Instrument for performing a diagnostic test on a fluidic cartridge
AssigneeBinx Health Limited
InventorsBen Arlett, Tom Edwards
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cartridge reader is configured to carry out a diagnostic test on a fluid sample contained within a fluidic cartridge. The cartridge comprises first, second and third collapsible blisters containing at least one reagent for use in the diagnostic test. The cartridge reader comprises an upper clamp, occupying a fixed position relative to the reader and a lower clamp, movable relative to the upper clamp, and wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are configured to receive and hold a fluidic cartridge therebetween.
Claims20
A cartridge reader configured to carry out a diagnostic test on a fluid sample contained within a fluidic cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises first, second and third collapsible blisters containing at least one reagent for use in the diagnostic test, the cartridge reader comprising:
- an upper clamp, occupying a fixed position relative to the reader and a lower clamp, movable relative to the upper clamp, and wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are configured to receive and hold a fluidic cartridge therebetween;
- first, second and third blister actuators mounted on the upper clamp, and for aligning with first, second and third collapsible blisters of a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader, wherein the first, second and third blister actuators are movable relative to the upper clamp, between a first position in which the blister actuators are spaced apart from the collapsible blisters comprised on the fluidic cartridge received between the upper and lower clamps, and a second position in which the blister actuators depress the collapsible blisters, thereby collapsing the blisters and ejecting the reagents contained therein into a channel in the microfluidic cartridge.
A cartridge reader for carrying out a diagnostic test on a fluid sample contained in a fluidic cartridge in the cartridge reader, the fluidic cartridge comprising bellows for moving the fluid sample along a network of channels, a plurality of pneumatically actuated valves in the network of channels and a pneumatics interface, the cartridge reader comprising:
- a pneumatics system, comprising:
- a pneumatics interface, comprising a plurality of pneumatic interface ports, configured to couple to the pneumatics interface on the fluidic cartridge;
- a positive pressure sub-system comprising first and second positive pressure reservoirs and a first pump configured to provide a supply of positive pressure to maintain the first and second positive pressure reservoirs at first and second positive pressures, respectively, wherein the first and second positive pressures are different;
- and
- a negative pressure sub-system comprising a negative pressure reservoir and a second pump configured to provide a supply of negative pressure to maintain the negative pressure reservoir at a negative pressure;
- a valve system comprising a plurality of solenoid valves, each connected to a pneumatic interface port and configured to couple to that pneumatic interface port at least one of:
- the first and second positive pressure reservoirs and the negative pressure reservoir;
- and processing means configured to operate the first and second pumps and the plurality of solenoid valves according to a predetermined cycle during the diagnostic test such that during the cycle:
- a first subset of pneumatic interface ports is selectively coupled to either the first positive pressure reservoir or the negative pressure reservoir for actuating the bellows and the pneumatic valves on the cartridge;
- and
- a second subset of pneumatic interface ports is coupled to the second positive pressure reservoir for evacuating a surplus fluid from at least a portion of the network of channels in the fluidic cartridge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.