Cartridge-based thermocycler
AssigneeVisby Medical, Inc.
InventorsHamilton R. TANG, Adam DE LA ZERDA, Kenneth I. LI, Kevin M. LIMTAO, Alan D. BALDWIN, Gregory C. LONEY
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Cartridge-based thermocyclers can include cartridges that are configured to move a fluid between distinct chambers. In some cases, the cartridge-based thermocyclers can be used for thermocycling a sample fluid comprising a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) target to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Individual chambers can be heated, cooled, and/or compressed to mix fluid within the chamber or to propel fluid in the chamber into another chamber. The cartridges can have a laminate construction. The cartridges can be configured to enable multiplexed thermocycling and/or detection.
Claims21
A molecular diagnostic test apparatus, comprising:
- a fluid chamber formed by a top wall and a bottom wall, the top wall including a curved surface and the bottom wall including a curved surface such that the fluid chamber is shaped to decrease bubbles being trapped when a sample flows into the fluid chamber;
- the bottom wall comprising an optical material configured to transmit an optical signal into and out of the fluid chamber;
- a heater disposed adjacent the bottom wall, the heater configured to increase a temperature of the sample within the fluid chamber to amplify a target nucleic acid within the sample;
- a light source configured to produce the optical signal, the optical signal being transmitted through the optical material of the bottom wall and into the fluid chamber;
- and
- an optical detector in optical communication with the fluid chamber via the optical material of the bottom wall, the optical detector configured to receive a detected signal associated with a presence of the target nucleic acid within the sample.
A molecular diagnostic test apparatus, comprising:
- a cartridge defining a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber each being shaped to decrease bubble formation within the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber when a sample flows into the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber;
- a sample receiving port defined within the cartridge;
- and
- a sample transfer device having an end portion configured to couple to the sample receiving port to convey the sample from within the sample transfer device into the cartridge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.