chambers with the at least one reaction site;
- a quencher assembly comprising an absorbent material and a quenching agent, wherein the quenching agent diminishes the reaction between the enzyme conjugate and the enzyme substrate;
- and
- a plurality of fluidic channels that connect the sample collection unit and the quencher assembly with the assay assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.